Method for controlling a safety device in a motor vehicle

• US 20070182140A1
• Filed: 02/07/2007
• Published: 08/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Original Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Inventors: Baur, Richard, Hellwig, Patrick, Beszeni, Marko
• Granted Patent: US 7,676,311 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/735
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0152 using strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01554 Seat position sensors

Abstract

In a method for controlling a safety device in a motor vehicle, wherein the safety device is controlled as a function of at least one preset characteristic of a vehicle seat in the motor vehicle, an electric adjusting mechanism, which is provided for adjusting the preset characteristic of the vehicle seat, detects the measured adjustments, which relate to the preset characteristic, and that the preset characteristic is determined with the aid of the measured adjustments.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a safety device in a motor vehicle, wherein the safety device is controlled as a function of at least one present characteristic of a vehicle seat in the motor vehicle, comprising the acts of:

adjusting the at least one preset characteristic of the vehicle seat with an electric adjusting mechanism;

detecting measured adjustments of the at least one present characteristic; and

determining an at least one adjusted preset characteristic based on the measured adjustments.

2. The method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one preset characteristic is a setting position of the vehicle seat in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

3. The method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one preset characteristic is determined on the basis of a relative measurement.

4. The method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein a pulse generator, which is connected to a drive motor or the gear of a drive motor of the adjusting mechanism, is configured to detect measured adjustment values.

5. The method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein an inaccuracy in determining the at least one preset characteristic is reduced or eliminated by a calibration.

6. The method, as claimed in claim 5, wherein the calibration is carried out as a function of a gauge for an inaccuracy in determining the at least one preset characteristic.

7. The method, as claimed in claim 5, wherein a request for calibration is sent as a function of a gauge for an inaccuracy in determining the at least one preset characteristic.

8. The method, as claimed in claim 5, wherein a measure for preventing a vehicle occupant from being able to carry out a calibration as a function of a gauge for an inaccuracy in determining the at least one preset characteristic is deactivated.

9. The method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the safety device is controlled as a function of a gauge for an inaccuracy in determining the at least one preset characteristic.

10. The method, as claimed in claim 5, wherein the number of adjustment events of the electric adjusting mechanism since the last calibration serves as a gauge for the inaccuracy in determining the at least one preset characteristic.

11. The method, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one preset characteristic is determined on the basis of a relative measurement.

12. The method, as claimed in claim 2, wherein a pulse generator, which is connected to a drive motor or the gear of a drive motor of the adjusting mechanism, is configured to detect measured adjustment values.

13. The method, as claimed in claim 3, wherein a pulse generator, which is connected to a drive motor or the gear of a drive motor of the adjusting mechanism, is configured to detect measured adjustment values.

14. The method, as claimed in claim 2, wherein an inaccuracy in determining the at least one preset characteristic is reduced or eliminated by a calibration.

15. The method, as claimed in claim 3, wherein an inaccuracy in determining the at least one preset characteristic is reduced or eliminated by a calibration.

16. The method, as claimed in claim 6, wherein a request for calibration is sent as a function of a gauge for an inaccuracy in determining the at least one preset characteristic.

17. The method, as claimed in claim 6, wherein a measure for preventing a vehicle occupant from being able to carry out a calibration as a function of a gauge for an inaccuracy in determining the at least one preset characteristic is deactivated.

18. The method, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the safety device is controlled as a function of a gauge for an inaccuracy in determining the at least one preset characteristic.

19. The method, as claimed in claim 6, wherein the number of adjustment events of the electric adjusting mechanism since the last calibration serves as a gauge for the inaccuracy in determining the at least one preset characteristic.

20. A safety system in a motor vehicle, comprising:

an electric adjusting mechanism configured to adjust at least one preset characteristic of a vehicle seat, detect measured adjustments of the at least one preset characteristic, and determine an at least one adjusted preset characteristic based on the measured adjustments;

a safety device configured to protect an occupant of the vehicle; and

a control unit configured to activate the safety device based on the at least one adjusted preset characteristic.