Method of determining the object on a seat for determining the deployment mode of a safety device

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/152,338, filed Sep. 7, 1999 is hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

[0003] The present invention relates to a method of determining the presence of an object and the type of object on the seat of a passenger vehicle, and a method of determining the deployment of a safety device, particularly airbag deployment.

[0004] For controlling the winding of the seat belt or deployment of the airbag, it is inevitable to determine whether or not the seat of the passenger vehicle is vacant, and if not, whether the object present on the seat is a child, an adult, a child seat, or a child seat with a child sitting thereon.

[0005] Conventionally, such determination has been made by the output values from the seat weighing instrument mounted to the seat. In other words, when the weight of the seat is below the prescribed value, it is determined that the seat is vacant, and when the value is within a prescribed range, it is determined that a child is sitting or a child seat is mounted on the seat, and when the value is over a prescribed value, it is determined that an adult is sitting on the seat.

[0006] Concerning deployment control of the airbag, a no-deployment mode (mode that the airbag is not deployed in case of collision) is selected when it is determined that the seat is vacant; a no-deployment mode or low-deployment mode (mode that the airbag is deployed at a low speed or at low pressure in case of a collision) is selected when it is determined that a child or a child seat is present on the seat; the normal mode is selected when it is determined that an adult is present on the seat. Of course, this method selects the deployment mode of the airbag directly according to the output of the seat weighing instrument, without determining what type of object is on the seat.

[0007] However, a method of determining the object on the seat only by the output of the seat weighing instrument as conventionally employed may lead to an inaccurate determination. For example, when the weight of the child seat is heavy or when the child seat is strongly restrained to the seat by a seat belt and a child is sitting on the child seat, the total weight may exceed the value by which the seat is determined to have an adult on the seat. In such a case, the airbag may deploy quickly in the normal mode

[0008] With such circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method of determining the presence and the type of object on the seat accurately and a method of determining the deployment mode of the airbag accurately.

[0009] The first embodiment of the invention is a method of determining the presence and the type of object on the seat of the passenger vehicle, including determining whether the seat is vacant, and determining whether the object present on the seat is a child seat, a child, or an adult by the combination of the outputs from the seat weight sensor and a living body proximity sensor.

[0010] In this embodiment, the vacancy of the seat or the type of on-board object is determined not only by the seat weight sensor but also by a living body proximity sensor. The living body proximity sensor is affected by the electrostatic capacitance or the electric conductivity of the living body and produces output according to the extent of proximity. (Other types of living body proximity sensors can be envisioned by those of skill in this art.) Because the vacancy of the seat and the type of on-board object are determined by the combination of outputs from the two types of sensors, a more accurate determination can be performed in comparison with the conventional method.

[0011] The second embodiment of the invention is the first embodiment, characterized in that:

[0012] (a) when the seat weight is below the prescribed value w₁, it is determined that the seat is vacant; and

[0013] (b) when the seat weight is equal to or above the prescribed value w₁; and

[0014] (b1) when the output value of the living body proximity sensor shows that the living body is in the proximity thereof, it is determined that a child is present on the seat when the seat weight is below a prescribed value w₂(w₁<w₂), and an adult is present on the seat when the seat weight is equal to w₂or above,

[0015] (b2) when the output value of the living body proximity sensor does not show that a living body is in the proximity thereof, it is determined that a child seat is present on the seat.

[0016] In this embodiment, the output of the seat weight is examined first and then it is determined that the seat is vacant when the seat weight is below the prescribed value w₁, and that something is on the seat when the seat weight is equal to the prescribed value w₁or above. When the seat weight is equal to the prescribed value or above, the type of on-board object has to be determined. At first, the living body proximity sensor is utilized to determine whether a living body is indicated. A threshold value of the output of the living body proximity sensor is set and the output of the sensor is determined to be equal to, above, or below a threshold value.

[0017] When the output of the living body proximity sensor indicates that a living body is in its proximity, a human being has been determined as presently sitting directly on the seat. The next step is to determine whether an adult or child is sitting there. A child is sitting on the seat when the seat weight is below a prescribed value w₂(w₁<w₂), and that an adult is sitting on the seat when the seat weight is equal to or above as the prescribed value w₂.

[0018] When the output of the living body proximity sensor does not indicate the presence of a living body, it is determined that a human being is not sitting on the seat but that a child seat is mounted thereon (including the case where a child is sitting on the child seat).

[0019] The third embodiment of the invention is the first embodiment characterized in that:

[0020] (a) when the seat weight is below the prescribed value w₁, it is determined that the seat is vacant; and

[0021] (b) when the seat weight is equal to or above the prescribed value w₁; and

[0022] (b1) when the output value of the living body proximity sensor shows that the living body is in the proximity thereof, it is determined that a child is present on the seat when the seat weight is below a prescribed value w₂(w₁<w₂), and an adult is present on the seat when the seat weight is w₂or above, or

[0023] (b2) when the output value of the living body proximity sensor does not show that the living body is in the proximity thereof, it is determined that a child seat is present on the seat when the seat weight is below a prescribed value w₃(w₁<w₃), and that an adult is present on the seat or the sensor is out of order when the seat weight is equal to w₃or above.

[0024] In this embodiment, the output of the seat weight is examined first, and then it is determined that the seat is vacant when the seat weight is below the prescribed value w₁and that something is on the seat when the seat weight is equal to or above the prescribed value w₁. When the seat weight is equal to the prescribed value or above, the type of on-board object has to be determined. At first, a living body proximity sensor is utilized to determine whether a living body is indicated. A threshold value of the output of the living body proximity sensor is set and the output of the sensor is determined to be equal to, above, or below the threshold value.

[0025] When the output of the living body proximity sensor indicates that a living body is in its proximity, a human being has been determined as presently sitting directly on the seat. The next step is to determine whether an adult or child is sitting there. A child is sitting on the seat when the seat weight is below a prescribed value w₂(w₁<w₂) and that an adult is sitting on the seat when the seat weight is equal to or above the prescribed value w₂.

[0026] When the output of the living body proximity sensor does not indicate the presence of a living body, it is determined that a human being is not sitting on the seat but that a child seat is mounted thereon (including the case where a child is sitting on the child seat), or the sensor is out of order. When the seat weight is below the prescribed value w₃(w₁<w₃), it is determined that the child seat is mounted thereon (including the case where a child is sitting on the child seat), and when it is equal to or above w₃, it is determined that the adult is sitting on the seat or the sensor is out of order. When the seat weight is equal to or above w₃, the outputs from the seat weighing instrument and from the living body proximity sensor are not matched. In the case where it is safer to determine that an adult is sitting on the seat to exercise various controls, it is adapted to determine that an adult is sitting on the seat. Where exercising controls under such a determination is dangerous, it is adapted to give an alarm indicating that the sensor is out of order. The values of w₂and w₃are normally different, but they may be the same value in some cases.

[0027] The fourth embodiment of the invention is the first embodiment, characterized in that:

[0028] (a) when the seat weight is equal to or below the prescribed value w₁, it is determined that the seat is vacant; and

[0029] (b) when the seat weight is equal to or above the prescribed value w₁; and

[0030] (b1) when the output value p of the living body proximity sensor is smaller than the function f(w) determined by the seat weight w₁, it is determined that a child is present on the seat when the seat weight is below the prescribed value w₂(w₁<w₂), and an adult is present on the seat when it is equal to or above w₂,

[0031] (b2) when the output value of the living body proximity sensor is equal to or above the function f(w) determined by the seat weight w, it is determined that a child seat is present on the seat, and that an adult is sitting on the seat or the sensor is out of order when the value is equal to or above w₃, where the output p of the living body proximity sensor becomes smaller when the living body is in the proximity thereof.

[0032] In this embodiment, the output of the seat weight is examined first and then it is determined that the seat is vacant when the seat weight is below the prescribed value w₁, and that something is on the seat when the seat weight is equal to or above the prescribed value w₁. When the seat weight is equal to or above the prescribed value, the type of on-board object has to be determined. A living body proximity sensor is used and a threshold value of the output of the living body proximity sensor is set to the function f(w) that is determined by the output w of the seat weight sensor, in contrast to the second embodiment and the third embodiment.

[0033] The reason is that the output of the living body proximity sensor may differ according to the size of the living body (human being) sitting on the seat. In other words, when an adult whose weight and the sitting area is larger than those of a child is sitting on the seat, the output of the living body proximity sensor is shifted to the side of “proximity” in comparison with the case where a small child is sitting on the seat.

[0034] Therefore, considering that the sitting area is large when the weight is heavy, these values are represented by the seat weight, and the threshold value is approximated by the function f(w) defined by the output w₁of the seat weight sensor. Assuming that the larger the weight and the sitting area are, the smaller the output value of the living body proximity sensor becomes, f(w) is a monotone decreasing function. However, when the actual output of the living body proximity sensor is smaller than the threshold value f(w), it is determined that a human being is sitting on the seat. When the seat weight is below the prescribed value w₂(w₁<w₂), it is determined that a child is sitting on the seat. When the seat weight is equal to or above w₂, it is determined that an adult is sitting on the seat.

[0035] When the output of the living body proximity sensor is equal to or above the threshold value f(w) determined by the seat weight w₁, it is determined that there is no human being sitting directly on the seat, but that a child seat is mounted on the seat (including the case where a child is sitting on the child seat) or the sensor is out of order. Therefore, when the seat weight is below the prescribed value w₃(w₁<w₃), it is determined that a child seat is mounted on the seat (including the case where a child is sitting on the child seat). When the seat weight is equal to or above w₃, it is determined that an adult is sitting on the seat or the sensor is out of order. When the seat weight is equal to or above w₃, the outputs from the seat weighing instrument and from the living body proximity sensor are not matched. In the case where it is safer to determine that an adult sitting on the seat to exercise various controls, it is adapted to determine that an adult is sitting on the seat, and where exercising controls under such a determination is dangerous, it is adapted to give an alarm indicating that the sensor is out of order. The values of w₂and w₃are normally different, but it may be the same value in some cases.

[0036] The fifth embodiment of the invention is a method of determining the airbag deployment mode, characterized in that the deployment mode is determined by the combination of the output from the seat weight sensor and that from the living body proximity sensor mounted on the seat.

[0037] In this embodiment, the living body proximity sensor as well as the seat weight sensor is used for determining the airbag deployment mode. The living body proximity sensor is, when the living body is in the proximity thereof, affected by the electrostatic capacitance or the electric conductivity of the living body and produces output according to the extent of proximity. In this embodiment, because determination of the deployment mode of the airbag is by the combination of outputs from two types of sensors, accurate determination can be performed in comparison with the conventional method.

[0038] The sixth embodiment of the invention is the fifth embodiment characterized in that:

[0039] (a) when the seat weight is below the prescribed value w₁, the airbag is not deployed; and

[0040] (b) when the seat weight is equal to or above the prescribed value w₁; and

[0041] (b1) when the output of the living body proximity sensor shows that the living body is in the proximity thereof, the no-deployment mode or the low deployment mode is selected when the seat weight is below the prescribed value w₂(w₁<w₂), and the normal deployment mode is selected when the seat weight is equal to or above w₂, and

[0042] (b2) when the output of the living body proximity sensor does not show that living body is in the proximity thereof, the no-deployment mode or low-deployment mode is selected.

[0043] The seventh embodiment of the invention is the fifth embodiment, characterized in that:

[0044] (a) when the seat weight is below the prescribed value w₁, the no-deployment mode is selected; and

[0045] (b) when the seat weight is equal to or above the prescribed value w₁; and

[0046] (b1) when the output of the living body proximity sensor shows that the living body is in the proximity thereof, the no-deployment mode or the low deployment mode is selected when the seat weight is below the prescribed value w₂(w₁<w₂), and the normal deployment mode is selected when the seat weight is equal to or above w₂,

[0047] (b2) when the output of the living body proximity sensor does not show that living body is in the proximity thereof, the no-deployment mode or low deployment mode is selected when the seat weight is below the prescribed value w₃(w₁<w₃), and the normal deployment mode is selected when the seat weight value is equal to or above w₃.

[0048] The eighth embodiment of the invention is the fifth embodiment, characterized in that:

[0049] (a) when the seat weight is below the prescribed value w₁, the no-deployment mode is selected; and

[0050] (b) when the seat weight is equal to or above the prescribed value w₁; and

[0051] (b1) when the output p of the living body proximity sensor is smaller than the function f(w) determined by the seat weight w, the no-deployment mode or the low deployment mode is selected when the seat weight is below the prescribed value w₂(w₁<w₂), and the normal deployment mode is selected when the seat weight is equal to or above w₂,

[0052] (b2) when the output from the living body proximity sensor is equal to or above the function f(w) that is determined by the seat weight w₁, the no-deployment mode or the low deployment mode is selected when the seat weight w₁is smaller than w₃(w₁<w₃), and the normal deployment mode when the seat weight is equal to or above w₃, where the output of the living body proximity sensor p becomes smaller when the living body is in the proximity thereof.

[0053] In the sixth embodiment of the eighth embodiment, the airbag is selected to be the no-deployment mode when the seat is vacant, and the no-deployment mode or the low-deployment is selected when a child is sitting on the seat or when a child seat is mounted on the seat, and the normal-deployment mode is selected when an adult is sitting on the seat or the sensor is out of order. To the determination thereof, a logic described in the second embodiment and the third embodiment is applied.

[0054] FIG. 1 shows examples of the layout of the apparatus used for implementing the present invention.

[0055] FIG. 2 shows examples of the living body proximity sensor.

[0056] FIG. 3 shows examples of the seat weighing instrument used by being embedded in the sitting surface of the seat.

[0057] FIG. 4 shows the first example of the carrying object determining logic and the airbag deployment mode determining logic.

[0058] FIG. 5 shows the second example of the carrying object determining logic and the airbag deployment mode determining logic.

[0059] FIG. 6 shows the second example of the carrying object determining logic and the airbag deployment mode determining logic.

[0060] Referring now to the drawings, the embodiments of the present invention will now be described. FIG. 1 is a layout of the system used in implementing the present invention. In FIG. 1, a reference numeral 1 denotes a seat, 2 and 2′ denote a seat weighing instrument, and 3 denotes a living body proximity sensor.

[0061] In FIG. 1(a), the seat weighing instrument 2 is provided at the supporting portion that supports the seat 1, which is a very common case. The living body proximity sensor 3 is embedded right below the surface of the sitting surface of the seat 1. In FIG. 1(b), the seat weighing instrument 2′ is embedded right below the sitting surface of the seat 1. In FIG. 1(c), the living body proximity sensor 3 is divided into a plurality of pieces, and some of them are embedded in the seatback of the seat 1. The present invention may be implemented in any one of layouts shown from (a) to (c).

[0062] FIG. 2 shows an example of the living body proximity sensor. In the following figures, the detailed description may be omitted for the identical components by designating identical reference numbers thereto. In FIG. 2, reference numerals 4ato 4cdesignate electrodes and 5aand 5bdesignate coils.

[0063] In the living body proximity sensor shown in FIG. 2(a), when a human being approaches the living body proximity sensor 3, the electrostatic capacitance of the human being changes the electrostatic capacitance among electrodes 4ato 4c. Therefore, by measuring the electrostatic capacitance among the electrodes 4ato 4c, a determination can be made whether a human being is sitting on the seat or not. When an adult is sitting on the seat, the area that is affected by the electrostatic capacitance is larger than the case where a child is sitting on the seat, whereby variations in the electrostatic capacitance is larger in the case where an adult is sitting on the seat than the case where a child is sitting on the seat. When there is an elastic body interposed between the sitting surface of the seat and the living body proximity sensor 3, deformation of the elastic body is larger in the case where a child is sitting on the seat than the case where an adult is sitting on the seat, and thus the body of the human being comes nearer to the living body proximity sensor 3, whereby variations in the electrostatic capacitance is larger in the case where an adult is sitting on the seat than the case where a child is sitting on the seat.

[0064] FIG. 2(b) illustrates a living body proximity sensor of the electromagnetic induction type, wherein a high frequency current is fed to the coil 5aand a voltage induced to the coil 5bthat is in the proximity thereof is measured. When the living body approaches the living body proximity sensor 3, an eddy current is fed to the human body due to its electric conductivity, and thus the voltage generated in the coil 5bvaries. Therefore, by measuring the voltage in the coil 5b, the sensor 3 can detect that a human being is in the proximity thereof. The reason why the larger variations in the output is obtained in the case where an adult is sitting on the seat than the case where a child is sitting on the seat is the same as the sensor of the electrostatic capacitance type as is described above.

[0065] FIG. 3 is an example of the seat weighing instrument 2′ used by being embedded in the seating surface of the seat 1. In FIG. 3, a reference numeral 6 designates a pressure sensitive resistance array. In the pressure sensitive resistance array 6, the pressure sensitive elements are arranged in series in a zigzag relationship and the resistance value of each pressure sensitive resistance element varies when subjected to the pressure. Because a number of the pressure sensitive elements are connected in series, large variations in resistance may be observed from the pressure sensitive array 6. By embedding such a seat weighing instrument 2′ on the sitting surface of the seat 1, the load of the human being or the child seat present on the seat can be measured. While it is better to mount the weighing instrument on the position that supports the load of the seat to measure accurately as shown in FIG. 1(a), the seat weighing instrument 2′ is also possible for determination with rough accuracy, for example, discrimination between an adult and child.

[0066] By combining the seat weighing instrument and the living body proximity sensor together, an example of the logic to determine whether the seat is vacant or not, and if not, what is on the seat (hereinafter referred to as “carrying object determination”), and the airbag deployment mode determination logic will be shown below.

[0067] FIG. 4 is a first example showing such logic. FIG. 4(a) is the carrying object determination logic, and FIG. 4(b) is the airbag deployment mode determination logic. In the carrying object determination logic, when the seat weight w is below w₁, it is determined that the seat is vacant. When the seat weight is equal to or above w₁, the determination is made whether or not the output p of the living body proximity sensor is below the threshold value p₁(whether or not the output of the living body proximity sensor decreases when a human being is in the proximity thereof).

[0068] In the case where the output p of the living body proximity sensor is below the threshold value p₁it is determined that a child is sitting on the seat when the seat weight is below w₂, and that an adult is sitting on the seat when the seat weight is equal to or above w₂.

[0069] When the output p of the living body proximity sensor is equal to or above the threshold value p₁it is determined that a child seat is mounted on the seat (including the case where a child is sitting on the child seat).

[0070] In the airbag deployment mode determination logic, when the seat weight w is below w₁, the no-deployment mode (OFF) is selected. When the seat weight is equal to or above w₁, the determination is made whether or not the output p of the living body proximity sensor is below the threshold value p.

[0071] In the case where the output p of the living body proximity sensor is below the threshold value p₁, the no-deployment mode or the low deployment mode is selected when the seat weight is below w₂, and the normal deployment mode (ON) is selected when the seat weight is equal to or above w₂.

[0072] In the case where the output p of the living body proximity sensor is equal to or above the threshold value p₁, the no-deployment mode or the low deployment mode is selected.

[0073] FIG. 5 is the second example showing the carrying object determination logic, and the airbag deployment mode determination logic. FIG. 5(a) illustrates the carrying object determination logic and FIG. 5(b) illustrates the airbag deployment mode determination logic.

[0074] In the carrying object determination logic, when the seat weight w is below w₁, it is determined that the seat is vacant. When the seat weight is equal to or above w₁, the determination is made whether the output p of the living body proximity sensor is below the threshold value p₁.

[0075] When the output p of the living body proximity sensor is below the threshold value p₁, it is determined that a child is sitting on the seat. When the seat weight is equal to or above w₂, it is determined that an adult is sitting on the seat.

[0076] In the case where the output p of the living body proximity sensor is equal to or above the threshold value p₁, it is determined that a child seat is mounted on the seat (including the case where a child is sitting on the child seat) when the seat weight is below w₃. When the seat weight is equal to or above w₃, the seat weighing instrument and the living body proximity sensor are not matched, and thus it is determined that an adult is sitting on the seat or the sensor is out of order.

[0077] In the airbag deployment mode determining logic, when the seat weight w is below w₁, the no-deployment mode (OFF) is selected. When the seat weight is equal to or above w₁, the determination is made whether the output p of the living body proximity sensor is below the threshold value p₁.

[0078] In the case where the output p of the living body proximity sensor is below the threshold value p₁, the no-deployment mode or the low-deployment mode is selected when the seat weight is below w₂, and the normal deployment mode (ON) is selected when the seat weight is equal to or above w₂.

[0079] In the case where the output p of the living body proximity sensor is equal to or below the threshold value p₁, the no-deployment mode or the low-deployment mode is selected when the seat weight is below w₃. When the seat weight is equal to or above w₃, the seat weighting instrument and the living body proximity sensor are not matched, and thus the normal deployment mode is selected for safety reasons.

[0080] As is clear in FIG. 5, in the airbag deployment mode determining logic, it is also possible to make the determination whether the seat weight is equal to or above w₃in the first place, and if it is so, then the normal deployment mode is selected without considering the output of the living body proximity sensor. Such a modification of the logic is apparent to those skilled in the art and is included within the equal scope of the invention.

[0081] FIG. 6 is a second example showing the carrying object determining logic and the airbag deployment mode determining logic, wherein FIG. 6(a) illustrates the carrying object determining logic and FIG. 6(b) illustrates the airbag deployment mode determining logic.

[0082] In the carrying object determining logic, it is determined that the seat is vacant when the seat weight w is below w₁. When the seat weight w is equal to or above w₁, the determination is made whether the output p of the living body proximity sensor is below the threshold value determined by the function f(w) which is in turn determined by the seat weight w.

[0083] When the output p of the living body proximity sensor is below the threshold value, it is considered that a human being is sitting on the seat. When the seat weight is below w₂, it is determined that a child is sitting on the seat, and when the seat weight is equal to or above w₂, it is determined that an adult is sitting on the seat. In the case where the value is equal to or above the threshold value, the no-deployment mode and the low deployment mode is selected when the seat weight is below w₃. When the seat weight is equal to or above w₃, the seat weighing instrument and the living body proximity sensor are not matched, and thus the normal deployment mode is selected for safety reasons.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 6, in the airbag deployment mode determining logic, the determination is made whether the seat weight is equal to or above w₃in the first place, and if it is so, the normal deployment mode may be selected without considering the output of the living body proximity sensor. Such a modification of the logic is apparent to those skilled in the art, and included within the equal scope of the invention.

[0085] As is described thus far, in the present invention, since the determination of the vacancy of the seat of the kind of the carrying object, or the determination of the airbag deployment mode is made by the combination of the outputs from two types of sensors, a more accurate determination can be performed in comparison with the conventional method.

[0086] While the present invention has been described by way of example and in terms of preferred embodiments, it is understood that the invention is not limited thereto. To similar arrangements and procedures, the scope of the appended claims should be interpreted to encompass all such modifications, similar arrangements and procedures.