WO1999030934A1 - Controller for a vehicle passenger protection means - Google Patents

Controller for a vehicle passenger protection means Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1999030934A1
WO1999030934A1 PCT/DE1998/003148 DE9803148W WO9930934A1 WO 1999030934 A1 WO1999030934 A1 WO 1999030934A1 DE 9803148 W DE9803148 W DE 9803148W WO 9930934 A1 WO9930934 A1 WO 9930934A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
chamber
vehicle seat
pressure
control device
vehicle
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/DE1998/003148
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Lorenz Pfau
Walter Jung
Original Assignee
Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Siemens Aktiengesellschaft filed Critical Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Publication of WO1999030934A1 publication Critical patent/WO1999030934A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/01—Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents
    • B60R21/015—Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents including means for detecting the presence or position of passengers, passenger seats or child seats, and the related safety parameters therefor, e.g. speed or timing of airbag inflation in relation to occupant position or seat belt use
    • B60R21/01512—Passenger detection systems
    • B60R21/01516—Passenger detection systems using force or pressure sensing means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/002—Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01G—WEIGHING
    • G01G19/00—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups
    • G01G19/40—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups with provisions for indicating, recording, or computing price or other quantities dependent on the weight
    • G01G19/413—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups with provisions for indicating, recording, or computing price or other quantities dependent on the weight using electromechanical or electronic computing means
    • G01G19/414—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups with provisions for indicating, recording, or computing price or other quantities dependent on the weight using electromechanical or electronic computing means using electronic computing means only
    • G01G19/4142—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups with provisions for indicating, recording, or computing price or other quantities dependent on the weight using electromechanical or electronic computing means using electronic computing means only for controlling activation of safety devices, e.g. airbag systems

Definitions

  • Control device for controlling an occupant protection means of a vehicle
  • the invention relates to a control device for controlling an occupant protection means of a vehicle.
  • a protection means such as the airbag is not only dependent on the one determined
  • the weight detection is a means supporting the occupant detection, the conclusions e.g. on a vehicle seat occupied by an adult occupant, a child, or an object, or on an unoccupied vehicle seat.
  • EP 0 458 102 AI discloses a seat switch in the front passenger seat, with the aid of which it can be determined whether the front passenger seat is occupied. If the front passenger seat is recognized as unoccupied, the associated front passenger airbag is not triggered in the event of an impact. The seat switch does not provide any information about the weight of a person sitting in the front passenger seat.
  • DE 42 37 072 Cl proposes a film pressure sensor for a vehicle seat, based on the output signal of which the weight of an occupant or object on the vehicle seat is classified.
  • the associated protective means - a front airbag or a side airbag - can be blocked in the event of an impact, ignited only in one stage or in multiple stages.
  • a comfort vehicle seat is known from DE 195 45 168 AI, which contains a plurality of air-filled hollow chambers in the seat and backrest. These hollow chambers can be subjected to an increasing and decreasing pressure in order to achieve a massage effect for the occupant.
  • Each hollow chamber contains a pressure sensor. The cavity pressure is regulated to a predetermined value.
  • the object of the invention is to provide a control device for occupant protection, in which the weight of an object or an occupant on a vehicle seat can be determined in a simple manner.
  • control device According to the invention the object is achieved by a control device according to claim 1.
  • today's generation vehicle seats are not only equipped with a longitudinal, height and backrest angle adjustment, but also contain various air-filled chambers in the form of bubbles in the vehicle seat fuselage and vehicle seat back.
  • a chamber usually has an airtight skin in particular.
  • the chamber can be filled with different air volumes by means of a valve in the skin.
  • An adaptation of the seat shape to the body shape of the occupant is required for a fatigue-free seat even over a long period of time. This adaptation is achieved by such chambers which can be changed in volume.
  • the valve serves as an inflow and / or outflow valve: the chamber is filled with air, for example, by means of an electrically operated air pump.
  • a vehicle seat can have one or more such air, gas or liquid filled chambers. Both the seat fuselage and the seat back preferably contain such inflatable chambers in their side areas, so that both the back part and the thighs of the vehicle occupant are supported by these edge-side, inflatable chambers.
  • An actuator for such a chamber - air pump or valve - is controlled by an electronic control which changes chamber filling volumes automatically at certain intervals. Alternatively, the vehicle occupant himself can determine the filling content of such chambers via control elements.
  • a seat length, seat height or backrest angle adjustment by means of a hydraulic actuator is known.
  • an electric motor which in turn actuates the piston of a liquid-filled actuating cylinder, is activated by an operating element actuated by the occupant.
  • the height of the vehicle seat mounted on such an actuating cylinder is changed.
  • such a chamber filled with a gaseous or liquid medium which serves the comfort of the occupant and is intended for installation in a vehicle seat or for use as an actuator for adjusting a vehicle seat, is used for determining the weight of an object or an occupant on the vehicle seat.
  • the invention is based on the knowledge that the pressure in such a chamber is proportional to the weight force acting on the vehicle seat.
  • the chamber is so in
  • the chamber pressure is therefore measured using a pressure-sensitive sensor.
  • the sensor delivers a to Chamber pressure and thus a signal proportional to the weight on the vehicle seat.
  • the advantage of the invention is in particular that chambers already arranged in / on the vehicle seat or chambers provided for the vehicle seat with the known comfort functions are now also used for safety technology. Such multiple use of the chambers considerably reduces the assembly effort related to the vehicle seat and provides weight detection for which no additional mechanical means are required, with the exception of the pressure sensor.
  • Figure 2 shows a device with a chamber and an evaluator
  • Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a control device for controlling an occupant protection means in the form of a block diagram
  • Figure 4 shows another embodiment of a control device for controlling an occupant protection means in the form of a block diagram.
  • FIG. 1 shows a chamber 1 used according to the invention, which is provided for installation in a vehicle seat or for use as an actuator for adjusting a vehicle seat.
  • the chamber 1 has an approximately cuboid shape and is filled with a gaseous or liquid medium 11.
  • the chamber 1 is usually designed such that the medium 11 cannot pass through the chamber walls defining the chamber.
  • a valve 13 is provided in one of the chamber walls for filling or emptying the chamber 1.
  • the internal chamber pressure p ⁇ is recorded by a pressure sensor 12 arranged in the chamber 1.
  • the pressure sensor 12 is preferably an integrated sensor. It is attached in a suitable manner in or on the chamber so that it can absorb the internal chamber pressure Pi.
  • FIG. 2 shows a chamber 1 according to FIG. 1, in which the pressure sensor 12 is electrically connected to an evaluator 6 for evaluating the pressure signals p transmitted by the pressure sensor.
  • the internal chamber pressure Pj increases .
  • Pressure sensor 12 then delivers a pressure signal p with an amplitude that is approximately proportional to the weight F.
  • the pressure signal p is classified in the evaluator 6. For example, the pressure signal p is divided into one of five general classes.
  • the threshold values required for classification can be raised when medium 11 is fed into the chamber.
  • the corresponding information can be tapped at the output A of the evaluator 6.
  • FIG. 3 symbolically shows an occupant 5 sitting on a vehicle seat 2.
  • the vehicle seat 2 contains a vehicle seat back 22 and a vehicle seat fuselage 21.
  • the chamber according to the invention according to FIG. 1 is introduced into the vehicle seat fuselage 21. It has a bubble-like shape and is filled with a medium 11, preferably air, to the internal pressure p ⁇ .
  • a pressure sensor 12 is attached to the chamber wall, and on the other hand a valve 13 is indicated symbolically acts a weight force F caused by the weight of the occupant 5 on the chamber 1 and thus on the pressure-transmitting medium 11 on the pressure sensor 12 in the chamber 1.
  • the pressure sensor 12 which can be designed as a pressure sensor measuring absolute or relative pressure, delivers pressure signal p proportional to the weight F to the evaluator 6.
  • the evaluator 6 classifies the pressure p preferably according to the method described in FIG. It supplies a weight signal gew to a control unit 7.
  • the control unit 7 is provided for controlling an occupant protection means of the motor vehicle. It supplies a control signal ste to an airbag device 4 in the form of a passenger airbag in the dashboard 3.
  • the control unit 7 makes a triggering decision based on signals from deformation and / or acceleration sensors not shown. Such a trigger decision is influenced by the formation of the weight signal.
  • further sensor signals can also be used for this purpose: for example, if the weight on the vehicle seat 2 is recognized as low and the belt roll length is measured to be relatively large, the presence of a reboard child seat on the vehicle seat is concluded. In this case, the control unit 7 suppresses triggering of the airbag device 4 in the event of a recognized accident, in order not to impair the health of a child lying in the child seat by inflating the airbag.
  • the chamber 1 can have an elastic chamber wall, so that the chamber is expanded and the chamber wall expands even when a small amount of air is supplied.
  • the chamber wall can be made relatively unyielding. Here air can be supplied up to a maximum volume.
  • a control unit for filling or emptying the chamber has the reference number 8 according to FIG. 3.
  • the evaluator 6 for the pressure signal p and possibly the control unit 7 for the occupant protection means can have a common microprocessor as the control unit. This can be arranged in the vehicle seat or elsewhere in the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the following spatial arrangement of the control and evaluation units appears to be advantageous:
  • the evaluator 6 is arranged together with the pressure sensor 12 in the vehicle seat, possibly on a common carrier. Via a defined interface, the evaluator 6 delivers the weight classes Gew to a control unit 7 arranged on the vehicle tunnel.
  • the control unit 8 for seat comfort functions is arranged elsewhere in the vehicle.
  • the weight F of both the vehicle seat 2 and the occupant 5 sitting thereon, which acts directly on the oil-filled chamber 1, is shown symbolically with the reference symbol F.
  • the chamber 1 is usually arranged between the vehicle body and vehicle seat 2.
  • the control unit 8 actuates a piston 14 in the cylinder 1 via an actuating signal ks. By actuating the piston 14, the height of the vehicle seat 2 can be raised or lowered.
  • the chamber 1 in turn contains the pressure sensor 12, which records the internal chamber pressure Pi and passes it on to the evaluator 6 as a pressure signal p.

Abstract

A chamber (1) filled with a gaseous or liquid medium (11) and arranged in or on a vehicle seat (2) or associated with a vehicle seat adjusting device contains a pressure-sensitive sensor (12) for recording the chamber pressure (pI). The measured chamber pressure (pI) indicates the weight of an object or passenger on the vehicle seat (2). The measured chamber pressure (pI) is then used to control a passenger protection means.

Description

Beschreibungdescription
Steuervorrichtung zum Steuern eines Insassenschutzmittels eines FahrzeugsControl device for controlling an occupant protection means of a vehicle
Die Erfindung betrifft eine Steuervorrichtung zum Steuern eines Insassenschutzmittels eines Fahrzeugs.The invention relates to a control device for controlling an occupant protection means of a vehicle.
Bei modernen Insassenschutzvorrichtungen wird ein Schutzmit- tel wie der Airbag nicht nur abhängig von der ermitteltenIn modern occupant protection devices, a protection means such as the airbag is not only dependent on the one determined
Aufprallstärke ausgelöst sondern auch abhängig davon, ob ein Insasse auf dem Fahrzeugsitz erkannt wird. Die Gewichtserkennung ist ein die Insassenerkennung unterstützendes Mittel, die Rückschlüsse z.B. auf einen mit einem erwachsenen Insas- sen, mit einem Kind, oder mit einem Gegenstand belegten Fahrzeugsitz oder auf einen unbelegten Fahrzeugsitz erlaubt.Impact strength triggered but also depending on whether an occupant is recognized in the vehicle seat. The weight detection is a means supporting the occupant detection, the conclusions e.g. on a vehicle seat occupied by an adult occupant, a child, or an object, or on an unoccupied vehicle seat.
Die EP 0 458 102 AI offenbart einen Sitzschalter im Beifahrersitz, mit dessen Hilfe festgestellt werden kann, ob der Beifahrersitz belegt ist. Wird der Beifahrersitz als nicht belegt erkannt, wird bei einem Aufprall der zugehörige Bei- fahrerairbag nicht gezündet. Der Sitzschalter liefert keine Aussage über das Gewicht einer auf dem Beifahrersitz sitzenden Person.EP 0 458 102 AI discloses a seat switch in the front passenger seat, with the aid of which it can be determined whether the front passenger seat is occupied. If the front passenger seat is recognized as unoccupied, the associated front passenger airbag is not triggered in the event of an impact. The seat switch does not provide any information about the weight of a person sitting in the front passenger seat.
Die DE 42 37 072 Cl schlägt einen Foliendrucksensor für einen Fahrzeugsitz vor, anhand dessen Ausgangssignal das Gewicht eines Insassen oder Gegenstandes auf dem Fahrzeugsitz klassifiziert wird. Abhängig von der Gewichtsermittlung kann das zugehörige Schutzmittel - ein Frontairbag oder ein Seitenair- bag - bei einem Aufprall gesperrt, nur einstufig, oder mehrstufig gezündet werden.DE 42 37 072 Cl proposes a film pressure sensor for a vehicle seat, based on the output signal of which the weight of an occupant or object on the vehicle seat is classified. Depending on the weight determination, the associated protective means - a front airbag or a side airbag - can be blocked in the event of an impact, ignited only in one stage or in multiple stages.
Dieser Sensor ist aufwendig herzustellen wie in den Fahrzeug- sitz einzubauen. Ferner ist aus der DE 195 45 168 AI ein Komfort-Fahrzeugsitz bekannt, der mehrere mit Luft gefüllte Hohlkammern in Sitzfläche und Lehne enthält. Diese Hohlkammern sind mit einem an- und abschwellenden Druck belastbar, um eine Massagewirkung für den Insassen zu erreichen. Dabei enthält jede Hohlkammer einen Drucksensor. Der Hohlkammerinnendruck wird auf einen vorgegebenen Wert geregelt.This sensor is complex to manufacture and to install in the vehicle seat. Furthermore, a comfort vehicle seat is known from DE 195 45 168 AI, which contains a plurality of air-filled hollow chambers in the seat and backrest. These hollow chambers can be subjected to an increasing and decreasing pressure in order to achieve a massage effect for the occupant. Each hollow chamber contains a pressure sensor. The cavity pressure is regulated to a predetermined value.
Aufgabe der Erfindung ist es, eine Steuervorrichtung für den Insassenschutz anzugeben, bei der auf einfache Art und Weise das Gewicht eines Gegenstandes oder eines Insassen auf einem Fahrzeugsitz ermittelt werden kann.The object of the invention is to provide a control device for occupant protection, in which the weight of an object or an occupant on a vehicle seat can be determined in a simple manner.
Erfindungsgemäß wird die Aufgabe durch eine Steuervorrichtung nach dem Patentanspruch 1 gelöst.According to the invention the object is achieved by a control device according to claim 1.
Um den Sitzkomfort von Fahrzeugsinsassen zu erhöhen sind Fahrzeugsitze der heutigen Generation nicht nur mit einer Längs-, Höhen- und Lehnenwinkelverstellung ausgerüstet sondern enthalten auch diverse in Fahrzeugsitzrumpf und Fahrzeugsitzlehne eingearbeitete lüftgefüllte Kammern in Form von Blasen. Eine solche Kammer weist gewöhnlich eine insbesondere luftdichte Haut auf. Mittels eines Ventils in der Haut ist die Kammer wahlweise mit unterschiedlichen Luftvolumina füllbar. Eine Anpassung der Sitzform an die Körperform des Insassen ist erforderlich für ein ermüdungsfreies Sitzes auch über einen längeren Zeitraum hinweg. Diese Anpassung wird durch derartige in ihrem Volumen änderbare Kammern erzielt. Das Ventil dient dazu als Zufluß- und/oder Abflußventil: Mittels einer elektrisch betätigbaren Luftpumpe wird beispielsweise die Kammer mit Luft gefüllt. Durch entsprechende Steuerung des Ventils wird ein Ausströmen von Luft aus der Kammer erreicht . Ein Fahrzeugsitz kann ein oder mehrere solcher luft- gas- oder flüssigkeitsgefüllter Kammern aufweisen. Vorzugsweise enthalten sowohl Sitzrumpf als auch Sitzlehne in ihren Seitenbereichen derartige aufblasbare Kammern, so daß sowohl die Rückenpartie, als auch die Oberschenkel des Fahrzeuginsassen durch diese randseitigen, aufblasbaren Kammern gestützt werden. Die Ansteuerung eines Stellglieds für eine solche Kammer - Luftpumpe oder Ventil - erfolgt durch eine elektronische Steuerung, welche selbsttätig in gewissen Zeitabständen Kam- merfüllvolumina ändert. Alternativ kann der Fahrzeuginsasse selbst über Bedienelemente den Füllgehalt solcher Kammern bestimmen.In order to increase the seating comfort of vehicle occupants, today's generation vehicle seats are not only equipped with a longitudinal, height and backrest angle adjustment, but also contain various air-filled chambers in the form of bubbles in the vehicle seat fuselage and vehicle seat back. Such a chamber usually has an airtight skin in particular. The chamber can be filled with different air volumes by means of a valve in the skin. An adaptation of the seat shape to the body shape of the occupant is required for a fatigue-free seat even over a long period of time. This adaptation is achieved by such chambers which can be changed in volume. The valve serves as an inflow and / or outflow valve: the chamber is filled with air, for example, by means of an electrically operated air pump. Appropriate control of the valve ensures that air flows out of the chamber. A vehicle seat can have one or more such air, gas or liquid filled chambers. Both the seat fuselage and the seat back preferably contain such inflatable chambers in their side areas, so that both the back part and the thighs of the vehicle occupant are supported by these edge-side, inflatable chambers. An actuator for such a chamber - air pump or valve - is controlled by an electronic control which changes chamber filling volumes automatically at certain intervals. Alternatively, the vehicle occupant himself can determine the filling content of such chambers via control elements.
Zum anderen ist eine Sitzlängs-, Sitzhöhen- oder Lehnenwin- kelverstellung mittels eines hydraulischen Stellglieds bekannt. Dabei wird veranlaßt durch ein von dem Insassen betätigtes Bedienelement ein Elektromotor aktiviert, der wiederum den Kolben eines flüssigkeitsgefüllten Stellzylinders betätigt. Der auf einem solchen Stellzylinder gelagerte Fahrzeug- sitz wird in seiner Höhe verändert.On the other hand, a seat length, seat height or backrest angle adjustment by means of a hydraulic actuator is known. In this case, an electric motor, which in turn actuates the piston of a liquid-filled actuating cylinder, is activated by an operating element actuated by the occupant. The height of the vehicle seat mounted on such an actuating cylinder is changed.
Erfindungsgemäß wird eine derartige mit einem gasförmigen oder flüssigen Medium gefüllte Kammer, die dem Komfort des Insassen dient und zum Einbau in einen Fahrzeugsitz oder zur Verwendung als Stellglied zum Verstellen eines Fahrzeugsitzes vorgesehen ist, zur Gewichtsermittlung eines Gegenstandes oder eines Insassen auf dem Fahrzeugsitz herangezogen. Die Erfindung beruht auf der Erkenntnis, daß der Druck in einer solchen Kammer proportional der auf den Fahrzeugsitz einwir- kenden Gewichtskraft ist. Die Kammer ist dabei derart imAccording to the invention, such a chamber filled with a gaseous or liquid medium, which serves the comfort of the occupant and is intended for installation in a vehicle seat or for use as an actuator for adjusting a vehicle seat, is used for determining the weight of an object or an occupant on the vehicle seat. The invention is based on the knowledge that the pressure in such a chamber is proportional to the weight force acting on the vehicle seat. The chamber is so in
Fahrzeugsitz anzuordnen beziehungsweise einer Fahrzeugsitz- verstellvorrichtung zuzuordnen, daß ihr Innendruck auf Gewichtsveränderungen auf dem Fahrzeugsitz reagiert. Erfindungsgemäß wird also der Kammerdruck mittels eines druckemp- findlichen Sensors gemessen. Der Sensor liefert dabei ein zum Kammerdruck und damit zum Gewicht auf dem Fahrzeugsitz proportionales Signal.To arrange the vehicle seat or to assign a vehicle seat adjustment device so that its internal pressure reacts to changes in weight on the vehicle seat. According to the invention, the chamber pressure is therefore measured using a pressure-sensitive sensor. The sensor delivers a to Chamber pressure and thus a signal proportional to the weight on the vehicle seat.
Der Vorteil der Erfindung liegt insbesondere darin, daß be- reits im/am Fahrzeugsitz angeordnete Kammern oder für den Fahrzeugsitz vorgesehene Kammern mit den bekannten Komfortfunktionen nunmehr für die Sicherheitstechnik mitausgenutzt werden. Eine solche Mehrfachverwendung der Kammern verringert den auf den Fahrzeugsitz bezogenen Montageaufwand erheblich und liefert eine Gewichtserkennung, für die mit Ausnahme des Drucksensors keine zusätzlichen mechanischen Mittel erforderlich sind.The advantage of the invention is in particular that chambers already arranged in / on the vehicle seat or chambers provided for the vehicle seat with the known comfort functions are now also used for safety technology. Such multiple use of the chambers considerably reduces the assembly effort related to the vehicle seat and provides weight detection for which no additional mechanical means are required, with the exception of the pressure sensor.
Vorteilhafte Weiterbildungen der Erfindung sind durch die Un- teransprüche gekennzeichnet.Advantageous further developments of the invention are characterized by the subclaims.
Die Erfindung und ihre Weiterbildungen werden im folgenden anhand der Zeichnungen näher erläutert. Es zeigen:The invention and its developments are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. Show it:
Figur 1 eine Kammer,1 shows a chamber,
Figur 2 eine Vorrichtung mit einer Kammer und einem Auswerter, Figur 3 ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer Steuervorrichtung zum Steuern eines Insassenschutzmittels in Form eines Blockschaltbildes, undFigure 2 shows a device with a chamber and an evaluator, Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a control device for controlling an occupant protection means in the form of a block diagram, and
Figur 4 ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel einer Steuervorrichtung zum Steuern eines Insassenschutzmittels in Form eines Blockschaltbildes.Figure 4 shows another embodiment of a control device for controlling an occupant protection means in the form of a block diagram.
Figur 1 zeigt eine erfindungsgemäß verwendete Kammer 1, die zum Einbau in einen Fahrzeugsitz oder zur Verwendung als Stellglied zum Verstellen eines Fahrzeugsitzes vorgesehen ist. Die Kammer 1 weist etwa quaderförmige Form auf und ist mit einem gasförmigen oder flüssigen Medium 11 gefüllt. Die Kammer 1 ist gewöhnlich derart ausgestaltet, daß das Medium 11 nicht durch die die Kammer definierenden Kammerwände hindurchtreten kann. Zum Füllen oder Entleeren der Kammer 1 ist in einer der Kammerwände ein Ventil 13 vorgesehen.FIG. 1 shows a chamber 1 used according to the invention, which is provided for installation in a vehicle seat or for use as an actuator for adjusting a vehicle seat. The chamber 1 has an approximately cuboid shape and is filled with a gaseous or liquid medium 11. The chamber 1 is usually designed such that the medium 11 cannot pass through the chamber walls defining the chamber. A valve 13 is provided in one of the chamber walls for filling or emptying the chamber 1.
Der Kammerinnendruck pτ wird von einem in der Kammer 1 angeordneten Drucksensor 12 aufgenommen. Der Drucksensor 12 ist vorzugsweise ein integrierter Sensor. Er ist in geeigneter Weise in oder an der Kammer angebracht, sodaß er den Kammerinnendruck Pi aufnehmen kann.The internal chamber pressure p τ is recorded by a pressure sensor 12 arranged in the chamber 1. The pressure sensor 12 is preferably an integrated sensor. It is attached in a suitable manner in or on the chamber so that it can absorb the internal chamber pressure Pi.
Figur 2 zeigt eine Kammer 1 gemäß Figur 1, bei der der Drucksensor 12 mit einem Auswerter 6 zum Auswerten der vom Drucksensor übermittelten Drucksignale p elektrisch verbunden ist. Bei Einwirken einer symbolisch angedeuteten Gewichtskraft F auf die Kammer 1 erhöht sich der Kammerinnendruck Pj.. DerFIG. 2 shows a chamber 1 according to FIG. 1, in which the pressure sensor 12 is electrically connected to an evaluator 6 for evaluating the pressure signals p transmitted by the pressure sensor. When a symbolically indicated weight F acts on the chamber 1, the internal chamber pressure Pj increases . , The
Drucksensor 12 liefert daraufhin ein Drucksignal p mit einer Amplitude, die in etwa proportional zu der Gewichtskraft F ist. Im Auswerter 6 wird das Drucksignal p klassifiziert. Beispielsweise wird das Drucksignal p in eine von fünf Ge- ichtsklassen eingeteilt. Bei einer Anwendung der Kammer nach Figur 3 können die zur Klassifizierung erforderlichen Schwellwerte bei einer Zufuhr von Medium 11 in die Kammer angehoben werden.Pressure sensor 12 then delivers a pressure signal p with an amplitude that is approximately proportional to the weight F. The pressure signal p is classified in the evaluator 6. For example, the pressure signal p is divided into one of five general classes. When using the chamber according to FIG. 3, the threshold values required for classification can be raised when medium 11 is fed into the chamber.
Die entsprechende Information kann am Ausgang A des Auswerters 6 abgegriffen werden.The corresponding information can be tapped at the output A of the evaluator 6.
Figur 3 zeigt symbolisch einen auf einem Fahrzeugsitz 2 sitzenden Insassen 5. Der Fahrzeugsitz 2 enthält eine Fahrzeug- sitzlehne 22 und einen Fahrzeugsitzrumpf 21. Im Fahrzeugsitzrumpf 21 ist die erfindungsgemäße Kammer nach Figur 1 eingebracht. Sie weist blasenförmige Form auf und ist mit einem Medium 11, vorzugsweise Luft, auf den Innendruck pτ gefüllt. An der Kammerwand ist zum einen ein Drucksensor 12 ange- bracht, zum anderen ein Ventil 13. Symbolisch angedeutet wirkt eine durch das Gewicht des Insassen 5 verursachte Gewichtskraft F auf die Kammer 1 und damit über das druckübertragende Medium 11 auf den Drucksensor 12 in der Kammer 1. Der Drucksensor 12, der als den Absolut- oder Relativdruck messender Drucksensor ausgebildet sein kann, liefert ein zur Gewichtskraft F proportionales Drucksignal p an den Auswerter 6. Der Auswerter 6 klassifiziert den Druck p vorzugsweise nach dem in Figur 2 beschriebenen Verfahren. Er liefert ein Gewichtsignal gew an eine Steuereinheit 7. Die Steuereinheit 7 ist zum Steuern eines Insassenschutzmittels des Kraftfahrzeugs vorgesehen. Sie liefert ein Steuersignal ste an eine Airbagvorrichtung 4 in Form eines Beifahrerairbags im Armaturenbrett 3. Die Steuereinheit 7 trifft eine Auslöseentscheidung anhand von Signalen nicht eingezeichneter Verformungs- und/oder Beschleunigungssensoren. Eine solche Auslöseentscheidung wird durch die Ausbildung des Gewichtssignals gew beeinflußt. Dazu können insbesondere auch weitere Sensorsignale herangezogen werden: Beispielsweise wird bei einem als gering erkannten Gewicht auf dem Fahrzeugsitz 2 und einer re- lativ großen gemessenen Gurtabrollänge auf die Anwesenheit eines Reboard-Kindersitzes auf dem Fahrzeugsitz geschlossen. In diesem Fall unterdrückt die Steuereinheit 7 ein Auslösen der Airbagvorrichtung 4 bei einem erkannten Unfall, um die Gesundheit eines in dem Kindersitz liegenden Kindes durch ein Aufblasen des Airbags nicht zu beeinträchtigen.FIG. 3 symbolically shows an occupant 5 sitting on a vehicle seat 2. The vehicle seat 2 contains a vehicle seat back 22 and a vehicle seat fuselage 21. The chamber according to the invention according to FIG. 1 is introduced into the vehicle seat fuselage 21. It has a bubble-like shape and is filled with a medium 11, preferably air, to the internal pressure p τ . On the one hand, a pressure sensor 12 is attached to the chamber wall, and on the other hand a valve 13 is indicated symbolically acts a weight force F caused by the weight of the occupant 5 on the chamber 1 and thus on the pressure-transmitting medium 11 on the pressure sensor 12 in the chamber 1. The pressure sensor 12, which can be designed as a pressure sensor measuring absolute or relative pressure, delivers pressure signal p proportional to the weight F to the evaluator 6. The evaluator 6 classifies the pressure p preferably according to the method described in FIG. It supplies a weight signal gew to a control unit 7. The control unit 7 is provided for controlling an occupant protection means of the motor vehicle. It supplies a control signal ste to an airbag device 4 in the form of a passenger airbag in the dashboard 3. The control unit 7 makes a triggering decision based on signals from deformation and / or acceleration sensors not shown. Such a trigger decision is influenced by the formation of the weight signal. In particular, further sensor signals can also be used for this purpose: for example, if the weight on the vehicle seat 2 is recognized as low and the belt roll length is measured to be relatively large, the presence of a reboard child seat on the vehicle seat is concluded. In this case, the control unit 7 suppresses triggering of the airbag device 4 in the event of a recognized accident, in order not to impair the health of a child lying in the child seat by inflating the airbag.
Die Kammer 1 kann eine elastisch ausgebildete Kammerwand aufweisen, so daß bereits ab Zufuhr einer geringen Menge Luft die Kammer ausgeweitet wird und sich die Kammerwand dehnt. Alternativ kann die Kammerwand relativ unnachgiebig ausgebildet sein. Hier kann variabel Luft bis zu einem Maximalvolumen zugeführt werden.The chamber 1 can have an elastic chamber wall, so that the chamber is expanded and the chamber wall expands even when a small amount of air is supplied. Alternatively, the chamber wall can be made relatively unyielding. Here air can be supplied up to a maximum volume.
Eine Steuereinheit zum Füllen oder Leeren der Kammer trägt gemäß Figur 3 das Bezugszeichen 8. Diese Komfortsteuerfunk- tionen wie auch der Auswerter 6 für das Drucksignal p und ggf. die Steuereinheit 7 für das Insassenschutzmittel können als Steuereinheit einen gemeinsamen Mikroprozessor aufweisen. Dieser kann im Fahrzeugsitz oder auch an anderer Stelle im Kraftfahrzeug angeordnet sein. Ferner erscheint folgende räumliche Anordnung der Steuer- und Auswerteeinheiten als vorteilhaft: Der Auswerter 6 ist gemeinsam mit dem Drucksensor 12 im Fahrzeugsitz, ggf. auf einem gemeinsamen Träger angeordnet. Über eine festgelegte Schnittstelle liefert der Auswerter 6 die Gewichtsklassen gew an eine am Fahrzeugtunnel angeordnete Steuereinheit 7. Die Steuereinheit 8 für Sitzkomfortfunktionen ist an sonstiger Stelle im Fahrzeug angeordnet .A control unit for filling or emptying the chamber has the reference number 8 according to FIG. 3. tion as well as the evaluator 6 for the pressure signal p and possibly the control unit 7 for the occupant protection means can have a common microprocessor as the control unit. This can be arranged in the vehicle seat or elsewhere in the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the following spatial arrangement of the control and evaluation units appears to be advantageous: The evaluator 6 is arranged together with the pressure sensor 12 in the vehicle seat, possibly on a common carrier. Via a defined interface, the evaluator 6 delivers the weight classes Gew to a control unit 7 arranged on the vehicle tunnel. The control unit 8 for seat comfort functions is arranged elsewhere in the vehicle.
Gemäß Figur 4 wird das Gewicht unter Zuhilfenahme einer z. B. ölgefüllten Kammer 1 ermittelt, die als Stellglied und insbesondere als Stellzylinder für die Sitzhöhenverstellung vorgesehen ist. Dabei ist symbolisch mit dem Bezugszeichen F die Gewichtskraft sowohl des Fahrzeugsitzes 2 als auch des darauf sitzenden Insassen 5 eingezeichnet, die direkt auf die ölge- füllte Kammer 1 einwirkt. Die Kammer 1 ist gewöhnlich zwischen Fahrzeukarosserie und Fahrzeugsitz 2 angeordnet. Die Steuereinheit 8 betätigt über ein Stellsignal ks einen Kolben 14 im Zylinder 1. Durch eine Betätigung des Kolbens 14 kann der Fahrzeugsitz 2 in seiner Höhe emporgehoben oder abgesenkt werden. Erfindungsgemäß enthält die Kammer 1 wiederum den Drucksensor 12, der den Kammerinnendruck Pi aufnimmt und als Drucksignal p an den Auswerter 6 weiterleitet. Dort wird - eine Ausbildung des Drucksensors 12 als Absolutdrucksensor vorausgesetzt - eine Konstante vom Drucksignal p abgezogen, die auf eine durch den Fahrzeugsitz hervorgerufene Gewichts- kraftkomponente zurückzuführen ist. Das Ergebnis der Differenzbildung wird mit ein oder mehreren Schwellwerten verglichen, die für bestimmte Gewichtsgrenzen stehen. Zur Verwer- tung des derart bestimmten Gewichtssignals gew für das Insas- senschutzsystem sei auf die Beschreibung zur Figur 3 verwiesen. According to Figure 4, the weight with the help of a z. B. oil-filled chamber 1, which is provided as an actuator and in particular as an actuating cylinder for the seat height adjustment. The weight F of both the vehicle seat 2 and the occupant 5 sitting thereon, which acts directly on the oil-filled chamber 1, is shown symbolically with the reference symbol F. The chamber 1 is usually arranged between the vehicle body and vehicle seat 2. The control unit 8 actuates a piston 14 in the cylinder 1 via an actuating signal ks. By actuating the piston 14, the height of the vehicle seat 2 can be raised or lowered. According to the invention, the chamber 1 in turn contains the pressure sensor 12, which records the internal chamber pressure Pi and passes it on to the evaluator 6 as a pressure signal p. There - assuming the pressure sensor 12 is designed as an absolute pressure sensor - a constant is subtracted from the pressure signal p, which is attributable to a weight force component caused by the vehicle seat. The result of the difference formation is compared with one or more threshold values which stand for certain weight limits. In order to utilize the weight signal gew determined in this way for the occupant protection system, reference is made to the description of FIG. 3.

Claims

Patentansprüche claims
1. Steuervorrichtung zum Steuern eines Insassenschutzmittels eines Fahrzeugs, - mit einer mit einem gasförmigen oder flüssigen Medium (11) gefüllten Kammer (1),1. Control device for controlling an occupant protection means of a vehicle, - with a chamber (1) filled with a gaseous or liquid medium (11),
- die in oder an einem Fahrzeugsitz (2) angeordnet oder einer Fahrzeugsitzverstellvorrichtung zugeordnet ist, und- Which is arranged in or on a vehicle seat (2) or assigned to a vehicle seat adjustment device, and
- die einen druckempfindlichen Sensor (12) zur Aufnahme des Kammerdrucks (pτ ) aufweist,- which has a pressure-sensitive sensor (12) for recording the chamber pressure (p τ ),
- mit einem Auswerter (6) zum Auswerten eines von dem Drucksensor (12) gelieferten Drucksignals (p) , und- With an evaluator (6) for evaluating a pressure signal (p) supplied by the pressure sensor (12), and
- mit einer Steuereinheit (7) zum Steuern des Insassenschutzmittels in Abhängigkeit des ausgewerteten Drucksignals (p) .- With a control unit (7) for controlling the occupant protection means depending on the evaluated pressure signal (p).
2. Steuervorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, bei der die Kammer (1) in einem Fahrzeugsitz (2) angeordnet ist.2. Control device according to claim 1, wherein the chamber (1) is arranged in a vehicle seat (2).
3. Steuervorrichtung nach Anspruch 2, bei der die Kammer (1) in einem Fahrzeugsitzrumpf (21) angeordnet ist.3. Control device according to claim 2, wherein the chamber (1) is arranged in a vehicle seat fuselage (21).
4. Steuervorrichtung nach Anspruch 2, bei der die Kammer (1) in einer Fahrzeugsitzlehne (22) angeordnet ist.4. Control device according to claim 2, wherein the chamber (1) is arranged in a vehicle seat back (22).
5. Steuervorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, bei der die Kammer (1) als Stellglied der Fahrzeugsitzverstellvorrichtung zum Verstellen des Fahrzeugsitzes (2) ausgebildet ist.5. Control device according to claim 1, wherein the chamber (1) is designed as an actuator of the vehicle seat adjustment device for adjusting the vehicle seat (2).
6. Steuervorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, bei der die Kammer (1) ein Ventil (13) für Zufluß oder Abfluß des Mediums (11) enthält.6. Control device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the chamber (1) contains a valve (13) for inflow or outflow of the medium (11).
7. Steuervorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, bei der die Kammer als Zylinder mit Kolben ausgebildet ist. 7. Control device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the chamber is designed as a cylinder with a piston.
PCT/DE1998/003148 1997-12-17 1998-10-27 Controller for a vehicle passenger protection means WO1999030934A1 (en)

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DE19756221 1997-12-17

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10015586A1 (en) * 2000-03-29 2001-10-04 Delphi Tech Inc Weight determination
US6476514B1 (en) 2000-03-29 2002-11-05 Ford Global Technologies, Inc. Occupant detection sensor assembly for seats
DE102004047907A1 (en) * 2004-09-29 2006-04-13 Daimlerchrysler Ag Control device for passenger protection unit of motor vehicle, has control and evaluation circuit, which control electric motor such that control of unit takes place based on sensor signals
DE102015106434A1 (en) * 2015-04-27 2016-10-27 Autoliv Development Ab Airbag module with air pressure-dependent deployment behavior

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EP0345806A2 (en) * 1988-06-10 1989-12-13 Mazda Motor Corporation Automobile seat assembly
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DE4237072C1 (en) * 1992-11-03 1993-12-02 Daimler Benz Ag Resistive film pressure or force sensor for indicating occupation of vehicle seat - has conductive paths for providing series of meandering interdigitated local area transducer electrodes on polymer and semiconductor substrate.
DE19545168A1 (en) * 1995-12-04 1997-06-05 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag Seat with variable pressure hollow chambers that have an elastic support wall
WO1997028989A1 (en) * 1996-02-07 1997-08-14 Jean Leteurtre System and method for detecting the presence of and identifying a person or object in a given environment

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3777175A (en) * 1972-04-11 1973-12-04 Lucas Industries Ltd Safety arrangements for road vehicles
US4022146A (en) * 1974-02-27 1977-05-10 Sadler Clinton P Fluid pressure controlled circuit breaker as boat safety apparatus
EP0345806A2 (en) * 1988-06-10 1989-12-13 Mazda Motor Corporation Automobile seat assembly
EP0458102A1 (en) * 1990-05-23 1991-11-27 Audi Ag Safety device for a vehicle with inflatable airbag
DE4237072C1 (en) * 1992-11-03 1993-12-02 Daimler Benz Ag Resistive film pressure or force sensor for indicating occupation of vehicle seat - has conductive paths for providing series of meandering interdigitated local area transducer electrodes on polymer and semiconductor substrate.
DE19545168A1 (en) * 1995-12-04 1997-06-05 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag Seat with variable pressure hollow chambers that have an elastic support wall
WO1997028989A1 (en) * 1996-02-07 1997-08-14 Jean Leteurtre System and method for detecting the presence of and identifying a person or object in a given environment

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10015586A1 (en) * 2000-03-29 2001-10-04 Delphi Tech Inc Weight determination
US6476514B1 (en) 2000-03-29 2002-11-05 Ford Global Technologies, Inc. Occupant detection sensor assembly for seats
DE102004047907A1 (en) * 2004-09-29 2006-04-13 Daimlerchrysler Ag Control device for passenger protection unit of motor vehicle, has control and evaluation circuit, which control electric motor such that control of unit takes place based on sensor signals
DE102015106434A1 (en) * 2015-04-27 2016-10-27 Autoliv Development Ab Airbag module with air pressure-dependent deployment behavior
DE102015106434B4 (en) * 2015-04-27 2017-12-14 Autoliv Development Ab Airbag module with air pressure-dependent deployment behavior

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