A vehicle seat includes a seat cushion provided with a seat cushion frame, a front link configured to adjust a height of the seat cushion with respect to a base that is a slide rail or a vehicle body floor, and a front load detection sensor attached to an upper rail and configured to detect a load applied to the vehicle seat. The seat cushion frame includes a pair of side frames separated from each other in a seat width direction, the front link includes a first rotation shaft configured to be rotatable with respect to the seat cushion frame and a second rotation shaft configured to be rotatable with respect to the base, and the front load detection sensor is arranged at a position different from the second rotation shaft in a front to back direction of the seat.

An occupant sensing method includes steps of: sensing installation of a child seat on a seat of a vehicle; storing a detection value of a load sensor which is provided to be attached to the seat and detects an input load as a first load value, when the installation of the child seat is sensed; storing a detection value of the load sensor as a second load value when a predetermined time period has elapsed from a time point at which the installation of the child seat is sensed; and estimating a load change amount at the time of getting on/off which is a change amount of a load that is generated as the occupant gets on/off the child seat, based on a difference value between the first load value and the second load value.

The present disclosure is directed to a system of a vehicle for improving occupant safety. The system may include a camera configured to capture an image of an interior of the vehicle and responsively generate a signal, and a controller in communication with the camera. The controller may be configured to receive the signal from the camera, determine that the vehicle is occupied based on the signal, and generate and send an alert to a communication device based on the vehicle being occupied.

Improvements in an abandoned baby, infant, child or animal alter system is disclosed. When a child or animal is being transported with a driver in the vehicle, the driver will generally maintain a comfortable temperature in the interior of the vehicle. The temperature and temperature changes are monitored to determine that a child or animal is unattended. The monitor is coupled with a connection in the car, a seat belt of a baby seat or integrated into the baby seat. Integrating the sensor with a seat belt or buckle provides a switch for operation of the sensor. The signaling system can be integrated with the light, horn or alarm or can be connected to a cellular network, Wi-Fi or other radio communications system to send a notification that a baby, infant, child or animal has been left and secured in a vehicle and needs attention.

A system and application to alert parents or guardians to the solitary status of a dependent accidentally left within the confines of a vehicle is described. The system alerts individuals in the event that a dependent such as a child is left behind via the use of sensors configured to detect the presence of the dependent, and determine if he or she is alone. Upon recognizing that the dependent has been left alone, an alert is sent to the parent or guardian's wirelessly connected key fob and/or mobile device via a proprietary mobile application. Simultaneously, the system employs an active display sticker, configured to calm or entertain the dependent left within the vehicle until the alerted parent or guardian returns.

An on-board vehicle occupant weighing technology includes a simplified vehicle occupant weighing apparatus based on the discovered horwest effect and weighing moderator. The simplified weighing apparatus utilizes a weighing unit connected to the car seat of the vehicle occupant and a further weighing moderator, which provides convenient weighing of the foot part of the occupant's body by the same weighing unit that is connected to the car seat. The technology employs several methods of the weight measurements provided by different moderator approaches. The technology, methods, and simplified weighing apparatus are employed in on-board vehicle overweight and obesity preventing system wherein a weight trend analyzer provides predicting possibility of the occupant's overweight or obesity in a short predetermined period of time and automatically warning a vehicle occupant and a health care provider of the condition. The technology may also provide an accurate and convenient occupant's weight measurement in the vehicle safety devices such as seat belt and air bag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS system) to improve the Occupant Classification System to prevent possible extra force applied to the occupant's body in case of collision.

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.

Some embodiments are directed to an indicator assembly for indicating an orientation between a vehicle seat back and a seat bottom. The indicator assembly can include an outer plate assembly that is configured to be supported by the seat bottom, and a movable plate that is movably supported by the outer plate assembly. A biasing device can apply a biasing force to bias the movable plate toward the seat back when the outer plate assembly is supported by the seat bottom to thereby define a projecting portion of the movable plate. The biasing device can enable the movable plate to move upon application of a force to the projecting portion that is greater than the biasing force. An indicator can indicate a relative orientation between the seat back and the seat bottom based on the amount of movement of the movable plate.

An ISS is a seating system that actively adjusts to improve an occupant's comfort, performance, and safety in a specific driving environment. The ISS determines the occupant's posture, position on the seat surface, and/or physiological state, for example, by applying a machine vision process. The ISS can further determine a driving environment. The ISS adjusts its settings and settings of the vehicle according to one or more factors such as an occupant's posture, the occupant's physiological state, the occupant's preferences, and/or the driving environment. The ISS can include a state machine that determines a current state and determines if a change has occurred such that the system should shift to another state that best suits this change. The ISS makes adjustment according to system settings associated with the best suitable state.

A vehicle seat includes a pair of side frames and a load sensor. The load sensor is provided at a lower portion of the side frame or below the side frame. The vehicle seat further includes a supporting member which is connected to the side frame and which supports a seated person. The supporting member includes a seat portion which receives a weight of a seated person. The seat portion is provided below the load sensor.