Vehicle occupant weight estimation apparatus having controlled volume seat bladder
US6058341A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 16, 1998 |
| Grant date | May 2, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 16, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60N2210/44
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A weight estimation apparatus for the passenger seat of a motor vehicle, in which a single bladder substantially encompassing the seat bottom is evacuated and then inflated with a known volume of air. The average pressure in the bladder is determined to estimate the passenger weight. According to a first embodiment, the apparatus continues to monitor the average pressure, and the process is re-initiated if the average pressure changes by at least a predetermined percentage. According to a second embodiment, a bleed valve allows the pressure in the bladder to slowly escape, and the apparatus monitors the rate of change in pressure as a corresponding indication of passenger weight; in this embodiment, the process of evacuating and inflating is re-initiated if the monitored change in pressure does not correspond with the estimated weight. The sides of the bladder may be pleated to permit the bladder to expand under the weight of an occupant without stretching the bladder, and thereby affecting the average pressure. A temperature sensor may be disposed in proximity to the bladder provides a temperature signal for compensating the weight estimation for temperature variations. Also, the …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.