Vehicle Occupant Sensor Layout for Child-Adult Classification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current occupant detection systems in vehicles face challenges in accurately classifying occupants, particularly distinguishing between children and relatively small adults, which is crucial for adjusting airbag deployment to ensure safety.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle occupant classification system that includes occupant weight sensors and presence sensors, along with logic devices to communicate and determine occupant classification statuses, using capacitive electrodes and protective plastic layers to prevent electrical shorts, and environmental sensors to compensate for conditions, enabling reliable differentiation between occupant types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If reduced-force airbag deployment is used for relatively small adult females, then safety of the occupant during collision is improved, but it is not recommended for young children which can reach similar weights and heights, leading to potential misclassification and safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the occupant classification into multiple categories (child, small adult, large adult) using multiple sensors including weight sensors, presence sensors, and environmental sensors. Each sensor type detects different parameters, and their combined data enables more granular segmentation of occupant types to distinguish between children and small adults who may have similar weights.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs multiple sensor types that can serve multiple functions: weight sensors detect occupant mass, presence sensors detect occupant location, and environmental sensors compensate for temperature and humidity variations. This multi-functional approach allows a single sensor system to address multiple classification challenges simultaneously.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensor types are used to improve occupant classification accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (weight sensors, presence sensors, environmental sensors) into an integrated occupant classification system. The logic device merges data from all these sensors to determine occupant classification status, achieving high measurement precision through data fusion while managing system complexity through unified control.
Solution Approach 2:
The logic device acts as an intermediary that receives signals from multiple sensor types, processes the data, and determines occupant classification. This intermediary component coordinates the complex interactions between different sensors, translating raw sensor data into meaningful classification decisions without requiring direct complex interconnections between all sensors.
3Measurement precision
If environmental compensation is implemented to improve measurement accuracy under varying conditions, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses environmental sensors to detect changes in temperature and humidity parameters. The logic device then compensates for these environmental variations by adjusting the interpretation of weight and presence sensor signals, maintaining measurement precision across different environmental conditions without requiring physical modifications to the sensors themselves.
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 provides accurate and granular occupant classification, enabling safer airbag deployment by reliably differentiating between children and small adults, thus enhancing vehicle safety during collisions.
Implementation Method 1
the weight sensor includes first and second conductive electrodes separated by a dielectric layer
Implementation Method 2
first and second conductive electrodes separated by a dielectric layer
Implementation Method 3
adhesive layers disposed between the top protective plastic layer and the first conductive electrode, the bottom protective plastic layer and the second conductive electrode, the first conductive electrode and the dielectric layer, and the second conductive electrode and the dielectric layer
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to detect and/or classify a vehicle occupant, such as a passenger seated within the cockpit of a vehicle. An occupant classification system includes an occupant weight sensor, an occupant presence sensor, and a logic device configured to communicate with the occupant sensors. The occupant weight sensor includes at least first and second conductive electrodes separated by a dielectric layer, top and bottom protective plastic layers configured to support the respective first and second conductive electrodes, and adhesive layers disposed between the plastic layers and the conductive electrodes and between the conductive electrodes and the dielectric layer. The top protective plastic layer is longer and/or wider than the first conductive electrode and the bottom protective plastic layer is longer and/or wider than the second conductive electrode to provide edge protection against electrical shorts for the first and second conductive electrodes.