Vehicle Seat Weight Sensor Signal Amplitude Differentiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for distinguishing between a person and an object on a vehicle seat, particularly a child seat, are complex and costly, and struggle to accurately differentiate between a child seat and a light person due to similar weight distributions, leading to potential airbag deployment issues.
Innovation Solution
A device with a seat mat featuring weight sensors distributed over the seat surface, where central sensors and edge sensors emit distinct signals based on weight distribution, allowing for reliable differentiation between a person and an object with a flat contact surface by comparing signal amplitudes, ensuring the airbag is not deployed unnecessarily.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If transponders and antennas are arranged in child seats and vehicle seats for detection, then object detection reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from complex transponder-antenna systems and implements it using only weight sensors that are already present in the vehicle seat. By taking out the unnecessary transponder and antenna components and relying solely on weight distribution analysis through existing sensors, the system achieves reliable child seat detection while significantly reducing device complexity and cost.
2Measurement precision
If complex additional detection systems are used to reliably detect child seats, then detection accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent copies the successful weight distribution detection principle from concave seat designs and applies it to flat seat surfaces through signal processing. Instead of developing new complex detection hardware, the invention replicates the effective detection capability by analyzing weight distribution patterns from existing sensors, thereby achieving high detection accuracy without increasing manufacturing cost.
3Measurement precision
If weight sensors are distributed over the seat surface to detect weight distribution, then person-object differentiation capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the seat surface into a central area and surrounding areas, with different sensor types assigned to each segment. Central weight sensors detect weight in the middle region while surrounding weight sensors detect weight at the edges. This segmentation allows the system to analyze weight distribution patterns and differentiate between persons and child seats using simple comparative logic rather than complex centralized processing.
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 solution provides a simple and reliable method to distinguish between a person and an object, particularly a child seat, by utilizing signal differences from central and edge sensors, preventing unnecessary airbag deployment and reducing system complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
The sensing elements are resistive elements that change resistance depending on the weight applied to them. These changes in resistance can be picked up as weight-dependent sensor signals on the resistance elements.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device and a method for differentiating between a person (6) sitting on the seat surface (2) of a vehicle seat (1) and an object (4), especially a child seat. Said device comprises a cushion (3) provided with weight sensors (SR, SM) which are distributed over the seat surface (2) in a plane manner, first weight sensors (SM) being arranged in a central region (M) and second weight sensors (SR) being arranged on the edge of the seat surface (2). At least one central weight sensor (SM) is differentiated from a plurality of second weight sensors on the edge of the seat surface in that it always emits a comparatively low sensor signal when subjected to the same weight load.