Vehicle seat occupant weight estimation method with floor weight compensation
US6587770B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 26, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jul 1, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 26, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R2021/0006
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An improved vehicle seat occupant weight estimation method detects weight applied to both the seat cushion and the floor forward of the seat, and increases the measured seat weight of the occupant to account for occupant weight off-loaded to the floor. Fluid-filled bladders or other sensors are arranged to detect occupant seat weight and the weight applied to the vehicle floor forward of the seat. Upon opening of a vehicle door or an off-to-on transition of the vehicle ignition switch, the seat and floor weight sensors are monitored to detect the presence of an occupant. When the seat becomes occupied, or whenever there is a large change in the measured seat weight, the seat and floor weight are recorded, the occupant weight is estimated according to the recorded seat weight, and the inflatable restraints are allowed or suppressed based on the estimated occupant weight. When a sustained occupant weight shift is detected, the estimated occupant weight is increased in proportion to the amount of weight shifting, but is limited to a maximum value based on the detected floor and seat weights.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.