Vehicle occupant sensing system

US6441363B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Siemens VDO Automotive AG · US

Inventors

• Charles R. Cook, Jr. · North Palm Beach, US
• Dan O'Rourke · Auburn Hills, US
• Jeff Clark · Palo Alto, US
• Alanna Marie Quail · Oakland Charter Township, US
• Paul A. Witt · McLeansboro, US
• Hubert Braunwarth · Friedberg, DE
• Mark S. Clark · Shelby Charter Township, US
• Dan Reich · Macomb Township, US
• Lauren M. Peterson · Ann Arbor, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 23, 2000
• Grant date: Aug 27, 2002
• Expiry date: Feb 23, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60R2001/1253
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A vehicle occupant sensing system includes a laser array that generates three beams. A first beam is directed toward an upper body zone, a second beam is directed toward a middle body zone, and a third beam is directed toward a lower body zone. A first sensor assembly receives reflection beams from the upper body zone and generates a first signal that represents a proportional amount of an occupant present in the upper body zone. A second sensor assembly receives reflection beams from the middle body zone and generates a second signal that represents a proportional amount of the occupant present in the middle body zone. A third sensor assembly receives reflection beams from the lower body zone and generates a third signal that represents a proportional amount of the occupant present in the lower body zone. The laser array and the first, second, and third sensor assemblies are all mounted within a common housing that is mounted to a vehicle structure such as an A-pillar or rear view mirror. A central processor receives the first, second, and third signals and combines the signals to generate a control signal representative of the position of the occupant within the vehicle. The cont…