Device for determining vehicle-occupant-related variables in a vehicle

• US 20070040374A1
• Filed: 08/17/2006
• Published: 02/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Company LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Bullinger, Wilfried, Eberle, Walter, Lorenz, Carsten, Fritzsche, Martin
• Application Number:
  US11/505,310
• Publication Number:
  US 20070040374A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/801.200
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/485 for sensing belt anchor position, belt orientation, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01548 sensing the amount of belt winded on retractor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01554 Seat position sensors

Abstract

A device is provided for determining vehicle-occupant-related variables in a vehicle, which comprises a seatbelt with a seatbelt deflector which can be set with respect to its position. A sensor can be provided for sensing the position of the seatbelt deflector.

Claims

1. A device for determining vehicle-occupant-related variables in a vehicle which has a seatbelt with a seatbelt deflector whose position can be set, comprising:

a sensor configured to determine the position of the seatbelt deflector.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor is a seatbelt extension sensor.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor is a seat-position-sensing sensor which senses one of a longitudinal seat position or a vertical seat position.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises at least one switch configured to sense the position of the seatbelt deflector.

5. The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the at least one switch senses a latched position of the seatbelt deflector.

6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the position of the seatbelt deflector is sensed from outside before a vehicle door opens or when a central locking system is activated.

7. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the position of the seatbelt deflector is sensed before manual activation of the seatbelt occurs.

8. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor is a seat-position-sensing sensor which senses a seat longitudinal position and a seat vertical position.

9. A method for determining the weight of a vehicle occupant sitting on a vehicle seat in a vehicle which includes a seatbelt with a seatbelt deflector whose position can be set and a sensor that is configured to determine the position of the seatbelt deflector, the method comprising the acts of:

determining the position of the seatbelt deflector;

determining a degree of extension of the seatbelt of the vehicle occupant who is belted onto the vehicle seat; and

determining the weight of the vehicle occupant, based on the position of the seatbelt deflector and the determined extension of the seatbelt.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein at least one of a longitudinal seat position, a vertical seat position and a seat inclination is used to determine the weight of the vehicle occupant.

11. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the sensor comprises at least one switch configured to sense the position of the seatbelt deflector.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the at least one switch senses a latched position of the seatbelt deflector.

13. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the position of the seatbelt deflector is sensed from outside before a vehicle door opens or when a central locking system is activated.

14. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the position of the seatbelt deflector is sensed before manual activation of the seatbelt occurs.

15. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein a seat longitudinal position and a seat vertical position are also used to determine the position of the seatbelt deflector.

16. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein a longitudinal seat position and a vertical seat position are also used to determine the weight of the vehicle occupant.

17. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein a longitudinal seat position and a seat inclination are also used to determine the weight of the vehicle occupant.

18. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein a vertical seat position and a seat inclination are also used to determine the weight of the vehicle occupant.

19. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein a longitudinal seat position, a vertical seat position and a seat inclination are also used to determine the weight of the vehicle occupant.

20. A device for determining vehicle-occupant-related variables in a vehicle that has a seatbelt, comprising:

a seatbelt deflector having a position that can be set; and

a sensor configured to determine the position of the seatbelt deflector, the sensor comprising one of a seatbelt extension sensor configured to sense a degree of extension of the seatbelt, a seat-position-sensor configured to sense at least one of a longitudinal seat position, a vertical seat position and a seat inclination, and a switch configured to sense the position of the seatbelt deflector.