Vehicle Seat Occupancy Detection via Acceleration Signal Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems fail to reliably detect seat occupancy in vehicles, posing a safety risk as they may not differentiate between an occupied and unoccupied seat, particularly in scenarios where maintenance is performed near active machinery, leading to potential driver injury.
Innovation Solution
A system incorporating an acceleration sensor on a vehicle seat to measure and analyze vibration characteristics over time, using an evaluation unit to determine whether the seat is occupied or unoccupied by comparing amplitude and frequency spectra against predefined values, and sending signals to control units to manage machinery operation accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If vibration-based seat occupancy detection is implemented, then detection capability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to environmental vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration analysis by using an acceleration sensor to detect vibration characteristics of the seat. The evaluation unit analyzes vibration parameters such as frequency spectrum and amplitude to determine seat occupancy. This resolves the contradiction by transforming the detection approach from static weight sensing to dynamic vibration pattern recognition, enabling occupancy detection while filtering out environmental vibration interference through spectral analysis.
2Reliability
If acceleration sensor is used to detect seat occupancy, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The acceleration sensor serves multiple functions: it detects seat occupancy status, identifies driver presence, and can potentially monitor vibration patterns for other safety applications. The evaluation unit processes vibration data to determine occupancy while the existing suspension-damper system provides the mechanical framework. This multi-functionality approach improves reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the existing suspension-damper system and seat structure as part of the detection mechanism. The acceleration sensor leverages the natural vibration characteristics of the seat and suspension system to detect occupancy, rather than requiring a separate dedicated detection mechanism. This self-service approach enables reliable detection while minimizing additional device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If vibration analysis is used to distinguish occupied and unoccupied states, then detection accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The evaluation unit performs periodic vibration analysis at optimized intervals rather than continuous monitoring. The system analyzes vibration characteristics at key moments (e.g., when occupancy status may change) and uses spectral analysis to accurately distinguish between occupied and unoccupied states. This periodic action approach maintains high detection accuracy while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring.
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
Effectively reduces the risk of injury by accurately distinguishing between occupied and unoccupied states, ensuring machinery is safely operated only when the seat is occupied, thereby enhancing driver safety.
Implementation Method 1
Vibrations of the upper part of the vehicle seat, for example with respect to a vehicle floor, a lower part and/or the ground beneath the vehicle, occur almost always when the vehicle seat and/or the associated vehicle is in operation
Implementation Method 2
the vehicle seat, for example below the acceleration sensor, has a suspension-damper system
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a system for seat occupancy detection, comprising a vehicle seat for a driver with an upper part and at least one suspension-damper system, wherein an acceleration sensor is arranged on the upper part and is designed to detect a characteristic of an acceleration of the upper part as a function of a time, an evaluation unit being provided which is designed to generate an evaluation of the characteristic of the acceleration and optionally to transmit a signal to a higher-level control unit, the evaluation unit also being designed to assign the evaluation to one of several states, wherein the states are selected from a group comprising an occupied state and an unoccupied state of the vehicle seat.