Method and device for detecting the occupation of a seat in a vehicle

摘要

The method is implemented with an optical transmitter (4), a number of optical conductors (6) associated with the transmitter mounted in, on or around the seat and further light conductors (7) in the light path of a first light conductor, whereby there is a definite relationship between the first and second group of light conductors and each conductor in the second group has an associated optical detector (13). The transmitter transmits and optical beam that is coupled into the first optical conductors, that emit the beam to be collected by the second group of conductors if there is no obstruction in the light path. The light passes to the detectors and is evaluated to determine the seat contour which is passed to the vehicle occupant safety system. An Independent claim is also included for an arrangement for detecting seat occupancy in a motor vehicle.