Occupancy sensor that measures electric current through a heating element

摘要

An occupancy sensor has three layers. The bottom layer contains two electrodes, and a resistive element between the electrodes. The middle layer is a spacer. The top layer is a third electrode, divided into two parts. When a person sits on the sensor, both parts of the third layer contact the resistive element. This causes current to flow through all of the electrodes. Accordingly, occupancy can be detected by measuring current flow through the electrodes. The device additionally provides heating via the resistive element. The sensor can be arranged in a vehicle seat.

主权项

1. A heating product comprising:
a support; a sensor arranged on the support, the sensor comprising:
i. a first electrode,ii. a second electrode,iii. a third electrode including a gap, the gap diving the third electrode into two parts,iv. a heater resistor, andv. a spacer; and a cover layer arranged on the sensor, wherein the first electrode, the second resistor, and the heater resistor are in contact with a same surface of the support and are arranged on a same plane, wherein the heater resistor is located in between, and in contact with, the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the spacer is located above the first electrode and the second electrode, and is configured to separate the first electrode and the second electrode from the third electrode when the cover layer not subject to a mechanical load, wherein when the cover layer is subject to the mechanical load, the two parts of the third electrode contact the heater resistor causing a current flow through the first electrode, the second electrode, the third electrode, and the heater resistor, and wherein the heating product includes a device configured to detect a presence of the mechanical load on the cover layer by measuring the current flow through the heater resistor.