Vehicle Seat Occupant Classification Using Load Sensor Voting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing occupant determination devices face issues with delayed class transitions and reduced accuracy in determining an occupant's physique due to fluctuations in load values, leading to unreliable results.
Innovation Solution
An occupant determination device that includes a tentative-determination processing unit to classify occupant physique using load sensors and a determination processing unit to confirm the classification based on a predetermined threshold of tentative determination results, ensuring reliable classification by adjusting load threshold values and incorporating a buckle sensor for seat belt fastening to enhance accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a threshold period of time is used for class transition to prevent false classification, then reliability is improved, but the response speed deteriorates causing excessive delay in accurate determination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the determination process into two distinct stages: a first determination process that uses a relatively long threshold period for high reliability, and a second determination process that uses a shorter threshold period for faster response. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both reliability and speed by selecting the appropriate process based on current conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically switches between the first and second determination processes based on whether the currently determined class is appropriate. When the current class is deemed inappropriate, the system transitions to the second process with shorter threshold period for faster re-determination, thereby adapting the response time to the situational needs.
2Measurement precision
If load threshold values are adjusted to improve classification accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple determination processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of threshold period duration between two determination processes. The first determination process uses a longer threshold period for higher accuracy, while the second uses a shorter period for faster response. This parameter change allows the system to balance between precision and speed without adding complex hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback by evaluating whether the currently determined class is appropriate and using this information to decide whether to switch between the first and second determination processes. This feedback mechanism ensures that the more complex second process is only activated when necessary, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
To provide an occupant determination device capable of improving reliability in results of determining an occupant's physique. An occupant determination device includes a tentative-determination processing unit provided in a seat of a vehicle and classifying a physique of an occupant seated on the seat by comparing a determination value set based on sensor values of a plurality of load sensors for detecting loads applied to the seat with predetermined load threshold values, and a determination processing unit determining the physique of the occupant by using tentative determination results by the tentative-determination processing unit, in which, when the number of the tentative determination results classified into a given class becomes equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold value in the tentative determination results of a predetermined number of samples, the determination processing unit determines the physique of the occupant to be the given class.