Patent ID: 6636792
Filing Date: 2003-10-21
Classification: B60N,B60R,G01G

Abstract:
A vehicle weight classification system comprising:a seat assembly having a seat frame for supporting a seat bottom and a seat mount for attachment to a vehicle floor; a seat belt assembly for securing a seat occupant to said seat assembly; a plurality of weight sensors mounted to said seat frame for generating a plurality of weight signals in response to a weight force applied to said seat bottom wherein said plurality of weight sensors comprises a first sensor mounted at a front right side corner of said seat bottom between said seat frame and said seat mount, a second sensor mounted at a front left side corner of said seat bottom between said seat frame and said seat mount, a third sensor mounted at a rear right side corner of said seat bottom between said seat frame and said seat mount, and a fourth sensor mounted at a rear left side corner of said seat bottom between said seat frame and said seat mount and wherein said plurality of weight signals comprises a first weight signal generated by said first sensor, a second weight signal generated by said second sensor, a third weight signal generated by said third sensor, and a fourth weight signal generated by said fourth sensor, said first and second weight signals being combined to produce a front weight portion signal and said third and fourth weight signals being combined to produce a rear weight portion signal; at least one seat belt force sensor for generating a seat belt force signal; an electronic control unit for receiving said weight signals and seat belt force signals to determine occupant weight, comparing said front and rear weight portion signals to each other to determine center of gravity, generating an occupant classification based on said occupant weight and center of gravity, and transmitting an output control signal based on said occupant classification; and an airbag module for receiving said output control signal to control airbag deployment based on said occupant classification.