Apparatus for occupant classification in a vehicle

• US 6,526,806 B2
• Filed: 01/16/2002
• Issued: 03/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Kuttenberger, Alfred
• Primary Examiner(s): McCall, Eric S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mack, Corey D.
• Application Number:
  US10/047,718
• Publication Number:
  US 20020138212A1
• Time in Patent Office: 412 Days
• Field of Search: 73/232, 73/233, 177/1, 177/136, 177/144, 177/210.R, 340/628, 340/629, 340/438
• US Class Current: 73/23.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01512 Passenger detection systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/10 Human or animal bodies, e.g. vehicle occupants or pedestrians; Body parts, e.g. hands

Abstract

An apparatus for occupant classification in a vehicle, which together with a respective CO₂ sensor serves to perform an occupant classification. Both the CO₂ content and the profile over time of the signals are used for occupant classification. The CO₂ sensors are advantageously arranged in front of the respective persons, making possible a simple measurement. The CO₂ sensor can also be used in each case with a further different sensor for occupant classification, and here in particular for plausibility (testing). A processor that evaluates the signals from the CO₂ sensors cyclically polls the CO₂ sensors. For plausibility, the signals from all CO₂ TV sensors present in the passenger compartment can also be taken into account.

Claims

1. An apparatus for occupant classification in a vehicle, the vehicle including a passenger compartment containing occupant seats, the apparatus comprising:

at least one sensor for occupant classification, the at least one sensor including a respective CO₂ sensor for each of the occupant seats in the passenger compartment; and

a processor connected to the CO₂ sensor for performing a weight determination as a function of a signal of the CO₂ sensor.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor performs the weight determination from a CO₂ content.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor determines a respiratory frequency of an occupant from a profile over time of the signal.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the respective CO₂ sensor is situated in front of the respective vehicle seat in the passenger compartment.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor further includes at least one, non-CO₂ sensor used in combination with the CO₂ sensor for occupant classification.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor includes a plurality of CO₂ sensors in the passenger compartment, the processor cyclically polling the CO₂ sensors.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein, for the occupant classification, the processor takes into account signals of all of the CO₂ sensors present in the passenger compartment.