Methods for Sensing Weight of an Occupying Item in a Vehicular Seat

• US 20070135982A1
• Filed: 11/16/2006
• Published: 06/14/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1995
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: American Vehicular Sciences LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Automotive Technologies International Incorporated
• Inventors: Breed, David, DuVall, Wilbur, Morin, Jeffrey
• Application Number:
  US11/560,569
• Publication Number:
  US 20070135982A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/00 Sealing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/015 Attaching seats directly to vehicle chassis
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0244 with logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0248 with memory of positions
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0252 with relations between different adjustments, e.g. height of headrest following longitudinal position of seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0268 using sensors or detectors for adapting the seat or seat part, e.g. to the position of an occupant
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0272 using sensors or detectors for detecting the position of seat parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0276 reaction to emergency situations, e.g. crash
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/067 by linear actuators, e.g. linear screw mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/28 Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2806 for securing the child seat to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2863 backward facing
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/66 Lumbar supports
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/829 characterised by their adjusting mechanisms, e.g. electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/853 characterised by their adjusting mechanisms, e.g. electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/888 with arrangements for protecting against abnormal g-forces, e.g. by displacement of the head-rest
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/143 combined with another condition, e.g. using vehicle recognition from camera images or activation of wipers
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/41 preceding vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/42 : oncoming vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/037 : for occupant comfort , e.g. for automatic adjustment of appliances according to personal settings, e.g. seats, mirrors, steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 : with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 : with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0027 : Post collision measures, e.g. notifying emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01315 : monitoring occupant displacement
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23153 : specially adapted for rear seat passengers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26094 : characterised by fluid flow controlling valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2765 : comprising means to control the venting
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/208 : by automatic or remote control means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/288 : with means to adjust or regulate the amount of energy to be absorbed
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4685 : with means to adjust or regulate the tensioning force in relation to external parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/013 : including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0132 : responsive to vehicle motion parameters , e.g. to vehicle longitudinal or transversal deceleration or speed value
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0134 : responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle , e.g. using radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0136 : responsive to actual contact with an obstacle , e.g. to vehicle deformation, bumper displacement or bumper velocity relative to the vehicle monitoring crash strength in combination with passenger seat detection B60R21/01558
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/015 : including means for detecting the presence or position of passengers, passenger seats or child seats , and the related safety parameters therefor, e.g. speed or timing of airbag inflation in relation to occupant position or seat belt use
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01512 : Passenger detection systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 : using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0152 : using strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01526 : using piezoelectric elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0153 : using field detection presence sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01534 : using electromagneticwaves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01536 : using ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01538 : for image processing, e.g. cameras or sensor arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01542 : detecting passenger motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01544 : detecting seat belt parameters, e.g. length, tension or height-adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01548 : sensing the amount of belt winded on retractor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01552 : detecting position of specific human body parts, e.g. face, eyes or hands
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01554 : Seat position sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/203 : in steering wheels or steering columns
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/21656 : Steering wheel covers or similar cup-shaped covers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/276 : with means to vent the inflation fluid source, e.g. in case of overpressure B60R21/30 takes precedence; venting means on inflatable member walls B60R21/239
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/20 : adjustable in position, e.g. in height
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/201 : with the belt anchor connected to a slider movable in a vehicle-mounted track for passive restraint systems B60R22/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/25 : using biometry
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/43 : responsive to disruption of energy beams, e.g. light or sound
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/431 : specially adapted for vehicle windows or roofs
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 2015/433 : using reflection from the obstruction
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 : Windows
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/04 : Systems determining presence of a target based on relative movement of target G01S13/56
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/04 : Systems determining presence of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/06 : Systems determining the position data of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/87 : Combinations of sonar systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/88 : Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting G01V1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/88 : Lidar systems specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/89 : for mapping or imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/417 : involving the use of neural networks
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4802 : using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation; Target signature; Target cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/539 : using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation; Target signature; Target cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/59 : inside of a vehicle, e.g. relating to seat occupancy, driver state or inner lighting conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/10 : Human or animal bodies, e.g. vehicle occupants or pedestrians; Body parts, e.g. hands
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/1282 : Automobiles
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/3219 : Geometry of the configuration

Abstract

Method for determining weight of an occupant of an automotive seat involves arranging a bladder having at least one chamber in a seat portion of the seat, measuring the pressure in each chamber and deriving the weight of the occupant based on the measured pressure. The pressure in each chamber may be measured by a respective transducer associated therewith. The weight distribution of the occupant, the center of gravity of the occupant and/or the position of the occupant can be determined based on the pressure measured by the transducer(s). In one embodiment, the bladder is arranged in a container and fluid flow between the bladder and the container is permitted and optionally regulated, for example, via an adjustable orifice between the bladder and the container.

Claims

1. A method for determining the weight of an occupant of an automotive seat, comprising:

arranging a bladder having at least one chamber in a seat portion of the seat;

measuring the pressure in each of the at least one chamber; and

deriving the weight of the occupant based on the measured pressure.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one chamber comprises a plurality of individual chambers.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the pressure in each of the chambers is measured by a respective transducer associated with the chamber.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising determining a distribution of the weight of the occupant based on the pressure measured by the transducers.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising determining a position of the occupant based on the weight distribution.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising determining a center of gravity of the occupant based on the weight distribution.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

arranging the bladder in a container; and

permitting fluid flow between the bladder and the container.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of regulating the flow of fluid between the bladder and the container.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the bladder includes an adjustable orifice leading to the container, the flow of fluid being regulated by adjusting the orifice.

10. A method for controlling a component in a vehicle based on weight of an occupying item of the vehicle, comprising:

arranging a seat in a compartment of the vehicle which has a seat portion upon which the occupying item rests and applies weight thereto;

arranging a bladder having at least one chamber in the seat portion of the seat;

measuring the pressure in each of the at least one chamber;

deriving the weight of the occupying item based on the measured pressure; and

controlling the component based at least in part on the derived weight of the occupying item.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one chamber comprises a plurality of individual chambers.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the pressure in each of the chambers is measured by a respective transducer associated with the chamber.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising determining a distribution of the weight of the occupying item based on the pressure measured by the transducers.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising determining a position of the occupying item based on the weight distribution.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising determining a center of gravity of the occupying item based on the weight distribution.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

arranging the bladder in a container; and

permitting fluid flow between the bladder and the container.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of regulating the flow of fluid between the bladder and the container.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the bladder includes an adjustable orifice leading to the container, the flow of fluid being regulated by adjusting the orifice.

19. A method for estimating the weight of an occupant of an automotive seat, comprising:

arranging a bladder having at least one chamber in a seat portion of the seat;

arranging a transducer in connection with the bladder to provide a measurement of the pressure in the at least one chamber; and

determining an estimate of the weight of the occupant based on the measurement of pressure provided by the transducer.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

coupling the transducer to a control module; and

providing the measurement of the pressure to the control module which determines the estimate of the weight of the occupant.