Occupant Classifying Device Electric Field Confinement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing occupant classification systems in vehicles face challenges in accurately distinguishing between infants and adults due to interference from external factors like mobile phones, moisture, and seat heaters, and require insulating bodies to maintain sensitivity, which complicates the deployment of airbags.
Innovation Solution
An occupant classifying device with first and second electrodes disposed in a seat to form an electric field, eliminating the need for insulating bodies and minimizing external interference by concentrating the electric field within the seat, allowing for clear differentiation between infants and adults based on capacitance variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If electrodes are disposed outside the seat, then the electric field can cover a larger area, but the sensitivity decreases and the electric field spreads in all directions requiring insulating bodies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the electric field generation within the specific local area of the seat where electrodes are embedded. This localized approach creates a focused detection zone exactly where occupancy needs to be sensed, improving sensitivity without requiring broad-area coverage. The electric field is confined to the seat structure itself rather than spreading externally.
2Stability of the object's composition
If insulating bodies are installed in the seat to maintain electric field, then the electric field stability improves, but the device complexity increases and sensitivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The seat structure itself serves the dual function of both supporting the electrodes and providing the necessary electrical insulation. The seat's existing materials and structure are utilized to maintain the electric field without requiring separate insulating components. This self-service approach eliminates additional parts while maintaining field stability.
3Area of stationary object
If the electric field is allowed to spread freely, then the detection range increases, but external interference from mobile phones, moisture, and seat heaters increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electric field generation and detection function from the broader vehicle environment and confines it specifically to the seat structure. By taking out the electrodes and limiting the electric field to the seat's boundaries, the system isolates the detection process from external interference sources like mobile phones, moisture, and seat heaters that exist in the surrounding vehicle environment.
4Area of stationary object
If electrodes are spaced far apart to increase coverage, then the area monitored increases, but the current measurement precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from considering only the horizontal spacing between electrodes to utilizing the vertical dimension within the seat structure. By embedding electrodes at different depths and positions within the seat's thickness, the system achieves comprehensive area coverage while maintaining close proximity for accurate current measurement. This dimensional approach allows both broad monitoring and precise detection simultaneously.
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 improves sensitivity and accuracy in classifying occupants by minimizing external interference and eliminating the need for insulating bodies, ensuring proper airbag deployment conditions based on occupant type.
Implementation Method 1
a second electrode disposed in the seat, spaced apart from the first electrode, and forming an electric field between the first and second electrodes
Implementation Method 2
it is possible to clearly distinguish between an infant and an adult because of a large difference between a capacitance for an infant and a capacitance for an adult
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an occupant classifying device which can detect an occupant sitting on a seat by a change in an electric field between first and second electrodes that is caused by the occupant sitting on the seat. The occupant classifying device includes: a seat for an occupant to sit on; a first electrode disposed in the seat; a second electrode disposed in the seat, spaced apart from the first electrode, and forming an electric field between the first and second electrodes; and a current measuring device for measuring a variation in current value corresponding to changes in the electric field caused by the occupant sitting on the seat.