Calibration for a vehicle weight classification system
AssigneeSeimens VDO Automotive Corporation
InventorsHarald Lichtinger, Ralf Oestreicher, Kenneth Francis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A vehicle seat weight classification system includes a recalibration strategy to ensure sensor accuracy over time. A controller preferably is programmed to periodically sample outputs of the sensors when a seat is unoccupied. Average sensor output information is compared to a currently stored calibration value. If the newly determined average value meets selected criteria, then the sensor is recalibrated using the new information. The system and method of this invention compensates for changes in sensor performance over time caused by changes in system characteristics, such as material offset drift.
Claims12
A method of calibrating a weight classification system having at least one sensor that detects a load on a vehicle seat, comprising the steps of:
- (A) determining when a calibration condition exists;
- (B) sampling a plurality of outputs of the sensor over a selected period;
- (C) determining an average output of the sensor, using the sampled outputs of step (B);
- (D) determining if the average of step (C) is within a selected range;
- and
- (E) calibrating the sensor using the average of step (C) when the average is within the selected range of step (D).
A weight classification system for a vehicle seat, comprising:
- a plurality of sensors that each generate an output indicative of a load on the seat;
- and
- a controller that communicates with the sensors, determines when a calibration condition exists, samples a plurality of outputs of each sensor over a selected period, determines an average of the sampled outputs of each sensor, determines if the average of each sensor is within a selected range, and calibrates any one of the sensors according to the determined average when the average for the corresponding sensor is within the selected range.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.