DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE OCCUPANT DETECTION

• US 20150308885A1
• Filed: 04/29/2014
• Published: 10/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: GRIFFIN, DENNIS P., CURTIS, ANDREW H.
• Application Number:
  US14/264,515
• Publication Number:
  US 20150308885A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01522 using fluid means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01556 Child-seat detection systems
• 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

An occupant detection system is configured to classify an object that resides on a seat of a vehicle. The system includes a first bladder, a second bladder, and a differential pressure sensor. The first bladder is configured to be disposed in a central area of a seat. The second bladder is configured to be disposed in a peripheral area of the seat. The differential pressure sensor is fluidicly coupled to the first bladder and the second bladder in a manner effective to determine a pressure difference between a first pressure of the first bladder and a second pressure of the second bladder. In one configuration, the first bladder and the second bladder are configured so the pressure difference when a person sits on the seat is greater than the pressure difference when a child-seat occupies the seat.

Claims

1. An occupant detection system configured to classify an object that resides on a seat of a vehicle, said system comprising:

a first bladder configured to be disposed in a central area of a seat;

a second bladder configured to be disposed in a peripheral area of the seat; and

a differential pressure sensor fluidicly coupled to the first bladder and the second bladder in a manner effective to determine a pressure difference between a first pressure of the first bladder and a second pressure of the second bladder.

2. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first bladder and the second bladder are configured so the pressure difference when a person sits on the seat is greater than the pressure difference when a child-seat occupies the seat.

3. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first bladder is fluidicly coupled to the differential pressure sensor by a first pressure line and the second bladder is fluidicly coupled to the differential pressure sensor by a second pressure line, wherein the first pressure line and the second pressure line are cooperatively configured to minimize an external acceleration induced differential pressure on the differential pressure sensor.

4. The system in accordance with claim 3, wherein the first pressure line and the second pressure line are coupled together along a substantial portion of a first length of the first the first pressure line and a second length of the second pressure line to form a twin tube.