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:
Mar. 25, 2003
Filed:
Aug. 29, 2000
Daniel Reich, Macomb, MI (US);
Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation, Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Abstract
A system for correcting seat occupant weight measurement error induced by a seat belt is used to control deployment of vehicle airbags. When a child seat is secured to a vehicle seat with a seat belt, the belt is pulled to a very tight position, which applies a greater force to the seat, erroneously raising the measured occupant weight. The subject system detects the difference between a child seat with a large seat belt force and a small adult, and modifies airbag deployment accordingly. The system includes a sensor assembly mounted within the seat bottom that measures a total seat occupant weight. A control unit generates a compensation factor based on the sensor assembly weight measurements and the mounting locations of the seat belt. The compensation factor is used to correct the total seat occupant weight, providing a modified occupant weight. Airbag deployment is controlled based on the modified occupant weight.