Occupant judging device for a vehicle seat

• US 7,032,968 B2
• Filed: 02/12/2003
• Issued: 04/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. (Aisin Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. (Aisin Corp.)
• Inventors: Aoki, Koji, Sakai, Morio, Mori, Masaki, Izawa, Minoru
• Primary Examiner(s): BARFIELD, ANTHONY DERRELL
• Application Number:
  US10/364,324
• Publication Number:
  US 20030168895A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,168 Days
• Field of Search: 297/217.2, 297/217.3, 280/735
• US Class Current: 297/217.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0152 using strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01544 detecting seat belt parameters, e.g. length, tension or height-adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01556 Child-seat detection systems

Abstract

An occupant judging device for a vehicle seat includes a load sensor provided in the vehicle seat and a controller for calculating a detected load value based on an output load value from the load sensor and determining an occupant on the vehicle seat by comparing the detected load value and a predetermined threshold value. The controller judges by a decrease state of the detected load value detected after the seatbelt is fastened being maintained for a first predetermined time that a child restraint device is installed, when a state in which the seatbelt is fastened and the door is opened is detected. Further, the controller judges by a decrease state of the detected load value detected after the seatbelt is fastened being maintained for a second predetermined time that the child restraint device is installed, when a state in which the seatbelt is fastened and the door is closed is detected.

Claims

1. An occupant judging device for a vehicle seat provided with a seatbelt and mounted in a vehicle that includes a door, the occupant judging device comprising:

a load sensor for detecting a load applied to the vehicle seat;

a controller for calculating a detected load value based on an output from the load sensor and determining an occupant on the vehicle seat by comparing the detected load value and a predetermined threshold value;

a first detecting means for detecting whether the seatbelt is fastened or not; and

a second detecting means for detecting whether the door is opened or closed,

wherein the controller judges that a child restraint device on the seat is installed by detecting a decrease state of the detected load value after the seatbelt is fastened being maintained for a first predetermined time when the seatbelt is fastened and the door is opened and the decrease state being maintained for a second predetermined time when the seatbelt is fastened and the door is closed.

2. An occupant judging device for a vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the decrease state of the detected load value is represented either by a state in which a ratio of the detected load value to an approximate maximum value of the detected load value detected after the seatbelt is fastened falls below a predetermined ratio, or by a state in which the detected load value falls below a second predetermined value from a value over a first predetermined value.

3. An occupant judging device for a vehicle seat according to claim 2, wherein the first detecting means is a belt anchor switch.

4. An occupant judging device for a vehicle seat according to claim 3, wherein the second detecting means is a courtesy switch.

5. An occupant judging device for a vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the first detecting means is a belt anchor switch.

6. An occupant judging device for a vehicle seat according to claim 5, wherein the second detecting means is a courtesy switch.

7. An occupant judging device for a vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the load sensor is provided at a sensor bracket having an upper fastener portion, a lower fastener portion, and a bending portion.

8. An occupant judging device for a vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the controller includes a CPU, filter, a courtesy switch input circuit, an anchor switch input circuit, and a telecommunication circuit.

9. An occupant judging device for a vehicle seat according to claim 7, wherein the load sensor includes a strain detecting device for electrically detecting a bending degree of the bending portion which bends in response to a weight applied to the vehicle seat.

10. An occupant judging device for a vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the second predetermined time is longer than the first predetermined time.

11. An occupant judging device for a vehicle seat provided with a seatbelt and mounted in a vehicle that includes a door, the occupant judging device comprising:

a load sensor for detecting a load applied to the vehicle seat;

a controller for calculating a detected load value based on an output from the load sensor and determining an occupant on the vehicle seat by comparing the detected load value and a predetermined threshold value; and

wherein the controller judges that a child restraint device on the vehicle seat is installed by detecting a decrease state of the detected load value after the seatbelt is fastened being maintained for a first predetermined time when the seatbelt is fastened and the door is opened and the decrease state is being maintained for a second predetermined time when the seatbelt is fastened and the door is closed.

12. An occupant judging device for a vehicle seat according to claim 11, wherein the decrease state of the detected load value is represented either by a state in which a ratio of the detected load value to an approximate maximum value of the detected load value detected after the seatbelt is fastened falls below a predetermined ratio, or by a state in which the detected load value falls below a second predetermined value from a value over a first predetermined value.

13. An occupant judging device for a vehicle seat according to claim 11, wherein the first detecting means is a belt anchor switch.

14. An occupant judging device for a vehicle seat according to claim 11, wherein the second detecting means is a courtesy switch.

15. An occupant judging device for a vehicle seat according to claim 11, wherein the load sensor is provided at a sensor bracket having an upper fastener portion, a lower fastener portion, and a bending portion.

16. An occupant judging device for a vehicle seat according to claim 11, wherein the controller includes a CPU, filter, a courtesy switch input circuit, an anchor switch input circuit, and a telecommunication circuit.

17. An occupant judging device for a vehicle seat according to claim 11, wherein the load sensor includes a strain detecting device for electrically detecting a bending degree of the bending portion which bends in response to a weight applied to the vehicle seat.

18. An occupant judging device for a vehicle seat according to claim 11, wherein the second predetermined time is longer than the first predetermined time.