Claims
- 1. A vehicle seat assembly comprising:
- a vehicle seat including seat back and bottom cushions to support corresponding back and bottom parts of an occupant seated on the vehicle seat;
- an occupant-sensing system including at least one occupant-sensing sensor mounted in the seat back cushion to generate a first electrical output signal in response to pressure created by the occupant seated on the vehicle seat and a second occupant-sensing sensor mounted in the bottom cushion to generate a second electrical output signal in response to pressure caused by the occupant seated on the vehicle seat; and
- a controller coupled to the sensors for processing the electrical output signals and generating an electrical control signal wherein the controller includes control logic to distinguish between a properly seated occupant and a rear-facing infant seat on the vehicle seat based on the electrical output signals.
- 2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the control signal is adapted for use by an air bag activation system to prevent an air bag from being deployed in the absence of an occupant or a rear-facing child seat is installed on the vehicle seat.
- 3. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein a pair of occupant-sensing sensors are mounted in the seat back cushion to generate the first electrical output signal.
- 4. The assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein the second occupant-sensing sensor is one of a pressure transducer and a mechanical switch.
- 5. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the control logic distinguishes between a properly seated occupant and a rear-facing infant seat based on durations and patterns of the electrical output signals.
Parent Case Info
This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 08/735,326 filed on Oct. 22, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,661.
US Referenced Citations (34)
Divisions (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
735326 |
Oct 1996 |
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