Patent ID: 6058341
Filing Date: 2000-05-02
Classification: B60N,B60R,G01G,G01L

Abstract:
Apparatus for estimating the weight of an occupant of a seat in a motor vehicle, the seat having a foam cushion bottom, the apparatus comprising:an elastomeric bladder substantially encompassing a seating area of the foam cushion bottom;a pump coupled to the bladder;a pressure sensor for developing a pressure signal corresponding to the pressure in the bladder; anda controller for initiating a weight estimation sequence of operations, including (1) operating the pump to substantially evacuate the bladder, (2) operating the pump to inflate the bladder with a predetermined volume of fluid, (3) monitoring the pressure signal, (4) determining an average value of the pressure signal after the bladder has been inflated, and (5) estimating the weight of the occupant based on the determined average pressure value, wherein subsequent to the weight estimation sequence of operations, the controller periodically determines average values of the pressure signal after the bladder has been inflated, and re-initiates the weight estimation sequence of operations when a periodically determined average pressure value deviates from the average pressure value on which the estimated weight was based by at least a predetermined amount.