Integrated occupant sensory system
First Claim
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1. An occupant classification system comprising:
- at least one load sensor for determining a weight of a load on a vehicle seat; and
at least one occupant presence detection (OPD) sensor for determining whether the load is an animate occupant based upon a capacitance of the load, wherein the system determines that a child seat is present on the vehicle seat based upon the at least one load sensor determining the weight of the load on the vehicle seat exceeds an empty seat threshold and based upon the OPD sensor indicating that no animate occupant is present.
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Abstract
This invention describes (i) an occupant classification, (ii) a baby seat detection, and (iii) an integrated occupant sensory system. The main goal of the invention is to provide the vehicle'"'"'s restraint device(s) with enough information about the vehicle'"'"'s occupant as to take the most appropriate actions necessary for the safety of the occupant. This invention (or some sub-modules of it) does not have to be restricted to the use in automotive restraint systems as it may be used in several other applications as well.
30 Citations
25 Claims
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1. An occupant classification system comprising:
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at least one load sensor for determining a weight of a load on a vehicle seat; and at least one occupant presence detection (OPD) sensor for determining whether the load is an animate occupant based upon a capacitance of the load, wherein the system determines that a child seat is present on the vehicle seat based upon the at least one load sensor determining the weight of the load on the vehicle seat exceeds an empty seat threshold and based upon the OPD sensor indicating that no animate occupant is present. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for classifying an occupant of a vehicle seat including the steps of:
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a) determining whether a load on the vehicle seat exceeds an empty seat threshold; b) measuring a capacitance of the load on the vehicle seat; c) determining whether the load on the vehicle seat is animate or inanimate based upon the capacitance measured in said step b); and d) determining that a child seat is present based upon a determination in said step a) that the load exceeds the empty seat threshold and a determination in said step c) that the load is inanimate. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for classifying an occupant of a vehicle seat including the steps of:
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a) measuring a load on the vehicle seat; b) determining a position of a head of an occupant of the vehicle seat; and c) classifying the occupant based upon said steps a) and b). - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for classifying an occupant of a vehicle seat including the steps of:
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a) determining a position of a head of an occupant of the vehicle seat; b) determining an angle of inclination of a seat back of the vehicle seat; and c) determining whether the occupant is leaning against the seat bank based upon said steps a) and b). - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification