Capacitive occupant classification sensor with load-dependent antenna area

A capacitive sensor member of a vehicle seat occupant detection and classification device, the capacitive sensor member comprising:

• a first electrically conductive antenna member that is electrically connectable to a capacitance measurement circuit for determining a capacitance of the capacitive sensor member,
• at least a second electrically conductive antenna member that is adjacently arranged to the first electrically conductive antenna member without any mutual galvanic connection,
• at least one electrically conductive bridging member that is arranged to partially overlap the first electrically conductive antenna member and the second electrically conductive antenna member in a specified direction,
• at least one elastic spacer member that has elastic mechanical properties at least in the specified direction,
• wherein the at least one electrically conductive bridging member is fixedly attached to the at least one elastic spacer member,
• wherein the first electrically conductive antenna member and the second electrically conductive antenna member remain galvanically separated from each other if a mechanical load is applied to the capacitive sensor member in the specified direction that is lower than a predetermined value for the mechanical load, and
• wherein the at least one electrically conductive bridging member provides at least one galvanic contact between the first electrically conductive antenna member and the second electrically conductive antenna member if a mechanical load is applied to the capacitive sensor member in the specified direction that is equal to or larger than the predetermined value for the mechanical load.