Deployment control for a rear-row knee pad
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC
- Filing Date
- 2016-11-09
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-09
AI Technical Summary
Current auxiliary restraints in vehicles, such as deployable knee bolsters and airbags, are inadequate for rear seat positions and fail to adapt to future vehicle configurations like rotatable front seats, leading to insufficient occupant protection and inefficient deployment control.
Incorporation of active infrared sensors and an electronic control unit to detect occupant presence and movement, coupled with sophisticated software logic, to selectively activate or deactivate knee pads and airbags based on seat orientation and occupant position, ensuring appropriate deployment in various vehicle configurations.
Enhances occupant protection by providing targeted and adaptive deployment of auxiliary restraints, ensuring effective safety measures for both front and rear seats, including scenarios where seats are rotated or facing different directions.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
STATE OF THE ART
[0001] Current auxiliary restraint systems, which include deployable knee pads and airbags, are used in motor vehicles to provide occupant protection by offering a reaction element that resists an occupant's movement during an impact in a controlled manner. Airbags are inflatable and are usually used to provide enhanced occupant protection for the torso and head. Knee pads deploy to help resist forward movement of the knees and thighs. Knee pads can also be inflatable, but they usually consist of molded plastic bladders and, when fully deployed, occupy much less volumetric space than an airbag. Some current knee pads, upon detection of a collision, relocate a vehicle trim component to the knee area of a passenger compartment.Once deployed, existing auxiliary restraint devices, particularly inflatable ones, must be replaced, and associated interior trim components may also need to be replaced. Existing auxiliary restraint devices are controlled and selectively activated by an electronic control unit that receives signals from sensors and processes such signals, stored within the electronic control unit, using software control logic. In response to the received signals and the control logic, the electronic control unit sends command signals to the auxiliary restraint devices.
[0002] The availability of auxiliary restraint devices and the deployment control command logic vary depending on the seat position. The use of auxiliary restraint devices for rear seat positions is currently more limited than for front seat positions.
[0003] Potential changes to vehicle interiors, including front seats that can be rotated into rear-facing positions as enabled by autonomous vehicles, and the increasing use of supplemental restraints in rear seats, render current occupant detection systems and deployment logic inadequate for future vehicle configurations. It is desirable to provide improved occupant sensors and enhanced supplemental restraint deployment control command logic suitable for use with future vehicle configurations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example of an interior seating arrangement of a vehicle with swiveling front seats in a forward-facing position.
[0005] Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the example for the interior seating arrangement of Fig. 1 with the swiveling front seats in a rear-facing position.
[0006] Fig. Figure 3 is a side view of an example of an infrared sensor located in a vehicle trim panel.
[0007] Fig. Figure 4 is an example of a logic diagram flowchart for controlling an additional restraint device.
[0008] Fig. Figure 5 is an alternative example logic diagram flowchart representation for controlling an additional restraint device.
[0009] Fig. Figure 6 is a second alternative example logic diagram flowchart representation for controlling an additional restraint device.
[0010] Fig. Figure 7 is an example logic diagram decision representation for controlling an additional restraint device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] Relative orientations and directions (e.g., above, below, bottom, rear, front, back, aft, outside, inside, inwards, outwards, left, right) are not presented in this description as limitations but for the convenience of the reader by showing at least one embodiment of the described structures.
[0012] Fig. Figure 1 shows a seating arrangement for a motor vehicle 10 with seats that are conveniently oriented in a forward-facing direction. The example seats include a swiveling driver's seat. 12 , a swiveling passenger seat 14 and rear seats, which are separated from a fixed rear bench seat 16Alternative configurations can be provided for each of the seats. For example, in the case of a larger vehicle with a third row of seats, the rear bench seat would be positioned further back, and a middle row or first row of seats would be located between the front seats and the rear bench seat. Each of the seats in the first row of seats could be swivel seats, and the bench seat or second row of seats could be fixed. Alternatively, the second row of seats could be fitted with swivel seats, allowing rear-facing passengers to sit facing backward.
[0013] In the illustrated embodiment, additional restraint devices are arranged in locations to protect the passengers. An example is a driver-side front airbag. 18 It is located in the steering wheel. An example of a passenger-side front airbag. 20 It is located in the dashboard. An example of a driver's side knee pad.22 is located on the underside of the dashboard in front of the driver's seat 12 installed and a passenger-side knee pad 24 is located on the underside of the dashboard in front of the passenger seat 14 installed.
[0014] A driver-side infrared proximity sensor 26 is in a driver's side interior trim panel 28 installed on one inside side of a driver's footwell 30 is attached. The decorative trim 28 is located near the footwell 30 and borders on it. The location of the sensor. 26 , in line of sight to the footwell 30 , enables the sensor 26 , an unobstructed beam of infrared light from the sensor 26 into the footwell 30 to emit. The infrared sensor 26 Alternatively, it can be located on an outside side of the driver's footwell. 30 be mounted in a door trim panel. The illustrated embodiment of Fig. 3 shows an active sensor 26 , which is characterized by the inclusion of both an infrared emitter 32 , which emits infrared light, as well as an infrared receiver 34 , which detects or captures infrared light. The decorative trim. 28 includes separate openings for both the emitter 32 as well as the recipient 34 An example embodiment of the sensor 26 It includes a plastic housing. The sensor 26 is attached to the cladding using conventional means 28 , such as hot stapling or screw connectors, on the back of the decorative panel 28The sensors are mounted opposite a passenger compartment in which the footwells are located. Active sensors are key to the functioning of the described embodiments, as they are capable of detecting the presence and location of an object and of detecting its movement. Passive infrared sensors are less expensive than active infrared sensors, but are disadvantageously less functional. Passive sensors contain only an infrared receiver, are typically limited to motion detection, and are more prone to producing false positive readings of foot movement than active sensors.
[0015] An infrared proximity sensor 37 for the passenger footwell 36 can be in a passenger side trim panel 38 be installed. The infrared sensor 37 Alternatively, it can be located on one of the outer sides of the passenger footwell. 36It may be mounted in a (not shown) door trim panel.
[0016] Rear passenger airbags 40 are located on the back surface of the seats 12 and 14 Arranged and illustrated. Rear passenger knee pads 42 are in a similar way to those in a lower room of seats 12 and 14 Arranged and illustrated. A left-side rear-passenger infrared proximity sensor. 44 and a (not shown) right-side rear passenger infrared proximity sensor are each positioned to detect objects and movement in a left-side rear passenger footwell. 46 or a right-hand rear passenger footwell 48 to detect. The example rear sensors are each located in a left-hand rear passenger door trim panel. 50and a (not shown) right-side rear passenger door trim panel. Alternatively, the rear sensors could be located further inboard, for example in a lower part of the rear seat. 16 are located. Another alternative could be the rear sensors on the seat backs. 12 and 14 are located when additional restraint devices are in place 40 , 42 in the seat backs 12 and 14 are arranged. Such a space would advantageously fail to detect movement of rear-seat occupants if the seats are 12 and 14 in a position facing the rear seat occupants. The additional restraint devices 40 and 42 They would not deploy if they were facing away from the rear seat occupants due to the seats swiveling. Alternatively or additionally, the restraint systems can be activated. 40 and42 with a signal from the sensors, the rotation positions of the seats 12 and 14 Specify, be connected. The restraint devices 40 and 42 in a seat 12 or 14 are deactivated when a seat's rotation position indicates that the seat is outside a predetermined deployment position associated with providing a safety benefit to a rear-seat occupant. The predetermined deployment position may be defined as a rotation range. The restraint devices 40 and 42 will not unfold if the seat in which the restraint devices are mounted is twisted into a position in which the restraint devices provide no benefit.
[0017] Active infrared sensors are capable of providing signals that can be used to determine the position of an object relative to at least the sensors. The activation and deactivation of the knee pads 42 For rear seat positions, in one embodiment, a function of the size of a gap between the occupant's legs and the backrest of a seat located further forward, such as the seat 12 or seat 14 , controlled.
[0018] For three-row arrangements with a first row of rear seats (alternatively characterized as a middle row of seats) behind the seats 12 and 14 and a second row of rear seats behind the first row of rear seats, sensors for the first row, as described above, can be located in door trim panels, in a lower part of the first row of rear seats, or in the seats themselves. 12 and 14Sensors for the second row of rear seats can be installed in trim panels adjacent to the footwells of the second row of rear seats, in a lower part of the second row of rear seats, or in a backrest of the first row of rear seats.
[0019] Sensors, airbags, and knee pads collectively comprise an additional restraint system. This additional restraint system also includes an electronic control unit (not shown), which can alternatively be characterized as a controller or a computer. The electronic control unit is electrically connected to infrared sensors as well as other sensors, including, for example, sensors for seat weight load, vehicle speed, and accelerometers that indicate changes in vehicle speed and seat position. The sensors provide electrical signals to the electronic control unit, which displays their respective parameters. Samples of these signals are alternatively characterized here as data, readouts, data readouts, or data values. The airbags and knee pads are also electrically connected to the electronic control unit. Such electronic connections can be wired or wireless.
[0020] The electronic control unit includes at least one electronic processor and associated main memory. The processor's operating system software is stored in main memory for access by the processor. Control software for executing certain predetermined tasks is also kept in main memory. The main memory includes a buffer area, or simply a buffer, which facilitates the storage and manipulation of data. The example buffer has a predetermined number of locations for storing data, which limits the number of data readouts stored in the buffer. When the limited number of readouts is reached, the buffer is characterized as "full." When the buffer is full, in one embodiment, data readouts are replaced on a first-in-first-out (FIFO) basis.This means that the oldest data readouts in the buffer are overwritten by the newest readouts. The various memory sections can be accommodated either with a single memory device or with multiple devices tailored to specific memory functions. The exact structure of the electronic control unit is not critical for the present description. Descriptions of alternative embodiments of the software can be found in the [references to be added]. Fig. 4, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6.
[0021] The electronic control unit is programmed by control software to both activate and deactivate at least the knee pads. An activated knee pad is ready to deploy in response to an indication, such as data from one or more accelerometers exceeding a certain threshold, that a vehicle impact has occurred. A deactivated knee pad will not deploy in response to an indication that a vehicle impact has occurred.
[0022] Fig. 4 refers to Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 will be discussed. If the driver's seat 12 If the seat is occupied and in a forward-facing orientation, it is desirable that the additional restraint devices, and in particular the driver's knee pad, be activated in anticipation of a possible deployment requirement. 12If the airbag is occupied and in a backward-facing orientation, it is preferred that the airbag deploy. 18 and the knee pad 22 not deploy. It is also preferred that the airbag 40 and the knee pad 42 cannot unfold if the seat 12 is backward-looking. Fig. 4 illustrates a logic diagram 52 for computer program software that assesses whether a forward-facing occupant is in the driver's seat 12 is located. In particular, the software that uses the illustrated logic is stored in the electronic control unit and is used to detect the presence of feet in the driver's footwell. 30 , by determining whether an object is in the footwell 30 is located, used. The terms first buffer, first memory buffer, and buffer 1 The following description will cover the Fig. 4 and in Fig. The terms 4 are used interchangeably throughout. Similarly, the terms second buffer, second memory buffer, and buffer are used interchangeably. 2 They are used interchangeably. Furthermore, the buffers associated with the description of a specific seating position are unique to that position. Thus, for example, a first driver's seat buffer differs from a first passenger's seat buffer.
[0023] The processor executes the in Fig. Four illustrated the steps described below. In a starting block 60 A computer program is initialized. A first memory buffer and a second memory buffer are created at block 61 The block is emptied as part of an initialization routine of stored values. The block's initialization routine 61It captures the resetting of registers, the reading of program instructions from static main memory or other storage into the controller's random access memory ("RAM"), and other low-level software steps that are well-known according to the state of software engineering and are not critical for this description. The buffers serve as a means of capturing more than one subsequent read from the sensor before knee pad states are changed. The length of the buffers determines the number of data points required before the system changes the knee pad state. According to block 62 The driver's knee pad 22 activated.
[0024] A (not shown) driver seat position sensor is used according to the process block 63 read out to determine the rotation position of the seat 12 to determine. Then the program moves to the decision block. 64 In the decision block 64The readouts will be performed with predetermined development position value ranges for the seat. 12 The data is compared. If the data value from the seat position sensor is outside the predetermined unfolding position range for the seat, the computer moves to the processing block. 78 The driver's knee pad is installed according to the block. 78 deactivated. The program moves to the decision block. 74 The decision block 74 The program checks for a termination event. An example of a termination event is the loss of an ignition signal. If a termination event is detected, the program terminates at the end block. 76 Aborted. If no abort event was detected, the program moves to the block. 63 back to perform another readout.
[0025] The sensor 26 will be according to process block 66 Read out. The latest sensor readout from the sensor. 26is compared with a predetermined and stored value, which is determined according to the decision block 68 This is characterized as an "object detection threshold". If the latest sensor reading is not greater than the object detection threshold, the program then proceeds according to the decision block. 68 to the process block 70 The very latest readout or the very latest data value of block 66 The data is stored in the second buffer, and the program moves to the decision block. 72 .
[0026] The decision block 72 The program assesses whether the second buffer is full. If the second buffer is not full, it moves to the decision block. 74 The decision block 74 The program checks for a termination event. An example of a termination event is the loss of an ignition signal. If a termination event is detected, the program terminates at the end block. 76Aborted. If no abort event was detected, the program moves to the block. 63 back to perform another readout. If the decision block 72 Determined that the second buffer is full, the program moves to the process block. 78 . According to block 78 The driver's knee pad 22 disabled. After the block 78 The program jumps to the block 63 return to perform another readout, but only after confirmation in the decision block 74 that no termination event was detected.
[0027] If the latest sensor reading or the latest data value from block 66 If the value is greater than the object detection threshold, then the program moves according to the decision block. 68 from the block 68 to the process block 79 . According to block 79The second memory buffer is cleared. This step causes the second memory buffer to restart the count from zero when the proximity sensor reading falls below the object detection threshold. The program then moves to the decision block. 80 .
[0028] The decision block 80 The program assesses whether the first memory buffer is full. If the first memory buffer is not full, the program moves to the next block. 82 , where the latest read is stored in the first buffer. When the first memory buffer is full, the program deletes the data according to block 1. 84 The oldest data is taken from the memory buffer and then goes to the block. 82 , where the latest readout is stored in the first buffer. The program then moves from the block. 82 to the decision block 86to assess whether the first memory buffer is full after saving the latest read. If the first memory buffer is not full, the program jumps to the block. 66 It returns and reads the proximity sensor again. When the first memory buffer is cleared by the block 86 When the program is determined to be full, it jumps to the next process block. 88 The program is not proceeding to the block. 88 continues until the buffer is full. Since the first memory buffer is not flushed, it only delays the decision to activate the driver's knee pad the first time the software routine is executed in a driving cycle. If the knee pad is subsequently deactivated, a single subsequent read above the object detection threshold will reactivate it. In an alternative embodiment, the first buffer is used in the initialization routine of block 61The buffer is filled, and the first buffer automatically replaces the oldest readout with the newest readout. (At block) 88 The driver's knee pad is activated.
[0029] After block 88 The program goes to the decision block 74 The program continues to evaluate whether a termination event was detected. If so, the program ends at block. 76 If not, the program jumps to the block for a new readout. 63 Back. The preceding logic prevents the deployment of a driver's knee pad when the driver's seat is facing backwards.
[0030] Fig. 5 refers to Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 will be discussed. The illustrated example rear seat 16It is firmly in a forward-facing position and has two sitting positions, a left position and a right position. Because the functionality is the same for both sitting positions, the following discussion uses the left sitting position as an example for clarity. When the seat 16 is occupied and the front seats 12 , 14 Since the rear seat is in a forward-facing orientation, it is desirable that the rear seat restraint devices 40 , 42 activated in anticipation of a requirement for a possible deployment. If the seat 16 If it is not proven, it is preferred that the airbags deploy. 40 and the knee pads 42 not unfold. Fig. 5 illustrates a logic diagram 54 for computer program software that assesses whether an occupant in the back seat is 16is located. In particular, the software that uses the illustrated logic is stored in the electronic control unit and is used to detect the presence of feet in the rear footwell. 46 , by determining whether there is movement in the footwell 46 gives, used.
[0031] The processor executes the in Fig. 5 illustrated the steps described below. In a starting block 90 The computer program is initialized. A first memory buffer, a second memory buffer, and a third memory buffer are opened at block 92 The block is emptied as part of an initialization routine of stored values. The block's initialization routine 92This includes resetting the registers, reading the process into the controller's random access memory ("RAM"), and other low-level software steps that are well-known in the state of the art of control software and are not critical to the present description. The knee pad 42 is activated as part of the initialization routine. The terms first buffer, first memory buffer, and buffer 1 The following description will cover the Fig. 5 and in Fig. The terms 5 are used interchangeably throughout. Similarly, the terms second buffer, second memory buffer, and buffer are used interchangeably. 2 used interchangeably and third buffer, third working memory buffer and buffer 3 They are used interchangeably.
[0032] (Not shown) passenger seat position sensors are used according to the process block 94 read out to determine the rotation positions of the seats 12 and 14to determine. Then the program moves to the decision block. 96 In the decision block 96 The readings will be performed with predetermined development position value ranges for the seats. 12 and 14 The data is compared. If the data value from a seat position sensor is outside the predetermined unfolding position range for the seat, the computer moves to the processing block. 98 The back knee pad is positioned according to the block. 98 deactivated. The program moves to the decision block. 100 The decision block 100 The program checks for a termination event. An example of a termination event is the loss of an ignition signal. If a termination event is detected, the program terminates at the end block. 102 Aborted. If no abort event was detected, the program moves to the block. 94 back to perform another readout.
[0033] If at block96 If the data value from a seat position sensor lies within the predetermined unfolding position range for the seat, the computer program moves to the process block. 104 The sensor 44 will be according to process block 104 Read out. The very latest sensor readout. 44 will then be according to the process block 106 Stored in the first buffer. The first buffer is automatically updated on a FIFO basis. The program moves to the decision block. 108 , where the latest sensor reading of the sensor 44 The latest sensor reading is compared to a predetermined and stored value, characterized as an "object detection threshold." If the latest sensor reading is not greater than the object detection threshold, the program then proceeds according to the decision block. 98 to the process block 110 .
[0034] The very latest readout or the very latest data value of block 104 will be according to block 110 The data is stored on a FIFO basis in the third buffer, and the program moves to the decision block. 112 The decision block 112 The program assesses whether the third buffer is full. If the third buffer is not full, it moves to the decision block. 100 The decision block 100 The program checks for a termination event. If a termination event is detected, the program terminates at the end block. 102 Aborted. If no abort event was detected, the program moves to the block. 94 back to perform another readout. If the decision block 112 Determined that the third buffer is full, the program empties it at block 113 the first buffer and then moves to the process block 98 . According to block 98 will the knee pad 42disabled. After the block 98 The program jumps to the block 94 return to perform another readout, but only after confirmation in the decision block 100 that no termination event was detected.
[0035] If the decision block 108 determined that the very latest in block 104 sensor reading 44 If the value is above the object detection threshold, then the program moves to the process block. 114 , which orders the emptying of the third buffer. Then the program moves to the process block. 116 .
[0036] At Block 116A motion detection process is performed on the values in the first buffer. The exact nature of the process is unimportant, but it yields a value suitable for evaluating whether there is a trend in the proximity sensor readouts indicating a change in their value, thus revealing motion. An example process involves calculating the variance of the most recent value stored in the first buffer relative to all values currently in the first buffer, and storing the variance of the most recent readout in a second buffer. The second buffer stores variance values for each of the buffered proximity sensor readouts. The example motion detection process would then sum all the values in the second buffer to derive a motion detection output. The program then proceeds to the decision block. 118 .
[0037] The decision block 118 It evaluates whether the motion detection process output exceeds a predetermined threshold. If it does not, which indicates that no motion was detected, the block redirects 118 the program for the block 98 , which deactivates the rear passenger knee pad. After block 98 The program goes to the decision block 100 The program continues to evaluate whether a termination event was detected. If so, the program ends at block. 102 If not, the program jumps to the block for a new readout. 94 back. If block 118 If it is determined that the motion detection process output exceeds the predetermined threshold, which is characteristic of motion detection, then the program becomes a process block. 119 guided. Block 119 Activates the rear passenger knee pad. After block 119The program goes to the decision block 100 The program continues to evaluate whether a termination event was detected. If so, the program ends at block. 102 If not, the program jumps to the block for a new readout. 94 back. The logic diagram 54 The only reason it doesn't include a decision box that explicitly checks whether the first memory buffer is full is that, in the illustrated embodiment, the first buffer is characterized as automatically maintained. Alternatively, a decision block could be used to check whether the buffer is full, such as the block 80 of the logic diagram 52 or the block 142 of the logic diagram 56 .
[0038] Fig. 6 refers to Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 will be discussed. The illustrated exemplary seat 14 is in Fig. 1 in a forward-facing position is illustrated and is, as in Fig. As shown in section 2, it can be swivelled into a backward-facing position. If the seat 14 If the vehicle is occupied and in a forward-facing orientation, it is desirable that the additional restraint devices be used. 20 , 24 activated in anticipation of a requirement for a possible deployment. If the seat 14 If the airbag is occupied and in a backward-facing orientation, it is preferred that the airbag deploy. 20 and the knee pad 24 not deploy. It is also preferred that the airbag 40 and the knee pad 42 cannot unfold if the seat 14 is backward-looking. Fig. Figure 6 illustrates a logic diagram 56 for computer program software that assesses whether a forward-facing occupant in the front passenger seat is 14is located. In particular, the software that uses the illustrated logic is stored in the electronic control unit and is used to detect the presence of feet in the passenger footwell. 36 , by determining whether there is movement in the footwell 36 gives, used.
[0039] The processor executes the in Fig. Six illustrated the steps described below. In a starting block 120 The computer program is initialized. A first memory buffer and a second memory buffer are each allocated at block 121 The block is emptied as part of an initialization routine of stored values. The block's initialization routine 121The program records the resetting of the registers, the reading of the process into the controller's random access memory ("RAM"), and other low-level software steps that are well-known in the state of the art of control software and are not critical for this description. The program then moves to the process block. 122 The knee pad 24 will be according to the process block 122 activated. The terms first buffer, first memory buffer, and buffer 1 The following description will cover the Fig. 6 and in Fig. The terms 6 are used interchangeably throughout. Similarly, the terms second buffer, second memory buffer, and buffer are used interchangeably. 2 used interchangeably and third buffer, third working memory buffer and buffer 3 They are used interchangeably.
[0040] A (not shown) passenger seat position sensor is used according to the process block 123read out to determine the rotation position of the seat 14 to determine. Then the program moves to the decision block. 124 In the decision block 124 The readouts will be performed with predetermined development position value ranges for the seat. 14 The data is compared. If the data value from the seat position sensor is outside the predetermined unfolding position range for the seat, the computer program moves to the process block. 136 The passenger knee pad is installed according to the block. 136 deactivated. The program moves to the decision block. 132 The decision block 132 The program checks for a termination event. An example of a termination event is the loss of an ignition signal. If a termination event is detected, the program terminates at the end block. 134 Aborted. If no abort event was detected, the program moves to the block. 123back to perform another readout.
[0041] The sensor 37 will be according to process block 125 Read out. The latest sensor readout from the sensor. 37 is compared with a predetermined and stored value, which is determined according to the decision block 126 This is characterized as an "object detection threshold". If the latest sensor reading is not greater than the object detection threshold, the program then proceeds according to the decision block. 126 to the process block 128 According to the block 125 The latest reading or data value from the sensor will be displayed. 37 according to block 128 Stored in the second memory buffer. The second buffer is automatically updated on a FIFO basis.
[0042] After block 128 The program is moving to the decision block 130 The decision block 130The program assesses whether the second buffer is full. If the second buffer is not full, it moves to the decision block. 132 The decision block 132 The program checks for a termination event. An example of a termination event is the loss of an ignition signal. If a termination event is detected, the program terminates at the end block. 134 Aborted. If no abort event was detected, the program moves to the block. 123 back to perform another readout. If the decision block 130 Determined that the second buffer is full, the program first empties it at process block 135 the first memory buffer and then moves to the process block 136 . According to block 136 The passenger knee pad 24 disabled. After the block 136 The program jumps to the block 123return to perform another readout, but only after confirmation in the decision block 132 that no termination event was detected.
[0043] If according to the decision block 126 the latest sensor reading at Block 125 If the value is greater than the object detection threshold, then the program moves from the block. 126 to the process block 138 , where the second memory buffer is cleared. Then the program moves to the process block. 140 According to the block 140 The latest readout is stored in the first memory buffer. The first buffer is automatically updated on a FIFO basis. Then the program moves to the decision block. 142 .
[0044] The decision block 142 The program assesses whether the first memory buffer is full. If the first memory buffer is not full, the program moves to the next block. 125, where another value from the sensor 37 The memory is read. When the first memory buffer is full, the program moves to the next process block. 144 next. At Block 144A motion detection process is performed on the values in the buffer. The exact nature of the process is unimportant, but it yields a value suitable for evaluating whether there is a trend in the proximity sensor readouts indicating a change in their value, thus revealing motion. An example process involves calculating the variance of the most recent value added to the buffer relative to all values currently in the buffer and storing the variance of this latest readout in a new, third buffer. This third buffer contains variances for each of the buffered proximity sensor readouts. The example motion detection process would then summ all the values in the third buffer to derive a motion detection output.
[0045] The program moves from the block 144 to the decision block146 The decision block 146 It evaluates whether the motion detection process output exceeds a predetermined threshold. If it does not, which indicates that no motion was detected, the block redirects 146 the program for the block 136 , which deactivates the passenger knee pad. After block 136 The program goes to the block 132 The program continues to evaluate whether a termination event was detected. If so, the program ends at block. 134 If not, the program jumps to the block for a new readout. 123 back. If block 146 If it is determined that the motion detection process output exceeds the predetermined threshold, which is characteristic of motion detection, then the program becomes a process block. 148 guided. Block 148 activates the passenger knee pad 24 and the passenger airbag 20 . After block148 The program goes to the decision block 132 The program continues to evaluate whether a termination event was detected. If so, the program ends at block. 134 If not, the program jumps to the block for a new readout. 123 back.
[0046] Fig. Figure 7 illustrates an example logic diagram decision representation. 58 for controlling auxiliary restraint devices, which is particularly applicable to the deployment of auxiliary restraint devices for passengers, especially front-seat passengers. The representation 58It compares decisions made based on a variety of decision criteria. Introducing leg movement as an available decision criterion advantageously allows for knee pad deployment. An example software program, executed by the electronic control unit, uses the illustrated logic to activate and deactivate the knee pad.
[0047] Under certain circumstances, particularly in the front passenger seat, it is desirable to activate the airbag even if the passenger's weight is less than the fifth percentile for a female. Although the passenger may be lighter in weight, they may still be of sufficient height and strength to benefit from the deployment of all available supplemental restraint devices. Since the driver of a typical vehicle is of a certain size to enable the vehicle to operate, the driver is assumed to be sufficiently large to withstand at least partial airbag deployment without serious injury. No such assumption can be made for the front passenger. The front passenger seat may be occupied, for example, by a rear-facing infant, a three-year-old child, a six-year-old child, or an adult occupant of varying sizes, as illustrated in the diagram. 58It is noted that, however, as noted above, a front passenger may be perceived as too small, based solely on weight, to safely resist airbag deployment, as shown in the activation / deactivation decisions for an additional restraint device. This is demonstrated in the case based on a minimum base threshold, which refers to a certain base value but may be long enough to benefit from the deployment of a passive restraint device. The size of a front passenger can be based on data from a weight sensor installed in the seat and the motion detection sensors. Weight sensors may include commercially available pressure mats integrated into the seat structure. Other forms of weight sensors include strain gauge devices and bladder-like sensors. The representation 58 from Fig.Figure 7 illustrates conditions under which additional restraint devices, including airbags and knee pads, would be activated if leg position and movement were detected, and would be deactivated under identical conditions but without the benefit of leg position and movement detection. For example, a tiny adult female who weighs less than the fifth percentile of a female would be restrained in the front passenger seat without leg position and movement detection. 14 No additional restraint system will deploy during an impact event. However, the ability to detect leg position and movement allows for the beneficial deployment of additional restraint systems for an otherwise tiny seated occupant, thus providing enhanced occupant protection.
[0048] It is understood that the present disclosure, including the above description, the accompanying figures, and the claims below, is intended for illustration and not for limitation. To a person skilled in the art, many other embodiments and applications besides the given examples would be apparent upon review of the above description. The scope of protection of the invention should not be determined by reference to the above description, but instead by reference to the claims attached thereto together with the full range of equivalents to which those claims entitle. Unless otherwise specified or qualified herein, all claim terms are to be understood in their simple and ordinary senses.It is expected and intended that future developments will occur in the technology discussed herein and that the disclosed systems and methods will be integrated into such future embodiments. In summary, it is understood that the disclosed subject matter can be modified and adapted.
Claims
[1] System comprising a control unit for a vehicle, wherein the control unit comprises a processor and a working memory, wherein the working memory stores instructions executable by the processor, such that the control unit is programmed to: Receiving data values from a sensor for detecting infrared light, wherein the sensor is arranged in a line of sight to a rear passenger footwell of the vehicle; Activating a rear passenger knee pad upon determining, at least partially based on data values, that an object is present and moving in the footwell; and Deactivating the knee pad when determining, at least partially based on data values, that there is no movement in the footwell. [2] System according to claim 1, wherein the sensor includes both an infrared receiver and an infrared emitter. [3] System according to claim 2, wherein the sensor is installed in an interior trim panel adjacent to the footwell. [4] System according to claim 3, wherein the interior trim is installed in a vehicle door adjacent to the footwell. [5] System according to claim 2, wherein the sensor is installed in a backrest of a seat located further forward, towards which the rear seat faces. [6] System according to claim 2, wherein the control is further programmed to determine that an object is moving, and to activate and deactivate the knee pad solely on the basis of the data values from the sensor. [7] System according to claim 2, wherein the control is further programmed to: Placing the data values in a first memory buffer that receives and retains a predetermined number of data values; Calculating the variance of the newest data value received from the buffer, relative to the data values already in the buffer; Add the variance of the most recent data value to a second buffer; Summing the variances in the second buffer to obtain a motion detection process output; and Determine that the motion detection process output exceeds a predetermined threshold. [8] System according to claim 5, wherein the controller, based on the data values from the sensor, is further programmed to: Determining the size of a gap between identified occupant legs and the backrest of the seat further forward; Deactivating the knee pad when the gap exceeds a predetermined size; and Activate the knee pad when the gap is below the predetermined size. [9] System according to claim 1, wherein the controller, based on the data values from the sensor, is further programmed to: Determining the size of a gap between identified occupant legs and the backrest of the seat further forward; Deactivating the knee pad when the gap exceeds a predetermined size; and Activate the knee pad when the gap is below the predetermined size. [10] System according to claim 1, wherein the knee pad is installed in a backrest of a seat located further forward and the seat located further forward includes a pivoting mounting device which allows the seat located further forward to rotate into a rearward-facing position and the control is further programmed to: Receiving seat data values for a seat rotation position from a seat position sensor; and Deactivate the knee pad if the seat data values are outside a predetermined range. [11] System, encompassing: a control unit for a vehicle, wherein the control unit comprises a processor and a working memory, wherein the working memory stores instructions executable by the processor; a sensor for detecting infrared light, wherein the sensor is arranged in a line of sight to a vehicle footwell; a selectively deployable knee pad located in the backrest of a seat positioned further forward, facing the rear seat; the control is programmed to: Receiving data values from the sensor; Activating a rear passenger knee pad upon determining, at least partially based on data values, that an object is present and moving in the footwell; and Deactivating the knee pad when determining, at least partially based on data values, that there is no movement in the footwell. [12] System according to claim 11, wherein the sensor includes both an infrared receiver and an infrared emitter. [13] System according to claim 12, wherein the sensor is installed in an interior trim panel adjacent to the footwell. [14] System according to claim 13, wherein the sensor is installed in a backrest of a seat located further forward, towards which the rear seat faces. [15] System according to claim 11, wherein the control is further programmed to determine that an object is moving in the footwell, and to activate and deactivate the knee pad solely on the basis of the data values from the sensor. [16] System according to claim 11, wherein the control is further programmed to: Placing the data values in a first memory buffer that receives and retains a predetermined number of data values; Calculating the variance of the newest data value received from the buffer, relative to the data values already in the buffer; Add the variance of the most recent data value to a second buffer; Summing the variances in the second buffer to obtain a motion detection process output; and Determine that the motion detection process output exceeds a predetermined threshold. [17] System according to claim 14, wherein the controller, based on the data values from the sensor, is further programmed to: Determining the size of a gap between identified occupant legs and the backrest of the seat further forward; Deactivating the knee pad when the gap exceeds a predetermined size; and Activate the knee pad when the gap is below the predetermined size. [18] System according to claim 11, wherein the controller, based on the data values from the sensor, is further programmed to: Determining the size of a gap between identified occupant legs and the backrest of the seat further forward; Deactivating the knee pad when the gap exceeds a predetermined size; and Activate the knee pad when the gap is below the predetermined size. [19] System according to claim 11, further comprising a seat position sensor, wherein the knee pad is installed in a backrest of a seat located further forward and the seat located further forward includes a pivoting mounting device which allows the seat located further forward to rotate into a rearward-facing position, and the control is further programmed to: Receiving seat position data values from the seat position sensor indicating a rotational position of the seat further forward; and Deactivate the knee pad if the seat data values are outside a predetermined range.