摘要 |
<p>A capacitive load cell apparatus (12) includes first and second conductor plates (30, 28) and an intermediate convoluted nonconductive elastomeric dielectric (22) that variably collapses in response to applied force. The dielectric convolutions are defined by a pattern of cone-shaped or dome-shaped projections (22a, 22b/22a', 22b') that alternately extend toward the first and second conductor plates (30, 28). When an occupant sits in the seat, the projections (22a, 22b/22a', 22b') of the dielectric material variably collapse in relation to the amount and distribution of the applied weight to locally reduce the separation between the first and second conductor plates (30, 28). Preferably, the first conductor plate comprises an array of charge plate conductors (30) to define a plurality of capacitances whose variation is detected as an indication of the amount and distribution of the applied weight.</p> |