U.S. patent application number 17/181821 was filed with the patent office on 2021-08-12 for occupant detection and classification system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition LLC. Invention is credited to Jeffrey Bennett, David Haggitt, Phillip Bernard Maguire, Daniel Tabar.
Application Number | 20210245630 17/181821 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005553196 |
Filed Date | 2021-08-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210245630 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Maguire; Phillip Bernard ;
et al. |
August 12, 2021 |
OCCUPANT DETECTION AND CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
Abstract
An occupant detection system includes a controller, a sensing
electrode, and a shield electrode, the electrodes disposed in a
vehicle seat. The controller is electrically coupled to the sensing
electrode and shield electrode by a sensing circuit. The controller
is configured to send an input signal to the sensing electrode, the
shield electrode, or both and measures current, impedance, or
capacitance values to determine the presence of an object on the
seat, to classify the object, or both.
Inventors: |
Maguire; Phillip Bernard;
(Auburn Hills, MI) ; Tabar; Daniel; (Auburn Hills,
MI) ; Haggitt; David; (Auburn Hills, MI) ;
Bennett; Jeffrey; (Auburn Hills, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition LLC |
Auburn Hills |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005553196 |
Appl. No.: |
17/181821 |
Filed: |
February 22, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15655542 |
Jul 20, 2017 |
10926662 |
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17181821 |
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62364786 |
Jul 20, 2016 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 2022/4858 20130101;
B60R 2022/4866 20130101; B60R 22/48 20130101; B60R 2021/0032
20130101; B60N 2/002 20130101; B60R 21/015 20130101; G01N 27/228
20130101; B60R 2021/01211 20130101; B60R 21/01 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60N 2/00 20060101
B60N002/00; B60R 21/015 20060101 B60R021/015; B60R 21/01 20060101
B60R021/01; B60R 22/48 20060101 B60R022/48; G01N 27/22 20060101
G01N027/22 |
Claims
1. A system for classifying an occupant in a vehicle comprising: at
least one pair of occupant classification sensors, each occupant
classification sensor having a sensing electrode mountable in a
seat bottom of a vehicle seat and a shield electrode located in the
vehicle seat opposite the sensing electrode; a respective sensing
circuit operatively coupled to the respective sensing electrode and
shield electrode for each occupant classification sensor in the at
least one pair; a controller comprising computer memory operatively
coupled to the respective sensing circuits, wherein the controller
operates to configure the respective sensing circuits into a
plurality of circuit configurations; and wherein in the circuit
configurations the sensing electrode and the shield electrode are
electrically coupled to the sensing circuit, wherein the controller
sends a control signal to the sensing circuit, and measures a
plurality of sensing current measurements, each sensing current
measurement corresponding to one of the circuit configurations,
wherein the sensing circuit is further configured to detect a
change in at least one current characteristic of sensing current on
at least one pair of sensing electrodes due to the presence of the
object located on the vehicle seat, wherein the sensing circuits
corresponding to the at least one pair of sensing electrodes
provide, to the controller, a respective output signal
corresponding to a respective change in the sensing current on the
respective sensing electrodes, wherein the memory stores threshold
data establishing occupant classifications according to threshold
boundaries, and wherein the controller uses the respective output
signals as a coordinate pair to identify a respective occupant
classification for the coordinate pair relative to the threshold
boundaries.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller utilizes the
threshold boundaries stored in the memory and evaluates the
coordinate pair relative to the threshold boundaries to identify
the respective occupant classification for the coordinate pair.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller operates to
configure the respective sensing circuits into four circuit
configurations for each occupant classification sensor.
4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a left side occupant
classification sensor and a right side occupant classification
sensor, wherein the coordinate system comprises x-axis values and
y-axis values, and wherein the x-axis values are Q values
representing magnitudes of quadrature components of left side
sensing current on a left side sensing electrode and the y-axis
values represent additional magnitudes of quadrature components of
right side sensing currents on a right side sensing electrode.
5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a front occupant
classification sensor and a rear occupant classification sensor,
wherein the coordinate system comprises x-axis values and y-axis
values, and wherein the x-axis values are Q values representing
magnitudes of the quadrature components of front sensing current on
a front sensing electrode and the y-axis values represent
additional magnitudes of quadrature components of rear sensing
current on a rear sensing electrode.
6. The system of claim 1, the controller calculates impedance
between the shield electrode and the corresponding sensing
electrode, based on the change in current, to classify the
object.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the controller determines whether
to activate a seat belt indicator or an air bag.
8. The system of claim 6, wherein a compressible material is
disposed between the sensing electrode and the shield
electrode.
9. The system of claim 1, further comprising additional pairs of
occupant classification sensors positioned in respective zones of a
vehicle seat.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the threshold data establishes a
first threshold boundary between a 6 year old child classification
and a 5.sup.th percentile female classification such that the
controller compares the coordinate pair of the output signals to
the first threshold boundary to identify the occupant
classification for the coordinate pair.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein the threshold data establishes a
second threshold boundary between a 5.sup.th percentile female
classification and a 50.sup.th percentile male classification such
that the controller compares the coordinate pair of the output
signals to the second threshold boundary to identify the occupant
classification for the coordinate pair.
12. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one occupant
classification sensor is positioned proximately to a pan region of
a base portion of the vehicle seat, and wherein at least one other
occupant classification sensor is positioned proximately to a
springs region of a base portion of the vehicle seat.
13. The system of claim 1, wherein the threshold boundaries and the
output signals are applied to a coordinate system as impedance
values for the respective occupant classification sensors.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the controller overlays
multiple sets of coordinate pairs onto a coordinate system that
establishes the threshold boundaries such that output signals for
multiple pairs of occupant classification sensors are compared by
the controller and assigned occupant classifications relative to
the threshold data.
15. A system for classifying objects positioned on a vehicle seat
within a vehicle, the system comprising: a first occupant
classification sensor secured to a front region of the vehicle
seat; a second occupant classification sensor secured to a rear
region of the vehicle seat; wherein each occupant classification
sensor has a sensing electrode positioned oppositely a shield
electrode; a respective sensing circuit operatively coupled to the
respective sensing electrode and shield electrode for each occupant
classification sensor; a controller comprising computer memory
operatively coupled to the respective sensing circuits, wherein the
controller operates to configure the respective sensing circuits
into a plurality of circuit configurations; and wherein in the
circuit configurations, the sensing electrode and the shield
electrode are electrically coupled to the sensing circuit, wherein
the controller sends a control signal to the sensing circuit and
measures a plurality of sensing current measurements, each sensing
current measurement corresponding to one of the circuit
configurations, wherein the sensing circuit is further configured
to detect a change in at least one current characteristic of
sensing current on at least one pair of sensing electrodes due to
the presence of the object located on the vehicle seat, wherein the
sensing circuits corresponding to the at least one pair of sensing
electrodes provide, to the controller, a respective output signal
corresponding to a respective change in sensing current on the
respective sensing electrodes, wherein the memory stores threshold
data establishing occupant classifications according to threshold
boundaries in a coordinate system comprising Q values of the first
occupant classification sensor on an x-axis and additional Q values
of the second occupant classification sensor on the y-axis, wherein
Q values represent magnitudes of the quadrature components of
sensing current signals on respective sensing electrodes of each
occupant classification sensor and wherein the controller uses the
respective output signals as a coordinate pair to place within the
coordinate system and identify a respective occupant classification
for the coordinate pair.
16. A system according to claim 15, wherein the front region
corresponds to a pan region of a vehicle seat base.
17. A system according to claim 15, wherein the rear region
corresponds to a springs region of a vehicle seat base.
18. A system according to claim 15, wherein the first occupant
classification sensor is elongated in comparison to the second
occupant classification sensor.
19. A system according to claim 15, wherein the sensing electrode
and the shield electrode comprise copper tape plates separated by
elastomeric spacers.
20. A system according to claim 15, wherein the elastomeric spacers
have a hardness measurement in the range of 35 durometers to 45
durometers.
21.-24. (canceled)
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to and incorporates by
reference pending provisional patent application Ser. No.
62/364,786 entitled Occupant Detection and Classification System
filed on Jul. 20, 2016.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of
capacitive sensing systems and sensing methods. More specifically,
the disclosure relates to capacitive sensing systems and sensing
methods for a vehicle seat.
[0003] There is a need for a system and method for accurate
differentiation of an occupant from an object placed on a seat in
an occupant classification system. In earlier occupant
classification systems, an occupant detection system may comprise a
seat weight sensor and an electric field sensor, each operatively
connected to a controller for detecting an occupant in a vehicle.
The seat weight sensor is adapted to generate a measure of weight
upon the vehicle seat, e.g. upon the associated seat bottom. The
electric field sensor comprises at least one electrode located, for
example, in the seat bottom under the seat cover and close to the
top of a foam cushion, and adapted to enable a type of occupant or
object that may be upon the seat bottom of the vehicle seat to be
distinguished.
[0004] The seat weight sensor is responsive to a force upon the
vehicle seat. The seat weight sensor, for example, may comprise one
or more load cells operatively coupled to at least one load path
between the seat bottom and the vehicle, e.g. between the seat
frame and the floor pan of the vehicle, e.g. at the corners of the
seat frame, so as to measure the weight of the entire vehicle seat
and objects or occupants placed thereon. For example, the one or
more load cells could use a strain gage, a magnetic-restrictive
sensing element, a force sensitive resistive element, or another
type of sensing element to measure the associated load. For
example, the seat weight sensor may be constructed in accordance
with the teachings of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,905,210, 6,069,325 or
6,323,444, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0005] The seat weight sensor may alternately comprise at least one
mass sensing element, e.g. a force sensitive resistive element, a
membrane switch element, a pressure sensitive resistive contact, a
pressure pattern sensor, a strain gage, a bend sensor, or a
hydrostatic weight sensing element, operatively coupled to one or
more seating surfaces in the seat base or seat back, e.g. in
accordance with the teachings of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,918,696,
5,927,427, 5,957,491, 5,979,585, 5,984,349, 5,986,221, 6,021,863,
6,045,155, 6,076,853, 6,109,117 or 6,056,079, each of which is
incorporated herein by reference. For example, the seat sensor may
comprise a hydrostatic sensing element--e.g. a fluid containing
bladder, underneath the seat cover of the seat bottom and supported
by the seat frame--wherein a pressure sensor operatively connected
to the bladder measures the pressure of the fluid contained therein
so as to provide a measure of occupant weight. The pressure sensor
is operatively connected to the controller so as to provide a
pressure signal thereto, which determines a measure of weight
therefrom. A seat weight sensor within the cushion of the vehicle
seat e.g. in the seat bottom only, would typically not be as
accurate as a seat weight sensor that measures the weight of the
entire vehicle seat but would still provide information about the
weight of an occupant on the vehicle seat sufficient for the
occupant detection system to control a restraint actuator, e.g. an
air bag inflator module, responsive thereto. The particular type of
seat weight sensor is not considered to be limiting. The seat
weight sensor may, for example, be integrated with either the seat
frame or the seat bottom.
[0006] As used herein, the term "electric field sensor" refers to a
sensor that generates a signal responsive to the influence of that
being sensed, upon an electric field. Generally, an electric field
sensor comprises at least one electrode to which is applied at
least one applied signal; and at least one electrode--which could
be the same electrode or electrodes to which the applied signal is
applied--at which a received signal (or response) is measured. The
applied signal generates an electric field from the at least one
electrode to a ground in the environment of the at least one
electrode, or to another at least one electrode. The applied and
received signals can be associated with the same electrode or
electrodes, or with different electrodes. The particular electric
field associated with a given electrode or set of electrodes is
dependent upon the nature and geometry of the electrode or set of
electrodes and upon the nature of the surroundings thereto, for
example, the dielectric properties of the surroundings. For a fixed
electrode geometry, the received signal or signals of an electric
field sensor are responsive to the applied signal or signals and to
the nature of the environment influencing the resulting electric
field, for example to the presence and location of an object having
a permittivity or conductivity different from that of its
surroundings.
[0007] One form of electric field sensor is a capacitive sensor,
wherein the capacitance of one or more electrodes is measured--from
the relationship between received and applied signals--for a given
electrode configuration. The technical paper "Field mice:
Extracting hand geometry from electric field measurements" by J. R.
Smith, published in IBM Systems Journal, Vol. 35, Nos. 3 & 4,
1996, pp. 587-608, incorporated herein by reference, describes the
concept of electric field sensing as used for making non-contact
three-dimensional position measurements, and more particularly for
sensing the position of a human hand for purposes of providing
three dimensional positional inputs to a computer. What has
commonly been referred to as capacitive sensing actually comprises
the distinct mechanisms of what the author refers to as "loading
mode," "shunt mode", and "transmit mode" which correspond to
various possible electric current pathways. In the "shunt mode", a
voltage oscillating at low frequency is applied to a transmit
electrode, and the displacement current induced at a receive
electrode is measured with a current amplifier, whereby the
displacement current may be modified by the body being sensed. In
the "loading mode", the object to be sensed modifies the
capacitance of a transmit electrode relative to ground. In the
"transmit mode", the transmit electrode is put into circuit
transmission with the user's body, which then becomes a transmitter
relative to a receiver, either by direct electrical connection or
via capacitive coupling.
[0008] Accordingly, the electric field sensor is either what is
commonly known as a capacitive sensor, or more generally an
electric field sensor operating in any of the above described
modes. The electric field sensor comprises at least one electrode
operatively coupled to at least one applied signal so as to
generate an electric field proximate to the at least one electrode,
responsive to the applied signal. The applied signal, for example,
comprises either an oscillating or pulsed signal. At least one
electrode is operatively coupled to a sensing circuit that outputs
at least one response signal responsive to the electric field at
the corresponding electrode wherein the response signal is
responsive to at least one electric-field-influencing property--for
example, dielectric constant, conductivity, size, mass or
distance--of an object proximate to the electric field sensor. For
example, for the electric field sensor as a capacitance sensor, the
sensing circuit measures the capacitance of at least one electrode
with respect to either another electrode or with respect to a
surrounding ground, for example, a seat frame of the vehicle seat,
connected to circuit ground. The at least one applied signal is,
for example, generated by the sensing circuit that also outputs the
at least one response signal. The sensing circuit and associated at
least one applied signal may be adapted to be responsive to the
influence of a water soaked vehicle seat, on measurements from the
electric field sensor.
[0009] The electric field sensor generates an electric field from
the applied signal applied to at least one electrode and senses
objects proximate to the associated at least one electrode, for
example in the seat bottom of a vehicle seat, from the influence of
the electric field on the response signal. The at least one
electrode of the electric field sensor, the applied signal applied
thereto, and the sensitivity of the sensing circuit are all adapted
so that the electric field sensor is, for example, substantially
non-responsive to objects that are more than 50 mm above the seat
bottom but is substantially responsive to occupants that are
normally seated directly on the vehicle seat.
[0010] The at least one electrode of the electric field sensor is
adapted so as to provide for distinguishing seating conditions for
which a restraint actuator, for example an air bag inflator module,
should be deployed from seating conditions for which the restraint
actuator should not be deployed, so as to avoid causing more injury
to an occupant than the occupant would otherwise incur without the
deployment of the restraint actuator. For example, the electrode is
adapted so that a capacitance of the at least one electrode with
respect to a circuit ground is substantially greater for a seating
condition for which the restraint actuator should be deployed, for
example an occupant seated in substantially normal seating position
on the vehicle seat or a large body immediately above the seat
bottom; than for a seating condition for which the restraint
actuator should not be deployed, for example an empty vehicle seat,
an infant, child, or booster seat on the vehicle seat with or
without an infant or child seated therein, or an occupant on the
vehicle seat in a position that is substantially different from a
normal seating position. The at least one electrode is, for
example, located under the seat cover and substantially the same
size as a region to be sensed on the vehicle seat, extending from
near the back of the seat bottom to near the front of the seat
bottom. As described herein below, sections of the at least one
electrode are removed or selectively shielded so as to selectively
reduce the sensitivity thereof proximate to regions where an infant
or child, in an infant, child, or booster seat, is closest to the
vehicle seat, so as to provide for distinguishing between a child
seated in a child seat and an occupant that is seated directly on
the vehicle seat. Responsive to a child in a child seat on the
vehicle seat, the increase in capacitance of the electrode of the
electric field sensor in the seat bottom, relative to that of an
empty vehicle seat, is relatively small.
[0011] Stated in another way, the electric field sensor has a
relatively short range and principally senses an occupant when a
large surface of the occupant is relatively close to the sensor.
Occupants normally seated directly on the seat cover typically have
a large surface of their body relatively close to the electrode.
When infants or children are in child seats, most of their body is
elevated several inches off the seat bottom surface, resulting in a
relatively small influence upon the electric field sensor. The
electric field sensor in the seat bottom distinguishes between a
large body immediately above the seat cover--for example a normally
seated, forward facing occupant in the seat--and an infant or child
seat--including rear facing, front facing and booster
seats--located on a vehicle seat. When the vehicle seat contains a
child seat (including a rear facing infant seats, a forward facing
child seat and a booster seats), or when the vehicle seat is empty,
no forward facing occupant is detected near to the seat bottom and,
as a result, the electric field sensor causes the restraint
actuator to be disabled.
[0012] An electrode of the electric field sensor may be constructed
in a variety of ways, and the method of construction is not
considered limiting. For example, an electrode may be constructed
using rigid circuit board or a flexible circuit using known printed
circuit board techniques such as etching or deposition of
conductive materials applied to a dielectric substrate.
Alternately, an electrode may comprise a discrete conductor, such
as a conductive film, sheet or mesh that is distinct from or an
integral part of the vehicle seat or components thereof. The
assembly of one or more electrodes together with the associated
substrate is sometimes referred to as a sensing pad or a capacitive
sensing pad.
[0013] The above described technology has also been incorporated in
occupant classification systems using a heater as a sensor. The
seat may include a heater controller to regulate the heaters in the
seat bottom and/or the seat back and an electronic control unit
(ECU) coupled to the sensors in the seat bottom and/or seat back to
detect and categorize an object or occupant in the seat. The ECU
may include sensing and measurement circuits. If the sensor is
integrated into the heater system, the heater controller and the
ECU may be connected in series such that power and/or control
signals may be provided to the conductor (i.e., sensing and heater
device) by, for example, the heater controller through the ECU.
While the heater controller and the ECU are often provided under
the seat bottom of a vehicle, in various embodiments the heater
controller may be provided elsewhere in the vehicle.
[0014] Up to now, the Occupant Classification Systems of the prior
art have depended upon either the above noted capacitive sensing
methods or a seat weight rail system. A seat weight rail system
measures deflection of the seat rails and determines a weight on
the seat. This gives 5 states of measurement: 1 yo, 3 yo, 6 yo, 5th
female, 50th male. This system is expensive and heavy (a concern
for electric vehicles).
[0015] Embodiments of an Occupant Classification System using seat
weight rail systems, capacitive sensing, and heater as a sensor
embodiments have been heavily scrutinized by regulatory bodies in
the United States and abroad. For example, in the United States,
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards No. 208 (FMVSS 208) has
recognized deficiencies in the use of capacitive sensing and heater
as a sensor embodiments for occupant classification. In particular,
these prior embodiments do not adequately provide clear occupant
classification distinctions between vehicle occupants that, with
the technology described above, must be grouped together. For
example, in the case of capacitive sensing, the system is not
accurate enough to provide classification beyond "large" (e.g., 5th
percentile sized female and larger) and "small" (infant or empty
vehicle seat). A system of occupant classification, using
capacitive sensing, for example, may distinguish a general division
in classes with infant-female separation in weight classes
providing the only classification threshold. This threshold,
however, does not provide the best resolution to distinguish the
characteristics of occupants within the large and small
categories.
[0016] Infant-Female separation is a weight based measurement
system using capacitance as described above but only provides a two
state solution. Several publicly available charts promulgated by
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show how the
United States regulation FMVSS 208 has mapped certain
un-identifiable and non-classifiable grey zones in traditional
occupant classification systems, namely a system using a heater as
a sensor technology for capacitive sensing. The grey zones in these
public documents reflect that currently used occupant systems are
largely ineffective to determine physical characteristics, and
associated safety protocols, when occupants are between the
traditional small and large classifications (e.g., small adults
sized larger than a six year old child and smaller than a 5.sup.th
percentile female, as well as adults sized between 5.sup.th
percentile females and 50.sup.th percentile males). The following
table shows certain categories used today to illustrate occupant
classification: in the chart of FIG. 1A:
TABLE-US-00001 1 YO 1 Year Old Infant 3 YO 3 Year Old Child 6 YO 6
Year Old Child 5.sup.th Fe 5.sup.th Percentile Female by Weight -
Live 50.sup.th Male 50.sup.th Percentile Male by Weight - Live
[0017] Again, these categories show unreliable grey zones between a
six year old child and a small adult who can weigh significantly
less than 100 pounds. The same kind of grey zone is present between
females weighing over 120 pounds and men weighing, for example,
under 135 pounds. Accuracy in these categories is extremely
important in regulations dictating how vehicle manufacturers design
vehicle seats, air bag deployment statuses, and numerous safety
features in a vehicle. Upon the above considerations, new
guidelines from regulatory bodies such as the United States New Car
Assessment Program via the National Highway and Transportation
Safety Administration require improved occupant classification
technologies to remedy the grey zones in traditional classification
systems. In fact, certain prior art technology, such as older seat
track position sensors, will no longer be allowed for occupant
classification purposes.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0018] In one embodiment, this disclosure describes a system for
classifying an occupant in a vehicle, wherein the system includes
at least one pair of occupant classification sensors, each occupant
classification sensor having a sensing electrode mountable in a
seat bottom of a vehicle seat and a shield electrode located in the
vehicle seat opposite the sensing electrode. A respective sensing
circuit operatively couples to the respective sensing electrode and
shield electrode for each occupant classification sensor in the at
least one pair. A controller having access to computer memory
operatively couples to the respective sensing circuits. The
controller operates to configure the respective sensing circuits
into a plurality of circuit configurations, wherein, within the
circuit configurations, the sensing electrode and the shield
electrode are electrically coupled to the sensing circuit. The
controller sends a control signal to the sensing circuit and
measures a plurality of sensing current measurements. Each sensing
current measurement corresponds to one of the circuit
configurations, wherein the sensing circuit is further configured
to detect a change in at least one current characteristic of
sensing current on at least one pair of sensing electrodes due to
the presence of the object located on the vehicle seat. The sensing
circuits corresponding to the at least one pair of sensing
electrodes provide, to the controller, a respective output signal
corresponding to a respective change in the sensing current on the
respective sensing electrodes. The memory stores threshold data
establishing occupant classifications according to threshold
boundaries, and the controller uses the respective output signals
as a coordinate pair to identify a respective occupant
classification for the coordinate pair relative to the threshold
boundaries.
[0019] In another embodiment, the memory stores threshold data
establishing occupant classifications according to threshold
boundaries in a coordinate system comprising Q values of the first
occupant classification sensor on an x-axis and additional Q values
of the second occupant classification sensor on the y-axis, wherein
Q values represent magnitudes of the quadrature components of
sensing current signals on respective sensing electrodes of each
occupant classification sensor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent from the following
description and the accompanying exemplary embodiments shown in the
drawings, which are briefly described below.
[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle seat
incorporating occupant classification features, according to
exemplary embodiments.
[0022] FIGS. 2A-2C are schematic diagrams of a capacitive sensing
system, according to exemplary embodiments.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the occupant detection system
according to one exemplary embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a schematic of a multi-zone occupant
classification sensor arrangement as disclosed herein.
[0025] FIG. 5 is a schematic showing threshold characteristics of
three classes identified with the embodiments of an occupant
classification system as described herein.
[0026] FIG. 6A is a schematic illustration of a vehicle seat base
having a front pan region and a rear springs region according to
embodiments of this invention.
[0027] FIG. 6B is a schematic illustration of a vehicle seat
similar to FIG. 6A and illustrating usable space in the vehicle
seat base for an occupant classification system as described
herein.
[0028] FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a perspective view of
the vehicle seat base of FIG. 6A.
[0029] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a front and rear occupant
classification sensor on a support structure for installing into a
vehicle seat as described herein.
[0030] FIG. 9A is a top plan view of the vehicle seat of FIG. 6A
having occupant classification sensor placement superimposed
thereon as an example embodiment of sensor placement.
[0031] FIG. 9B is a top plan view of the vehicle seat of FIG. 6A
having a different embodiment of an occupant classification sensor
placement superimposed thereon as an example embodiment of split or
dual sensor placement.
[0032] FIG. 10 is a plot of an occupant classification threshold
boundary system utilizing an x-y coordinate system configured from
quadrature components of sensing current measurements as
ordinates.
[0033] FIG. 11 is a plot of an occupant classification threshold
boundary system utilizing an x-y coordinate system configured from
quadrature components of sensing current measurements as
ordinates.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] The figures illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail.
However, it should be understood that the application is not
limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description
or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that
the terminology is for the purpose of description only and should
not be regarded as limiting.
[0035] A capacitive or electric field type sensor for use in an
occupant classification system or occupant sensing system (for
example, a system to detect occupancy of a vehicle seat) may be
implemented in many ways. For example, according to one embodiment,
an AC current may be provided to a sensing electrode located in a
vehicle seat. The current or change in the current to the sensor
may be measured and used as an indicator of the impedance from the
sensing electrode to ground. In certain vehicle seat
configurations, a seat heater may be provided.
[0036] In an occupant classification system, the occupant is
classified using information from sensors that sense
characteristics about the object located on a vehicle seat. Some
systems sense the total weight on the seat. When a capacitive
sensor is used to classify the occupant, the environment above the
seat cover is sensed using various techniques to identify the
dielectric and conductive properties of the occupant. A conductive
sensing element is placed in the seat and, according to one
embodiment, the impedance from the electrode to ground may be used
as an indicator of the occupant situation above the seat cover.
[0037] The occupant detection and classification system is
configured so that the environment below the seating surface does
not influence the classification of the occupant. When a seat
heater is provided, typically a resistive heater is employed. A
resistive heater is essentially a grounded wire or conductor
located in the vehicle seat. The sensing electrode for an occupant
classification and detection system may be placed above the seat
heater. If the orientation between the sensing electrode and the
heater changes, the offset capacitance will change and the change
may result in a negative impact on the ability of the system to
accurately classify the occupant. For example, the detection system
may be configured to include an offset for the measurement of an
empty seat conduction. If the empty seat offset of the measurement
drifts significantly (e.g., due to a change in orientation of the
electrode and heater), the system may not accurately classify the
occupant.
[0038] According to various exemplary embodiments, a sensing system
for automotive occupant classification may use various conductors
in the seat as sensing electrodes. For example, the sensing system
may include a "sensor" conductor or assembly located proximate a
"shield" conductor. These two conductors, often embodied in
non-limiting examples as planar electrodes, are collectively
referred to in this application as an "occupant classification
sensor." In the embodiments described herein, therefore, an
"occupant classification sensor" has two components, namely the
sensor portion and an accompanying shield.
[0039] The "sensor" and "shield" designations for either electrode
may be reversed as noted below. The terms "upper" and "lower" refer
to respective positions for electrodes in a vehicle seat in which
the upper electrode is positioned between the lower electrode and
an occupant sitting in the seat. In other words, an upper electrode
typically rests between a vehicle ceiling and a vehicle floor with
the lower electrode between the upper electrode and the vehicle
floor. Similarly, right and left designations as used herein are
from the perspective of a user viewing the vehicle seat from the
steering wheel or front windshield generally, as oriented in FIG.
5. References to edges and surfaces designated as proximate and
distal are from the perspective of an occupant's spine or back in
an upright position on the seat. Some embodiments may refer to a
first axis laterally extending across a vehicle seat from a left
edge of the seat bottom to a right edge of the seat bottom (i.e.,
left and right designations are synonymous with edges of the
vehicle seat facing respective vehicle doors for occupant entry).
Another axis may include a center line extending from a front edge
to a rear edge of the seat bottom (i.e., front and rear
designations are synonymous with seat edges facing a front hood and
a rear trunk of the vehicle).
[0040] In any given embodiment, the "shield" conductor is
configured to reduce sensitivity of the sensing system to or
interference from objects opposite the shield (e.g., when the lower
planar electrode is the shield, the shield prevents interference
from a lower positioned seat pan, seat heater, etc.; when the upper
planar electrode is the shield, the shield prevents interference
from objects on the seat). In one embodiment, due to the provision
of a shield electrode, the occupant sensing system may be
maintained in the same sensing configuration for sensing objects
above the seat while the shield prevents the system from sensing of
objects below the sensing electrode. A capacitive sensing occupant
classification system may use the measurements obtained from a
sensing electrode to classify the occupant of a vehicle seat, and
to determine whether to remind the occupant to buckle their seat
belt.
[0041] According to other exemplary embodiments, a sensing system
may use multiple electrodes on opposite sides of a thick piece of
foam or any other elastomeric spacer. The electrodes themselves may
be, without limitation, copper plates of appropriate thickness,
e.g., copper tape. Measurements may be made while the electrodes
are in various configurations. According to still other exemplary
embodiments, a sensing system may combine or integrate weight
sensing concepts with capacitive sensing concepts into a single
system. The integrated system may use weight pressure information
along with capacitive information to identify the occupant
situation and produce a preferred classification.
[0042] Each of the electrodes in the seat back and seat bottom may
be incorporated into a sensor pad or any other support structure as
shown in FIG. 8. The sensor pad may include a layered structure.
The sensor pad and sensing electrode may be constructed in a
variety of ways, and the method of construction is not considered
limiting. For example, the sensor pad may be constructed using a
rigid or a flexible circuit board using known printed circuit board
techniques such as etching or deposition of conductive materials
applied to a dielectric substrate. Alternately, the sensor pad may
be the foam cushion or seat pad itself with a discrete conductor,
such as a conductive film, sheet or mesh, as the sensing element As
described above, the sensing electrode may function as the seat
heating element so as to provide a comfortable seating environment
for the occupant. If heating is included, a temperature sensor may
be disposed near an output of the heating element, which may be
used for controlling the temperature of the seat. The controller
may include a temperature controller that incorporates a
temperature measuring circuit which can receive measurements from
the temperature sensor to determine the temperature of the sensor
pad and a temperature generating circuit which may provide a signal
to the heating element in order to control its operation so that a
desired temperature of the seat can be maintained in a closed-loop
process. The sensor pad may further include a shielding electrode
for shielding the sensing electrode from interference from
surrounding conductive components.
[0043] According to various exemplary embodiments, a sensing system
may use electronic methods for making capacitive measurements
(e.g., using high frequency current measurements or other methods).
The sensor assembly materials may include any type of conductive
material for the electrodes (e.g., copper, conductive inks,
conductive fabrics, etc.) and any compressible material for the
spacer between the sensor and the shield (e.g., non-woven felts,
woven materials, foams, polymers, dielectrics, materials used to
allow air flow for forced air climate control seats, or any other
material that will significantly compress at pressures under 1
psi).
[0044] Referring generally to the figures, an occupant
classification system is described that uses a sensor (e.g., a
capacitive vehicle sensor) to detect seat occupancy and to detect a
weight on the seat. The occupant classification system may
generally include a sensor and a shield. For one embodiment
accomplishing occupant sensing, the sensor may be oriented above
the shield to reduce the influence that objects located under the
shield (e.g., a seat heater) have on sensor measurements. The
classification system may include a weight or force sensing
capability. When sensing the weight, the sensor and shield may
switch orientations (e.g., via electronic switching) with the
sensor oriented below the shield to reduce the influence objects
placed on top of the seat (e.g., electronic devices) have on sensor
measurements. The occupant sensing and weight or force sensing
measurements may be used together to determine whether an object on
the seat is a person and may reduce the false detection of objects
as people.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle 10 is shown with an occupant
12 in a seat 14 of the vehicle 10, according to an exemplary
embodiment. The seat 14 may include an occupant classification and
detection system 16. As shown in FIG. 1, the occupant
classification system 16 may generally be located in the seat 14
below the area in which an occupant 12 of the vehicle 10 sits, or
may be located in other areas of the seat 14 or vehicle 10.
[0046] The occupant classification system 16 may generally include
a sensor, a shield, and electronics for sensing and classifying the
occupancy of the seat 14. For example, the sensor may be used to
provide measurements that correspond to the effect of an object on
the sensor due to both the conductivity and weight of the object.
Measurements from the sensor may be evaluated to determine the
existence of an object or occupant in the seat 14. The occupant
classification system 16 may include or be configured to operate in
conjunction with a seat heating system and/or other systems for the
seat 14 of the vehicle 10.
[0047] The occupant classification system 16 includes a capacitive
or electric field sensor that includes a sensing electrode. The
capacitive sensor may generally be capable of sensing properties
such as a proximity, position, or weight of an object, or the like.
Various measurements from the sensing electrode may be used to
detect the presence of an object in the seat. For example, the
system may measure the change in capacitance (e.g., changes in an
electrical property between two conductive objects). As an occupant
12 sits on seat 14, the system may detect a capacitance change to
determine the presence of the occupant 12 by the occupant
classification system 16.
[0048] According to one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2A, a
capacitive based occupant classification system 200 includes an
upper planar electrode 202 and a lower planar electrode 204. In the
embodiment of FIG. 2A, the upper planar electrode 202 is a sensing
electrode 202 and the lower planar electrode 204 is a shield
electrode. During a typical or normal measurement mode or
configuration, the system 200 detects changes in the signal from
the sensing electrode--the upper planar electrode 202 closest to an
occupant 206 to determine whether an occupant is present. The
shield electrode (i.e., for this embodiment, the lower planar
electrode 204) is located below the upper planar electrode (or
sensing electrode for this embodiment) in a vehicle seat. The
sensing electrode and the shield electrode may be changed to
different configurations to measure the force on the surface of the
seat.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 2B, in one exemplary embodiment, the role
or function of the sensing electrode and the shield electrode may
be switched when the occupant classification and detection system
is operated in a force or weight measurement mode. In the weight
measurement mode, the system 200 may be configured to be less
sensitive to the presence of the occupant and may be used to
determine the weight of the occupant 206. During the weight
measurement mode, capacitive or electric field sensing is performed
using the measurements obtained from the lower electrode 204
furthest from the occupant (the shield electrode in the occupant
sensing measurement) and the upper electrode 202 closest to the
occupant 206 is switched to become the shield electrode. The
electrodes 202, 204 may be switched using electronic or mechanical
switches configured to modify the current flow through the
electrodes.
[0050] Instead of using the lower sensing electrode to measure the
force or weight measurement mode, the system's electronics and/or
software may be configured to measure the capacitance (or current
or impedance) between the sensor and the shield (the electrodes
202, 204). The measured capacitance (or a measure representative or
related to the capacitance or current or impedance) may be compared
to a threshold value. A difference between the measured value and
the threshold value can be attributed to a change in relative
location of the sensors due to a force on the seat. The measurement
may be made without being significantly influenced by the
conductive or dielectric characteristics of the occupant 206
because the occupant 206 is shielded from the measurement by the
upper electrode 202.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 2C, as the force on the seat bottom is
increased, material 208 between the bottom sensor (electrode 204)
and the upper shield (electrode 202) is compressed. This
compression causes the electrodes 202, 204 to move closer together
causing a corresponding increase in the capacitance between the two
electrodes 202, 204. The capacitance between the electrodes 202,
204 (or any other measure that is an indication of the change in
relative position between the electrodes 202, 204) may be used to
estimate the force on the seat applied by the occupant 206. The
force on the seat may be used to differentiate between an occupant
(i.e., person) and an inanimate object (e.g., computer).
[0052] Other exemplary embodiment of a capacitive or electric field
type occupant classification and detection system may be configured
in various embodiments. One illustrative system includes an upper
electrode and a lower electrode for sensing an occupant. The system
further includes electronics (e.g., sensing and signal conditioning
electronics) configured to provide current or signals to drive the
electrodes and to provide measurements on the electrodes. The
occupant classification and detection systems disclosed herein may
include a controller, processor or electronic control unit (ECU)
that controls the system and receives various measurements from the
system components (e.g., the sensing electrodes). The controller is
configured to interact with other vehicle systems such as, for
example, vehicle safety systems (e.g., airbag and seat belt
systems). The controller may provide a signal to a vehicle safety
system that indicates whether an adult person is located in the
vehicle seat so that safety devices may be activated if
appropriate. The controller for the occupant classification system
may be integrated with a controller for another vehicle system such
as, for example, the controller used for a vehicle safety
system.
[0053] Referring specifically to FIGS. 2 and 3, the system 200, 300
includes an occupant sensing mode or configuration for detecting an
occupant 206 while shielding interference from below the system
300, according to one exemplary embodiment.
[0054] The system implementing the sensors of FIG. 2 includes at
least one switch that electrically couples the upper electrode 202
to a sensing port of the electronics and includes a switch that
electrically couples the lower electrode 204 to a shield port of
the electronics. In the configuration of FIG. 2A, the upper
electrode 202 is the sensing electrode and the lower electrode 204
is the shield electrode.
[0055] Referring now to FIG. 2B, the system may also include a
weight or force sensing mode or configuration that reduces
sensitivity to electrical properties of the occupant 206 and may be
used for determining the weight of the occupant 206, according to
one exemplary embodiment. In one non-limiting embodiment, the
conductor or upper electrode 202 near the occupant 206 is switched
to ground and the conductor or lower electrode 204 away from the
occupant 206 is switched to the sensing port of the electronics.
The upper electrode 202 is then the shield electrode and the lower
electrode 204 is the sensing electrode.
[0056] The electronics, as shown in FIG. 4, employed by the system
may be software and any analog or digital circuitry capable of
controlling the occupant classification system. Also, according to
various exemplary embodiments, the switches may be any electronic
or mechanically actuated switches capable of modifying a flow of
electrical current. The electronics may be configured to control
the switching of the switches. For example, the system may
generally be in an occupant sensing configuration and only switch
to a weight sensing configuration for verification if the sensing
configuration determined the occupant to be of adult size.
Alternatively, the switching may occur periodically at a time
interval.
[0057] The addition of a weight or force measurement to the
electric field or capacitive measurement allows the system to
separate or discriminate between cases where an object may look
large (e.g. appear like an adult) to the capacitive sensing system
200, 300, but is physically small. For example, capacitive loading
or electrical interference generated by electronic devices on the
seat, especially when those devices are plugged into the 12 volt
accessory plug in the vehicle, may cause an increase in measured
capacitance when the sensing node is positioned above the shield
node. Such electronic devices may include cellular phones, smart
phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), global positioning
systems (GPS), optical disc (e.g., DVD, Blu-Ray, etc.) players,
laptop computers, or any other electronic device. Electronic
devices may appear large to the capacitive sensor because they are
conductors and are well coupled to ground. Recognizing electronic
devices or other objects on the seat incorrectly as adults may
cause an annoyance when the vehicle seat belt reminder turns on.
The exemplary embodiments described above solve the annoyance issue
by integrating a low cost force measurement into a capacitive
sensing system. The weight sensing configuration may also be used
to identify the empty seat and diagnose problems with the
capacitive sensing system and the same measurement electronics and
connections out to the sensor may be used for the weight
measurement and the capacitive measurement, resulting in a low cost
solution.
[0058] The exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3 may use any
configuration of electrodes where the change in relative physical
location of the sensor to shield is measured electronically and is
not influenced significantly by the conductive or dielectric
characteristics of the occupant. According to alternative exemplary
embodiments, instead of detecting the capacitance between the
sensor and shield electrodes, the system may use multiple
measurements in multiple configurations to calculate a high
frequency (e.g., about 100 kHz, greater than 100 kHz, etc.) AC
current flowing only between the sensor and shield. A significant
increase in that measured current indicates an increase in the
sensor to shield capacitance, which indicates a change in relative
position of the sensor and shield due to an increased force from
the occupant. According to other examples, the capacitance between
the sensor and shield electrodes may be measured by analyzing a
change in an RC time constant, a change in a response of the system
to a step voltage to the electrodes, a change in charge sharing
between the electrodes, or any other method of measuring
capacitance.
[0059] FIG. 3 depicts a representative or exemplary circuit diagram
of an occupant detection system 400 according to one exemplary
embodiment. The occupant detection system 400 includes a sensing
circuit 402 electrically connecting the sensing electrode 410, the
shield electrode 412, switches SW.sub.DS and SW.sub.load, and
electronics 420. The sensing circuit 402 may also include a signal
producing device 406, such as an amplifier or transistor, disposed
between electronics 420 and the shield electrode 412. The sensing
electrode 410 may also include a conductor, sensing node, or other
device, such as an inductor, disposed outside the electronics 420.
The shield electrode 412 may also include a conductor or other
device, such as a shield node, disposed between the shield
electrode 412 and signal producing device 406. While the sensing
circuit 402 is shown outside the electronics 420, the electronics
420 may include components of the sensing circuit 402, such as
switches, amplifiers, or other devices. For example, the
electronics 420 and components of the sensing circuit 402 may be
integral, disposed in a common housing, or on a common circuit
board, while the sensing and shield electrodes 410, 412 are
external to the housing and electrically coupled to the electronics
420. Those skilled in the art, however, will recognize that other
configurations are possible according to other embodiments.
[0060] The electronics 420 generally include a controller 422 and a
signal conditioning device 424. Other components may include
another processor, microcontroller, and associated memory. The
signal conditioning device 424 generally includes a sine wave
output device 425, a current sense circuitry 426, and a
demodulation and filtering device 427. The signal conditioning
device 424 produces an output signal, measures current, and
produces an input signal corresponding to the measured current.
[0061] The controller 422 may be a microprocessor or electronic
control unit (ECU) and controls the occupant detection system 400.
The controller 422 determines when the signal conditioning device
424 produces an output signal, opens and closes the switches
SW.sub.DS and SW.sub.load, and interprets the input signal received
from signal conditioning device
[0062] As described further below, the system 400 may be operated
to obtain certain measurements that may be used to obtain a
representative indication of the force on the vehicle seat, such as
when the occupant's weight forces the sensing electrode 410 toward
the shield electrode 412. The electronics 420 are used to calculate
the impedance between the sensing electrode 410 and shield
electrode 412, which can be used to classify the occupant. The
electronics 420 may also be used to calculate the impedance between
the sensing electrode 410 and ground, which can be used to detect
an occupant. The electronics 420 may also be used to calculate the
impedances between the sensing electrode 410 and both the shield
electrode 412 and ground to both detect and classify an
occupant.
[0063] The controller 422 may be a microprocessor or electronic
control unit (ECU) and controls the occupant detection system 400.
The controller 422 determines when the signal conditioning device
424 produces an output signal, opens and closes the switches
SW.sub.DS and SW.sub.load, and interprets the input signal received
from signal conditioning device 424.
[0064] By opening and closing the switches SW.sub.DS and
SW.sub.load, the sensing circuit 402 of the occupant detection
system 400 may be placed in four different configurations (i.e.,
switches SW.sub.DS and SW.sub.load, respectively, are closed/open,
closed/closed, open/open, and open/closed). Closing SW.sub.DS
changes the amplitude of the output signal on the shield electrode
412, and closing SW.sub.load introduces an impedance Z.sub.sw
between the sensor and shield electrodes 410, 412.
[0065] In each of the four circuit configurations, current is
measured by the signal conditioning device 424, thus providing four
current measurements M.sub.1, M.sub.2, M.sub.3 and M.sub.4. M.sub.1
is measured when SW.sub.DS is closed and SW.sub.load is open,
M.sub.2 is measured when SW.sub.DS is closed and SW load is closed,
M.sub.3 is measured when SW.sub.DS is open and SW.sub.load is open,
and M.sub.4 is measured when SW.sub.DS is open and SW.sub.load is
closed.
[0066] From these four current measurements, a number proportional
to the impedance between the sensing electrode 410 and shield
electrode 412 (i.e., a force value) is calculated by the controller
422 as follows:
- Z sensor / shield Z SW = ( M 4 - M 2 - M 3 + M 1 M 1 - M 3 )
##EQU00001##
[0067] This equation is derived film the following equations:
M 1 = ( V out - V ds .times. .times. 1 Z sensor / shield + V out Z
sensor / ground ) ##EQU00002## M 2 = ( V out - V ds .times. .times.
1 Z sensor / shield + V out Z sensor / ground + V out - V ds
.times. .times. 1 Z SW ) ##EQU00002.2## M 3 = ( V out - V ds
.times. .times. 2 Z sensor / shield + V out Z sensor / ground )
##EQU00002.3## M 4 = ( V out - V ds .times. .times. 2 Z sensor /
shield + V out Z sensor / ground + V out - V ds .times. .times. 2 Z
SW ) ##EQU00002.4##
[0068] The number--Zsensor/shield/Zsw--thus, is proportional to the
impedance between the sensing electrode 410 and the shield
electrode 412 and may be used to determine the relative force on
the vehicle seat in order to classify the occupant. The resulting
occupant classification may be used, for example, to determine
whether the seatbelt reminder should be turned on or whether an
airbag should deploy.
[0069] From current measurements M1, M2, M3, and M4, a number
corresponding to the impedance between the sensing electrode 410
and ground (i.e., a detection value) may also be calculated as
follows: This equation is derived from the following equations:
? = ( M 1 .times. M 4 ) - ( M 2 .times. M 3 ) M 1 + M 4 - M 2 - M 3
##EQU00003## ? .times. indicates text missing or illegible when
filed .times. ##EQU00003.2##
[0070] This equation is derived from the following equations:
M 1 = i occ + ( 1 - ? Z sensor / shield ) ##EQU00004## M 2 = i occ
+ ( 1 - V ds .times. .times. 1 Z sensor / shield ) + ( 1 - V ds
.times. .times. 1 Z SW ) ##EQU00004.2## M 3 = i occ + ( 1 - V ds
.times. .times. 2 Z sensor / shield ) ##EQU00004.3## M 4 = i occ +
( 1 - V ds .times. .times. 12 Z sensor / shield ) + ( 1 - V ds
.times. .times. 2 Z SW ) ##EQU00004.4## ? .times. indicates text
missing or illegible when filed .times. ##EQU00004.5##
[0071] where Zsw is cancelled out and need not be known, but should
be large enough to meaningfully change the calculations, and
Z.sub.sensor/shield is derived from the equation for
- Z sensor / shield Z SW ##EQU00005##
above. The value for i.sub.occ corresponds to (i.e., is inversely
proportional to) the impedance between the sensing electrode 410
and ground and may be used to determine the presence of the
occupant or an object (i.e., detect an occupant).
[0072] According to one exemplary embodiment, the occupant
detection system may also include a normalization circuit 404. The
normalization circuit 404 enables the electronics 420 to adjust for
measurement variations due changes in gain, offset shift and phase
shift in the sensing circuit 402.
[0073] The normalization circuit 404 includes a high reference
impedance device 442 and a low reference impedance device 444, each
having a different, known impedance. Corresponding switches SWrefhi
and SWreflo selectively connect the high and low reference
impedance devices 442, 444, respectively, to ground. The signal
conditioning device 424 produces a 100 kHz AC current, as an
example, at constant voltage and measures reference currents Mreflu
and M.sub.reflo; Reference current Mreflu is measured when
SW.sub.refhi is closed and SWreflo is open, and reference current
M.sub.reflo is measured when SW.sub.refhi is open and SW.sub.reflo
is closed.
[0074] The sensing circuit 402 is provided with a switch
SW.sub.sens to isolate the sensing circuit 402 and normalization
circuit 404. When current measurements M1, M2, M3, and M4 are
taken, SW.sub.sens is closed. When reference currents M.sub.refhi
and M.sub.reflo are taken, SW.sub.sens is open, thus isolating the
normalization circuit 404 from the sensing circuit 402.
[0075] By measuring reference currents M.sub.refhi and M.sub.reflo
with respect to impedance devices 442, 444 of known impedance and
isolating the normalization circuit 404 from the sensing circuit
402, the microprocessor 422 may calculate system impedance
independent of the sensing circuit 402. In this manner, the
microprocessor 422 may account for changes in gain, offset shift
and phase shift in the sensing circuit 402 more accurately detect
and classify the occupant.
[0076] In one embodiment, the hardware in an occupant
classification system uses inductive properties of the sensors to
take advantage of physical effects induced in the sensors by an
occupant on a vehicle seat. When conductive material, such as the
opposite plate of the overall sensor, approaches an active face of
the appropriate electrically conductive sensing plate, the distance
to the active face at which an electrically conductive plate is
positioned causes a change of signal in the sensor (i.e., the
sensing range).
[0077] In another way of describing the system, the system measures
a property such as the loading current (or impedance) to ground
from the sensing element by monitoring the voltage signal provided
to the sensing conductor or element. This measurement may utilize a
signal or property of measure that is representative of the desired
property to be measured (i.e., impedance or current). For this
measurement, a human occupant has a low impedance to ground while
an empty seat or a seat with an object resting upon it (e.g. a
purse, backpack, briefcase, groceries, child safety seat, etc.) has
a high impedance to ground. The occupant classification system may
utilize this measurement to provide input to other vehicle systems,
such as an airbag system or a seat belt reminder (SBR) system. For
example, if the occupant classification system detects a low
impedance from the seat bottom sensor indicating an adult occupant,
it may instruct the airbag system to activate one or more airbags
associated with the seat in a collision. If however, the occupant
classification system detects a high impedance from the seat bottom
sensor, it may instruct the airbag system to deactivate one or more
airbags associated with the seat in a collision, as the high
impedance measurement may be interpreted as an empty seat or a seat
containing an object such as child safety seat.
[0078] According to various exemplary embodiments, the shield may
be driven with any potential or signal that is compatible with the
measurement concepts and the associated electronics hardware. For
example, the shield may be driven with a signal that is similar to
or the same as the sensor signal, may be connected to a fixed DC
level, or may be driven with various signals to enable the multiple
measurement concept mentioned above. The time varying voltage
applied to the sensor could take many shapes, although a preferred
shape is a sinusoidal signal at frequencies between about 50 kHz
and about 150 kHz. This loading current increases significantly
when an adult occupant is on the seat and only slightly when there
is a child seat on the vehicle seat.
[0079] The sensing system may utilize a measurement system that
measures the in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) components of the
current supplied to the sensing electrode via voltage signal. With
such a measurement system, separation remains between the adult and
the RFIS/wet seat situation. Thus, the sensor system can
distinguish between an adult and a RFIS (Rear Facing Infant Seat)
on the seat in both normal and wet seat situations. Using the I and
Q measurements, seal the sensing electrodes from direct contact
with the wet seat foam of the vehicle seat, and ensure that the
seat structure is grounded to allow separation between the RFIS/wet
seat and normally seated adult cases.
[0080] Although the occupant classification system 200, 300 is
illustrated as including multiple features utilized in conjunction
with one another, the system 200, 300 may alternatively utilize
more or less than all of the noted mechanisms or features. For
example, in other exemplary embodiments, the more electrodes may be
used in the system 200, 300.
[0081] Although specific shapes of each element have been set forth
in the drawings, each element may be of any other shape that
facilitates the function to be performed by that clement. For
example, the electrodes have been shown to be planar electrodes,
however, in other exemplary embodiments the structure may define
electrodes of other shapes. Further, while a specific form of
switches has been shown in FIG. 4, according to other exemplary
embodiments, the switches may be in other forms or actuate in
different directions. The sensing and classification system
described in detail above, may be employed with existing occupant
detection systems such as those described in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/541,825. The foregoing patent application
is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
[0082] The sensing system can use both the I and Q measurements
measured by a current measurement circuit, which sends the I and Q
measurements to a microprocessor to make a classification of the
occupant during wet seat situations because the nature of the
impedance to ground changes when the seat is wet. Without using
both I and Q, there would be overlap between the RFIS (infant
cases) and small adults (the "standard small adult" are referred to
as "5th %"cases, which are occupants approximately 108 lbs.). Both
the I and Q measurements are used in order to recognize separation
between the RFIS cases and the small adult cases.
[0083] As an alternative, I and Q measurements need not be made.
Instead, for example, the phase and amplitude of the current sent
to the sensing electrode could be measured to gain equivalent
information. According to an embodiment, the impedance from the
sensing electrode to ground should be characterized such that
capacitive components of the impedance affect the measurement
differently than the resistive components of the impedance. Once
the I and Q measurements/values (or other appropriate measurements)
are obtained, a corresponding measured signal is provided to a
controller or microprocessor preferably located in the ECU of the
occupant classification system. The controller may be configured to
make an occupant classification determination (see, e.g., FIGS. 6,
10, 11).
[0084] Also, for the voltage signal to the sensing electrode, time
varying shapes may be used that are not sinusoidal signals. If this
is the case, alternative methods of identifying the characteristics
of the impedance could be used. For example, square pulses could be
sent out to the sensing electrode. The current sent out to the
sensing electrode could be measured and characteristics such as the
peak and rise time of the current pulse could be used to
characterize the sensing electrode's impedance to ground.
Alternatively, several pulses of different length could be sent out
to the sensing electrode. Characteristics of the impedance could be
derived by analyzing the relationship between the peak currents and
the variation of the current with pulse length. In general, the
principles of operation of the capacitive (i.e., electric field)
sensor described herein can be the same as described in U.S. Patent
Publication No. 2007/0192007, the entirety of which is incorporated
by reference herein.
[0085] The seat bottom sensor, however, may detect a false positive
if the object on the seat is a grounded conductive object that may
have a low impedance to ground and cannot be discriminated from an
adult occupant of the seat (e.g., a laptop computer, a portable DVD
player, etc.) This may cause unintended actions by other vehicle
systems, such as causing the SBR system to sound a buzzer or
provide another signal when a conductive object is placed on the
seat.
[0086] An occupant classification system controller, mentioned
above, may employ the logic shown in FIG. 3 to determine the
classification of the occupant or make a determination whether an
occupant is present. The controller may provide an appropriate
signal to other vehicle systems such as the SBR system. The
controller and ECU may communicate with these other vehicle systems
via the vehicle local area network (LAN). The ECU may be connected
to the LAN via a conductive line. In FIG. 3, the state of vehicle
sensor being on may correspond to a measurement signal indicating
the presence of an occupant in the seat. Thus, other systems, such
as seat belt systems should only be activated when both the seat
bottom sensor and seat back sensor provide signals indicating the
present of an occupant.
[0087] In another exemplary embodiment, the occupant classification
system may utilize a force sensitive resistor (FSR) in the seat
bottom in addition to or instead of an electric field sensor in the
seat back. The FSR may be integrated into the seat bottom sensor or
may be provided separately from the seat bottom sensor (e.g.,
coupled to the top or bottom surface of the sensor). The resistance
of the FSR varies in relation to the downward force being applied
to the seat bottom. A resistance caused by a threshold force being
applied to the seat bottom may be determined and the resistance of
the FSR may therefore be used to determine if the seat is occupied
by an adult applying a relatively high force to the FSR or by an
object with a low impedance to ground but applying a relatively low
force to the FSR.
[0088] A control algorithm divides the data from the seat bottom
heater into two regions to determine occupant classification; the
first region indicating that the status is empty or small and the
second region indicating that the status is either large or
occupied.
[0089] The Occupant Classification System disclosed herein is also
amenable for combining with ALR (automatic locking retractor) and
ELR (emergency locking retractor) technology for additional control
systems. The ALR retractor is one of the seatbelt retracting
devices, and is also called as an automatic locking safety belt
retractor. This is constructed in such a manner that when a
predetermined amount of seatbelt is unwound, the rotation of the
winding mechanism in the direction in which the seatbelt is unwound
is locked and thus further unwinding operation is prevented while
allowing only winding operation. The ELR retractor with ALR switch
function is for example the one disclosed in Japanese Examined
Utility Model Publication No. 4-15557 (incorporated by reference
herein in its entirety), which is constructed in such a manner that
it works as a normal emergency locking safety belt retractor (ELR)
until the seatbelt is unwound by a predetermined amount, and when
the seat belt is unwound by a predetermined amount, it works as an
ALR retractor. An ELR includes an inertia reel in which any sudden
movement of the seat belt locks an associated retractor. The ALR
(automatic locking retractor), on the other hand, locks the seat
belt at a set position.
[0090] Both types of the seatbelt retractors have a mechanism for
detecting that the seatbelt is unwound by a predetermined amount
(normally full amount or near full amount) and for locking further
unwinding operation thereof. Therefore, by providing a limit switch
to the locking mechanism and using it as a seatbelt extraction
amount sensor, the mechanism of the seatbelt extraction amount
sensor can be simplified. This associated seat belt technology is a
source of additional control data that can provide
[0091] According to another embodiment of the present invention, an
occupant sensor is provided. The sensor is arranged according to
any one of the first to third embodiments mentioned above and is
configured so that the seatbelt extraction amount sensor is an ALR
switch sensor of the ELR retractor with ALR switch function.
[0092] The ELR retractor with ALR switch function works as an
normal emergency locking safety belt retractor (ELR) till the
seatbelt is unwound by a predetermined amount, and works as an
automatic locking safety belt retractor (ALR) once the seatbelt is
unwound by a predetermined amount. In this ALR state, further
unwinding operation is locked and only winding operation is
possible. In case an ALR switch sensor for detecting that the
seatbelt is unwound by the predetermined amount is employed, the
sensor can be used as a seatbelt extraction amount sensor, even if
no particular extraction amount sensor is employed.
[0093] One goal of the embodiments disclosed herein is to establish
combinations of data values that are conveniently combinable to
improve the safety performance of vehicle systems. In particular,
the occupant classification system of this disclosure uses data
from multiple occupant classification sensors ("OC sensors"), shown
by way of non-limiting examples as OC sensors 510, 520, 530 and 540
in FIG. 4. Each of these OC sensors is configured to provide an
output signal to a controller, or other microprocessor, via a
respective sensing circuit 402 to assess a physical characteristic
of an occupant in a vehicle seat or the lack of an occupant in the
vehicle seat. The OC sensors may be strategically placed in the
vehicle seats' construction within previously identified zones to
provide more than one output signal for comparison purposes, for
statistical analysis, and to control other systems in the vehicle
pursuant to safety regulations. In one embodiment, the zones of a
vehicle seat may be relative to seat axes running across a vehicle
seat surface. In one embodiment, a first axis laterally extends
across a vehicle seat from a left edge of the seat bottom to a
right edge of the seat bottom (i.e., left and right designations
are synonymous with edges of the vehicle seat facing respective
vehicle doors for occupant entry). Another axis may include a
center line extending from a front edge to a rear edge of the seat
bottom (i.e., front and rear designations are synonymous with seat
edges facing a front hood and a rear trunk of the vehicle). In
these embodiments, the OC sensors may be placed in the seat bottom
to correspond to the quadrants (or other divisions) of the seat
surface established by these axes. Multiple axes and multiple
shapes for each zone are well within the scope of this disclosure.
Other areas of the seat structure may be established for OC sensor
placement as well, including positions along the sides and back of
a vehicle seat or the front and rear regions of a vehicle seat or
vehicle seat base.
[0094] Overall, as noted above, placing multiple OC sensors in the
vehicle seat provides opportunities to utilize the data provided by
each OC sensor to define improved threshold boundaries for each
classification necessary to identify the physical characteristics
of an occupant in the seat. The occupant classification system set
forth in this disclosure is particularly adapted to utilize
threshold boundaries that have been absent from systems of the
prior art. Notably, OC sensors may be utilized to establish
threshold boundaries separating an empty or infant occupant of a
vehicle seat from a 6 year old child in the seat, separating a 6
year old child classification from a 5.sup.th percentile weight
adult female classification, and separating a 5.sup.th percentile
weight adult female classification from a 50.sup.th percentile
weight adult male classification.
[0095] In general, and without limiting the scope of the
embodiments of this disclosure, the current standards for occupant
classifications include a 5th percentile adult female
classification, which includes occupants having a weight of between
85 to 120 pounds; occupant classifications for a 50.sup.th
percentile male classification includes occupants having a weight
of between 130 and 190 pounds. The system shown herein may also
distinguish between a first child classification, which includes
occupants having a weight of less than 20 pounds, a second child
classification, which includes occupants having a weight of between
20 and 40 pounds, and a third child classification, which includes
occupants having a weight of between 40 and 60 pounds.
[0096] With one goal of the embodiments of this disclosure being to
establish higher resolution thresholds between occupant
classifications, an occupant classification system may be
configured to use pairs of occupant classification sensors 510, 520
(again, the "OC sensors") in numerous combinations to identify a
vehicle occupant by a proper weight classification. Identifying the
occupant with output from more than one OC sensor helps to minimize
confusion between small adults and children and confusion between
small adults and slightly larger adults whose weight lies between a
5.sup.th percentile female and 50.sup.th percentile male. The
system is also better prepared to minimize any confusion between an
occupant and conductive items on a vehicle seat (i.e., cell phones,
computers, GPS accessories, and the like) that may change the
electrical current response, such as capacitive or induction
readings on a sensor in the vehicle seat.
[0097] FIG. 5 included herein illustrates one example of how the
multiple OC sensors 510, 520, 530, 540 may be utilized with a
processor, controller, respective sensing circuits and associated
computerized memory to provide numerous threshold boundaries for an
occupant classification system. As shown in FIG. 5, at least one
pair of the OC sensors can send respective output signals to a
controller, indicative of a change in electrical current or
electrical current characteristics on a respective electrode in the
OC sensor. The change in current may be indicative of an inductance
value for the electrode and may be plotted in a coordinate system,
such as (but not limited to) the Cartesian coordinates of FIG.
5.
[0098] Before using the occupant classification system in a
vehicle, the threshold boundaries for the preferred occupant
classifications are established with live test subjects and a
plurality of output signals from numerous OC sensors. In the
example shown, and without limiting the embodiments to any one
theory of operation, the test data for live subjects is plotted
with an output signal value (or representative inductance value
calculated for a respective OC sensor from the output signal) along
respectively assigned x and y axes for each respective OC sensor
output. The test data is calibrated so that each test occupant's
known weight is associated with the coordinate system used to plot
the test data (i.e., inductance values for each respective OC
sensor along the x and y axes). By statistically analyzing the test
data and the associated relations to threshold boundaries
established by threshold data, the system described herein can use
the threshold boundaries to calculate an occupant as fitting within
a particular classification (infant or carrier seat, 6 year old
child occupant versus 5.sup.th percentile weight adult female
occupant (boundary 600), and larger female versus 50.sup.th
percentile weight adult male (boundary 605)) may be established. In
one non-limiting example, the threshold boundaries for each
classification may be determined by midpoint or statistical mean
analysis to plot the classification threshold boundaries in a
classification system between the statistically significant test
data points for various weights. The threshold boundaries may
include tolerance levels, specified for any given application, to
move the threshold boundary in one direction or another, thereby
adjusting the occupant classification scope and resolution.
Accordingly, the threshold boundaries are customizable for
particular applications.
[0099] Upon customization of the threshold boundaries from live
test data, as shown in FIG. 5, the OC sensors 510, 520, 530, and
540 each provide output signals to the controller that quantifies
an electrical signal response present at that OC sensor in a
respective zone of the vehicle seat. In the example of FIG. 5, each
quantified electrical response (e.g., the quadrature component of a
sensing current at a particular electrode in one of the OC sensors
as shown in FIG. 6) can be plotted as a coordinate in a coordinate
pair on the same coordinate system as the threshold boundaries. In
this way, the system described herein is scalable in a way that
other previously used occupant classification systems have not
been.
[0100] Using pairs of OC sensors in selected zones of a vehicle
seat structure allows for weighting of the zoned output signals
emanating from each OC sensor in statistically significant ways
determined empirically for particular applications. The output
signals, bearing digitally recordable identification as emanating
from one of the selected OC sensors in one of the selected zones,
allows for not only higher resolution in occupant classification
but also exponentially more combinations of data points to adjust
other vehicle systems, particularly air bag deployment and seat
belt signaling.
[0101] In regard to air bag deployment, the kind and magnitude of
OC sensor output signals yields greater control over deployment
strategies for air bags, seat belts, and other systems in the
vehicle. In regard to air bags, the zoned OC sensor analysis gives
more meaning to selections of whether a given occupant in a vehicle
should be subject to degrees of air bag suppression, low risk air
bag deployment, and tailored air bag deployment that is most
suitable for the occupant who has been properly classified with a
better weight estimate.
[0102] FIG. 5 illustrates just one coordinate system in which
threshold boundary data 600, 605 may be compared against OC sensor
data. In the example of FIG. 4, a pair of OC sensors oriented left
to right (e.g., 530, 540 or 510, 520) each provide the Q value
(quadrature component of a sensed current value) to one axis in the
coordinate system. This representation in FIG. 5 is merely an
example for ease of explanation, and an occupant classification
system may compare the data in computerized hardware without
actually compiling an x and y axis plot. Statistical and data
processing techniques may also be used to compile OC sensor data
into multi-dimensional coordinate systems, multi-dimensional
tables, computerized registers, and numerous other coordinate
systems used to track and compare data points in a computerized
system. Accordingly, it is well within the scope of the occupant
classification system disclosed herein for computer hardware
(processors, controllers, memory, graphics cards, and the like) to
overlay data from many OC sensors and many pairs of OC sensors into
one overall coordinate system to accomplish the objectives. The
term "coordinate system," therefore, is not limited to graphical
coordinates but may be represented in any computerized form subject
to statistical and data processing techniques.
[0103] An exemplary set of computer hardware that may be useful in
association with this disclosure is also shown in FIG. 3.
[0104] Other embodiments of the concepts described herein may be
considered in terms of sensor placement, or as referred to herein,
"occupant classification sensors" described above, relative to a
vehicle seat base as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. FIGS. 6A and 6B
illustrate sections of an example vehicle seat base and example
dimensions of each. None of the figures or dimensions listed in the
figures herein are limiting in any way, as the concepts described
herein are applicable to vehicle seats of many different sizes and
shapes. The example of FIGS. 6A and 6B, however show one vehicle
seat base 602 as having a pan region 610 adjacent and/or connected
to a springs region 620 of the base 602. FIG. 6B illustrates one
example of the dimensions of usable space for sensors in the
springs region 620. FIG. 9A shows another view of a vehicle seat
base from a different perspective for sensor placement relative to
other structures, such as a seat belt assembly, on the vehicle seat
base. FIG. 9B illustrates that the front sensor proximate the pan
region of the vehicle seat base may actually include at least two
side-by-side sensors 810A, 810B.
[0105] FIG. 8 illustrates one example of OC sensors 810, 820
described above, placed onto a support structure 830 in a way that
accommodates placing a first occupant classification sensor 810
proximate a seat pan region 810 near the front area of the vehicle
seat and a second occupant classification sensor 820 near the
springs region or rear area of the vehicle seat. In one
non-limiting embodiment, the support structure holds sensors with
copper tape plates separated by elastomeric spacers having a
hardness rating of 40 durometers, or within a hardness range of 35
to 45 durometers. The position of the support structure 830 within
the vehicle base is adjustable for different vehicle seat styles,
and the edges of the support structure may be placed along an axis
running from rear to front of the vehicle seat. In one non-limiting
embodiment of the application, the support structure is positioned
in the vehicle seat so as to be centered laterally across the
vehicle seat such that a proximate edge of the first occupant
classification sensor (810) relative to the steering wheel is
adjacent a rear edge of a pan region of the vehicle seat and a
distal edge of the second occupant classification sensor, relative
to the steering wheel, is adjacent a back edge of a springs region
of the vehicle seat. Intermediate positions between an absolute
front edge of the vehicle seat and an absolute rear edge of the
vehicle seat are also available to construct the sensor assembly in
the seat base.
[0106] FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate how the embodiments of FIGS. 6-9
may result in more definite and reliable threshold boundaries that
provide better separation between vehicle occupant sizes,
particularly in regard to the above noted "grey zones" of the prior
art. FIG. 10 is an example result of establishing a first threshold
boundary 600 separating child occupants, such as the displayed six
year old child data from small adult data, including the smaller
adults who are within the 5% female category of the federal
regulation (FMVSS 208). FIG. 11 goes further and plots a second
threshold boundary 605 for separating and identifying different
classifications of adults (i.e., separating out a 50% percentile by
weight adult from smaller adults. For FIGS. 10 and 11, the two
boundaries illustrated in the figures have been compiled from the
test data (shown on the figures) gathered from the front and rear
vehicle seat occupant classification sensors of FIGS. 6-9. Tests of
this nature have accounted for numerous conditions such as seat
model and construction as well as the kind of closed cell or open
cell foam used as seat cushioning, which affects the sensor
output.
[0107] For purposes of this disclosure, the term "coupled" means
the joining of two components (electrical, mechanical, or magnetic)
directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be
stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be
achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any
additional intermediate members being integrally defined as a
single unitary body with one another or with the two components or
the two components and any additional member being attached to one
another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively
may be removable or releasable in nature
[0108] The present disclosure has been described with reference to
example embodiments, however persons skilled in the art will
recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without
departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter.
For example, although different example embodiments may have been
described as including one or more features providing one or more
benefits, it is contemplated that the described features may be
interchanged with one another or alternatively be combined with one
another in the described example embodiments or in other
alternative embodiments. Because the technology of the present
disclosure is relatively complex, not all changes in the technology
are foreseeable. The present disclosure described with reference to
the example embodiments and set forth in the following claims is
manifestly intended to be as broad as possible. For example, unless
specifically otherwise noted, the claims reciting a single
particular element also encompass a plurality of such particular
elements.
[0109] It is also important to note that the construction and
arrangement of the elements of the system as shown in the preferred
and other exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only
a certain number of embodiments have been described in detail in
this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this
disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are
possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes
and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters,
mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations,
etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and
advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements
shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or
elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the
operation of the assemblies may be reversed or otherwise varied,
the length or width of the structures and/or members or connectors
or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number
of adjustment or attachment positions provided between the elements
may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or
assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide
variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or
durability.
[0110] Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be
included within the scope of the present disclosure. Other
substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in
the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the preferred
and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit
of the present subject matter.
* * * * *