Method for controlling a safety device in a motor vehicle

• US 7,676,311 B2
• Filed: 02/07/2007
• Issued: 03/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Original Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Inventors: Baur, Richard, Hellwig, Patrick, Beszeni, Marko
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Kim T
• Application Number:
  US11/703,237
• Publication Number:
  US 20070182140A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,126 Days
• Field of Search: 701/45, 701/36, 180/271, 180/286
• US Class Current: 701/45
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0152 using strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01554 Seat position sensors

Abstract

In a method for controlling a safety device in a motor vehicle, wherein the safety device is controlled as a function of at least one preset characteristic of a vehicle seat in the motor vehicle, an electric adjusting mechanism, which is provided for adjusting the preset characteristic of the vehicle seat, detects the measured adjustments, which relate to the preset characteristic, and that the preset characteristic is determined with the aid of the measured adjustments.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a safety device in a motor vehicle, wherein the safety device is controlled as a function of a preset characteristic of a vehicle seat in the motor vehicle, comprising the acts of:

adjusting the preset characteristic of the vehicle seat with an electric adjusting mechanism;

detecting measured adjustments of the preset characteristic of the vehicle seat, including detecting measured adjustment values with a pulse generator which is connected to a drive motor or the gear of a drive motor of the adjusting mechanism;

determining an adjusted preset characteristic of the vehicle seat based on a difference between a starting position of the preset characteristic of the vehicle seat and the measured adjustments of the preset characteristic of the vehicle seat; and

controlling the safety device based upon the adjusted preset characteristic of the vehicle seat,

wherein an inaccuracy in determining the adjusted preset characteristic is reduced or eliminated by a calibration,

wherein the calibration is carried out as a function of a number of a plurality of adjustments of the preset characteristic of the seat for reducing or eliminating the inaccuracy in determining the adjusted preset characteristic.

2. The method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the preset characteristic is a setting position of the vehicle seat in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

3. The method, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the adjusted preset characteristic is determined on the basis of a relative measurement of a position of the vehicle seat from the starting position to another position.

4. The method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the preset characteristic is determined on the basis of a relative measurement of a position of the vehicle seat from the starting position to another position.

5. The method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein a request for calibration is sent as a function of a gauge for the inaccuracy in determining the adjusted preset characteristic.

6. The method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein a measure for preventing a vehicle occupant from being able to carry out the calibration as a function of a gauge for the inaccuracy in determining the adjusted preset characteristic is deactivated.

7. The method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the safety device is controlled as a function of a gauge for an inaccuracy in determining the adjusted preset characteristic.

8. The method, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the acts of:

determining, from a plurality of adjustment events of the electric adjusting mechanism, a tolerance range for the at least one preset characteristic in which a calibration triggering point is expected;

determining whether the calibration triggering point is detected;

when the calibration triggering point is detected, determining whether the adjusted preset characteristic is in the tolerance range; and

when the adjusted preset characteristic is in the tolerance range, outputting a calibration request to a vehicle occupant.

9. A safety system in a motor vehicle, comprising:

an electric adjusting mechanism configured to adjust a preset characteristic of a vehicle seat, detect measured adjustments of the preset characteristic of the vehicle seat, and determine an adjusted preset characteristic of the vehicle seat based on a difference between a starting position and the measured adjustments of the preset characteristic of the vehicle seat;

a safety device configured to protect an occupant of the vehicle;

a control unit configured to control the safety device based on the adjusted preset characteristic of the vehicle seat; and

a pulse generator connected to a drive motor or the gear of a drive motor of the adjusting mechanism and configured to detect measured adjustment values,

wherein an inaccuracy in determining the adjusted preset characteristic is reduced or eliminated by a calibration,

wherein the calibration is carried out as a function of a number of a plurality of adjustments of the preset characteristic of the seat for reducing or eliminating the inaccuracy in determining the adjusted preset characteristic.