Method for operating and electrically adjustable vehicle seat

• US 20070012502A1
• Filed: 05/04/2006
• Published: 01/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Company LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Molitor, Patrik, Schweizer, Karl
• Granted Patent: US 7,424,355 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/273
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0244 with logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/09 Driving style or behaviour
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/4142 for controlling activation of safety devices, e.g. airbag systems electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements in case of vehicle accidents B60R21/015

Abstract

In a method for operating an electrically adjustable vehicle seat which has at least one electrically adjustable upholstered seat element and a sitting weight measuring device for sensing the weight of a vehicle occupant sitting on the vehicle seat, prior to an initial sensing of the weight by the sitting weight measuring device, the upholstered seat element is automatically moved into a measuring position. An adjustment range of the upholstered seat element is predefined as a function of the current sensed weight value.

Claims

1. A method for operating an electrically adjustable vehicle seat which has at least one electrically adjustable seat element and a sitting weight measuring device for sensing weight of a vehicle occupant sitting on the vehicle seat;

wherein, for an initial sensing of the weight by the sitting weight measuring device, the adjustable seat element is automatically moved into a measuring position.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the measuring position the adjustable seat element acts on the vehicle occupant to one of a restricted degree and not at all.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the initial sensing of the weight takes place within a predetermined time interval after opening of a door of the motor vehicle, which is sensed by means of a door contact switch.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the initial sensing of the weight is carried out after occupation of the seat has been detected.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustable seat element comprises as an inflatable air cushion.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sitting weight measuring device comprises a sensor mat.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustable seat element can be adjusted by the vehicle occupant only after the weight has been sensed.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein an adjustment range of the adjustable seat element is predefined as a function of sensed weight value.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the value range for the sensing of the weight is divided into weight classes; and

an individual adjustment range for the adjustable seat element is predefined for each weight class.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a lower threshold value above which adjustment of the adjustable seat element is possible is predefined for the sensing of the weight.

18. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein:

the initial sensing of the weight occurs within the predefined time interval after a door of the motor vehicle is opened, which is sensed by means of a door contact switch.

11. A method for operating an electrically adjustable vehicle seat which has at least one electrically adjustable adjustable seat element and a weight sensing system for sensing the weight of a vehicle occupant sitting on the vehicle seat;

wherein an adjustment range of the adjustable seat element is predefined as a function of a current sensed weight value.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

the adjustment value range is divided into weight classes; and

an individual adjustment range for the adjustable seat element is predefined for each weight class.

13. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

a lower weight sensing threshold value is predefined; and

the adjustable seat element can be adjusted in the case of sense weight values that exceed the lower weight sensing threshold.

14. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

the adjustable seat element can be adjusted by the vehicle occupant only after the weight has been sensed.

15. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the electrically adjustable adjustable seat element comprises an inflatable airbag.

16. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the weight sensing system comprises a sitting weight measuring device.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the sitting weight sensing device comprises a sensor mat.

19. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

an initial sensing of the weight is carried out after a seat occupation detection process has taken place.

20. A method of operating an adjustable vehicle seat having at least one adjustable seat element and a device for measuring the weight of a seat occupant, wherein, prior to making an initial measurement of the weight of a seat occupant, the at least one adjustable element is first moved automatically into a measuring position in which said measurement is not affected by status of said seat elements.

21. The method according to claim 21, further comprising a step for limiting a permissible adjustment of said seat elements as a function of sensed weight of said seat occupant.