The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 16, 1999
Filed:
Sep. 03, 1997
Morgan Daniel Murphy, Kokomo, IN (US);
Robert Joseph Myers, Russiaville, IN (US);
Pamela Ann Roe, Kokomo, IN (US);
William Lloyd Piper, Kokomo, IN (US);
Duane Donald Fortune, Lebanon, IN (US);
Hamid Reza Borzabadi, Noblesville, IN (US);
Karl Edward Stone, Kokomo, IN (US);
Mark Robert Vincen, Noblesville, IN (US);
Stuart Stites Sullivan, Peru, IN (US);
Robert Allan Perisho, Jr, Russiaville, IN (US);
Robert Keith Constable, Kokomo, IN (US);
Gregory Allen Cobb, Kokomo, IN (US);
Delco Electronics Corp., Kokomo, IN (US);
Abstract
An improved weight estimation apparatus includes a closed elastomeric bladder filled with fluid and installed in the foam cushion of a vehicle seat bottom, with at least one pressure sensor installed in a closed exit port of the bladder. A temperature sensor disposed in proximity to the bladder provides a temperature signal, and a controller estimates the weight of the occupant based on the temperature and pressure signals. The pressure sensor is preferably configured to sense the gage pressure--that is, the differential pressure between the fluid and atmospheric pressure--at the center of gravity of the fluid in order to provide a stable output independent of changing atmospheric pressure and changing orientation of the bladder due to vehicle pitch and roll.