Occupant classification system with pressure or weight and capacitance sensing

An occupant classification system comprising:

• a capacitive sensor configured to measure capacitance,
• wherein the capacitive sensor is at least partially arranged between a seat frame and at least one of a seat cover and a seat cushion of a seat;
• a sensor configured to measure at least one of weight and pressure on the seat,
• wherein the sensor is at least partially arranged between a vehicle structure and a component of the seat;
• and
• a controller configured to
• detect whether an occupant is directly on a vehicle seating surface of the seat and generate an occupant classification based on the measured capacitance and the at least one of the measured weight and the measured pressure on the seat,
• in response to detected presence of an occupant directly on the vehicle seating surface, select an adult classification as the occupant classification if the at least one of the measured pressure and the measured weight is greater than a first predetermined pressure threshold or greater than a first predetermined weight threshold, respectively,
• communicate with a seat belt sensing system and assess restraint usage in response to the adult classification,
• detect absence of an occupant directly on a vehicle seating surface when the measured capacitance is less than a predetermined capacitance, and
• in response to the detected absence of the occupant directly on the vehicle seating surface,
• compare the at least one of the measured pressure and the measured weight on the seat to at least one of a second predetermined pressure and a second predetermined weight, respectively, and
• based on the comparison, generate the occupant classification differentiating between (i) the seat having an empty condition or a non-occupant object directly on the vehicle seating surface weighing less than the second predetermined weight threshold, and (ii) the seat having a child restraint seat or a non-occupant object directly on the vehicle seating surface weighing more than the second predetermined weight threshold and less than the first predetermined weight threshold.

An occupant classification system comprising:

• a capacitive sensor configured to measure capacitance,
• wherein the capacitive sensor is at least partially arranged between a seat frame and at least one of a seat cover and a seat cushion of a seat;
• a sensor configured to measure at least one of weight and pressure on the seat,
• wherein the sensor is at least partially arranged between a vehicle structure and a component of the seat;
• and
• a controller configured to generate an occupant classification based on the measured capacitance and the at least one of the measured weight and the measured pressure on the seat, wherein the occupant classification differentiates between (i) an empty seat or a non-occupant object weighing less than or equal to a first predetermined weight threshold and (ii) a child restraint seat or a non-occupant object weighing more than the first predetermined weight threshold,
• wherein the occupant classification differentiates between a non-occupant object weighing less than or equal to the first predetermined weight threshold and a child restraint seat or a non-occupant object weighing more than the first predetermined weight threshold.