Vehicle Chassis Load Sensing for Accurate Occupant Weight Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the weight of motor vehicle occupants are either costly or inaccurate, particularly when occupants support themselves at multiple points, leading to disruptive effects that can misinterpret refueling as occupant entry.
Innovation Solution
A method that detects the load on the vehicle chassis before and after an occupant enters, using sensors to determine the weight difference, and continuously monitors weight changes to differentiate between occupant entry and refueling, with additional sensors for door states and optical detection for accurate weight distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If weight sensors are arranged in vehicle seats to detect occupant weight, then occupant weight can be measured, but the system becomes costly and inaccurate due to disruptive effects when occupants support themselves at multiple points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the chassis as an intermediary structure to measure occupant weight. Instead of placing sensors directly in seats, the system measures the load on the chassis before and after occupant entry, using the chassis as a stable reference platform. This mediator approach eliminates the need for complex seat-mounted sensor systems while providing accurate weight measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the weight measurement function from the seat structure and relocates it to the chassis. By separating the measurement function from the seat, the system avoids the problems of seat-mounted sensors while maintaining the ability to detect occupant weight through chassis load changes.
2Reliability
If weight changes are monitored to detect occupant entry, then weight-based detection is possible, but refueling operations can be erroneously interpreted as occupant entry
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of vehicle state (door open/closed status) before interpreting weight changes. By checking door status first, the system prepares the correct interpretation context, allowing it to distinguish between occupant entry (door open) and refueling (door closed) scenarios based on the same weight change data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses door contact sensors to provide feedback about vehicle state that modifies how weight changes are interpreted. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt its interpretation of weight changes based on contextual information, preventing false positives during refueling operations.
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
This method provides accurate and cost-effective occupant weight determination, minimizing errors and enabling weight-dependent control of occupant protection systems, such as airbags and seat belt tensioners, to enhance safety.
Implementation Method 1
detecting a first load which acts on a chassis of the motor vehicle as first weight value
Data Source
AI summary
A method for detecting a weight of at least one occupant of a motor vehicle includes the steps of detecting a first load which acts on a chassis of the motor vehicle as first weight value at a time point prior to entering of the at least one occupant into the motor vehicle, detecting a second load which acts on the chassis as second weight value at a second time point after entering of the at least one occupant into the motor vehicle; and determining the weight of the at least one occupant by forming a difference between the first and second weight values.