WO2007134927A1

WO2007134927A1 - Switch configuration, sensor configuration, method and device to differentiate seat occupancy in a vehicle seat

Info

Publication number: WO2007134927A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/053855
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mario Munoz Lara; Gerd Winkler
Original assignee: Continental Automotive Gmbh
Priority date: 2006-05-18
Filing date: 2007-04-19
Publication date: 2007-11-29
Also published as: DE102006023466A1

Abstract

A switch configuration (14) for a vehicle seat (2) encompasses at least four On/Off switches (20). The On/Off switches (20) are arranged in a seat element (3) of the vehicle seat (2) in such a way that at least one of the On/Off switches is turned on with seat occupancy of the vehicle seat (2) by an adult (HU AD) or by a child seat (RFCS) which is installed in opposite direction of the direction of travel, and in such a way that the On/Off switches (20) are turned off with an unoccupied vehicle seat (2).

Description

description

Switch arrangement, sensor arrangement, method and apparatus for distinguishing a seat occupancy of a vehicle seat

The invention relates to a switch arrangement for a vehicle seat. Furthermore, the invention relates to a sensor arrangement comprising the switch arrangement. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method and an apparatus for distinguishing a seat occupancy of the vehicle seat by an adult from the seat occupancy by a built-in against the direction of travel child seat.

From DE 196 834 58 Cl a device for child seat recognition is known. The device for child seat recognition comprises at least one mounted in or on the buckle magnetic field sensor and a magnet attached to the child seat. The magnet is laterally attached to the child seat, suitably mounted on a fixed side of the child seat and preferably before ^¬ a permanent magnet strip. If the presence of the child seat is detected, the airbag deployment will not be released.

From DE 10 2004 050 884 B3 a device for detecting the seat occupancy of a seat is known. In the seat occupancy recognition device, at least one transmitting device and at least one receiving device are arranged in the seat at a position so spaced from the at least one transmitting device in the seat that a person located on the seat at least partially in the signal path between the at least one transmitting device and the at least one receiving device for a Influencing the signals depending on the seat occupancy is located.

It is an object of the invention to provide a switch assembly, which simply allows a precise distinction of a seat occupancy of a vehicle seat by an adult seat occupancy by a built-in opposite to the direction of the child seat.

The invention is characterized according to a first aspect of the invention by a switch arrangement for a vehicle seat. The switch assembly includes at least four on / off switches. The on / off switch are arranged in a seat member of the vehicle seat, that at a Sitzbe ^¬ placement of the vehicle seat by an adult or by an opposite to the direction of travel built child seat at least one of the on / off switch is turned on and that at the unoccupied vehicle seat the on / off switches are off.

Such on / off switches can be made very cheap in terms of manufacturing costs. In conjunction with a sensor for detecting a clamping force acting on a seat belt associated with the vehicle seat, the on / off switches can easily and very accurately contribute to detecting seat occupancy.

In an advantageous embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the on / off switch between a seat cover and a seat filling of the vehicle seat are arranged. This simply adds to the precise distinction of seat occupancy. In a further advantageous embodiment of the switch arrangement, at least two of the on / off switches are arranged side by side in a front region of the seat element. The front area is abge ^¬ from a seat back of the vehicle seat. At least two of the on / off switches are arranged next to each other in ^¬ a rear portion of the seat member. The rear area is arranged between the front area and the seat back. This simply contributes to a very precise differentiation of seat occupancy.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the switch arrangement, the front area and the rear area respectively comprise at least two groups of the on / off switches. The groups are arranged side by side within the front area and the rear area, respectively. Each group includes at least two of the on / off switches. This can easily contribute to the very precise differentiation of seat occupancy.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least two of the on / off switches are connected in series within one of the groups. This can easily contribute to a be ^¬ particularly simple set and competitive differentiating the seat occupancy.

The invention is characterized according to a second aspect of the invention by a sensor arrangement comprising the switch assembly and a clamping force sensor. The tensioning force sensor is coupled with a safety belt, which is assigned to the driving ^¬ zeugsitz. The combination of the switch ^arrangement with the tensioning force sensor makes it particularly easy to distinguish the seat occupancy. If the seat occupancy of the vehicle seat is detected by the child seat installed counter to the direction of travel, it is preferable to at least one security measure activated. The security ^¬ measure can for example be a deactivation of an airbag, which is assigned to the vehicle seat with the built-in against the direction of travel child seat.

The invention is characterized according to a third aspect of the invention by a method and an apparatus for distinguishing the seat occupancy of the vehicle seat by the adult of the seat occupancy by the opposite of the direction of travel built child seat. For this purpose, it is checked which of the on / off switches are turned on. It is determined a clamping force acting on the seat belt. Seat occupancy by the adult or by the child seat installed opposite to the direction of travel is recognized, depending on the on / off switches and depending on the determined clamping force. This makes it possible to distinguish the seat occupancy of the vehicle seat by the adult o- by the opposite of the direction of travel built child seat in a simple manner.

In an advantageous embodiment of the third aspect of the invention is detected on the seat occupancy by the opposite of the direction of travel built child seat when the clamping force is greater than a predetermined threshold, or if the clamping force is smaller than the predetermined Schwel ^¬ lenwert and if only the Off switch of the rear range are turned on, or if the clamping force is smaller than the predetermined threshold and if only the on / off switches of the front area are turned off. This helps to identify the different seat ^¬ occupancy particularly easy. In a further advantageous embodiment of the third aspect of the invention, one of the groups is recognized as active if all on / off switches of the corresponding group are turned on, or if in the corresponding group at least a predetermined number of on / off switches is turned on. On the seat occupancy by the opposite to the direction of travel built child seat is detected when the clamping ^¬ force is smaller than the predetermined threshold and when only groups of the back range are active, or if the clamping force is less than the predetermined threshold and if only the groups of the front are active. This contributes particularly easy to a particularly precise differentiation of the seat occupancy.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings.

Show it:

FIG. 1 shows a vehicle seat,

FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of a switch arrangement,

FIG. 3 shows the first embodiment of the switch arrangement with a first embodiment of groups,

FIG. 4 shows the first embodiment of the switch arrangement with a second embodiment of the groups,

FIG. 5 shows the first embodiment of the switch arrangement with a third embodiment of the groups, FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the switch arrangement with a first embodiment of the groups,

FIG. 7 shows the second embodiment of the switch arrangement with a second embodiment of the groups,

8 shows the first embodiment of the switch arrangement with the second embodiment of the groups at a first seat occupancy,

9 shows the switch arrangement according to FIG. 8 with a second seat occupancy, FIG.

FIG. 10 shows the switch arrangement according to FIG. 8 with a third seat occupancy,

11 shows the switch arrangement according to FIG. 8 with a fourth seat occupancy, FIG.

Figure 12 shows a first program for detecting the seat occupancy.

Elements of the same construction or function are identified across the figures with the same reference numerals.

A vehicle seat 2 (figure 1) comprises a seat member 3 and a seat back 4. The vehicle seat 2 is preferably arranged in egg ^¬ nem vehicle 6, and applies its body Festge ^¬.

Between a seat cover 10 and a seat panel 12 of the vehicle seat 2, a switch assembly 14 is provided, which is electrically coupled to an evaluation unit 8. The seat element 3 comprises a front region 16 which is separated from the Seatback 4 is turned away, and a rear portion 18 which is arranged between the front ^¬ area 16 and the seat back 4 ^¬ .

A Gurtbuchse 17 for securing a safety belt, is assigned to the vehicle seat 2 is coupled via a clamping force ^¬ sensor 19 to the vehicle. 6 The tension force sensor

19 is suitable for determining a tension force F_BELT, which acts on the seat belt.

The switch assembly 14 includes at least four on / off switches 20 but preferably 24 or more on / off switches

20 (Figure 2). Preferably, the on / off switches 20 of the switching arrangement 14 are subdivided into groups 22 (FIG. 3). For example, the groups 22 are configured and angeord ^¬ net that the front region 16 and the back region 18 each comprise two groups 22nd The groups 22 of one of the regions are preferably arranged next to one another in the direction of ne parallel to the seat back 4 ^¬. The switched on / off switch 20, if the groups 22 each include single Lich ^¬ an on / off switch 20, as is representative that the relevant group is active ACT 22nd Preferably, however, each group 22 comprises a plurality of on / off switch 20 Example ^¬ example six on / off switch 20th

Alternatively, the groups 22 may also have different numbers of on / off switches 20 (Figure 4). Furthermore, side by side within the front portion 16 Bezie ^¬ hung example of the rear portion 18 more than two of the groups 22 adjacent to each other be formed.

Alternatively or additionally, more than two groups 22 may be formed perpendicular to the seat back 4 (FIG. 5). The front region 16 then extends over two of the groups 22 In the direction perpendicular to the seat back 4 also extends the rear portion 18 in the direction perpendicular to the seat back 4 on two of the groups 22nd

Alternatively, perpendicular to the seat back 4 wei ^¬ tere groups 22 may be provided (Figure 6). Furthermore, the groups may also have different numbers of on / off switches 20.

Alternatively, the groups 22 may also be arranged in nearly square groups 22 (FIG. 7).

In a seat occupancy of the vehicle seat 2 by a built-in opposite to the direction of travel child seat RFCS can act on the seat belt, a very high clamping force F_BELT. Contrary to the direction of travel in this context means that a main direction of a child in the child seat is directed against the straight ahead direction of travel of the vehicle 6. The tension force F_BELT, which can be caused by the installed opposite the direction of travel child seat RFCS, for example, can be up to 150 Newton. The greatest tension F_BELT, which is comfortable for an adult HU_AD, is about 18 Newton. If the clamping force F_BELT is greater than a predefined threshold value THD, for example 20 Newton, it is thus assumed that the vehicle seat 2 is occupied by the child seat RFCS installed in the opposite direction of travel.

If only an average clamping force acts on the Si F_BELT ^¬ cherheitsgurt, enables the switch assembly 14, the distinguishing the seat occupancy by adults HU_AD of the seat occupancy by the counter to the driving direction of built-in child seat RFCS (Figure 8). At the middle tension By virtue of F_BELT, on / off switches 20 of the front region 16 can be switched on, but the on / off switches 20 of the rear region 18 are increasingly connected by the child seat RFCS installed counter to the direction of travel.

At a very low clamping force F_BELT acting on the seat belt, all on / off of the front portion 20 of the rear portion 18 are regularly switch 20 off 16 and only the on / off switch is turned on (Fi gur ^¬ 9).

If the vehicle seat 2 is occupied by the adult HU_AD, then the tension force F_BELT is smaller than the threshold value THD and the groups 22 of the front area 16 and the groups 22 of the rear area 18 are activated ACT (FIG. 10). Even with a very light adult HU_AD and with a very low tension force F_BELT, the active groups 22 are distributed at least equal to the switch arrangement 14 (FIG. 11).

Preferably, the on / off switches 20 are at least partially connected in series within one of the groups 22. In ^¬ play as, all on / off switch 20 of one group are connected in a series 22nd So that the corresponding group 22 can then be classified as active ACT, all on / off switches 20 of the corresponding group 22 can be switched on, for example. However, several series ^¬ circuits of the on / off switch 20 are preferably formed within a group 22. For example, the on / off switches 20 may be connected in series such that even turning on a predetermined number of on / off switches 20 smaller than the total number of the on / off switches 20 of the group 22 will activate ACT group 22 leads. This can be carry a complex software for evaluating the signals of the switch assembly 14 to avoid.

A first program for discriminating the seat occupancy by adults HU_AD of the seat occupancy by the rear-facing child seat RFCS is preferably chert on a storage medium of the evaluation unit 8 abgespei ^¬. The evaluation unit can be, for example, an ^independent unit or can be comprised by an engine control or an on-board computer of the vehicle 2. The first Pro ^¬ program is preferably started at power-ignition of the vehicle 6 in a step Sl, in the given case ^¬ variables are initialized.

In a step S2, the groups 22 which are active ACT are determined.

In a step S3, the clamping force F_BELT is determined.

In a step S4, it is checked whether the clamping force F_BELT is greater than the predetermined threshold value THD. The pre ^¬ passed threshold THD is for example 20 Newton. If the condition of step S4 is satisfied, the machining ^¬ tung is continued in a step S5. If the condition of step S4 is not satisfied, the processing is continued in step S6.

In step S5, in answer to the seat occupied by the entge ^¬ gen driving towards integrated child seat RFCS.

In step S6, it is checked whether the groups 22 of the ^return area 18 are ACT active. If the condition of step S6 is not satisfied, the processing in step S10 becomes continued. If the condition of step S6 is satisfied, the processing is continued in a step S7.

In step S7, it is checked whether the groups 22 of the front area 16 are ACT active. If the condition of step S7 is not satisfied, the processing in step S5 is continued. If the condition of step S7 it ^¬ filled, the processing is set in a step S9 fortge ^¬.

In a step S8, the program can be ended. Preferably, however, the program is executed regularly during operation of the vehicle 2.

In step S9, the seat occupancy by the adult HU_AD is recognized.

In the step S10, the seat occupancy by the adult HU_AD or by the child seat RFCS installed opposite to the direction of travel is detected depending on a default setting of the program. The standard setting can be set as desired, so that in case of doubt either the seat occupancy by the adult HU_AD or by the child seat RFCS installed contrary to the direction of travel is detected.

In a step Sil, the program can be terminated. Preferably, however, the program is executed regularly during operation of the vehicle.

The invention is not limited to the specified Ausführungsbei ^¬ games. For example, more or fewer on / off switches 20 per group 22 and / or per switch arrangement 14 may be provided. Further, different numbers of groups and different patterns of groups 22 may be provided. Further, the tension force sensor 19 may be provided at any location suitable for detecting the tension force F_BELT in the vehicle.

Claims

Claims:

A switch arrangement (14) for a vehicle seat (2), which comprises at least four on / off switches (20), which are arranged in a seat element (3) of the vehicle seat (2) such that when the vehicle seat (2 ) is turned on by an adult (HU_AD) or by a child seat (RFCS) installed counter to the direction of travel of at least one of the on / off switch (20) and that switched off at the unoccupied vehicle seat (2), the on / off switch (20) are.

2. Switch arrangement (14) according to claim 1, wherein the on / off switch (20) between a seat cover (10) and a seat filling (12) of the vehicle seat (2) are arranged.

3. A switch assembly (14) according to any preceding claim, the seat member (3) are arranged in at least two of the on / off switch (20) ne ^¬ by side in a front region (16) of a seat back (4) of the Fahrzeugit ^¬ zes (2) is remote, and in which at least two further of the on / off switch (20) side by side in a rear region (18) of the seat member (3) are arranged between the front ^¬ area (16) and the Seat back (4) is arranged.

The switch assembly (14) of claim 3, wherein the front portion (16) and the rear portion (18) each comprise at least two groups (22) of the on / off switches (20) and wherein the groups (22) are within the Front region (16) and the rear portion (18) are arranged side by side and in which each group (22) sums at least two on / off switch (20) ^¬ .

5. Switch assembly (14) according to claim 4, wherein the at least two on / off switch (20) within one of the groups

(22) are connected in series.

6. Sensor arrangement comprising the switch arrangement (14) according to one of the preceding claims and a clamping force sensor

(19) coupled to a safety belt associated with the vehicle seat (2).

7. A method for distinguishing the seat occupancy of the vehicle seat (2) by the adult (HU_AD) of the seat occupancy by the opposite of the direction of travel built child seat

(RFCS) with the sensor arrangement according to claim 6, in which

- it is checked, which are / is switched OFF the on-off switch (20) ^¬,

- a clamping force (F_BELT) is determined, which acts on the Si ^¬ cherheitsgurt,

- The seat occupancy is detected by the adult (HU_AD) or by the child seat (RFCS) installed contrary to the direction of travel, depending on the on / off switches

(20) and depending on the determined clamping force (F_BELT).

8. The method of claim 7, wherein on the seat occupancy by the opposite of the direction of travel built child seat

(RFCS) is detected,

- when the clamping force (F_BELT) is greater than a pre give ^¬ ner threshold value (THD) or

- when the clamping force (F_BELT) is smaller than the pre give ^¬ ne threshold value (THD) and if only the on / off switch

(20) of the rear portion (18) are turned on or

(20) of the front area (16) are turned off.

9. The method according to any one of claims 7 or 8, identified in which one of the groups (22) as active (ACT), when all the on / off switch (20) of the corresponding group (22) is scarf ^¬ tet or when in the corresponding group (22) at least a predetermined number of on / off switch (20) is turned on, and in which the seat occupancy is detected by the ent ^¬ against the direction of travel built child seat (RFCS),

- when the clamping force (F_BELT) is smaller than the pre give ^¬ ne threshold value (THD) and when only groups (22) of the rear area (18) are active (ACT) or

- when the clamping force (F_BELT) is smaller than the pre give ^¬ ne threshold value (THD) and if only the groups (22) of the front portion (16) are active (ACT).

10. A device for distinguishing the seat occupancy of the vehicle seat (2) by the adult (HU_AD) from the seat occupancy by the opposite of the direction of travel built-in child seat (RFCS) with the sensor arrangement according to claim 6, wherein

checking which on / off switches (20) are switched on,

(20) and depending on the determined clamping force (F_BELT).