Method for suppressing deployment of an inflatable restraint based on sensed occupant capacitance
US6644689B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 8, 2002 |
| Grant date | Nov 11, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 14, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R2021/01129
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An improved method of selectively suppressing deployment of a vehicular inflatable restraint utilizes both static and dynamic variation in the measured capacitance of a vehicle occupant in a complementary manner that reduces overall system variability. The decision to allow or suppress deployment of the restraint is determined based on a comparison of the static capacitance reading with at least one threshold, and the dynamic variation of the measured capacitance and other parameters such as seat belt tension, seat humidity and seat temperature are used to adjust the threshold in a direction to minimize the overall variability of the system. In a preferred embodiment, the variation of the measured capacitance with respect to the variation in vertical acceleration of the vehicle is used to estimate the free capacitance of the occupant, and such free capacitance is used to adjust the threshold.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.