WO2014055266A1 - Système de classification et de détection d'occupant - Google Patents

Système de classification et de détection d'occupant Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2014055266A1
WO2014055266A1 PCT/US2013/060891 US2013060891W WO2014055266A1 WO 2014055266 A1 WO2014055266 A1 WO 2014055266A1 US 2013060891 W US2013060891 W US 2013060891W WO 2014055266 A1 WO2014055266 A1 WO 2014055266A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
sensing
electrode
controller
shield electrode
seat
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2013/060891
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
James Gregory Stanley
Phil Maguire
Original Assignee
Tk Holdings Inc.
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
Priority claimed from US13/633,590 external-priority patent/US9278629B2/en
Application filed by Tk Holdings Inc. filed Critical Tk Holdings Inc.
Priority to EP13844379.1A priority Critical patent/EP2903866A4/fr
Priority to CN201380051102.XA priority patent/CN104684764A/zh
Priority to JP2015535684A priority patent/JP2016504227A/ja
Publication of WO2014055266A1 publication Critical patent/WO2014055266A1/fr

Links

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
    • B60R21/0153—Passenger detection systems using field detection presence sensors
    • B60R21/01532—Passenger detection systems using field detection presence sensors using electric or capacitive field sensors
    • 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • B60R21/0153—Passenger detection systems using field detection presence sensors
    • B60R21/0154—Passenger detection systems using field detection presence sensors in combination with seat heating
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B1/00—Details of electric heating devices
    • H05B1/02—Automatic switching arrangements specially adapted to apparatus ; Control of heating devices
    • H05B1/0227—Applications
    • H05B1/023—Industrial applications
    • H05B1/0236—Industrial applications for vehicles
    • H05B1/0238—For seats

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates generally to the field of capacitive sensing systems and sensing methods. More specifically, the disclosure relates to capacitive sensing systems and sensing methods for a vehicle seat.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle seat, according to an exemplary embodiment.
  • FIGS. 2A-2C are schematic diagrams of a capacitive sensing system, according to an exemplary embodiment.
  • FIGS. 3 A and 3B are schematic diagrams of a capacitive sensing system, according to another exemplary embodiment.
  • FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of the occupant detection system according to one exemplary embodiment.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing of a vehicle seat including a seat heater and an occupant detection system.
  • a capacitive or electric field type sensor for use in an occupant classification system or occupant sensing system may be implemented in many ways.
  • an AC current may be provided to a sensing electrode located in a vehicle seat.
  • the current or change in the current to the sensor may be measured and used as an indicator of the impedance from the sensing electrode to ground.
  • a seat heater may be provided.
  • an electrode may function as both a capacitive sensing electrode and a seat heater.
  • the occupant is classified using information from sensors that sense characteristics about the object located on a vehicle seat. Some systems sense the total weight on the seat. When a capacitive sensor is used to classify the occupant, the environment above the seat cover is sensed using various techniques to identify the dielectric and conductive properties of the occupant. A conductive sensing element is placed in the seat and, according to one embodiment, the impedance from the electrode to ground may be used as an indicator of the occupant situation above the seat cover.
  • the occupant detection and classification system is configured so that the environment below the seating surface does not influence the classification of the occupant.
  • a seat heater typically a resistive heater is employed.
  • a resistive heater is essentially a grounded wire or conductor located in the vehicle seat.
  • the sensing electrode for an occupant classification and detection system may be placed above the seat heater. If the orientation between the sensing electrode and the heater changes, the offset capacitance will change and the change may result in a negative impact on the ability of the system to accurately classify the occupant.
  • the detection system may be configured to include an offset for the measurement of an empty seat conduction. If the empty seat offset of the measurement drifts significantly (e.g., due to a change in orientation of the electrode and heater), the system may not accurately classify the occupant.
  • a sensing system for automotive occupant classification may use various conductors in the seat as sensing electrodes.
  • the sensing system may include a "sensor" conductor or assembly located above a "shield" conductor.
  • the shield conductor is configured to reduce sensitivity of the sensing system to or interference from objects below the shield (e.g., seat pan, seat heater, etc.). Due to the provision of a shield electrode, the occupant sensing system may be maintained in the same sensing configuration for sensing objects above the seat while the shield prevents the system from sensing of objects below the sensing electrode.
  • a capacitive sensing occupant classification system may the measurements obtained from a sensing electrode to classify the occupant of a vehicle seat, and to determine whether to remind the occupant to buckle their seat belt.
  • a sensing system may use multiple electrodes on opposite sides of a thick piece of foam. Measurements may be made while the electrodes are in various configurations.
  • a sensing system may combine or integrate weight sensing concepts with capacitive sensing concepts into a single system. The integrated system may use weight/pressure information along with capacitive information to identify the occupant situation and produce a preferred classification.
  • a sensing system may use electronic methods for making capacitive measurements (e.g., using high frequency current
  • the sensor assembly materials may include any type of conductive material for the electrodes (e.g., copper, conductive inks, conductive fabrics, etc.) and any compressible material for the spacer between the sensor and the shield (e.g., non- woven felts, woven materials, foams, materials used to allow air flow for forced air climate control seats, or any other material that will significantly compress at pressures under 1 psi).
  • a sensor e.g., a capacitive vehicle sensor
  • the occupant classification system may generally include a sensor and a shield.
  • the senor may be oriented above the shield to reduce the influence objects located under the shield (e.g., a seat heater) have on sensor measurements.
  • the classification system may include a weight or force sensing capability.
  • the sensor and shield may switch orientations (e.g., via electronic switching) with the sensor oriented below the shield to reduce the influence objects placed on top of the seat (e.g., electronic devices) have on sensor measurements.
  • the occupant sensing and weight or force sensing measurements may be used together to determine whether an object on the seat is a person and may reduce the false detection of objects as people.
  • a vehicle 10 is shown with an occupant 12 in a seat 14 of the vehicle 10, according to an exemplary embodiment.
  • the seat 14 may include an occupant classification and detection system 16.
  • the occupant classification system 16 may generally be located in the seat 14 below the area in which an occupant 12 of the vehicle 10 sits, or may be located in other areas of the seat 14 or vehicle 10.
  • the occupant classification system 16 may generally include a sensor, a shield, and electronics for sensing and classifying the occupancy of the seat 14.
  • the sensor may be used to provide measurements that correspond to the effect of an object on the sensor due to both the conductivity and weight of the object. Measurements from the sensor may be evaluated to determine the existence of an object or occupant in the seat 14.
  • the occupant classification system 16 may include or be configured to operate in conjunction with a seat heating system and/or other systems for the seat 14 of the vehicle 10.
  • the occupant classification system 16 includes a capacitive or electric field sensor that includes a sensing electrode.
  • the capacitive sensor may generally be capable of sensing properties such as a proximity, position, or weight of an object, or the like.
  • Various measurements from the sensing electrode may be used to detect the presence of an object in the seat.
  • the system may measure the a change in capacitance (e.g., changes in an electrical property between two conductive objects).
  • the system may detect a capacitance change to determine the presence of the occupant 12 by the occupant classification system 16.
  • a capacitive based occupant classification system 200 includes an upper electrode 202 and a lower planar electrode 204.
  • the upper planar electrode 202 is a sensing electrode 202 and the lower planar electrode 204 is a shield electrode.
  • the system 200 detects changes in the signal from the sensing electrode - the upper electrode 202 closest to an occupant 206 - to determine whether an occupant is present.
  • the shield electrode (the lower electrode 204) is located below the sensing electrode in a vehicle seat. The sensing electrode and the shield electrode may be changed to different configurations to measure the force on the surface of the seat.
  • the role or function of the sensing electrode and the shield electrode may be switched when the occupant classification and detection system is operated in a force or weight measurement mode.
  • the system 200 may be configured to be less sensitive to the presence of the occupant and may be used to determine the weight of the occupant 206.
  • capacitive or electric field sensing is performed using the measurements obtained from the lower electrode 204 furthest from the occupant (the shield electrode in the occupant sensing measurement) and the upper electrode 202 closest to the occupant 206 is switched to become the shield electrode.
  • the electrodes 202, 204 may be switched using electronic or mechanical switches configured to modify the current flow through the electrodes.
  • the system's electronics and/or software may be configured to measure the capacitance (or current or impedance) between the sensor and the shield (the electrodes 202, 204).
  • the measured capacitance (or a measure representative or related to the capacitance or current or impedance) may be compared to a threshold value. A difference between the measured value and the threshold value can be attributed to a change in relative location of the sensors due to a force on the seat.
  • the measurement may be made without being significantly influenced by the conductive or dielectric characteristics of the occupant 206 because the occupant 206 is shielded from the measurement by the upper electrode 202.
  • FIG. 2C As the force on the seat bottom is increased, material 208 between the sensor (electrode 204) and the shield (electrode 202) is compressed. This compression causes the electrodes 202, 204 to move closer together causing a corresponding increase in the capacitance between the two electrodes 202, 204.
  • the capacitance between the electrodes 202, 204 (or any other measure that is an indication of the change in relative position between the electrodes 202, 204) may be used to estimate the force on the seat applied by the occupant 206.
  • the force on the seat may be used to differentiate between an occupant (i.e., person) and an inanimate object (e.g., computer).
  • Figs. 3A and 3B disclose another exemplary embodiment of a capacitive or electric field type occupant classification and detection system.
  • the system 300 shown in Figs. 3A and 3B is similar to the system 200 of FIGS. 2A-2C and includes an upper electrode 302 and a lower electrode 304 for sensing an occupant 306.
  • the system 300 further includes electronics 310 (e.g., sensing and signal conditioning electronics) configured to provide current or signals to drive the electrodes 302, 304 and to provide measurements on the electrodes 302, 304.
  • electronics 310 e.g., sensing and signal conditioning electronics
  • the occupant classification and detection systems disclosed herein may include a controller, processor or electronic control unit (ECU) that controls the system and receives various measurements from the system components (e.g., the sensing electrodes).
  • the controller is configured to interact with other vehicle systems such as, for example, vehicle safety systems (e.g., airbag and seat belt systems).
  • vehicle safety systems e.g., airbag and seat belt systems.
  • the controller may provide a signal to a vehicle safety system that indicates whether an adult person is located in the vehicle seat so that safety devices may be activated if appropriate.
  • the controller for the occupant classification system may be integrated with a controller for another vehicle system such as, for example, the controller used for a vehicle safety system.
  • the system 300 includes an occupant sensing mode or configuration for detecting the occupant 306 while shielding interference from below the system 300, according to one exemplary embodiment.
  • System 300 includes a switch 312 that electrically couples the upper electrode 302 to a sensing port 316 of the electronics 310 and includes a switch 314 that electrically couples the lower electrode 304 to a shield port 318 of the electronics 310.
  • the upper electrode 302 is the sensing electrode and the lower electrode 304 is the shield electrode.
  • the system 300 also includes a weight or force sensing mode or configuration that reduces sensitivity to electrical properties of the occupant 306 and may be used for determining the weight of the occupant 306, according to one exemplary embodiment.
  • the conductor or upper electrode 302 near the occupant 306 is switched to ground 320 and the conductor or lower electrode 308 away from the occupant 306 is switched to the sensing port 316 of the electronics 310.
  • the upper electrode 302 is the shield electrode and the lower electrode 304 is the sensing electrode.
  • the electronics 310 employed by the system may be software and any analog or digital circuitry capable of controlling the occupant classification system 300.
  • the switches 312, 314 may be any electronic or mechanically actuated switches capable of modifying a flow of electrical current.
  • the electronics 310 may be configured to control the switching of the switches 312, 314.
  • the system 300 may generally be in an occupant sensing configuration and only switch to a weight sensing configuration for verification if the sensing configuration determined the occupant to be of adult size. Alternatively, the switching may occur periodically at a time interval.
  • a weight or force measurement to the electric field or capacitive measurement allows the system to separate or discriminate between cases where an object may look large (e.g. appear like an adult) to the capacitive sensing system 200, 300, but is physically small.
  • capacitive loading or electrical interference generated by electronic devices on the seat especially when those devices are plugged into the 12 volt accessory plug in the vehicle, may cause an increase in measured capacitance when the sensing node is positioned above the shield node.
  • Such electronic devices may include cellular phones, smart phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), global positioning systems (GPS), optical disc (e.g., DVD, Blu-Ray, etc.) players, laptop computers, or any other electronic device.
  • Electronic devices may appear large to the capacitive sensor because they are conductors and are well coupled to ground. Recognizing electronic devices or other objects on the seat incorrectly as adults may cause an annoyance when the vehicle seat belt reminder turns on.
  • the exemplary embodiments described above solve the annoyance issue by integrating a low cost force measurement into a capacitive sensing system.
  • the weight sensing configuration may also be used to identify the empty seat and diagnose problems with the capacitive sensing system and the same measurement electronics and connections out to the sensor may be used for the weight measurement and the capacitive measurement, resulting in a low cost solution.
  • Figs. 2 and 3 may use any configuration of electrodes where the change in relative physical location of the sensor to shield is measured electronically and is not influenced significantly by the conductive or dielectric
  • the system may use multiple measurements in multiple configurations to calculate a high frequency (e.g., about 100 kHz, greater than 100 kHz, etc.) AC current flowing only between the sensor and shield.
  • a high frequency e.g., about 100 kHz, greater than 100 kHz, etc.
  • a significant increase in that measured current indicates an increase in the sensor to shield capacitance, which indicates a change in relative position of the sensor and shield due to an increased force from the occupant.
  • the capacitance between the sensor and shield electrodes may be measured by analyzing a change in an RC time constant, a change in a response of the system to a step voltage to the electrodes, a change in charge sharing between the electrodes, or any other method of measuring capacitance.
  • Fig. 4 depicts a representative or exemplary circuit diagram of an occupant detection system 400 according to one exemplary embodiment.
  • the occupant detection system 400 includes a sensing circuit 402 electrically connecting the sensing electrode 410, the shield electrode 412, switches SW D s and SWi oa d, and electronics 420.
  • the sensing circuit 402 may also include a signal producing device 406, such as an amplifier or transistor, disposed between electronics 420 and the shield electrode 412.
  • the sensing electrode 410 may also include a conductor, sensing node, or other device, such as an inductor, disposed outside the electronics 420.
  • the shield electrode 412 may also include a conductor or other device, such as a shield node, disposed between the shield electrode 412 and signal producing device 406.
  • the electronics 420 may include components of the sensing circuit 402, such as switches, amplifiers, or other devices.
  • the electronics 420 and components of the sensing circuit 402 may be integral, disposed in a common housing, or on a common circuit board, while the sensing and shield electrodes 410, 412 are external to the housing and electrically coupled to the electronics 420.
  • the sensing and shield electrodes 410, 412 are external to the housing and electrically coupled to the electronics 420.
  • the electronics 420 generally include a controller 422 and a signal conditioning device 424.
  • the signal conditioning device 424 generally includes a sine wave output device 425, a current sense circuitry 426, and a demodulation and filtering device 427.
  • the signal conditioning device 424 produces an output signal, measures current, and produces an input signal corresponding to the measured current.
  • the controller 422 may be a microprocessor or electronic control unit (ECU) and controls the occupant detection system 400.
  • the controller 422 determines when the signal conditioning device 424 produces an output signal, opens and closes the switches SW D S and SWioad, and interprets the input signal received from signal conditioning device
  • the system 400 may be operated to obtain certain measurements that may be used to obtain a representative indication of the force on the vehicle seat, such as when the occupant's weight forces the sensing electrode 410 toward the shield electrode 412.
  • the electronics 420 are used to calculate the impedance between the sensing electrode 410 and shield electrode 412, which can be used to classify the occupant.
  • the electronics 420 may also be used to calculate the impedance between the sensing electrode 410 and ground, which can be used to detect an occupant.
  • the electronics 420 may also be used to calculate the impedances between the sensing electrode 410 and both the shield electrode 412 and ground to both detect and classify an occupant.
  • the controller 422 may be a microprocessor or electronic control unit (ECU) and controls the occupant detection system 400.
  • the controller 422 determines when the signal conditioning device 424 produces an output signal, opens and closes the switches SW D S and SWi oad , and interprets the input signal received from signal conditioning device 424.
  • the sensing circuit 402 of the occupant detection system 400 may be placed in four different configurations (i.e., switches SW D S and SW] oa d, respectively, are closed/open, closed/closed, open/Open, and open/closed). Closing SW D S changes the amplitude of the output signal on the shield electrode 412, and closing SWi oad introduces an impedance ⁇ w between the sensor and shield electrodes 410, 412.
  • current is measured by the signal conditioning device 424, thus providing four current measurements Mi, Af 2 , Af 3 , and M 4 .
  • M ⁇ is measured when SWDS is closed and SW] oa d is open
  • Mi is measured when SWDS is closed and SW] oad is closed
  • M 3 is measured when SWDS i open and SWi oad is open
  • M4 is measured when SWDS is open and SWi oad is closed.
  • a number proportional to the impedance between the sensing electrode 410 and shield electrode 412 is calculated by the controller 422 as follows:
  • sensing electrode 410 and the shield electrode 412 may be used to determine the relative force on the vehicle seat in order to classify the occupant.
  • the resulting occupant classification may be used, for example, to determine whether the seatbelt reminder should be turned on or whether an airbag should deploy.
  • a number corresponding to the impedance between the sensing electrode 410 and ground may also be calculated as follows:
  • the impedance between the sensing electrode 410 and ground may be used to determine the presence of the occupant or an object (i.e., detect an occupant).
  • the occupant detection system may also include a normalization circuit 404.
  • the normalization circuit 404 enables the electronics 420 to adjust for measurement variations due changes in gain, offset shift and phase shift in the sensing circuit 402.
  • the normalization circuit 404 includes a high reference impedance device 442 and a low reference impedance device 444, each having a different, known impedance.
  • Corresponding switches SW ⁇ ; and SW refl0 selectively connect the high and low reference impedance devices 442, 444, respectively, to ground.
  • the signal conditioning device 424 produces a 100 kHz, as an example, AC current at constant voltage and measures reference currents ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ and M refl0 .
  • Reference current ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ is measured when SW refh i is closed and SW reflo is open
  • reference current refl0 is measured when SW refh iis open and SW refl0 is closed.
  • the sensing circuit 402 is provided with a switch SW sens to isolate the sensing circuit 402 and normalization circuit 404.
  • SW sens When current measurements M ⁇ , Mi , Af 3 , and M4 are taken, SW sens is closed. When reference currents ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ and refl0 are taken, SW sens is open, thus isolating the normalization circuit 404 from the sensing circuit 402.
  • the microprocessor 422 may calculate system impedance independent of the sensing circuit 402. In this manner, the microprocessor 422 may account for changes in gain, offset shift and phase shift in the sensing circuit 402 more accurately detect and classify the occupant.
  • the shield may be driven with any potential or signal that is compatible with the measurement concepts and the associated electronics hardware. For example, the shield may be driven with a signal that is similar to or
  • the same as the sensor signal may be connected to a fixed DC level, or may be driven with various signals to enable the multiple measurement concept mentioned above.
  • the occupant classification system 200, 300 is illustrated as including multiple features utilized in conjunction with one another, the system 200, 300 may alternatively utilize more or less than all of the noted mechanisms or features.
  • the more electrodes may be used in the system 200, 300.
  • Fig. 5 discloses a occupant sensing and classification system 500.
  • the system 500 incorporates elements of the system described above.
  • the system 500 may include a seat heater.
  • the seat heater may include a seat back heating element 512 and/or a seat bottom heating element 514.
  • the seat bottom heating element 514 is located beneath a seat cover or seat pad 520.
  • the heating elements may be controlled by a seat heater controller 516.
  • the same controller could be used for control of both occupant detection and sensing and the seat heater.
  • the system 500 includes a sensing mat 530 that a sensing electrode and a shield electrode separated by a compressible material.
  • the sensing mat 520 or is placed in the seat bottom, ideally underneath the seat foam.
  • the sensor would measure weight or force on the seat by calculating the impedance between the sensing electrode and shield electrode using the electronics 310 described above with regard to the weight sensing mode.
  • the occupant sensing configuration i.e., capacitance based measurement of the sensing electrode
  • Occupant detection would be conducted primarily based on the force or weight sensing measurements and calculations. For example, the occupant of the seat would be determined when the measure of force exceeds a threshold value corresponding to a particular sized occupant.
  • the actual weight of the occupant need not be determined as the measures of impedance between the sensing and shield electrodes could be used to correlate to a particular sized occupant.
  • the system 500 includes a controller 522 for controlling the signal (e.g., voltage or current) provided to the sensor mat 520 and the sensing and shield electrodes.
  • the controller 522 is configured to perform the occupant classification and/or detection determinations and provide a corresponding signal to other vehicle systems and subsystems via a bus or other electrical connection.
  • the controller 522 may connected to the vehicle communication bus via a connection 524.
  • measurements obtained using the occupant sensing configuration and corresponding signal processing could be used in order to determine a wet seat condition.
  • Seat wetness could affect the measurement obtained in the weight sensing configuration. Determination of a wet seat condition could be used to make a corresponding adjustment to the calculations performed on the measurements obtained using the seat wetness may be necessary information as seat wetness would affect the sensor to shield measurement.
  • Use of electric field or capacitive type sensing to detect a wet seat condition is disclosed for example in U.S. Patent Publication 2007/0192007 (incorporated by reference herein).
  • the above described force or weight based occupant detection system 500 may operate in conjunction with a seat belt tension sensor.
  • a seat belt tension sensor For example, as described in U.S. Patent No. 6,260,879 (incorporated by reference herein), the force exerted downwardly onto the vehicle seat may result from two different components. One component is attributable to the mass of the occupant, and another component may be the force attributable to the tension present in the vehicle seat belt.
  • a seat belt tension measurement sensor may be provided to determine the amount of force acting downwardly on the vehicle seat as a result of seat belt tension. The tension in the seat belt as measured by the seat belt tension sensor provides an indication of the presence of a tightly belted child seat or other object.
  • each element may be of any other shape that facilitates the function to be performed by that element.
  • the electrodes have been shown to be planar electrodes, however, in other exemplary embodiments the structure may define electrodes of other shapes.
  • a specific form of switches has been shown in Fig. 3, according to other exemplary embodiments, the switches may be in other forms or actuate in different directions.
  • the sensing and classification system described in detail above may be employed with existing occupant detection systems such as those described in U.S. Patent Application No. 12/541,825 (now U.S. Patent No. 8,138,772). The foregoing patent application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
  • the term “coupled” means the joining of two components (electrical, mechanical, or magnetic) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally defined as a single unitary body with one another or with the two
  • elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the assemblies may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connectors or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment or attachment positions provided between the elements may be varied.
  • the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present subject matter.

Abstract

La présente invention se rapporte à un système de détection d'occupant qui comprend un dispositif de commande, une électrode de détection et une électrode de blindage, les électrodes étant disposées dans un siège de véhicule. Le dispositif de commande est électriquement couplé à l'électrode de détection et à l'électrode de blindage par un circuit de détection. Le dispositif de commande est configuré pour envoyer un signal d'entrée à l'électrode de détection, à l'électrode de blindage, ou à l'une et à l'autre et mesure les valeurs de courant, d'impédance ou de capacité afin de déterminer la présence d'un objet posé sur le siège, pour classer l'objet, ou l'un et l'autre.
PCT/US2013/060891 2012-10-02 2013-09-20 Système de classification et de détection d'occupant WO2014055266A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP13844379.1A EP2903866A4 (fr) 2012-10-02 2013-09-20 Système de classification et de détection d'occupant
CN201380051102.XA CN104684764A (zh) 2012-10-02 2013-09-20 乘员检测和分类系统
JP2015535684A JP2016504227A (ja) 2012-10-02 2013-09-20 乗員検出及び分類システム

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US13/633,590 US9278629B2 (en) 2009-11-19 2012-10-02 Occupant detection and classification system
US13/633,590 2012-10-02

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Publication Number Publication Date
WO2014055266A1 true WO2014055266A1 (fr) 2014-04-10

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EP (1) EP2903866A4 (fr)
JP (1) JP2016504227A (fr)
CN (1) CN104684764A (fr)
WO (1) WO2014055266A1 (fr)

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WO2023110351A1 (fr) * 2021-12-14 2023-06-22 Psa Automobiles Sa Système de commande intégré pour siège de véhicule automobile

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