Airbag Switch Using Camera and Weight Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional automatic airbag deployment systems are unreliable and unsafe for small children or infants due to their reliance on pressure sensors, which can activate the airbag unnecessarily, causing harm or death.
Innovation Solution
An improved automatic airbag deployment system that uses a combination of sensors, including weight, height, and facial recognition technologies to determine if a person is seated in the passenger seat, ensuring the airbag is only activated when a person meeting specific criteria is present.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pressure sensors are used to detect passenger presence, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but the system becomes unreliable and unsafe for small children
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (pressure sensor, camera sensor, LIDAR sensor) into an integrated detection system. The pressure sensor provides initial occupancy detection, while camera and LIDAR sensors provide additional verification of passenger characteristics. This merging of sensors resolves the contradiction by maintaining system simplicity through integration while improving reliability through multi-modal verification that can distinguish between adult passengers and child safety seats.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces image processing techniques and machine learning algorithms as intermediaries between the raw sensor data and the airbag deployment decision. These intermediaries process camera and LIDAR data to determine passenger characteristics, acting as a mediator that translates complex sensor inputs into reliable deployment decisions. This resolves the contradiction by adding intelligence that improves accuracy without requiring direct complexity in the sensor hardware itself.
2Ease of operation
If manual airbag control is provided, then the driver can control airbag activation, but the driver may not know how to operate it or forget to reactivate it
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service system where the airbag control system automatically monitors passenger presence and characteristics, and autonomously makes deployment decisions without requiring driver intervention. The system serves itself by using sensors and processing algorithms to detect when deployment is appropriate, eliminating the need for manual control while maintaining ease of operation. This resolves the contradiction by removing the operational burden from the driver while ensuring reliable activation through automated intelligence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates continuous feedback loops where sensors monitor passenger presence and characteristics, and the system adjusts its deployment decisions based on this feedback. The camera and LIDAR systems provide ongoing verification of passenger status, creating a feedback mechanism that ensures reliable activation without manual intervention. This feedback system resolves the contradiction by maintaining automatic reliability while keeping the system simple for the driver to interact with.
3Measurement precision
If additional objects are placed in the passenger seat with a child, then the weight threshold may be met, but traditional systems may incorrectly activate the airbag
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional weight-based detection to multi-dimensional detection by incorporating camera imaging and LIDAR ranging data. Instead of relying solely on the weight dimension, the system adds spatial and visual dimensions to distinguish between a child with objects and an adult passenger. This dimensional expansion resolves the contradiction by improving measurement precision through additional information channels without requiring overly complex sensor hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameters from simple weight threshold to a combination of parameters including passenger height, body shape, and visual characteristics captured by camera and LIDAR sensors. By changing the parameter set used for detection, the system can distinguish between different scenarios (child with objects versus adult) more accurately. This parameter transformation resolves the contradiction by improving detection precision while keeping the added complexity manageable through software-based parameter processing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively prevents unnecessary airbag deployment by accurately identifying the presence and characteristics of a person, ensuring safer travel for children and adults by activating the airbag only when necessary.
Implementation Method 1
the processor device receives digital image input from a camera sensor device
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques described herein include a system and method for switching an airbag on or off based on determining that an object situated in a vehicle seat meets one or more conditions. In some embodiments, the vehicle seat may be fitted with a weight sensor configured to detect an object situated in the vehicle seat. The system may include a camera device configured to capture image information associated with the object situated in the vehicle seat. The image information may be processed to determine if the object is a person meeting one or more threshold conditions for activating the airbag. Upon processing the image information, the airbag may be provided with instructions to either activate or deactivate.