Occupant detection system

• US 6,290,255 B1
• Filed: 04/19/1999
• Issued: 09/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Automotive Systems Laboratory, Incorporated (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Automotive Systems Laboratory, Incorporated (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Stopper, Robert Anthony Jr., Stanley, James Gregory
• Primary Examiner(s): DePumpo, Daniel G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bottorff, Christopher
• Application Number:
  US09/294,680
• Time in Patent Office: 883 Days
• Field of Search: 280/734, 280/735, 701/45, 307/10.1, 180/271, 342/72
• US Class Current: 280/735
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0153 using field detection presence sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01532 using electric or capacitive field sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01534 using electromagneticwaves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01536 using ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01566 Devices for warning or indicating mode of inhibition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/215 characterised by the covers for the inflatable member B60R21/2176 takes precedence

Abstract

An occupant detection system (10) for controlling the activation of an air bag inflator module (16) incorporates radar module (12), the activation of which is responsive to an activation sensor responsive to either the likelihood of a crash or to the likelihood of injury from the air bag inflator module (16) as a result of proximity thereto. In one embodiment, responsive to a potential crash, the air bag inflator module activates the radar module (12) for a period of time to sense if an occupant is within the at-risk zone of the air bag inflator module. In another embodiment, the activation of the radar module (12) is responsive to a continuously active range/proximity sensor (22). The air bag inflator is disabled if an occupant is detected with in the at-risk zone of the air bag inflator module (16).

Claims

1. A method of detecting an occupant in a vehicle and for controlling the actuation of a safety restraint system responsive thereto, comprising:

a. detecting a condition for which the safety restraint system should not be deployed, wherein the operation of detecting a condition for which the safety restraint system should not be deployed comprises sensing the proximity of an occupant to a region within which said occupant is at risk of injury by the safety restraint system;

b. controlling the activation of a sensor for sensing the position of an occupant responsive to said operation of detecting a condition for which the safety restraint system should not be deployed; and

c. controlling the safety restraint system responsive to the sensed position of said occupant.

2. A method of detecting an occupant in a vehicle and for controlling the actuation of a safety restraint system responsive thereto in claim 1, wherein the operation of sensing the proximity of an occupant to said region comprises sensing the occupant.

3. A method of detecting an occupant in a vehicle and for controlling the actuation of a safety restraint system responsive thereto as recited in claim 2, wherein the operation of sensing the proximity sensor selected from the group consisting of a capactive sensor, a vision sensor, and a passive infrared sensor.

4. A method of detecting an occupant in a vehicle and for controlling the actuation of a safety restraint system responsive thereto, comprising:

a. sensing with a first sensor the proximity of an occupant to a region within which said occupant is at risk of injury by the safety restraint system;

b. if said occupant is in proximity to a region so as to be at risk of injury by the safety restraint system, then in response to said proximity of said occupant, sensing with a second sensor that is normally inactive the position of said occupant;

c. communicating said position to a controller for controlling the safety restraint system; and

d. controlling the safety restraint system responsive to said position, wherein if said position corresponds to a position for which said occupant is at risk of injury by the safety restraint system, then reducing the power of the safety restraint system.

5. A method of detecting an occupant in a vehicle and for controlling the actuation of a safety restraint system responsive thereto as recited in claim 4, wherein the operation of reducing the power of the safety restraint system comprises disabling the safety restraint system.

6. A method of detecting an occupant in a vehicle and for controlling the actuation of a safety restraint system responsive thereto as recited in claim 4, further comprising the operation of disabling said second sensor responsive to a condition selected from the group consisting of the expiration of a period of time and the occurrence of said acceleration being less than a threshold.