A seat device 5 according to the present invention includes a cushion pad 60, a support member 70 for supporting the cushion pad 60, a pressure sensitive switch SW disposed with a spacing from the under face of the cushion pad, and a pressing member 90 disposed below the cushion pad 60 and deformed by a pressure applied from the under face of the cushion pad to press the pressure sensitive switch SW. The deformed amount of the pressing member 90 per unit displacement amount in which the under face of the cushion pad is displaced downwardly is greater in a second stage after the pressure sensitive switch SW is turned on than in a first stage before the pressure sensitive switch SW is turned on.

A sensor arrangement, as e.g. a seat occupancy sensor, comprises at least two terminals for connecting said sensor assembly to a control unit, and a first switching group of at least two switching units, said at least two switching units of said first switching group being connected together in such a way as to implement a first logical AND gate. According to the invention the sensor arrangement further comprises at least one second group of at least two switching units, wherein said at least two switching units of said second switching group are connected together in such a way as to implement a second logical AND gate and wherein said first switching group and said at least one second switching group are connected together in such a way as to implement a logical OR gate.

A variable resistance conductive rubber sensor and method of detecting an object/human touch therewith is provided. The sensor has a sensor body constructed from electrically conductive rubber. The sensor body extends between opposite first and second ends. A first wire is operably connected to the first end and a second wire may be operably connected to the second end, with the first and second wires being brought into electrical communication with one another by the intermediately extending electrically conductive rubber of the sensor body. A microcontroller is operably connected to the sensor body to detect the presence of an applied force or human touch on the sensor body.

A sensor assembly for detecting crush of a compliant material. The sensor assembly includes a light source such as an LED, and a light sensor. In one implementation, the sensor assembly is used for detecting and impact of a motor vehicle with an external object or structure. Crush of the energy absorbing material, which may be provided in the form of an open or closed cell type polymeric foam is detected through a change in the intensity of the reflected back light received by the light sensor in response to compression of the energy absorber material. Other applications are contemplated.

A sensor arrangement comprises a first sensor element for converting a physical quantity into a first electrical signal and at least a second sensor element for converting said physical quantity into a second electrical signal. The first sensor element has a first sensitivity while said second sensor element has a second sensitivity different from said first sensitivity. The first sensor element is operatively coupled between terminals of said sensor arrangement and said second sensor element is operatively connected between said terminals of said sensor arrangement via a temperature controlled switching element so that in a first state of said temperature controlled switching element, said second electrical signal combines with said first electrical signal to form a sensor output signal, and in a second state of said temperature controlled switching element, the contribution of said second electrical signal to said sensor output signal is substantially reduced with respect to a respective contribution in said first state of said temperature controlled switching element.

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.

An occupant sensor having a switching element, which comprises a top carrier layer and a bottom carrier layer separated by a spacer. The spacer has an opening defining an active zone in which the carrier layers may be brought together in response to a force acting on at least one of them. The switching element includes a first electrode and a second electrode arranged within the active area between the carrier layers such that an electrical contact is established between the first and second electrodes if the carrier layers are brought together. The occupant sensor includes a decoupling layer arranged on a top side of the switching element such that the decoupling layer covers the top carrier layer in the region of the active area. The decoupling layer and switching element are laterally displaceable with respect to each other in the region of the active area.

There is provided a conveyance seat that suppresses the deterioration of the sensitivity of a load sensor to an input load even when a heater wire and the load sensor are disposed to overlap each other. A conveyance seat includes a seat cushion that supports buttocks of an occupant; a seat back connected to the seat cushion to serve as a backrest for the occupant; a load sensor provided at the seat cushion or at a portion of the seat back; a heater wire disposed on an occupant side with respect to the load sensor; and an intermediate member that positions the heater wire. The intermediate member is disposed between the load sensor and the heater wire.

A wire harness connected to a sensor is positioned on a back surface of a pad of a vehicle seat supported by a panel. The vehicle seat includes a panel; a pad supported by the panel; a skin material covering a front surface of the pad; and a sensor provided between the front surface of the pad and the skin material for acquiring information on a seat occupant, wherein the pad is provided with a through hole passed from the front surface of the pad to a back surface of the pad, and a recess formed in the back surface of the pad and connected to the through hole, the wire harness connected to the sensor extending in the through hole and the recess.

There is provided a conveyance seat that suppresses the deterioration of the sensitivity of a load sensor to an input load even when a heater wire and the load sensor are disposed to overlap each other. A conveyance seat includes a seat cushion that supports buttocks of an occupant; a seat back connected to the seat cushion to serve as a backrest for the occupant; a load sensor provided at the seat cushion or at a portion of the seat back; a heater wire disposed on an occupant side with respect to the load sensor; and an intermediate member that positions the heater wire. The intermediate member is disposed between the load sensor and the heater wire.