Data processing: vehicles – navigation – and relative location – Vehicle control – guidance – operation – or indication – Vehicle subsystem or accessory control
Reexamination Certificate
1996-10-11
2001-07-24
Cuchlinski, Jr., William A. (Department: 3661)
Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location
Vehicle control, guidance, operation, or indication
Vehicle subsystem or accessory control
C180S271000, C180S272000, C280S734000, C280S735000, C340S903000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06266592
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention is directed to a vehicle occupant restraint system and is specifically directed to an apparatus and method for sensing the presence of a rearward facing child restraint seat on a vehicle seat of a vehicle and preventing deployment of an air bag restraint.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Air bag restraint systems for vehicles are well known in the art. It is also known to prevent deployment of an air bag during a vehicle collision when the air bag is associated with a seat location that is unoccupied. Deployment of an air bag associated with an unoccupied seat location (typically the passenger seat location) during a vehicle collision adds unnecessary expense to the repair of the vehicle.
To prevent such unnecessary deployment of an air bag at an unoccupied seat location, sensors are provided to detect the presence of an occupant on a vehicle seat. These sensors include pressure sensing switches located in the seat cushion and/or infrared or ultrasonic sensors located in the vehicle dashboard or instrument panel. If no occupant is detected as being present on the seat, deployment of the associated air bag during a vehicle collision is prevented through an appropriate control arrangement.
It is also desirable to prevent deployment of an air bag when a child restraint seat is secured in a rearward facing direction on the vehicle seat associated with the air bag.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for sensing the presence of an object and, in particular, a rearward facing child restraint seat.
Transmitter means of the apparatus provides a transmitted electromagnetic signal. Receiver means receives an electromagnetic return signal. Identifier means, securable to the object, provides the electromagnetic return signal at a first frequency in response to the transmitted electromagnetic signal. Second signal means provides a signal at a second frequency different from the first frequency. Combiner means mixes signals which have the first frequency from the return signal and the second frequency to provide a beat signal having a beat frequency. Processor means coupled to receive the beat signal determines the presence of the identifier means when a predetermined beat frequency is received and provides a signal indicative thereof.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the transmitter means includes signal provider means for providing a first electrical signal having the one frequency for a first time period and a second electrical signal having the second frequency for a second, different time period. The transmitter means and the receiver means include antenna means. The transmitted electromagnetic signal is transmitted by the antenna means in response to the electrical signal having the one frequency for the first time period. The processor means determines the presence of the identifier means when the beat signal from the combiner means has the predetermined frequency for at least a predetermined duration.
The method includes securing an identifier means to the object and transmitting an electromagnetic signal. The identifier means provides an electromagnetic return signal in response to the transmitted electromagnetic signal. The electromagnetic identifier return signal has a first frequency. The electromagnetic identifier return signal is received by receiver means. A second signal is provided at a second frequency, which is different from the first frequency. Signals which have the two frequencies are mixed to provide a beat signal having a beat frequency. The beat signal is received and the presence of the identifier means is determined when the beat signal has a predetermined frequency. A signal indicative of the presence of the identifier means is provided.
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Arthur Gertrude
Cuchlinski Jr. William A.
Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell Tummino & Szabo L.L.P.
TRW Inc.
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