Passenger Seat Load Sensor Weighting for Airbag Classification
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing airbag deployment systems face challenges in determining whether to deploy an airbag cushion based on passenger weight, particularly for infants or lightweight individuals, leading to potential injuries and increased costs due to the need for multiple load sensors, which complicates compliance with regulatory standards.
Innovation Solution
A passenger classifying apparatus using a reduced number of load sensors with weighted load values, where at least one sensor can be a dummy sensor, optimizes the classification margin by determining weighted load values that maximize the difference between adult and infant weights, ensuring accurate deployment decisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If four or more load sensors are installed on a passenger seat to weigh the passenger, then the accuracy of passenger weight measurement is improved, but the cost of the airbag cushion increases and price competitiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters of the load sensing system by reducing the number of load sensors from four or more to three, and introduces a dummy sensor to compensate for the reduced measurement capacity. The weighted load values are optimized to maintain measurement accuracy with fewer sensors, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dummy sensor as an intermediary element that, while not directly measuring load, provides reference information that helps the three load sensors accurately determine passenger weight. This mediator enables accurate measurement with fewer active sensors, reducing cost while maintaining precision.
2Reliability
If four or more load sensors are installed on a passenger seat to weigh the passenger, then the reliability of passenger classification is improved, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the weighted load values parameters to ensure that three load sensors plus one dummy sensor can achieve the same classification reliability as four or more load sensors. By carefully selecting the weighted values, the system maintains reliable passenger classification (adult vs. infant) with reduced sensor count.
Solution Approach 2:
The dummy sensor acts as a virtual copy or reference that simulates the function of a fourth load sensor without requiring actual load sensing capability. This copying approach maintains classification reliability while reducing the number of expensive load sensors needed.
3Device complexity
If the number of load sensors is reduced to minimize cost, then the price competitiveness is improved, but the classification margin and measurement accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent compensates for the reduced number of sensors by optimizing the weighted load value parameters. The weighted values are calculated to maximize the classification margin between adult and infant passengers, ensuring that even with three load sensors and one dummy sensor, the measurement precision and classification accuracy are maintained.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for classifying passengers comprises the steps of providing a plurality of load sensors disposed in a passenger seat of an automobile for measuring a load applied to the passenger seat; obtaining a sum by summing respective values obtained by multiplying respective load values measured from the plurality of load sensors by weighted load values of the respective load sensors; and comparing the sum with a reference value to classify a passenger on the passenger seat.