Vehicle occupant weight detection system with occupant position compensation
US6578871B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 9, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jun 17, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 9, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R21/01526
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An improved occupant detection system and method includes a fluid-filled polymeric seat cushion bladder defining multiple fluid-filled chambers corresponding to different areas of the seat cushion, with no fluid flow between such chambers. Fluid pressures in the various individual chambers are detected and processed to develop a weight estimation that is compensated for occupant position. The chambers are configured to detect occupant weight in at least forward, rearward, inboard and outboard regions of the bottom seat cushion. When the detected pressures are unevenly distributed and the pressure in the forward, rearward, inboard or outboard regions of the seat exceeds the average pressure by at least a predetermined amount, a composite pressure indicative of occupant weight is adjusted in a direction to bias the suppression status in favor of allowing restraint deployment, unless the occupant is forwardly positioned on a seat that is also forwardly positioned.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.