METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR SEAT OCCUPANCY RECOGNITION IN A MOTOR VEHICLE

• US 20010001522A1
• Filed: 05/27/1998
• Published: 05/24/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Original Assignee: Rudolph Mai
• Inventors: ZANDER, ANDRE, SINNHUBER, RUPRECHT, MAI, RUDOLPH
• Granted Patent: US 6,270,114 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/735
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01532 using electric or capacitive field sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01534 using electromagneticwaves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0154 in combination with seat heating

Abstract

A method and arrangement for seat occupancy recognition in a motor vehicle utilizes a seat occupancy sensor which is triggered only for an interval of time and only in predetermined situations.

Claims

1. A method for seat occupancy recognition in a motor vehicle utilizing at least one seat occupancy sensor comprising the step of:

actuating the seat occupancy sensor only in a predetermined situation and only for a limited time interval.

2. A method according to

claim 1

comprising actuating the seat occupancy sensor upon starting of a vehicle engine when all vehicle doors are closed.

3. A method according to

claim 1

comprising actuating the seat occupancy sensor upon closing of a vehicle door when the engine is running.

4. A method according to

claim 1

comprising actuating the seat occupancy sensor by a sensor that detects a collision of the vehicle with an obstacle before deceleration of the vehicle due to the collision affects the interior of the vehicle and occupants.

5. A method according to

claim 1

comprising actuating that the seat occupancy sensor by a sensor that detects an impending collision with an obstacle.

6. A method according to

claim 1

comprising recognizing seat occupancy in each of a plurality of predetermined situations utilizing a sensor profile which is specific to each of the predetermined situations.

7. A method according to

claim 6

comprising initiating seat occupancy recognition upon starting of the vehicle engine and/or upon closing of the vehicle doors, and detecting the position of the vehicle seat and/or the sitting position of a vehicle seat occupant utilizing the seat occupancy sensor.

8. A method according to

claim 1

comprising controlling a seat heater with the seat occupancy sensor.

9. An arrangement for recognizing seat occupancy in a motor vehicle comprising a seat occupancy sensor and at least one of:

a sensor to detect a collision or an impending collision with an obstacle;

a door condition sensor; and

an engine condition sensor, for controlling the operation of the seat occupancy sensor.

10. An arrangement according to

claim 9

wherein the seat occupancy sensor is connected to a seat heater.

11. An arrangement according to

claim 9

further comprising a counter responsive to at least one of:

a collision or impending collision sensor;

a door condition sensor; and

an engine condition sensor, for activating the seat occupancy sensor for a limited time interval.