Patent · US Expired

Vehicle occupant weight estimation apparatus

US6989496B2 · kind B2 · utility

4Cited by
13References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 19, 2001
Grant dateJan 24, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 30, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01G19/4142
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

This invention describes an occupant size and weight detection device consisting of a combination of force/load sensors (1), a head position sensor (2, 3), a multidirectional acceleration sensor (5), and a seat position sensor (4) used to determine the weight of an occupant based on weight distribution, body angle and foot position. The goal of the invention is to determine the weight of an occupant who is sitting in the front seat of a vehicle that is subjected to the dynamic forces resulting from the vehicle moving. This technology can be used in applications such as automotive occupant weight and position sensing for use with safety devices such as airbags.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.