US20190143843A1

US20190143843A1 - Seat occupancy recognition

Info

Publication number: US20190143843A1
Application number: US16/097,465
Authority: US
Inventors: Roland UBELACKER; Jens Kolb
Original assignee: Grammer AG
Current assignee: Grammer AG
Priority date: 2016-05-17
Filing date: 2017-05-03
Publication date: 2019-05-16
Also published as: WO2017198460A1; US10703223B2; EP3458304A1; DE102017106949A1; EP3458304B1; DE102017106949B4; WO2017198459A1; DE102017106971A1; DE102017106971B4; US20190143844A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a seat occupancy recognition device for recognising the occupancy of a seat, characterised by at least one volume detection device with at least one first sensor, which is provided and designed to detect a volume on the vehicle seat, and at least one body function detection device with at least one second sensor, which is provided and designed to detect body functions, wherein the first sensor comprises a detection area, the maximum being in a range over and/or in front of the seat.

Description

The invention relates to seat occupancy recognition for a vehicle seat, in particular commercial vehicle seats, and to a method for recognising the occupancy of a seat.
The prior art discloses vehicle seats by means of which it can be recognised whether or not a vehicle seat is occupied. Simple seats having seat occupancy recognition use sensor data, which can be used to recognise a weight on the vehicle seat and to draw conclusions on whether the seat is occupied by a person.
However, this method and the vehicle seat are not able to accurately recognise whether a person or any given object, e.g. a crate of beer, is positioned on the commercial vehicle seat.
Therefore, the object of the present invention is providing a seat occupancy recognition device for a vehicle seat, in particular a commercial vehicle seat, by means of which it can be recognised whether a person is sitting on and occupying a vehicle seat.
The object addressed by the present invention is solved by a seat occupancy recognition device comprising at least one volume detection device having at least one first sensor provided and designed to detect a volume on the vehicle seat, and comprising at least one body function detection device having at least one second sensor provided and designed to detect body functions, in particular after a volume has been detected. More preferably, the seat occupancy recognition device comprises at least one body function measuring device for measuring the detected body functions.
In addition or as an alternative, a mass can also be recognised by means of the volume detection device, such that a seat occupancy is recognised when a mass is positioned on the vehicle seat. As another alternative or in addition, outlines can also be recognised in order to recognise a seat occupancy in this manner.
The volume detection device of the seat occupancy recognition can therefore be designed as a volume-mass detection device, by means of which a volume and/or a mass can be determined.
A volume should be understood to mean at least a portion of the volume of a human body. By means of a volume detection device or a volume-mass detection device, it can therefore be recognised whether at least a portion of the volume of the human body is positioned on the vehicle seat.
It is also conceivable to have sensors or sensor apparatuses that can simultaneously detect and register the occupancy of a seat and a body function, sensors or sensor apparatuses of this kind of course having to read and process the recorded signals properly.
According to a preferred embodiment, at least one of an outline and a mass can additionally be detected by means of the first sensor of the volume detection device.
Advantageously, both the volume detection device, or volume-mass detection device, and the body function detection device comprise at least one sensor by means of which a volume or body function can be detected. A sensor of this kind can be designed as a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, an electromagnetic sensor, a photoelectric sensor, an ultrasound sensor, or a combination thereof. Obviously, other types of sensor, not listed specifically here, are also conceivable.
Advantageously, the sensors are designed to allow contact-free detection. It is, of course, also conceivable for detection to be possible by the sensors coming into contact with the person or the like, although contact-free detection is advantageous since these sensors do not restrict or impair the person in their work.
Particularly advantageously, the seat occupancy recognition device and, in particular, the sensors are integrated in the vehicle seat, and specifically such that they are arranged and particularly advantageously integrated in a seat part and/or in a backrest part. According to the invention, the maximum of detection areas of at least the at least one first sensor being substantially in a range over the seat, in other words, in a range in which the person seated on the vehicle seat is expected to be found.
In this case, the detection areas can take various geometric shapes, for example round, oval, elliptical or even rectangular. As a result, adapting or shaping to fit the volume to be detected is conceivable. In particular, the detection areas can be adapted to the expected volume on the vehicle seat.
Alternatively or in addition, it is conceivable for at least one sensor to be arranged and, in particular, integrated in at least one armrest and/or in a display apparatus. Furthermore, in addition or alternatively, it is conceivable for at least one sensor to be arranged and, in particular, integrated in a cover of the vehicle seat, in particular a side cover.
According to another preferred embodiment, at least one of cardiac function and pulmonary function can be recognised by means of the second sensor of the body function detection device. Alternatively or in addition, it is conceivable for gestures and/or movements typical of humans to be detected by means of the second sensor.
According to the invention, the seat occupancy recognition device comprises a body function recognition device for recognising body functions. For example, the recorded body functions can advantageously also be assigned to a person, and thus, the seat being occupied by an animal or at least one manipulated object can be ruled out.
According to another preferred embodiment, the second sensor is designed and provided to record sensor data and to transmit said data to the body function measuring device, the measurement data being able to be compared with previously recorded measurement data by means of the body function measuring device in order to determine a health status.
As a result of comparing sensor data with previously recorded sensor data, it may be that either a deviation from a setpoint or a change in the values is observed and conclusions can be drawn from the corresponding observation. For example, a continual increase in body temperature leads to the conclusion that, for example, the driver could become too hot.
Further advantageously, the seat occupancy recognition device comprises a control device that is preferably connected to the volume detection device and the body function detection device at least for signalling. By means of the control device, a volume detection by means of the volume detection device can be initiated first, followed by a body function detection once the volume detection is complete. In particular, the result of the volume detection can be used further by the control device. If the volume detection is negative, no body function detection is possible, for example, since the basic requirement for seat occupancy is not met.
However, if the volume detection is positive, the control device initiates a body function detection.
Particularly advantageously, the seat occupancy recognition is active as long as the vehicle, in particular the vehicle functions, are active or can be activated.
For example, a vehicle can be deemed active if the engine has not yet been started but the ignition has already been activated, since activating the ignition already enables many vehicle functions.
It is conceivable for the seat occupancy to be recognised continuously as long as the vehicle is active. Alternatively, it is also conceivable for the seat occupancy to be recognised after regular or irregular periods of time. In this context, the time periods can, of course, be selected and adjusted appropriately. Too long a period may result in the seat occupancy recognition being bypassed, which is, of course, undesirable due to safety issues.
It is also conceivable for the seat occupancy to be recognised when a particular event occurs; the seat occupancy recognition is event-triggered, e.g. by the actuation of vehicle functions.
Particularly preferably, the volume detection device and the body function detection device are designed such that the corresponding volume and the corresponding body functions can be detected and measured in a contact-free manner. Obviously, detection or measurement by contact is also conceivable, but it is more convenient for vehicle drivers if contact-free detection or measurement is possible.
Particularly preferably, the first sensor and the second sensor are each selected from an optical, electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, thermal, capacitive, acoustic or mechanical sensor. The detection area of a capacitive sensor, in particular, can take various geometric shapes.
In addition, a body function measuring device can be provided by means of which it can be recognised whether or not the recorded sensor data can be assigned to a person. It can thus be ruled out that, for example, an animal is positioned on the seat and the seat occupancy recognition is thus bypassed.
Furthermore, the seat occupancy recognition device can comprise a memory or a memory apparatus by means of which the recorded sensor data from the corresponding sensors can be stored. These stored values can then be retrieved again for further use, for example for displaying the change in heart rate or breathing rate, or to recognise particular health statuses by comparing said values with previously recorded sensor data.
More preferably, the sensors used are either passive or active sensors, passive sensors being preferred since the seat occupancy recognition should be designed as simply as possible and should, if possible, not unnecessarily complicate the circuitry or construction of the vehicle seat.
The dependent claims set out further advantageous embodiments.

Additional aims, advantages and expediences of the present invention can be taken from the following description in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a seat occupancy recognition device according to a particularly preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows a sensor arrangement according to a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 3 shows a sensor arrangement according to another preferred embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows a sensor arrangement according to a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 5 shows a sensor arrangement according to a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 6 shows a sensor arrangement according to a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 7 shows a sensor arrangement according to a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 8 shows a sensor arrangement according to a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 9 shows a sensor arrangement having a measurement region according to another preferred embodiment.

FIG. 1 shows a design of the seat occupancy recognition device 1 according to a preferred embodiment, comprising a volume detection device 2 and a body function detection device 3, the volume detection device 2 and the body function detection device 3 each being connected to a control unit 4 at least for signalling. In this case, the control device 4 comprises a memory 5 and a recognition device 6.
Advantageously, the seat occupancy recognition device 1, in particular the control device 4, is also connected to the respective vehicle functions 7, at least for signalling, in order to release or block said vehicle functions 7 depending on whether the result of the seat occupancy recognition is positive or negative.
It is also conceivable for the memory 5 and the recognition device 6 not to be integrated in the control device 4, but rather to be independent devices connected to the control device 4 at least for signalling.
Advantageously, both the volume detection device 1 and the body function detection device 3 are designed so as to be able to detect the corresponding values in a contact-free manner.
The sensors 8 of the seat occupancy recognition device 1, in particular the volume detection device 2 and the body function detection device 3, can be arranged as depicted in the following figures.
In an advantageous manner, FIG. 2 shows two sensors 8 used for volume detection by the volume detection device 2. However, it is also conceivable for just one sensor 8 or more than two sensors 8 to be provided. Preferably, however, at least two sensors 8 are provided in order to ensure a certain level of redundancy in the seat occupancy recognition device 1 and to detect the volume as accurately as possible. Independently of the embodiment, the detection areas 8′ can take various geometric shapes, for example oval or club-shaped, as can be seen in FIG. 2.
Regardless of the embodiment of the arrangement, the sensors 8 can be arranged in the vehicle seat, on the vehicle seat, in the vehicle, for example in the vehicle inside roof lining, a floor mat, an armrest, a seatback extension, etc.
According to the first embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, the sensors 8 are arranged in a lower region 14 of the backrest part 10. Preferably, the sensors 8 are integrated in the backrest part 10 such that the driver is not affected when sitting on the vehicle seat 11. More preferably, the sensors 8 are designed so as to enable the volume or body functions to be detected in a contact-free manner.
In this context, the detection areas 8′ advantageously extend in a longitudinal direction L, the longitudinal direction L preferably corresponding to the longitudinal direction L of the vehicle seat 11. The dimensions in the vertical direction H and width direction B of the detection areas 8′ are smaller than the dimension in the longitudinal direction L in this case.
The sensors 8 and their detection areas 8′ can determine sensor data that can be used by the seat occupancy recognition device 1, in particular the volume detection device 2, to recognise whether a volume V′, in this case the volume of the thigh, buttocks or back, is positioned in the detection area 8′ of the sensors 8. The sensor data can be stored appropriately in the memory 5 in order to be analysed, in particular at a later time. It is also conceivable for the sensor data, which is in particular raw data from the sensors 8, to be displayed visually, for example by means of a screen or the like, such that a vehicle driver is given an overview of the current data and can thus check their own health status or suitability to drive.
FIG. 3 shows an alternative sensor arrangement. As in FIG. 2, the volume of the thighs V′ is detected in this case, too, when a person is positioned on the vehicle seat 11, although the sensors 8 and their detection areas 8′ are not arranged in the backrest part 10, but are rather arranged in the seat part 9, preferably integrated in the seat part 9. In this case, the detection areas 8′ extend in the vertical direction H. Particularly advantageously, the sensors 8 are arranged in a front region 15 of the seat part 9, as a result of which both normal sitting on the vehicle seat 11 and sitting on the front region 15 of the seat part 9 are possible.
FIG. 4 shows another embodiment, in which the sensors 8 are arranged in the front region 15 of the seat part 9, as in FIG. 3. However, two sensors 8 are arranged such that their detection areas 8′ extend in the vertical direction and two sensors 8 are arranged such that their detection areas 8′ extend in the longitudinal direction L, said sensors 8 being arranged on or close to a front 16 of the seat part 9. By means of the sensors 8 arranged on the front, the volume V′ of the lower legs can also be detected in addition to the volume V′ of the thighs.
It is also conceivable for the sensors 8 not to be positioned in the front region 15 of the seat part 9, but rather to be arranged in any other region of the seat part 9. This applies similarly to the arrangement of the sensors 8 in relation to the backrest part 10.
FIG. 5 shows a sensor arrangement having at least one sensor 8 that is arranged neither in the seat part 9 nor in the backrest part 10, but rather is arranged on and/or in an armrest 12. In this case, the detection area 8′ of the sensor 8 is oriented such as to be directed towards the expected volume V′ of the thighs. In this case, it is also conceivable for the detection area 8′ to be directed towards the upper body, the feet and/or lower leg region.
Instead of an armrest 12 as shown in FIG. 5, a display device 13 as shown in FIG. 6 can also be provided, said display device preferably being designed as a screen or the like.
The at least one sensor 8 in FIG. 6 is designed so that its detection area 8′ detects a volume V′. However, if the orientation of the detection area 8′ is altered, as shown for example in FIG. 7, body functions can also be detected in addition or alternatively to the volume detection by designing the at least one sensor 8 accordingly. In this case, possible designs of the sensor 8 include a photoelectric sensor, a heat sensor, an optical sensor designed so as to be suitable for image processing, or an optical sensor designed so as to be suitable for contour recognition. It is also conceivable to position the sensor 8 from FIG. 7 in an armrest 12 in order to detect the volume and/or body functions as desired.
FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of a sensor arrangement. In this case, at least one sensor 8 is arranged in a seat cover part 17 of the vehicle seat, a detection area 8′ extending in the width direction B, advantageously in a direction formed of the width direction B, the longitudinal direction L and optionally the vertical direction H.
Preferably, the detection area 8′ is formed such that the volume of the thighs V′ can be detected, other volume regions also being possible.
Also advantageously, the seat cover part 17 is a component of the cover of the seat part 9 or a part of the cover of the region in which an armrest 12 is arranged, and the adjustment mechanism of the armrest 12 is hidden by the cover. Of course, other regions of the seat cover are also conceivable, for example a bucket of the backrest cushioning, or the like.
FIG. 9 shows a different detection area 8′ of one or more sensors 8 (not shown here). As can be seen, the detection area 8′ is U-shaped and accordingly substantially matches the shape of the region of the thighs and the hips of a person sitting on the vehicle seat.
All the features disclosed in the application documents are claimed as being essential to the invention if they are novel over the prior art when taken in isolation or in combination.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

1 Seat occupancy recognition device
2 Volume detection device
3 Body function detection device
4 Control device
5 Memory
6 Recognition device
7 Vehicle function
8 Sensor
8′ Sensor detection area
9 Seat part
10 Backrest part
11 Vehicle seat
12 Armrest
13 Display device
14 Lower region of the backrest part
15 Front region of the seat part
16 Front of the seat part
17 Seat cover part
L Longitudinal direction
B Width direction
H Vertical direction

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A seat occupancy recognition device for recognizing the occupancy of a seat, comprising:

at least one volume detection device having at least one first sensor provided and designed to detect a volume on the vehicle seat, and at least one body function detection device having at least one second sensor provided and designed to detect body functions, the first sensor comprising a detection area, the detection area including an area over the seat, in front of the seat on both over and in front of the seat.

2. The seat occupancy recognition device according to claim 1, wherein at least two first sensors are provided.

3. The seat occupancy recognition device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first sensor is arranged in a lower region of a backrest of the seat.

4. The seat occupancy recognition device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first sensor is arranged in a seat part of the seat.

5. The seat occupancy recognition device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first sensor is arranged in an armrest, the armrest preferably being connected to the seat.

6. The seat occupancy recognition device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of an outline and a mass can additionally be detected by means of the first sensor of the volume detection device.

7. The seat occupancy recognition device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of cardiac function, pulmonary function and gestures and/or movements typical of humans can be recognised by means of the second sensor of the body function detection device.

8. The seat occupancy recognition device according to claim 1, wherein the seat occupancy recognition device comprises a memory device, by means of which sensor data that can be recorded by the body function detection device can be stored.

9. The seat occupancy recognition device according to claim 1, wherein the second sensor is designed and provided to record sensor data and to transmit said data to the body function measuring device, the measurement data being able to be compared with previously recorded measurement data by means of the body function measuring device in order to determine a health status.

10. The seat occupancy recognition device according to claim 1, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are each selected from a group comprising an optical, electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, thermal, capacitive, acoustic or mechanical sensor.

11. The seat occupancy recognition device according to claim 1, wherein at least one body function measuring device for recognising the measured body functions.

12. The seat comprising a seat occupancy recognition device according to claim 1.