Method for the detection of and the notification of passengers on a bus or large transport vehicle. The system uses the patented Flexpoint Sensor Systems seat sensor. The sensor is mounted on the “B” surface, under the foam away from the immediate interaction with the occupant. This leads to several advantages such as minimizing the risk of damage from objects in the occupant’s pockets or luggage placed on the seat. Nothing is felt on the top surface of the seat in the case of tightly upholstered vinyl covers. Installation is simple and accomplished during the assembly of the seat bases. If desired the electronic package can include monitoring of a seat belt switch with logic to prevent “cheated” systems. For example, the occupant must sit and then buckle rather than buckle and sit. All the information is displayed to the driver of the vehicle.
The sensor assembly as fastened to the base of the seat. The foam is then adhered to the plywood and covered. This step in the assembly requires no special attention since the sensor is monitored by a small microprocessor and will compensate for preload readings.
The seat sensor assembly is an injection molded pad that controls the movement of the sensor thus insuring accurate actuation. The sensor is unaffected by dust, dirt, spills, or other contaminates that plague membrane style sensors.
There are two methods of detecting occupants and relaying the information to the driver. The base one is to hard wire the sensors to a harness and run it the length of the bus to the main control unit. The microprocessor would then process and display the appropriate information.
The recommended method is to have each of the seats with two sensors in each seat tied to a small wireless transmitter. The option we are looking at is a unit powered by AA batteries. At the required transmission power levels and frequency of sending data, battery life should be >1.5 years. The AA battery option makes field replacement very easy. The control unit would be hard wired into the dash of the vehicle. The actual text displayed is not defined but could give the occupied row and seat number, or empty messages. The wireless option would also make retrofits a much easier proposition and a kit could be sold to existing vehicle owners.
For more information contact www.flexpoint.com or write to designhmi@gmail.com.
