Method for operating and electrically adjustable vehicle seat

• US 7,424,355 B2
• Filed: 05/04/2006
• Issued: 09/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Molitor, Patrik, Schweizer, Karl
• Primary Examiner(s): Gibson; Randy W
• Application Number:
  US11/417,166
• Publication Number:
  US 20070012502A1
• Time in Patent Office: 859 Days
• Field of Search: 180/273, 280/735, 701/45, 177/136, 177/144
• US Class Current: 701/45
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0244 with logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0273 taking into account user data, e.g. knee height or physical state
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/40 Force or pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/09 Driving style or behaviour
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/4142 for controlling activation of safety devices, e.g. airbag systems electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements in case of vehicle accidents B60R21/015

Abstract

In a method for operating an electrically adjustable vehicle seat which has at least one electrically adjustable upholstered seat element and a sitting weight measuring device for sensing the weight of a vehicle occupant sitting on the vehicle seat, prior to an initial sensing of the weight by the sitting weight measuring device, the upholstered seat element is automatically moved into a measuring position. An adjustment range of the upholstered seat element is predefined as a function of the current sensed weight value.

Claims

1. A method for operating an electrically adjustable vehicle seat which has at least one electrically adjustable seat element and a sitting weight measuring device for sensing a weight of a vehicle occupant sitting on the vehicle seat comprising:

automatically moving the adjustable seat element of the electrically adjustable vehicle seat into a measuring position;

sensing the weight by the sitting weight measuring device after the adjustable seat element of the electrically adjustable vehicle seat is automatically moved into the measuring position; and

adjusting the adjustable seat element from the measuring position to a comfort position after the sensing step.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the measuring position the adjustable seat element acts on the vehicle occupant to one of a restricted degree and not at all.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensing of the weight takes place within a predetermined time interval after opening of a door of the vehicle, which is sensed by means of a door contact switch.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensing of the weight is carried out after occupation of the seat has been detected.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustable seat element comprises as an inflatable air cushion.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sitting weight measuring device comprises a sensor mat.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustable seat element can be adjusted by the vehicle occupant only after the weight has been sensed.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein an adjustment range of the adjustable seat element is predefined as a function of sensed weight value.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

a value range for the sensing of the weight is divided into weight classes; and

an individual adjustment range for the adjustable seat element is predefined for each weight class.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a lower threshold value above which adjustment of the adjustable seat element is possible is predefined for the sensing of the weight.

11. A method for operating an electrically adjustable vehicle seat which has at least one electrically adjustable seat element and a weight sensing system for sensing a weight of a vehicle occupant sitting on the vehicle seat comprising:

sensing the weight of the vehicle occupant sitting on the vehicle seat;

defining an adjustment range of the adjustable seat element as a function of the sensed weight;

restricting a movement of the adjustable seat element to a position located within the defined adjustment range; and

moving the adjustable seat element to the position located within the defined adjustment range.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

the adjustment range is divided into weight classes; and

an individual adjustment range for the adjustable seat element is predefined for each weight class.

13. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

a lower weight sensing threshold value is predefined; and

the adjustable seat element can be adjusted in the case of sensed weight values that exceed the lower weight sensing threshold.

14. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

the adjustable seat element can be adjusted by the vehicle occupant only after the weight has been sensed.

15. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the electrically adjustable seat element comprises an inflatable airbag.

16. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the weight sensing system comprises a sitting weight measuring device.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the sitting weight measuring device comprises a sensor mat.

18. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

the sensing of the weight occurs within a predefined time interval after a door of the vehicle is opened, which is sensed by means of a door contact switch.

19. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

the sensing of the weight is carried out after a seat occupation detection process has taken place.

20. A method of operating an adjustable vehicle seat having at least one adjustable seat element and a device for measuring a weight of a seat occupant comprising:

reducing an effect of the at least one adjustable seat element on a measurement of the weight of the seat occupant by automatically moving the at least one adjustable seat element of the adjustable vehicle seat into a measuring position;

measuring the weight by a sitting weight measuring device after the adjustable seat element of the adjustable vehicle seat is automatically moved into the measuring position; and

adjusting the at least one adjustable seat element from the measuring position to a comfort position after the measuring step.

21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising a step for limiting a permissible adjustment of said seat elements as a function of sensed weight of said seat occupant.