Method and apparatus for measuring seat occupant weight
First Claim
1. A method for correcting seat occupant weight measurement error induced by a seat belt comprising the steps of:
- (a) measuring an occupant load applied to a vehicle seat;
(b) determining the value of an asymmetrical load applied to the vehicle seat resulting from forces generated by securing an occupant to the seat with a seat belt by using data obtained during step (a);
(c) determining a compensation factor if the asymmetrical load value load is greater than a minimum threshold; and
(d) modifying the measured occupant load value by the compensation factor to obtain a corrected seat occupant weight value.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for correcting seat occupant weight measurement error induced by a seat belt is used to control deployment of vehicle airbags. When a child seat is secured to a vehicle seat with a seat belt, the belt is pulled to a very tight position, which applies a greater force to the seat, erroneously raising the measured occupant weight. The subject system detects the difference between a child seat with a large seat belt force and a small adult, and modifies airbag deployment accordingly. The system includes a sensor assembly mounted within the seat bottom that measures a total seat occupant weight. A control unit generates a compensation factor based on the sensor assembly weight measurements and the mounting locations of the seat belt. The compensation factor is used to correct the total seat occupant weight, providing a modified occupant weight. Airbag deployment is controlled based on the modified occupant weight.
29 Citations
14 Claims
-
1. A method for correcting seat occupant weight measurement error induced by a seat belt comprising the steps of:
-
(a) measuring an occupant load applied to a vehicle seat;
(b) determining the value of an asymmetrical load applied to the vehicle seat resulting from forces generated by securing an occupant to the seat with a seat belt by using data obtained during step (a);
(c) determining a compensation factor if the asymmetrical load value load is greater than a minimum threshold; and
(d) modifying the measured occupant load value by the compensation factor to obtain a corrected seat occupant weight value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A method for correcting seat occupant weight measurement error induced by a seat belt comprising the steps of
measuring total seat occupant weight; -
determining the value of an asymmetrical, load applied to a vehicle seat resulting from forces generated by securing an occupant to the seat with a seat belt;
determining a compensation factor if the asymmetrical load is greater than a minimum threshold;
determining the compensation factor as a percentage of total seat occupant weight;
modifying the total seat occupant weight value by the compensation factor; and
multiplying the total seat occupant weight value by the compensation factor to define a weight error value and subtracting the weight error value the total seat occupant weight value to define an adjusted occupant weight value.
-
-
9. A system for correcting seat occupant weight measurement error induced by a seat belt comprising:
-
a vehicle seat having a seat back supported with respect to a seat bottom;
a sensor assembly for measuring an occupant load applied by a seat occupant against said vehicle seat to generate a total measured seat occupant weight signal;
a seat belt assembly for securing the seat occupant to said vehicle seat and including at least one seat belt mounting portion positioned adjacent to said vehicle seat for mounting said seat belt assembly to a vehicle structure;
a control unit for determining an asymmetrical load value based on data from said sensor assembly that results from forces generated at said seat belt mounting portion, wherein said control unit generates a compensation factor when said asymmetrical load value exceeds a predetermined threshold to modify the value of said total measured seat occupant weight signal by correcting weight measurement error induced by seat belt tension forces applied to the occupant. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
Specification