Signal processing in a vehicle weight classification system

• US 6,677,538 B2
• Filed: 02/23/2001
• Issued: 01/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Reich, Daniel, Lichtinger, Harald, Morell, Scott, Cook, Charles R. Jr., Belau, Horst, Swart, Marten
• Primary Examiner(s): Gibson, Randy
• Application Number:
  US09/791,428
• Publication Number:
  US 20010025730A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,054 Days
• Field of Search: 280/735, 180/273, 701/45, 177/25-1-, 177/136, 177/144, 177/185, 738/626.22, 738/626.27, 738/626.28
• US Class Current: 177/25.13
• 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: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0152 using strain gauges
• 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

Abstract

A vehicle weight classification system recognizes the various factors that influence system performance. Some of the factors are compensated for using analog signal processing circuitry or techniques. Other factors are compensated for using digital signal processing techniques. The unique combination of analog and digital approaches, rather than pure analog or pure digital, provides an effective solution at addressing the various factors that influence signals and system performance in a vehicle weight classification system while keeping the cost and complexity of the system within acceptable limits.

Claims

1. A method of compensating for various influences on a sensor signal that provides an indication of a weight of a seat occupant in a vehicle supplemental restraint system, comprising the steps of:

(A) identifying a plurality of factors that influence the sensor signal, wherein the factors include temperature, sensor offset, signal strength, signal spread, and vehicle seat parameters;

(B) processing the signal using analog signal processing to compensate for at least one of the factors including the sensor offset factor; and

(C) processing the signal using digital signal processing to compensate for at least one other of the factors.

2. The method of claim 1, including compensating for the temperature factor using the analog signal processing.

3. The method of claim 1, including compensating for the signal strength using the digital signal processing.

4. A vehicle weight classification system, comprising:

a plurality of sensors that provide an electrical signal indicative of the weight of a seat occupant;

a signal conditioner associated with each sensor having a first portion that utilizes an analog signal to compensate for at least a sensor offset factor that iufluences the sensor signal and a second portion that utilizes a digital signal to compensate for at least one other factor that influences the sensor signal; and

a controller that receives the conditioned signal and controls a supplemental restraint device.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the signal conditioner first portion compensates for temperature influences on the sensor signal.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the signal conditioner second portion compensates for signal strength.