Vehicle Child Presence Detection With Occupant Classification Interlocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current occupant classification systems in vehicles, relying on capacitive sensing and seat weight rail systems, fail to accurately distinguish between different types of occupants, particularly between children and small adults, leading to 'grey zones' that compromise safety features and regulatory compliance.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle sensor control system with multiple sensors, including capacitive and weight sensors, and image sensors, that classify occupants using a digital control sequence to activate alerts and interlocks, providing higher resolution thresholds to differentiate between occupant types and prevent children from being left unattended.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional capacitive sensing and seat weight rail systems are used for occupant classification, then the system structure is simple, but the measurement precision is insufficient to distinguish between children and small adults
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing technologies (capacitive sensors, weight sensors, and image sensors) into an integrated occupant classification system. This merging of different sensing modalities enables higher resolution thresholds for distinguishing between children and small adults, resolving the measurement precision issue while distributing the complexity across multiple specialized components rather than one complex system
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the occupant classification function into multiple independent sensor types, each contributing specific data (capacitive properties, weight measurements, visual identification). This segmentation allows each sensor to be optimized for its specific measurement task while collectively achieving high-precision classification that neither sensor could achieve alone
2Reliability
If higher resolution thresholds are implemented to differentiate occupant types, then the reliability of safety features improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses digital control sequences that process data from multiple sensors and provide feedback to activate or deactivate specific safety features (alerts, interlocks). This feedback mechanism ensures that safety features are reliably activated only when appropriate classification is confirmed by multiple sensor modalities, increasing reliability while using software logic to manage complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary occupant classification using multiple sensors before activating safety features. By pre-classifying occupants with high-resolution thresholds and preparing appropriate safety responses in advance, the system ensures reliable safety feature activation without requiring complex real-time decision-making during critical moments
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple sensors and digital control sequences are used to prevent children from being left unattended, then the safety of children improves, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically monitors occupant presence using multiple sensors and autonomously activates alerts and interlocks when a child is detected and the vehicle door is opened. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual operation by drivers or passengers, maintaining child safety while preserving ease of operation through automated decision-making and response execution
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 classifies occupants with higher resolution, minimizing confusion between children and small adults, and ensures child safety by activating alerts and interlocks to prevent unattended children from being left in vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
The capacitive sensor is configured to provide a capacitance signal that changes in response to a presence of an occupant on a vehicle seat
Implementation Method 2
The seat weight sensor is adapted to generate a measure of weight upon the vehicle seat
Data Source
AI summary
A passenger protection system for a vehicle includes a vehicle sensor control system having at least one processor and computerized memory storing vehicle control software therein, wherein the vehicle control software receives input data from a plurality of vehicle sensors. A digital control sequence is triggered in the software by a presence of at least one occupant other than a driver in the vehicle who is classified as a child, with the digital control sequence activating and de-activating an alert system and a system of electronically programmed interlocks in a vehicle control system. The alert system includes at least one of an audible alert and/or a visible alert and/or a haptic alert to ensure child safety in the vehicle during operation. The interlocks may electronically control numerous vehicle functions including window operation, seat position adjustment, and seat belt position adjustment.