Abstract:
An apparatus and method for measuring wind and rain related information is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a dome shaped portion which is exposed to wind and rain. This dome shaped portion is mounted to a rod, which is mounted to the inside of a housing through a flexible diaphragm. This diaphragm cooperates with sensor electrodes arranges on a rigid plate within the housing. The change in capacity between the diaphragm and the sensor electrodes is determined and evaluated to produce information about the wind direction, corresponding to a capacitance change in certain sectors of the sensing electrodes, and the wind speed, corresponding to the amount of capacitance change. Pulse shaped capacitance changes are interpreted as rain drops allowing to determine by integration the amount of rainfall.
Abstract:
An occupant presence sensor apparatus (12) disposed in a seat (10) includes first and second substantially non-compliant force translation plates (22, 24) generally parallel to the seating surface (18) of the seat (10), an elastomeric mat (26) disposed between the first and second force translation plates (22, 24), and a switch mechanism (28) disposed between the first and second force translation plates (22, 24) within an opening (52) formed in the elastomeric mat (26). The elastomeric mat (26) includes a distributed array of hollow protuberances (50a, 50b) that extend toward and contact the force translation plates (22, 24), and the mat (26) has a stiffness that normally provides a clearance between the switch mechanism (28) and one of the force translation plates (22, 24). When an occupant of specified or higher weight sits on the seating surface (18), the protuberances (50a, 50b) collapse and the force translation plates (22, 24) activate the switch mechanism (28).
Abstract:
A capacitive load cell apparatus (12) includes upper and lower capacitor plates (30, 28) and an intermediate dielectric (22) in the form of a synthetic knit spacer material having upper and lower fabric layers (22a, 22b) interconnected by an array of deflectable synthetic fibers (22c). When occupant weight is applied to the seat (10), the synthetic fibers (22c) deflect to locally reduce the separation between the upper and lower capacitor plates (30, 28), and the consequent change in capacitance is detected as a measure of the applied weight (14). The load cell (12) or just the dielectric (22) may be encased in a polymeric sheath (40, 42) to prevent intrusion of foreign matter, and a fluid such as silicone may be dispersed in woven dielectric (22).
Abstract:
A capacitive load cell (12) includes upper and lower capacitor plates (28, 30) and an intermediate dielectric (22) comprising two or more layers of compressible material (22a, 22b, 22c) with diverse compressibility characteristics. The most easily compressed dielectric layer (22a) provides sensitivity to low occupant weight, while the less easily compressed dielectric layer(s) (22b, 22c) provide sensitivity to medium and high occupant weight.
Abstract:
A seat assembly (10) is provided that can be sat upon by an occupant (16) that detects the weight of the occupant. The seat assembly includes a seat cushion (14), a rotary sensor (28), and a linkage (42) having a tip (48). The seat cushion deforms in response to the weight. The rotary sensor has a shaft (30) that rotates about an axis (A) and has an electrical output that is proportional to the angle of rotation of the shaft. The linkage underlies the seat surface and connects the seat surface to the shaft of the rotary sensor. As weight is placed on the seat the seat cushion deforms in response to the weight moving the tip and the linkage. The movement of the linkage rotates the shaft, which in turn, provides an electrical output that is proportional to the weight.