Method and system for determining weight and position of a vehicle seat occupant
First Claim
1. A method for determining factors to be used for controlling the reaction of a safety restraint system, said method comprising the steps of:
- sampling output signals of a plurality of spaced weight sensors disposed between a seat surface and a seat mounting surface and spaced such that forces applied to a seating surface and a seat back are measured, said output signals indicative of the applied weight to each sensor;
determining a total applied weight to a vehicle seat from the output signals of the weight sensors; and
calculating a center of gravity of the seat occupant for use as an information factor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for determining weight and/or position of a vehicle seat occupant to be used for controlling the reaction of a safety restraint system. A plurality of spaced weight sensors are disposed between a seating surface and seat mounting surface to provide output signals indicative of an applied weight on each sensor. The sensors are spaced such that the sensors measure the weight applied to a seat back and the seating surface. A controller calculates the weight and/or position of the seat occupant in response to the output signals of the sensors. The controller sends the weight and position of the seat occupant to the safety restraint system to be used to tailor or suppress the reaction of the safety restraint system.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A method for determining factors to be used for controlling the reaction of a safety restraint system, said method comprising the steps of:
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sampling output signals of a plurality of spaced weight sensors disposed between a seat surface and a seat mounting surface and spaced such that forces applied to a seating surface and a seat back are measured, said output signals indicative of the applied weight to each sensor;
determining a total applied weight to a vehicle seat from the output signals of the weight sensors; and
calculating a center of gravity of the seat occupant for use as an information factor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19)
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17. A method for determining weight of a vehicle occupant to control the reaction of a safety restraint system, comprising the steps of:
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sampling output signals of a plurality of spaced weight sensors disposed between a seat surface and a seat mounting surface and spaced such that forces applied to a seating surface and a seat back are measured, said output signals indicative of the applied weight to each sensor;
determining a total applied weight to a vehicle seat using the output signals of the weight sensors;
determining whether the total applied weight is above a predetermined weight to distinguish between a child and an adult seat occupant;
utilizing the applied weight as an actual weight when the applied weight is not above the predetermined weight; and
calculating the actual weight of the seat occupant by multiplying the total applied weight by a correction factor for a normal seating position when the applied weight is above the predetermined weight.
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20. A system for providing factors to be used for controlling the reaction of a vehicle safety restraint system comprising:
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a plurality of spaced weight sensors disposed between a seat surface and a seat mounting surface for providing output signals indicative of an applied weight to each sensor and spaced such that forces applied to a seating surface and a seat back are measured;
each said weight sensor including a seat surface engaging portion, a seat mounting surface engaging portion and a walled portion extending between said engaging portions;
each said walled portion including at least one strain gage mounted thereon for measuring wall deflection, and providing a strain gage output signal indicative of the applied weight; and
a controller in communication with the weight sensors and the safety restraint system for calculating an information factor, in response to the output signals of the weight sensors, to be used to control the reaction of the vehicle safety restraint system. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. An apparatus for controlling a vehicle safety restraint system, comprising:
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a plurality of weight sensors disposed between a seat surface and a seat mounting surface, each said weight sensor engaging a respective seat surface and a respective seat mounting surface, each said weight sensor providing a strain gage output; and
a controller operatively connected to a safety restraint device and said plurality of weight sensors, said controller determining an information factor in response to said strain gage output, and controlling the safety restraint device in response to said information factor. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35)
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Specification