Motor vehicle seat-occupancy-detection device

• US 5,602,425 A
• Filed: 11/16/1994
• Issued: 02/11/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Original Assignee: Mercedes-Benz AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Maier, Ernst, Wilhelmi, Volker
• Primary Examiner(s): Shoop, Jr., William M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GANJIAN, PETER
• Application Number:
  US08/343,889
• Time in Patent Office: 818 Days
• Field of Search: 307/9.1-10.8, 307/38, 307/39, 307/119, 280/722, 280/730, 280/728, 280/732, 280/735, 180/271, 180/272, 180/273, 364/424.05, 364/424.01
• US Class Current: 307/10.1
• 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 2/0276 reaction to emergency situations, e.g. crash
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01061 between the airbag system and other vehicle electronic systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01512 Passenger detection systems

Abstract

The invention provides a seat-occupancy-detection device in a motor vehicle, by means of which seat functions can be actuated dependent on the load acting on the seat, which device is configured such that it can be utilized and implemented in a more versatile manner. By using a data bus in the vehicle, which provides the functions connected to the data bus with items of information throughout the vehicle, the area around a seating position is automatically adapted based on seat occupancy.

Claims

1. Arrangement for controlling safety, comfort and seat functions with respect to seats of a vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of sensors for detecting occupancy and loading of a vehicle seat, a separate such sensor being assigned to each of a plurality of respective seats of said vehicle;

first means for actuating seat functions for at least one vehicle seat in response to detected loading of said vehicle seat;

second means for actuating safety functions for said at least one vehicle seat in response to detected loading of such vehicle seat; and

third means for actuating comfort functions for said at least one vehicle seat in response to detected occupancy or nonoccupancy of said vehicle seat.

2. Arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said first, second and third means automatically actuate said safety and comfort functions.

3. Arrangement according to claim 2 wherein automatic actuation is controlled in response to position of a switch which can be operated at will.

4. Arrangement according to claim 1 wherein additional functions can be actuated in dependance on the seat loading and additional functions can be actuated in dependence on occupancy or nonoccupancy.

5. Arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said sensors detect loading of said vehicle seat according to conditions of unoccupied, occupied by an adult, and occupied by a child.

6. Arrangement according to claim 5 wherein if at least one rear seat of said vehicle is detected as occupied by a child, a head rest control for a head rest of seats detected as occupied by children are automatically into a rest position, a child safeguard function of rear vehicle doors is automatically activated to prevent unlocking from inside the vehicle, a child safeguard function of the rear windows is automatically activated whereby at least a rear window located in an immediate vicinity of any seat detected to be occupied by a child is locked in position, a seat adjustment locking function is automatically activated for a rear seat detected to be occupied by a child, a radio function is automatically adjusted, and a rear air conditioning control is deactivated.

7. Arrangement according to claim 6 wherein if no rear seat of said vehicle is detected to be occupied by an adult, a rear ceiling light function is automatically disabled.

8. Arrangement according to claim 5 wherein if at least one rear seat of said vehicle is detected to be occupied by an adult, a head rest for seats occupied by an adult is moved into an operating position, a radio function is automatically adjusted for occupancy of said seat, and child safeguard functions for rear windows and doors, a seat adjustment locking function, and a rear air conditioning function are deactivated.

9. Arrangement according to claim 5 wherein if all rear seats of said vehicle are detected as unoccupied, child safeguard functions of rear doors and rear windows, a seat adjustment locking function, a radio function and a lighting function of said vehicle are deactivated.

10. Arrangement according to claim 5 wherein if a rear seat of said vehicle is detected as unoccupied, a headrest of said rear seat is moved to a rest position and air conditioning for said rear seat is reduced.

11. Arrangement according to claim 5 wherein a vehicle air bag restraint system is activated for all seats of said vehicle which are detected to be occupied by a child or by an adult.

12. Arrangement according to claim 2 wherein said safety functions include at least one of:

child safeguard function of rear windows, child safeguard function of rear doors, a seat adjustment locking function, and enablement of air bag deployment.

13. Arrangement according to claim 12 wherein said comfort functions include at least one of:

air conditioning, radio and interior lighting.

14. Arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said comfort functions include at least one of:

air conditioning, radio and interior lighting.