A seat assembly is provided with a seat cushion, and a seat back. Sensors are operably connected to the seat cushion and the seat back to detect a seating position of an occupant. An actuator is operably connected to the seat cushion and the seat back for adjustment of a plurality of settings of the seat assembly. An interactive user interface permits manual adjustment of the actuator. A controller is in electrical communication with the plurality of sensors, the at least one actuator, and the user interface. The controller is configured to receive seating position data input indicative of a manually selected seating position. Detection data is received from the plurality of sensors, and compared to the manually selected seating position to determine if the occupant is seated evenly. The at least one actuator adjusts an occupant seating position to the manually selected seating position.

A load detection sensor unit includes: a load detection sensor which includes a pair of electrodes facing each other with a predetermined gap interposed therebetween and a metal plate covering at least a part of one electrode; and a pressing member that includes a pressing portion pressed against a sheet cushion of a seat device and harder than the sheet cushion, and the pair of electrodes contacts each other when the metal plate is bent in a case in which the pressing portion presses a part of the metal plate.

A load detection sensor 5 of the invention includes: a first electrode sheet 50 which includes first electrode 52 and a first contact point 53; a second electrode sheet 60 which includes a second electrode 62 and a second contact point 63; a spacer 70 which is disposed between the first electrode sheet and the second electrode sheet; one terminal 5A which is electrically connected to the first electrode 52; and the other terminal 5B which is electrically connected to the first contact point 53. A connection maintaining portion AP in which an electrical connection is maintained even when an external pressure is not applied thereto is formed by the first contact point 53 and the second contact point 63, and odd series of the switches SW electrically connected in series between one terminal 5A and the other terminal 5B are set.

An occupant detection system includes a controller, a sensing electrode, and a shield electrode, the electrodes disposed in a vehicle seat. The controller is electrically coupled to the sensing electrode and shield electrode by a sensing circuit. The controller is configured to send an input signal to the sensing electrode, the shield electrode, or both and measures current, impedance, or capacitance values to determine the presence of an object on the seat, to classify the object, or both.

An alarm system can remind or alert an adult about the presence of a child in a vehicle. A child detector, such as a weight sensor or weight-activated circuit, can detect whether a child is occupying the child safety seat. The child detector may be integrated with or coupled to a child safety seat. The child detector can be used in coordination with a vehicle alarm system to remind or alert a driver that a child is occupying the child safety seat when a key is not in the ignition.

The present invention discloses a mm-wave radar sensor to be deployed in the vehicles for seat occupation detection applications. The key system relevant components are utilization of mm-wave integrated radar, specific planar high-gain antenna radiation pattern, and analyzing of the heartbeat and optionally also respiratory dynamics. The method of operation calculates probability of the seat occupation event regarding: detection of the passenger on the seat, detection of a baby or a child on the seat, detection of the presence of a baby or a child in the vehicle after the driver has left the vehicle, detection of the human or animal presence of intrusion in specific vehicle environment. In case that probability is above a predefined threshold, typically the interaction with vehicle control system is initiated using arbitrary automotive interfaces. Corresponding predefined actions are taken in that case. The predefined actions could be one or combination of the following: audio signal alerts to driver, inside cabin light condition change, engine operation condition change, opening of the windows or corresponding communication using arbitrary wireless means to outside vehicle environment. Optionally, the system is utilizing additional parameters like vehicle cabin temperature and/or timing information about engine stop and driver leaving the car. Preferably, the system is using 60 GHz or 77-79 GHz integrated radar front end working in Doppler operation mode, with 4?4 Tx and Rx planar radiation elements, with physical size typically in the range 4?2?1 cm, or smaller.

A load exerted on one of supporting parts supporting a seat of a vehicle is detected and is corrected according to an inclination of the vehicle. A load object on the seat is determined a plurality of times of turning on and turning off an ignition of the vehicle using the load thus corrected or the load detected. The load object is determined as an adult at least when the load is greater than or equal to a first threshold and determined as other than an adult at least when the load is less than a second threshold that is less than the first threshold. A function is further provided of determining the load object from a combination of a magnitude relation between the load and a third threshold less than or equal to the first threshold and greater than the second threshold and the inclination of the vehicle.

A movable seat for a motor vehicle includes a base fixedly attached to a frame of the motor vehicle, a seat frame having a top side and a bottom side, and a seat cushion fixedly attached to the top side of the seat frame. A U-shaped hinge connects the seat frame to the base, a first end of the first U-shaped hinge being rotatably attached to the base and rotating about a first lateral axis, and a second end of the U-shaped hinge being rotatably attached to the seat frame and rotating about a second lateral axis. A wire that connects a first electrical appliance in the seat cushion to a second electrical appliance is included that is attached to the U-shaped hinge from the first end to the second end.

Embodiments include a vehicle comprising a seat, a first sensor coupled to the seat for detecting a seat angle, and a processor communicatively coupled to the first sensor and the seat, and configured to output a control signal for correcting the seat angle if the seat angle is not within a predetermined range of values. Embodiments also include a method of correcting a position of a vehicle seat having an occupant seated therein. The method comprises receiving, at a processor, an output detected by a sensor unit coupled to the seat; comparing, using the processor, the output to a predetermined threshold to determine whether an alarm condition exists; if it does, outputting a control signal for correcting the seat position, wherein the sensor unit includes an angular position sensor.

A dongle that may be plugged into an On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) port of a vehicle and provide notification if a human or animal is left within a parked car. The dongle accesses a first sensor from the vehicle's communication system and a second sensor from within the dongle. If data from the first and second sensors exceeds predetermined threshold values programmed into the dongle's memory, then the dongle sends out a response signal. The response signal may be sent to an owner's cellular phone or to a 911 dispatch center. Additional sensors within the vehicle, or placed within the dongle, may also be used to verify the presence of a human or animal left within the parked vehicle.