Seat Belt Sensor Orientation via Numerical Modeling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining information about a vehicle occupant and seat belt using sensors on the seat belt are not sufficiently reliable, as they lack accurate representation of sensor orientations and forces in a vehicle coordinate system, leading to incomplete data on the occupant's position and seat belt status.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a numerical model of the seat belt and sensors, where sensor positions and orientations are adjusted using an optimization algorithm to minimize deviations of detected forces from the gravitational direction, allowing for accurate determination of the seat belt's course and occupant information in a vehicle coordinate system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensors are mounted on the seat belt to determine occupant information, then information about the occupant and seat belt can be obtained, but the reliability of the determined information is insufficient due to lack of accurate sensor orientation and force representation in vehicle coordinate system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a numerical model that copies the physical seat belt system, including sensors and their orientations. This virtual model allows accurate representation of sensor data in the vehicle coordinate system without requiring complex physical sensor installations, thereby improving reliability while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The numerical model acts as an intermediary between the physical sensors and the evaluation system. It transforms raw sensor measurements into accurate force representations in the vehicle coordinate system, resolving the contradiction between obtaining reliable information and maintaining measurement precision
2Measurement precision
If a numerical model with optimized sensor positions and orientations is created, then accurate determination of seat belt course and occupant information is achieved, but the complexity of the system increases due to model generation and optimization processes
Solution Approach 1:
The numerical model performs self-calibration through the optimization process, automatically adjusting sensor positions and orientations to achieve accurate force representation. This self-service capability reduces the need for manual calibration and complex external adjustment mechanisms, improving measurement precision while managing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The optimization of sensor positions and orientations is performed in advance during model generation, before actual measurement takes place. This preliminary action ensures accurate seat belt course determination during operation without requiring complex real-time adjustments, thereby improving precision while containing complexity
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 approach provides reliable information on the occupant's height, seating position, posture, and seat belt status by accurately modeling the seat belt's spatial course, enabling correct fastening detection and triggering vehicle reactions such as warning signals.
Implementation Method 1
determining a force acting on the sensors in a sensor coordinate system associated with each of the sensors
Implementation Method 2
until in a coordinate system corresponding to a vehicle coordinate system the deviations of the directions of the forces determined by the sensors from the direction of the gravitational force are minimal
Data Source
AI summary
It is provided a method for determining information with respect to an occupant and/or a seat belt of a motor vehicle, wherein the seat belt includes a plurality of sensors. The method comprises the following steps: determining a force acting on each of the sensors in a sensor coordinate system associated with each of the sensors; generating a numerical model of the seat belt and the sensors in an initial state; generating a final state of the model by varying positions and/or orientations of portions of the modeled seat belt, which are in a fixed geometrical relationship with the represented positions and/or orientations of at least some of the sensors; and determining the information with respect to the occupant and/or the seat belt based on the course of the modeled seat belt in the final state.