Vehicle Airbag Occupant Classification Control During Dynamic Events
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for controlling airbag deployment in vehicles during dynamic situations can lead to inappropriate changes in occupant classification or airbag status due to false indications caused by changes in occupant position or weight during events like braking or collisions.
Innovation Solution
A method that estimates occupant classification and evaluates multiple indicators of impending vehicle dynamic situations, such as antilock brake system status, speed, brake application, and stability control system activation, to hold the occupant classification or airbag status constant during such events, preventing false changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the system continuously monitors and updates occupant classification based on weight measurements, then the airbag deployment accuracy is improved, but false indications occur during vehicle dynamic situations causing inappropriate airbag status changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by detecting indicators of impending vehicle dynamic situations (brake application, acceleration, steering angle) before they cause false occupant classification changes. When such indicators are detected, the system preemptively prevents weight-based classification updates, thereby counteracting the harmful effect of dynamic situation-induced measurement errors before they can affect airbag status
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by continuously monitoring vehicle dynamic indicators (brake status, acceleration, steering angle) in advance to predict when false occupant classification changes might occur. This allows the system to prepare and maintain the current airbag status during detected dynamic events, preventing inappropriate status changes before they can compromise safety
2Measurement precision
If the system uses weight-based occupant classification to determine airbag deployment, then the airbag deployment decision accuracy is improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to false weight changes during vehicle dynamics
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary layer consisting of vehicle dynamic indicators (brake status, acceleration, steering angle) that mediates between weight measurements and airbag deployment decisions. This intermediary layer filters out false weight changes caused by vehicle dynamics, allowing the system to maintain accurate occupant classification by blocking harmful intermediate signals while permitting valid classification data
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the airbag control logic into separate evaluation pathways: one for normal conditions based on occupant classification, and another for vehicle dynamic situations based on monitored indicators. This segmentation allows the system to apply different control rules appropriately, preventing false indications from vehicle dynamics from affecting airbag status while maintaining accurate deployment decisions under normal conditions
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method for controlling vehicle airbag status during a vehicle dynamic situation. The method initially includes estimating an occupant classification. This estimation may, for example, be based on the occupant's weight. Thereafter, a plurality of indicators which may signify an impending vehicle dynamic situation are evaluated. If any of the indicators signify an impending vehicle dynamic situation, the occupant classification is held constant. Therefore, the events of the vehicle dynamic situation are prevented from contributing to an incorrect occupant classification.