Method and Device for Recognizing Jamming of a Seat

• US 20100004897A1
• Filed: 04/20/2007
• Published: 01/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Schicker, Gerald, Pfeffer, Bernhard
• Application Number:
  US12/304,014
• Publication Number:
  US 20100004897A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/173
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/06 slidable B60N2/12 , B60N2/2209 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means

Abstract

At least two weight sensors are disposed below the seat such that measured values of the at least two weight sensors are representative of a force which is transmitted from the seat to its mount. At least two measured values are detected at a chronological interval from each other within a predetermined period of time by the weight sensors. A weight sensor is arranged in a first region of the seat and a weight sensor is arranged in a second region of the seat. A gradient is determined from the respective at least two measured values for the particular weight sensor. The jamming of the seat is recognized in dependence on the presence of different gradient signs that are assigned to the weight sensor disposed in the first region of the seat and to the weight sensor disposed in the second region of the seat.

Claims

1-5. -5. (canceled)

6. A method for recognizing a jamming of a seat, which comprises the steps of:

capturing at least two measured values which are separated by a time interval in each case within a predetermined time period by at least two weight sensors disposed below the seat such that measured values from the at least two weight sensors are representative of a force transferred from the seat to a seat mounting, and at least one of the weight sensors is disposed in a first region of the seat and at least one of the weight sensors is disposed in a second region of the seat;

calculating an increase from the at least two measured values in each case for a relevant weight sensor; and

recognizing a jamming of the seat in dependence on a presence of different operational signs of increases attributed to the at least one weight sensor disposed in the first region of the seat and to the at least one weight sensor disposed in the second region of the seat.

7. The method according to claim 6, which further comprises recognizing the jamming of the seat if the increases, which are attributed to the at least one weight sensor disposed in the first region of the seat and the at least one weight sensor disposed in the second region of the seat, exceed a predetermined increase threshold value in terms of their amount in each case.

8. The method according to claim 6, which further comprises recognizing the jamming of the seat if, within the predetermined time period and in dependence on the presence of the different operational signs of the increases, an amount of a difference between the measured values of the at least one weight sensor disposed in the first region of the seat and the at least one weight sensor disposed in the second region of the seat exceeds a predetermined difference threshold value.

9. The method according to claim 6, which further comprises:

calculating a current center of force from the measured values of the weight sensors; and

recognizing the jamming of the seat if, within the predetermined time period and in dependence on the presence of the different operational signs of the increases, a position of the current center of force lies outside of a predetermined central region.

10. A device for recognizing a jamming of a seat, the device comprising:

an analysis device programmed to;

capture at least two measured values in each case, the measured values being separated by a time interval, within a predetermined time period from at least two weight sensors disposed below the seat such that the measured values of the at least two weight sensors are representative of a force transferred from the seat to a seat mounting, at least one weight sensor is disposed in a first region of the seat and at least one weight sensor is disposed in a second region of the seat;

calculate an increase from the at least two measured values in each case for a relevant weight sensor; and

recognize the jamming of the seat in dependence on a presence of different operational signs of increases attributed to the at least one weight sensor disposed in the first region of the seat and to the at least one weight sensor disposed in the second region of the seat.