Occupant detection system and method of determining occupant

• US 7,701,338 B2
• Filed: 02/06/2007
• Issued: 04/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Nishio, Eiichi, Kamizono, Tsutomu
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Benjamin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): BEE, ANDREW W.
• Application Number:
  US11/703,049
• Publication Number:
  US 20070182553A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,169 Days
• Field of Search: 340/561, 307/10.1
• US Class Current: 340/561
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01534 using electromagneticwaves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01554 Seat position sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01556 Child-seat detection systems

Abstract

An occupant detection system for detecting an occupant on a seat of a vehicle includes an antenna electrode in a seat bottom of the seat, and an electronic unit connected to the antenna electrode and the vehicle. The electronic unit applies a load current to the antenna electrode so as to generate a weak electric field, and detects a potential current passing through the antenna electrode. The electronic unit detects an occupant based on an impedance and a phase difference, which are based on the load current and the potential current.

Claims

1. An occupant detection system for detecting an occupant on a seat of a vehicle, the system comprising:

an antenna electrode in a seat bottom of the seat, the antenna electrode including a proximity electrode constructed with a first electrode and a second electrode arranged adjacent to each other in the seat bottom; and

an electronic unit connected to the antenna electrode and the vehicle, wherein

the electronic unit applies a load current to the antenna electrode so as to generate a weak electric field, and detects a potential current passing through the antenna electrode,

the electronic unit detects an occupant based on both of a first impedance and a first phase difference, and detects a conductive liquid included in the seat bottom based on both of a second impedance and a second phase difference,

the first impedance, the first phase difference, the second impedance and the second phase difference are calculated based on the load current and the potential current,

the first impedance is calculated to indicate an impedance between the seat bottom and a vehicle chassis of the vehicle connected to a ground, and

the second impedance is calculated to indicate an impedance between the first electrode and the second electrode.

2. The occupant detection system according to claim 1, wherein:

the electronic unit detects the occupant by comparing the first impedance and a threshold corresponding to the first phase difference.

3. The occupant detection system according to claim 1, wherein:

the electronic unit includes a signal source for applying the load current; and

the potential current is measured in a shunt of the signal source.

4. An occupant detection system for detecting an occupant on a seat of a vehicle, the system comprising:

an antenna electrode in a seat bottom of the seat, the antenna electrode including a proximity electrode constructed with a first electrode and a second electrode arranged adjacent to each other in the seat bottom; and

an electronic unit connected to the antenna electrode and the vehicle, wherein

the electronic unit applies a load current to the antenna electrode so as to generate a weak electric field, and detects a potential current passing through the antenna electrode,

the electronic unit detects an occupant based on a conductance and a susceptance of a first admittance, and detects a conductive liquid included in the seat bottom based on a conductance and a susceptance of a second admittance,

the first admittance and the second admittance are calculated based on the load current and the potential current,

the first admittance is calculated to indicate an admittance between the seat bottom and a vehicle chassis of the vehicle connected to a ground, and

the second admittance is calculated to indicate an admittance between the first electrode and the second electrode.

5. The occupant detection system according to claim 4, wherein:

the electronic unit detects the occupant by comparing the susceptance and a threshold corresponding to the conductance.

6. The occupant detection system according to claim 4, wherein:

the electronic unit includes a signal source for applying the load current; and

the potential current is measured in a shunt of the electronic unit.