Apparatus and method for adjusting a vehicle component

• US 6,078,854 A
• Filed: 08/04/1998
• Issued: 06/20/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: American Vehicular Sciences LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Automotive Technologies International Incorporated
• Inventors: Breed, David S., DuVall, Wilbur E., Morin, Jeffrey L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Gary
• Application Number:
  US09/128,490
• Time in Patent Office: 686 Days
• Field of Search: 701/45, 701/46, 701/47, 701/49, 318/286, 318/466, 318/467, 318/468, 280/728.1, 280/734, 280/735, 180/271, 180/273, 180/268, 307/10.1
• US Class Current: 701/49
• 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 2/0022 for sensing anthropometric parameters, e.g. heart rate or body temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0024 for identifying, categorising or investigation of the occupant or object on the seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0025 by using weight measurement
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0029 for detecting the motion of the occupant
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/003 characterised by the sensor mounting location in or on the seat
• 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 2/0273 taking into account user data, e.g. knee height or physical state
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0276 reaction to emergency situations, e.g. crash
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0277 characterised by the calculation method or calculation flow chart of sensor data for adjusting the seat
• 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 2/809 vertically slidable
• 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: B60N 2210/12 : Capacitive; Electric field
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/16 : Electromagnetic waves
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/26 : Ultrasonic, e.g. sonar
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2220/30 : using a neural network
• 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 2022/288 : 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 21/01516 : using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0153 : using field detection presence sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01536 : using ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0154 : in combination with seat heating
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01542 : detecting passenger motion
• 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 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: 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: Y10T 74/20528 : Foot operated

Abstract

A seat adjustment apparatus for adjusting a seat in a passenger compartment of a vehicle including wave sensors for transmitting waves into the passenger compartment toward the seat, receiving reflected waves from the passenger compartment and generating an output representative of the reflected waves received by the wave sensors, weight sensors associated with the seat for measuring the weight applied onto the seat and generating an output representative of the measured weight applied onto the seat and a processor for receiving the outputs from the wave sensors and the weight sensors and evaluating the seated-state of the seat based thereon. The processor directs a control unit to cause a portion of the seat to move based on the evaluation of the seated-state of the seat.

Claims

1. An adjustment system for adjusting a component of a vehicle based on occupancy of a seat, comprising:

at least one wave sensor for receiving waves from an area of the seat in the passenger compartment and generating an output representative of the waves received by said at least one wave sensor;

weight measurement means associated with the seat for measuring the weight applied onto the seat and generating an output representative of the measured weight applied onto the seat;

adjustment means arranged in connection with the component for adjusting the component, and

processor means for receiving the outputs from said at least one wave sensor and said weight measuring means and evaluating the seated-state of the seat based thereon to determine whether the seat is occupied by an object and if the seat is occupied by an object, to identify the object in the seat and based at least on the identification of the object, directing said adjustment means to adjust the component,

said processor means including a function correlating the outputs from said at least one wave sensor and said weight measuring means and the seated-state of the seat and being generated by a neural network circuit, the function being executed using the outputs from said at least one wave sensor and said weight measuring means as input to determine the saeted-state of the seat.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one wave sensor is structured and arranged to transmit waves into the passenger compartment toward the seat.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one wave sensor is an ultrasonic sensor structured and arranged to receive ultrasonic waves.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one wave sensor is an electromagnetic sensor structured and arranged to receive electromagnetic waves.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the component is at least one of a backrest of a seat and a bottom portion of a seat.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the component is at least one mirror selected from a group consisting of a rear view mirror, a driver side mirror and a passenger side mirror.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the component is selected from a group consisting of a steering column and a steering wheel.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the component is at least one pedal selected from a group consisting of an accelerator pedal, a clutch pedal and a brake pedal.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the component is a valve for regulating the flow of gas into or out of an airbag.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said processor means comprise a microcomputer into which the function correlating the outputs from said at least one wave sensor and said weight measuring means and the seated-state of the seat is incorporated.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a seat track position detecting sensor for determining the position of a seat track of the seat and generating an output representative of the position of the seat track of the seat, said processor means receiving the outputs from said at least one wave sensor, said weight measuring means and said seat track position sensor and evaluating the seated-state of the seat based thereon.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a reclining angle detecting sensor for determining the reclining angle of the seat back and generating an output representative of the reclined angle of the seat back, said processor means receiving the outputs from said at least one wave sensor, said weight measuring means and said reclining angle detecting sensor and evaluating the seated-state of the seat based thereon.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising a heart beat sensor for detecting the heart beat of the occupant and generating an output representative thereof, said processor means receiving the outputs from said at least one wave sensor, said weight measuring means and said heart beat sensor and evaluating the seated-state of the seat based thereon.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising a capacitive sensor arranged in connection with the seat for detecting the presence of the occupant and generating an output representative of the presence of the occupant, said processor means receiving the outputs from said at least one wave sensor, said weight measuring means and said capacitive sensor and evaluating the seated-state of the seat based thereon.

15. The system of claim 1, further comprising a motion sensor for detecting movement of the occupant and generating an output representative thereof, said processor means receiving the outputs from said at least one wave sensor, said weight measuring means and said motion sensor and evaluating the seated-state of the seat based thereon.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein said weight measuring means comprise a sensor structured and arranged to identify an adult or a child based on a comparison of the measured weight with a reference value.

17. The system of claim 1, further comprising

height measuring means for measuring the height of the occupant of the seat from the seat, said processor means being coupled to said height measuring means and directing said height measuring means to measure the height of the occupant from the seat when the occupant is determined to be unrestrained by a child seat, said processor means further being arranged to direct said adjustment means to adjust the component based on the output of said height measuring means and on the output of said weight measuring means representative of the measured weight applied onto the seat.

18. The system of claim 1, further comprising

height measuring means for measuring the height of the occupant of the seat from the seat, said processor means being coupled to said height measuring means and directing said height measuring means to measure the height of the occupant from the seat when the occupant is determined to be unrestrained by a child seat, said processor means further being arranged to direct said adjustment means to adjust the component based on the output of said height measuring means.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein said seat further comprises a headrest, said height-measuring means being attached to or at least partially incorporated within said headrest.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the vehicle has a headliner and said height measuring means are attached to said headliner.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein the vehicle has a roof including support pillars and said height measuring means are attached to at least one of said support pillars.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein said weight measuring means are attached to the seat.

23. A method for adjusting a component of a vehicle based on occupancy of a seat, comprising the steps of:

receiving waves from an area of the seat in the passenger compartment and generating an output representative of the received waves;

measuring the weight applied onto the seat and generating an output representative of the measured weight applied onto the seat;

evaluating the seated-state of the seat based on the outputs representative of the received waves and the measured weight applied onto the seat to determine whether the seat is occupied by an object and if the seat is occupied by an object, to identify the object in the seat, and

adjusting the component based on the evaluation of the seated-state thereof,

the step of evaluating the seated-sate of the seat comprising the steps of;

generating a function correlating the outputs representative of the received waves and the measured weight and the seated-state of the seat in a neural network circuit, and

executing the function using the outputs representative of the received waves and the measured weight as input.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the step of evaluating the seated-state of the seat further comprises the step of:

incorporating the correlation function into a microcomputer.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising the steps of:

determining the position of a seat track of the seat and generating an output representative of the position of the seat track of the seat, and

evaluating the seated-state of the seat based on the outputs representative of the received waves and the measured weight and the determined position of the seat track.

26. The method of claim 23, further comprising the steps of:

determining the reclining angle of the seat and generating an output representative of the reclined angle of the seat, and

evaluating the seated-state of the seat based on the outputs representative of the received waves and the measured weight and the determined reclining angle of the seat.

27. The method of claim 23, further comprising the steps of:

comparing the output representative of the measured weight with a reference value, and

identifying an adult or a child based on the comparison of the measured weight with the reference value.

28. In a motor vehicle having a passenger compartment including a seat having a headrest at least one component each adjustable by an occupant of the seat, and respective control means for controlling adjustment of the at least one component, an automatic adjustment system comprising:

first measurement means for measuring a first morphological characteristic of the occupant and generating a first signal based on said first measured morphological characteristic, the first morphological characteristic being the height of the occupant from a bottom of the seat, said first measurement means comprising at least one transducer arranged in and fixed relative to the headrest and structured and arranged to at least receive waves reflected or emananting from the occupant of the seat and displacement means for moving the headrest to a plurality of different positions to thereby enable the height of the occupant to be determined based on the waves reflected from the occupant and received by said at least one transducer,

second measurement means for measuring a second morphological characteristic of the occupant different than said first morphological characteristic and generating a second signal based on said second measured morphological characteristic, and

a processor for determining an optimum position or operation of the at least one component for the occupant based on said first and second measured morphological characteristics, said processor providing a control signal to said respective control means to adjust the at least one component to the optimum position or to provide the optimum operation.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the component is at least one of a backrest of a seat and a bottom portion of a seat and said processor determines an optimum position thereof.

30. The system of claim 28, wherein the component is at least one mirror selected from a group consisting of a rear view mirror, a driver side mirror and a passenger side mirror and said processor determines an optimum position thereof.

31. The system of claim 28, wherein the component is selected from a group consisting of a steering column and a steering wheel and said processor determines an optimum position thereof.

32. The system of claim 28, wherein the component is at least one pedal selected from a group consisting of an accelerator pedal, a clutch pedal and a brake pedal and said processor determines an optimum position thereof.

33. The system of claim 28, wherein the component is a valve for regulating the flow of gas into or out of an airbag and said processor determines optimum operation thereof.

34. The system of claim 28, wherein the second morphological characteristic is selected from a group consisting of the weight of the occupant, the length of the occupant'"'"'s arms, the length of the occupant'"'"'s legs and the inclination of the occupant'"'"'s back relative to the seat.

35. The system of claim 28, wherein the second morphological characteristic is the inclination of the occupant'"'"'s back relative to the seat.

36. The system of claim 28, wherein the second morphological characteristic is the length of the occupant'"'"'s legs.

37. The system of claim 28, wherein the second morphological characteristic is the length of the occupant'"'"'s arms.

38. In a motor vehicle having a passenger compartment including a seat having a headrest, at least one component each adjustable by an occupant of the seat, and respective control means for controlling adjustment of the at least one component, a method for automatically adjustment the component comprising the steps of:

measuring a first morphological characteristic of the occupant and generating a first signal based on said first measured morphological characteristic, said first morphological characteristic being the height of the occupant from a bottom of the seat, said step of measuring the height of the occupant from the bottom of the seat comprising the steps of

arranging at least one transducer in and fixed relative to the headrest, the at least one transducer receiving waves reflected or emanating from the occupant of the seat, and

displacing the headrest to a plurality of different positions to thereby enable the height of the occupant to be determined based on the waves reflected from the occupant and received by the at least one transducer,

measuring a second morphological characteristic of the occupant different than said first morphological characteristic and generating a second signal based on said second measured morphological characteristic,

determining an optimum position or operation of the at least one component for the occupant based on said first and second measured morphological characteristics, and

providing a control signal to said respective control means to adjust the at least one component to the determined optimum position or to provide the optimum operation.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the component is at least one of a backrest of a seat and a bottom portion of a seat that is adjusted by said control means to the optimum position.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein the component is at least one mirror selected from a group consisting of a rear view mirror, a driver side mirror and a passenger side mirror which is adjusted by said control means to the optimum position.

41. The method of claim 38, wherein the component is selected from a group consisting of a steering column and a steering wheel which is adjusted by said control means to the optimum position.

42. The method of claim 38, wherein the component is at least one pedal selected from a group consisting of an accelerator pedal, a clutch pedal and a brake pedal which is adjusted by said control means to the optimum position.

43. The method of claim 38, wherein the component is a valve for regulating the flow of gas into or out of an airbag that is adjusted by said control means to provide the optimum operation thereof.

44. The method of claim 38, further comprising the step of:

selecting the second morphological characteristics from a group consisting of the weight of the occupant, the length of the occupant'"'"'s arms, the length of the occupant'"'"'s legs and the inclination of the occupant'"'"'s back relative to the seat.

45. The method of claim 38, wherein the second morphological characteristic is the inclination of the occupant'"'"'s back relative to the seat.

46. The method of claim 38, wherein the second morphological characteristic is the length of the occupant'"'"'s legs.

47. The method of claim 38, wherein the second morphological characteristic is the length of the occupant'"'"'s arms.