Passenger detecting system and air bag system using the same

• US 6,310,407 B1
• Filed: 07/01/1999
• Issued: 10/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Honda Elesys Co., Ltd. (Nidec Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company), NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Nagai, Makoto, Saito, Takashi, Kumagai, Kenji, Baba, Satoshi, Koyota, Nobuhiro, Isonaga, Kazutomo, Fukui, Tsutomu, Inou, Takashi, Jinno, Kazunori, Ofuji, Masahiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Ballato, Josie
• Assistant Examiner(s): Deberadinis, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US09/345,404
• Time in Patent Office: 852 Days
• Field of Search: 307/10.1, 324/663, 340/370.37, 219/217, 600/395
• US Class Current: 307/10.1
• 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: B60N 2/0024 for identifying, categorising or investigation of the occupant or object on the seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/003 characterised by the sensor mounting location in or on the seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0035 characterised by the sensor data transmission, e.g. wired connections or wireless transmitters therefor; characterised by the sensor data processing, e.g. seat sensor signal amplification or electric circuits for providing seat sensor information
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/46 Electric switches
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2230/30 Signal processing of sensor data
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01532 using electric or capacitive field sensors

Abstract

A passenger detecting system includes a plurality of antenna electrodes provided in a seat, a signal generating section, a detecting section, a switching circuit and a control unit. The signal generating section generates an electrode signal. The switching circuit sequentially supplies the electrode signal to the plurality of antenna electrodes one by one in response to a switching control signal. The detecting section detects change of the electrode signal to generate a detection signal when the electrode signal is supplied to each of the plurality of antenna electrodes. The control unit outputs the switching control signal to the switching circuit and generates a passenger data associated with a passenger on the seat based on the detection signal for each of the plurality of antenna electrodes.

Claims

1. A passenger detecting apparatus comprising:

a plurality of antenna electrodes provided in a seat;

a signal generating section generating an electrode signal;

a switching circuit sequentially supplying said electrode signal to said plurality of antenna electrodes one by one in response to a switching control signal;

a detecting section detecting change of said electrode signal and generating a detection signal when said electrode signal is supplied to each of said plurality of antenna electrodes; and

a control unit outputting said switching control signal to said switching circuit and generating a passenger data associated with a passenger on said seat based on said detection signal for each of said plurality of antenna electrodes.

2. A passenger detecting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

an amplitude detecting circuit detecting and amplitude of said electrode signal; and

an amplitude control circuit adjusting the amplitude of said electrode signal to a predetermined value in response to an amplitude control signal, and

wherein said control unit outputs said amplitude control signal to said amplitude control circuit based on the detected amplitude of said electrode signal by said amplitude detecting circuit.

3. A passenger detecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said passenger data includes a first data indicative of existence or non-existence of the passenger on said seat, and

said control unit generates said first data based on said detection signal for each of said plurality of antenna electrodes.

4. A passenger detecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said passenger data includes a second data indicative of whether or not said passenger is a child or an adult.

5. A passenger detecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control unit calculates a summation of said detection signals for said plurality of antenna electrodes, and determines whether said passenger exists on said seat, based on said summation to generate said passenger data.

6. A passenger detecting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when it is determined that said passenger exists on said seat, said control unit calculates a ratio data of each of said detection signals to said summation, and determines whether said passenger is a child or an adult, based on a distribution pattern of said radio data of said detection signals, to generate said passenger data.

7. A passenger detecting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when it is determined that said passenger exists on said seat, said control unit calculates a ratio data of each of said detection signals to said summation, determines the ratio data corresponding to a head of said passenger, calculates a second summation of said ratio data of said detection signals other than the ratio data corresponding to the head, and determines whether said passenger is a child or an adult, based on said second summation, to generate said passenger data.

8. A passenger detecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said detecting section further detects a phase difference before and after the change of said electrode signal, and

said control unit determines whether said passenger exists on said seat, based on said phase difference, to generate said passenger data.

9. A passenger detecting apparatus according to claim 8, wherein when it is determined that said passenger exists on said seat, said control unit detects one of said plurality of antenna electrodes corresponding to a position of a shoulder of said passenger, based on the detection signals, and determines whether said passenger is a child or an adult, based on the detected antenna electrode, to generate said passenger data.

10. A passenger detecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of antenna electrodes are dispersedly provided in said seat.

11. A passenger detecting apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said plurality of antenna electrodes are provided to extend in a horizontal direction and to be apart from each other in a vertical direction.

12. A passenger detecting apparatus according to claim 10, wherein each of said plurality of antenna electrodes is a metal plate.

13. A passenger detecting apparatus according to claim 10, wherein each of said plurality of antenna electrodes is an electrically conductive portion of an insulation cloth.

14. A passenger detecting apparatus according to claim 10, wherein each of said plurality of antenna electrodes is a portion of an insulation cloth in which an electrically conductive paint is painted.

15. A passenger detecting apparatus according to claim 10, wherein each of said plurality of antenna electrodes is a portion of an insulation cloth in which metal threads are woven.

16. A passenger detecting apparatus comprising:

a plurality of antenna electrodes provided in a seat;

a signal generating section generating an electrode signal;

a switching circuit sequentially supplying said electrode signal to said plurality of antenna electrodes one by one in response to a switching control signal;

a detecting section detecting change of said electrode signal and generating a detection signal when said electrode signal is supplied to each of said plurality of antenna electrodes; and

a control unit outputting said switching control signal to said switching circuit and generating a passenger data associated with a passenger on said seat based on said detection signal for each of said plurality of antenna electrodes,

wherein said plurality of antenna electrodes are dispersedly provided in said seat,

wherein each of said plurality of antenna electrodes is an electrically conductive portion of an insulation cloth,

wherein each of said antenna electrodes is connected to said switching circuit by use of a cable, and

said cable has a washer having a peripheral section and a plurality of portions extending from said peripheral section into a direction of a center portion, and

a fixture has a first section of a first diameter, a second section of a second diameter on said first section, the second diameter being smaller than the first diameter, and a third section of a third diameter on said second section, the third diameter being larger than the first diameter, and

said fixture is pushed and inserted to pass through a base member, said antenna electrode and the center portion of said washer such that said base member and said antenna electrode are sandwiched by said third section of said fixture and said peripheral section of said washer through an elastic force of said plurality of portions of said washer.

17. A passenger detecting apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said antenna electrode is turned at an edge portion of said base member, and said washer is electrically conductive.

18. A method of detecting a passenger in an automobile, comprising:

sequentially supplying an electrode signal to a plurality of antenna electrodes one by one, said plurality of antenna electrodes being provided in a seat;

detecting change of said electrode signal;

generating a detection signal when said electrode signal is supplied to each of said plurality of antenna electrodes; and

generating a passenger data associated with a passenger on said seat based on said detection signal for each of said plurality of antenna electrodes.

19. A method according to claim 18, further comprising:

detecting an amplitude of said electrode signal; and

adjusting the amplitude of said electrode signal to a predetermined value based on the detected amplitude of said electrode signal.

20. A method according to claim 18, wherein said generating a passenger data includes:

determining whether said passenger is on said seat, and whether said passenger is a child or an adult, based on a distribution pattern of said detection signals.

21. A method according to claim 18, wherein said generating a passenger data includes:

calculating a summation of said detection signals for said plurality of antenna electrodes; and

determining whether said passenger exists on said seat, based on said summation to generate said passenger data.

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein said generating a passenger data includes:

calculating a ratio data of each of said detection signals to said summation, when it is determined that said passenger exists on said seat; and

determining whether said passenger is a child or an adult, based on a distribution pattern of said radio data of said detection signals, to generate said passenger data.

23. A method of detecting a passenger in an automobile, comprising:

sequentially supplying an electrode signal to a plurality of antenna electrodes one by one, said plurality of antenna electrodes being provided in a seat;

detecting change of said electrode signal;

generating a detection signal when said electrode signal is supplied to each of said plurality of antenna electrodes; and

generating a passenger data associated with a passenger on said seat based on said detection signal for each of said plurality of antenna electrodes, wherein said generating a passenger data includes;

calculating a summation of said detection signals for said plurality of antenna electrodes;

determining whether said passenger exists on said seat, based on said summation to generate said passenger data,

calculating a ratio data of each of said detection signals to said summation, when it is determined that said passenger exists on said seat;

determining the ratio data corresponding to a head of said passenger;

calculating a second summation of said ratio data of said detection signals other than the ratio data corresponding to the head; and

determining whether said passenger is a child or an adult, based on said second summation, to generate said passenger data.

24. A method of detecting a passenger in an automobile, comprising:

sequentially supplying an electrode signal to a plurality of antenna electrodes one by one, said plurality of antenna electrodes being provided in a seat;

detecting change of said electrode signal;

generating a detection signal when said electrode signal is supplied to each of said plurality of antenna electrodes;

generating a passenger data associated with a passenger on said seat based on said detection signal for each of said plurality of antenna electrodes;

detecting a phase difference before and after the change of said electrode signal, and

said generating a passenger data includes determining whether said passenger exists on said seat, based on said phase difference, to generate said passenger data.

25. A method according to claim 24, wherein said generating a passenger data includes:

detecting one of said plurality of antenna electrodes corresponding to a position of a shoulder of said passenger, based on the detection signals, when it is determined that said passenger exists on said seat; and

determining whether said passenger is a child or an adult, based on the detected antenna electrode, to generate said passenger data.

26. A passenger detecting apparatus comprising:

a plurality of antenna electrodes provided in a seat;

a detecting section detecting change of an electric field intensity around each of said plurality of antenna electrodes and generating a detection signal; and

a control unit generating a passenger data associated with a passenger on said seat based on said detection signal for each of said plurality of antenna electrodes.

27. A passenger detecting apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said passenger data includes a first data indicative of existence or non-existence of the passenger on said seat.

28. A passenger detecting apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said passenger data includes a second data indicative of whether or not said passenger is a child or an adult.

29. A passenger detecting apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said plurality of antenna electrodes are dispersedly provided in said seat.

30. A passenger detecting apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said plurality of antenna electrodes are provided to extend in a horizontal direction and to be apart from each other in a vertical direction.

31. A passenger detecting apparatus according to claim 29, wherein each of said plurality of antenna electrodes is a metal plate.

32. A passenger detecting apparatus according to claim 29, wherein each of said plurality of antenna electrodes is an electrically conductive portion of an insulation cloth.

33. A passenger detecting apparatus according to claim 29, wherein each of said plurality of antenna electrodes is a portion of an insulation cloth in which an electrically conductive paint is painted.

34. A passenger detecting apparatus according to claim 29, wherein each of said plurality of antenna electrodes is a portion of an insulation cloth in which metal threads are woven.

35. A method of controlling expansion of an air bag in an automobile, comprising:

sequentially supplying an electrode signal to a plurality of antenna electrodes one by one, said plurality of antenna electrodes being provided in a seat;

detecting change of said electrode signal;

generating a detection signal when said electrode signal is supplied to each of said plurality of antenna electrodes;

generating a passenger data associated with a passenger on said seat based on said detection signal for each of said plurality of antenna electrodes;

controlling an air bag based on said passenger data such that said air bag is selectively expanded.

36. A method according to claim 35, further comprising:

detecting an amplitude of said electrode signal; and

adjusting the amplitude of said electrode signal to a predetermined value based on the detected amplitude of said electrode signal.

37. A method according to claim 35, wherein said controlling an air bag includes:

allowing expansion of said air bag when it is determined that said passenger is on said seat and that said passenger is an adult; and

inhibiting the expansion of said air bag when it is determined that said passenger is not on said seat or that said passenger is a child.

38. A method according to claim 35, wherein said generating a passenger data includes:

determining whether said passenger is on said seat, and whether said passenger is a child or an adult, based on a distribution pattern of said detection signals.

39. A method according to claim 35, wherein said generating a passenger data includes:

calculating a summation of said detection signals for said plurality of antenna electrodes; and

determining whether said passenger exists on said seat, based on said summation to generate said passenger data.

40. A method of controlling expansion of an air bag in an automobile, comprising:

sequentially supplying an electrode signal to a plurality of antenna electrodes one by one, said plurality of antenna electrodes being provided in a seat;

detecting change of said electrode signal;

generating a detection signal when said electrode signal is supplied to each of said plurality of antenna electrodes;

generating a passenger data associated with a passenger on said seat based on said detection signal for each of said plurality of antenna electrodes;

controlling an air bag based on said passenger data such that said air bag is selectively expanded,

wherein said generating a passenger data includes;

calculating a summation of said detection signals for said plurality of antenna electrodes; and

determining whether said passenger exists on said seat, based on said summation to generate said passenger data;

calculating a ratio data of each of said detection signals to said summation, when it is determined that said passenger exists on said seat; and

determining whether said passenger is a child or an adult, based on a distribution pattern of said radio data of said detection signals, to generate said passenger data.

41. A method of controlling expansion of an air bag in an automobile, comprising:

sequentially supplying an electrode signal to a plurality of antenna electrodes one by one, said plurality of antenna electrodes being provided in a seat;

detecting change of said electrode signal;

generating a detection signal when said electrode signal is supplied to each of said plurality of antenna electrodes;

generating a passenger data associated with a passenger on said seat based on said detection signal for each of said plurality of antenna electrodes;

controlling an air bag based on said passenger data such that said air bag is selectively expanded,

wherein said generating a passenger data includes;

determining whether said passenger is on said seat, and whether said passenger is a child or an adult, based on a distribution pattern of said detection signals;

calculating a ratio data of each of said detection signals to said summation, when it is determined that said passenger exists on said seat;

determining the ratio data corresponding to a head of said passenger;

calculating a second summation of said ratio data of said detection signals other than the ratio data corresponding to the head; and

determining whether said passenger is a child or an adult, based on said second summation, to generate said passenger data.

42. A method of controlling expansion of an air bag in an automobile, comprising:

sequentially supplying an electrode signal to a plurality of antenna electrodes one by one, said plurality of antenna electrodes being provided in a seat;

detecting change of said electrode signal;

generating a detection signal when said electrode signal is supplied to each of said plurality of antenna electrodes;

generating a passenger data associated with a passenger on said seat based on said detection signal for each of said plurality of antenna electrodes;

controlling an air bag based on said passenger data such that said air bag is selectively expanded,

detecting a phase difference before and after the change of said electrode signal, and

said generating a passenger data includes determining whether said passenger exists on said seat, based on said phase difference, to generate said passenger data.

43. A method of controlling expansion of an air bag in an automobile, comprising:

sequentially supplying an electrode signal to a plurality of antenna electrodes one by one, said plurality of antenna electrodes being provided in a seat;

detecting change of said electrode signal;

generating a detection signal when said electrode signal is supplied to each of said plurality of antenna electrodes;

generating a passenger data associated with a passenger on said seat based on said detection signal for each of said plurality of antenna electrodes;

controlling an air bag based on said passenger data such that said air bag is selectively expanded,

wherein said generating a passenger data includes;

detecting one of said plurality of antenna electrodes corresponding to a position of a shoulder of said passenger, based on the detection signals, when it is determined that said passenger exists on said seat; and

determining whether said passenger is a child or an adult, based on the detected antenna electrode, to generate said passenger data.