Abstract:
A vehicle weight classification system recognizes the various factors that influence system performance. Some of the factors are compensated for using analog signal processing circuitry or techniques. Other factors are compensated for using digital signal processing techniques. The unique combination of analog and digital approaches, rather than pure analog or pure digital, provides an effective solution at addressing the various factors that influence signals and system performance in a vehicle weight classification system while keeping the cost and complexity of the system within acceptable limits.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 60/184,947, which was filed on Feb. 25, 2000. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    In general terms, this invention relates to vehicle weight classification systems for classifying the weight of an occupant on a vehicle seat. More particularly, this invention relates to a signal processing system and method for handling sensor signals used in a vehicle weight classification system.  
           [0003]    Contemporary vehicles typically include safety restraints to protect passengers and drivers during impact. Such restraints include seatbelts and airbags, for example. It has recently become apparent that customized control of airbags is desirable. The owner of this application has developed a weight classification system that is useful for determining the size or weight of a seat occupant and controlling an airbag deployment responsive to that determination.  
           [0004]    One of the challenges in designing a weight classification system is keeping the system simple and robust. In order to do so, choices must be made regarding the types of components utilized as sensors and signal processing, for example. There are competing concerns between system performance (i.e., accuracy), cost and durability of the system components. These various factors present complicating and sometimes competing interests for designing such a system.  
           [0005]    In addition to the system constraints, there are a variety of factors that must be accounted for when operating a weight classification system. Certain factors affect the performance of the system. Such factors include for example, temperature, sensor offset, signal strengths and the capabilities of the various components used in the system. There is a need for a way of addressing the various issues that must be compensated for when operating a weight classification system.  
           [0006]    This invention provides a unique approach to addressing the various influences on the operation of a weight classification system.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    In general terms, this invention is a system for compensating for various factors that influence the operation of a vehicle weight classification system. This invention includes the identification of various factors that must be compensated for in handling signals in a weight classification system. Some of these factors are compensated for using analog signal processing techniques. Other factors are compensated for using digital signal processing techniques. The combination of analog and digital approaches provides a solution that adequately addresses the various and different concerns raised when operating a weight classification system while keeping the system cost and complexity within acceptable limits.  
           [0008]    The various features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the currently preferred embodiments. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates a weight classification system designed according to this invention.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a portion of the system of FIG. 1.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a circuit designed according to this invention.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4 schematically illustrates further details regarding selected portions of the embodiment of FIG. 3. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0013]    A vehicle weight classification system  20  is used for determining the weight of an occupant of a seat  22  in a vehicle. The seat includes a seat back  24  and a seat base  26 . A plurality of sensor assemblies  28  preferably are supported relative to the seat base  26  so that the weight of a seat occupant can be determined. Each of the sensor assemblies  28  preferably communicates with a supplemental restraint controller  30 , which is an airbag firing controller in one example.  
         [0014]    Each of the sensor assemblies  28  preferably includes a sensor  32  that generates an electrical signal indicative of the weight of the seat occupant. In one example, the sensors  32  are strain gauge sensors. Because strain gauge sensors are used as an example, some of the factors affecting the operation of the weight classification system that are described in this specification are those typically encountered when using a strain gauge sensor, such as offset calibration.  
         [0015]    Each sensor assembly  28  preferably includes a signal conditioning portion  34  that addresses the various factors that affect the operation of the system or the effectiveness of the sensor signal.  
         [0016]    Part of this invention is identifying the various factors that must be addressed to insure the best possible system operation. These factors include sensor offset, sensor temperature correction, circuitry offset, circuitry temperature correction, seat parameters, vehicle parameters, and spread in the sensor signal strength. These are example factors that affect the operation of the system and that are preferably compensated for in a system designed according to this invention. Not all of these factors must be accounted for in all situations. It is preferred to identify those which have the greatest impact on the system operation and address those most effectively while possibly addressing the others depending on the needs of a particular situation. Those skilled in the art who have the benefit of this description will be able to determine what factors must be accounted for in their own situation. The approach of this invention may be applied in a variety of circumstances to address a variety of factors that must be compensated for.  
         [0017]    One example signal conditioning module  34  is shown in FIG. 3 as an integrated circuit chip. An example, commercially available such chip is known as the MAX1452 chip available from Maxim.  
         [0018]    The signal conditioning module  34  preferably includes a microcontroller  36  that communicates with a temperature compensation module  38  and an offset calibration module  40 . Temperature compensation and offset calibration are used as examples because they are two of the primary factors affecting system performance.  
         [0019]    In the illustrated example the temperature compensation module  38  and the offset calibration module  40  preferably are analog signal processing portions. The microcontroller  36  preferably obtains information from the signals provided by the temperature compensation module  38  and the offset calibration module  40  to make a determination on how to calibrate the system or compensate for influences on the received signals from the sensors  32 . A memory portion  42  preferably includes a variety of data that enables the micro controller  36  to make temperature corrections or sensor offset corrections, for example. Those skilled in the art who have the benefit of this description will be able to determine the types of information to be stored in such memory so that the micro controller  36  can make appropriate determinations and corrections to the sensor signals. The micro controller  36  preferably communicates through a serial interface  44  to provide a digitized output  46  to the supplemental restraint controller  30 .  
         [0020]    The signals from the sensors  32  preferably are propagated through an H bridge arrangement as shown in FIG. 3. In this example the bridge signal preferably is amplified and ultimately digitized to a pulse width modulated signal for transmission to the supplemental restraint controller  30 . As seen in FIG. 4, an instrumentation amplifier provides amplification while a pulse width modulation converter provides digitization.  
         [0021]    In addition to amplification, the strain gauge signal in the illustrated example preferably is calibrated for 2.5 volt mid scale offset, using a zero weight reference point. The strain gauge signal preferably is also compensated for a strain gauge bridge no-load offset shift over temperature. In addition, an analog switch for auto-zero cycle to correct for shifts and amplifier offset voltage due to temperature variations and over time drift preferably is included. In the illustrated example, the zero signal causes an internal solid state switch to short out instrumentation amplifier inputs.  
         [0022]    In the illustrated example, an oscillator signal generator  50 , which preferably is a saw tooth generator, provides for digitization of the analog sensor output signal. In the preferred embodiment, pulse width modulation is used to provide a digitized pulse width modulated output at  52 , which is fed to the controller.  
         [0023]    An example implementation of pulse width modulation for this purpose is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/651,714 which was filed on Aug. 31, 2000. The teachings of that application are incorporated into this specification by reference. Utilizing the pulse width modulation technique provides a digitized output that is superior to a simple analog to digital conversion. The typical microcontroller used within a weight classification system does not have adequate resolution to accurately make a weight determination based upon simply converting the analog sensor signal to a digital format.  
         [0024]    This invention provides a way of compensating for one or more factors affecting the sensor output using analog circuitry techniques. The examples in the illustrated circuitry include temperature compensation and offset calibration. Other factors, such as signal strength, which is typically very small from a strain gauge signal, are handled using digital circuitry techniques by digitizing the output. Using a combination approach (i.e., some analog, some digital) provides the ability to adequately compensate for the various factors affecting system performance. A purely digital approach or purely analog approach is inferior to the unique, combined approach of this invention.  
         [0025]    The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from the pursue or spirit of this invention. The scope of legal protection given to this invention can only be determined by studying the following claims.