System for classifying occupants of a vehicle

• US 20040114465A1
• Filed: 07/30/2003
• Published: 06/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Mack, Frank, Marchthaler, Reiner
• Application Number:
  US10/632,172
• Publication Number:
  US 20040114465A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 367/93
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0152 using strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01526 using piezoelectric elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01536 using ultrasonic waves

Abstract

A system for classifying occupants of a vehicle, which, in addition to a sound-wave receiver, has at least one sound-wave transmitter in the seat. Therefore, it is possible to obtain additional information, particularly by using a propagation-time measurement and a shift in frequency. Moreover, by the evaluation of the reception spectra, it is possible to infer the ageing of the elements used for generating or receiving sound waves.

Claims

1. A system for classifying occupants of a vehicle comprising:

at least one sound-wave receiver for an occupant classification, situated in a seat of the vehicle; and

at least one sound-wave transmitter situated in the seat.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sound-wave transmitter and the at least one sound-wave receiver are reversible.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sound-wave transmitter and the at least one sound-wave receiver are piezoelectric.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is configured for propagation-time analysis.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is configured for determining a shift in frequency.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sound-wave transmitter and the at least one sound-wave receiver are situated horizontally in the seat.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sound-wave transmitter and the at least one sound-wave receiver are situated vertically.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sound-wave transmitter is situated in a pressure-free manner.