Importance

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Abstract

A vehicle 10 is disclosed having an automatic child lock function that is controlled by an electronic control unit 4. The electronic control unit 4 receives signals from weight sensors 23a, 23b, 23c in the base portion of each of the passenger seats 22. The findings from the sensors 23a, 23b, 23c are used to determine both the occupancy of the vehicle 10 and to produce a signal indicative of the weight of each of the passengers of the vehicle 10. The electronic control unit 4 is programmed to operate such that if the signal 'W' received from a particular sensor 23a, 23b, 23c indicates that the passenger is below a predetermined weight 'WC', which indicates that the passenger is probably a child, the associated door 14, 16, 17 is prevented from being opened from a closed position even when an interior door handle 14b, 16b, 17b is operated by the passenger.

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First Claim