Sensor-Based Occupant Protection System for Adaptive Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern vehicle safety systems, such as airbag and seat belt systems, are typically set for an 'average' person and may not be optimized for individuals of varying weights and sizes, leading to suboptimal protection during crashes.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that senses the weight and fore-aft position of a vehicle seat occupant, classifies this information, and automatically adjusts the safety systems, including airbag deployment settings and seat belt tension, to provide personalized optimization for different occupant classifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If safety systems are set for an average person, then the system design is simple and standardized, but the protection performance is suboptimal for individuals of varying weights and sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The safety system transitions from static, fixed settings to dynamic, adjustable settings based on real-time sensor data. The controller automatically modifies airbag deployment force, seat belt tension, and other safety parameters according to the detected occupant weight and seat position, enabling the system to adapt to different occupants without requiring manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key safety parameters (airbag deployment force, seat belt pre-tensioning force, load limiter settings) based on measured occupant characteristics. Sensors detect occupant weight and position, and the controller adjusts safety system parameters accordingly, transforming the system from a one-size-fits-all approach to a personalized safety configuration
2Reliability
If safety systems are manually adjusted for each occupant, then the protection performance is optimized, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the burden of readjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The safety system performs self-adjustment by automatically detecting occupant characteristics through sensors and configuring safety parameters without user intervention. The controller autonomously determines the appropriate safety settings based on sensor data, eliminating the need for occupants to manually adjust safety systems while ensuring optimized protection for each individual
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where sensors continuously monitor occupant weight and seat position, and the controller uses this information to automatically adjust safety system settings. This closed-loop control ensures that safety parameters are always optimized for the current occupant without requiring manual input or adjustment
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for optimizing various vehicle safety systems, such as airbags and seat belt load tensioning limiters, for a particular occupant of a vehicle seat, such as the vehicle driver or passenger, based on the weight of the occupant and the fore-aft position of the seat. The method senses the mass of the occupant and the position of the seat and classifies the combination of the mass and position. The method then determines the optimized setting of the safety systems for that combination classification, and automatically sets the safety systems to that setting. The method can also determine the optimized setting of the safety systems based on whether the occupant is wearing a seat belt.