Vehicle occupant position and velocity sensor

• US RE37,736 E1
• Filed: 08/01/2000
• Issued: 06/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Automotive Technologies International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Automotive Technologies International Incorporated
• Inventors: Patel, Rashik Mangubhai, Castelli, Vittorio, Breed, David S., Johnson, Wendell C., DuVall, Wilbur E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Application Number:
  US09/636,770
• Time in Patent Office: 679 Days
• Field of Search: 280/735, 180/272
• US Class Current: 280/735
• 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 2/0232 electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0248 with memory of positions
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0276 reaction to emergency situations, e.g. crash
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2002/0268 using sensors or detectors for adapting the seat or seat part, e.g. to the position of a passenger
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2002/0272 using sensors or detectors for detecting the position of seat parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors
• 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 2021/0027 Post collision measures, e.g. notifying emergency services
• 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 2022/4825 for sensing amount of belt winded on retractor
• 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 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• 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 21/21656 : 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 25/25 : using biometry
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/04 : Systems determining presence of a target based on relative movement of target G01S13/56
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/06 : 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: G06K 9/00362 : Recognising human body or animal bodies, e.g. vehicle occupant, pedestrian; Recognising body parts, e.g. hand passenger detection systems B60N2/002; handprints G06K9/00006; face and facial components G06K9/00221; eyes G06K9/00597; determining position of passenger G06T7/70

Abstract

An occupant position sensor utilizing either ultrasonic, microwave or optical technologies, or seatbelt spool out and seat position sensors, are used as inputs to the primary vehicle crash sensor circuit to permit the longest possible sensing time before the occupant gets proximate to the airbag and is in danger of being injured by the deploying airbag. The sensor further disables the inflatable restraint system if the occupant is in danger of being injured by the system deployment. Separate systems are used for the driver and passenger to permit the optimum decision to be made for each occupant.

Claims

1. In a motor vehicle containing an inflatable passive restraint system and a seat, a human occupant presence sensor comprising:

(a) wave generator means;

(b) means for mounting said wave generator to direct said waves toward said vehicle seat;

(c) receptor means for receiving said waves which have been reflected from multiple points from the direction of said seat; and

(d) pattern recognition means utilizing said received reflected waves at said receptor means to determine the presence of a human occupant in said seat.

2. In a motor vehicle having a human occupant, a vehicle human occupant chest position sensor comprising:

at least one transmitter for transmitting waves toward said occupant;

means for varying the direction of transmission of said transmitted waves over time whereby the center of the cross-section of said transmitted wave strikes said occupant at different points over time;

at least one receiver for receiving waves from said transmitter and reflected off of said occupant;

pattern recognition means for analyzing the signal waves received by said receiver to determine the position of said chest.

3. The invention in accordance with claim 2 wherein said transmitted waves are radar waves and said receiver comprises a single axis antenna.

4. In a motor vehicle having a human occupant, a passive restraint in front of said occupant, an instrument panel, a windshield header, and a rear view mirror, said occupant having ahead and a chest, a vehicle human occupant position sensor comprising:

a) at least one transmitter for transmitting waves toward said occupant, said waves illuminating said chest of said occupant;

b) at least one receiver for receiving said transmitted waves which have been reflected off of said chest of said occupant, each said receiver producing a signal characteristic of waves received at said receiver;

c) means to mount at least one of said transmitters and at least one of said receivers onto said vehicle above the top surface of said instrument panel of said vehicle;

d) analysis means connected to said at least one receiver, said means analyzing said at least one signal to determine the distance from said chest of said occupant to said passive restraint; and

e) means to respond to said determined distance from said chest of said occupant to said passive restraint to affect the deployment of said passive restraint.

5. The invention in accordance with claim 4 wherein said mounting location above the top surface of said instrument panel of said vehicle comprises said rear view mirror.

6. The invention in accordance with claim 4 wherein said mounting location above the top surface of said instrument panel of said vehicle comprises said windshield header.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, said analysis means further comprising pattern recognition means.

8. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said waves are ultrasonic waves.

9. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said waves are electromagnetic waves.

10. The occupant position sensor of claim 4 comprising at least two of said transmitters and at least two said receivers.

11. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein at least one of said receivers comprises a charge coupled device.

12. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said means to respond further comprises circuitry to disable the deployment of said passive restraint.

13. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said restraint is inflatable.

14. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the rate at which distance measurements are made using ultrasonic waves is such that said rate exceeds:

two times the minimum distance to the occupant divided by the velocity of sound, said transmissions occurring such that associated receptions are known and distinguishable.

15. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said responsive means further comprises an alarm.

16. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising means to modulate the waves transmitted by said at least one transmitter.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said modulations is frequency modulation.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said modulation is amplitude modulation.

19. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein at least one said transmitter transmits infrared waves toward said chest and head of said occupant, said transmitter further comprising

a) means to modulate said transmitted waves with a first signal at a first frequency;

b) means to generate a second signal, said second signal having a second frequency slightly different from said first signal;

c) at least one infrared receiver for receiving said waves transmitted from said transmitter and reflected off of said occupant, said receiver providing a third signal corresponding to said first frequency but shifted in phase;

said apparatus further comprising

i) means to combine said first signal with said second signal to produce a first beat signal;

ii) means to combine said third signal with said second signal to produce a second beat signal; and

iii) means to detect a phase shift between said first beat signal and said second beat signal, said phase shift being a measure of the distance of the occupant from said transmitter.

20. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein there are two spaced apart receivers, each said receiver comprising a charge coupled device.

21. In a motor vehicle having both driver and front seated passenger inflatable restraint systems, a driver having a chest and head and a front seated passenger, a dual deployment system comprising:

crash sensor means for determining that a vehicle is experiencing a crash;

deployment means for deploying the driver inflatable restraint system;

deployment means for deploying the passenger inflatable restraint system;

means for determining the position and velocity of the head of said driver relative to said driver inflatable restraint;

means for preventing or delaying the deployment of said driver restraint system based on the position and velocity of said driver'"'"'s head;

means for determining the position and velocity of said front seated passenger relative to said passenger inflatable restraint; and

means independent of said driver position and velocity, for preventing or delaying the deployment of said passenger restraint system based on the position and velocity of said passenger.