Sensor Arrangement and Method for Activating Passenger Protection Means

Abstract

A sensor arrangement for optically sensing at least one object includes an emission unit, a controllable deflection unit, a reception unit, and an evaluation unit. The emission unit is configured to emit at least one light beam. The controllable deflection unit is configured to deflect the light beam. The reception unit is configured to receive at least a portion of the emitted and deflected light beam that is reflected by an object to be sensed. The evaluation unit is configured to evaluate the received at least portion of the light beam such that a 3D image is generated in order for the object to be sensed.

Claims

1. A sensor arrangement for optically capturing at least one object, comprising: an emission unit configured to emit at least one light beam; a controllable deflection unit configured to deflect the light beam; a reception unit configured to receive at least one component of the emitted and deflected light beam that was reflected at the object to be captured; and an evaluation unit configured to evaluate the received component in order to produce a 3D image so as to capture the object.

2. The sensor arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor arrangement is connectable to an apparatus configured to actuate an occupant protection device for a vehicle.

3. The sensor arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor arrangement is configured to ascertain a current position of the captured object.

4. The sensor arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the evaluation unit is configured to ascertain one or more of a current movement and a current movement direction of the captured object.

5. The sensor arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the evaluation unit is configured to undertake a classification of the captured object.

6. A method for actuating an occupant protection device for a vehicle, comprising: ascertaining a current position of an occupant to be protected via a sensor arrangement configured to optically capture at least one object, the sensor arrangement including: an emission unit configured to emit at least one light beam, a controllable deflection unit configured to deflect the light beam, a reception unit configured to receive at least one component of the emitted and deflected light beam that was reflected at the object to be captured, and an evaluation unit configured to evaluate the received component in order to produce a 3D image so as to capture the at least one object, wherein the at least one object is the occupant; and actuating the occupant protection device depending on the current position of the occupant.

7. A method for actuating an occupant protection device for a vehicle, comprising: determining a parameter of an occupant to be protected via a sensor arrangement configured to optically capture at least one object, the sensor arrangement including: an emission unit configured to emit at least one light beam, a controllable deflection unit configured to deflect the light beam, a reception unit configured to receive at least one component of the emitted and deflected light beam that was reflected at the object to be captured, and an evaluation unit configured to evaluate the received component in order to produce a 3D image so as to capture the at least one object, wherein the at least one object is the occupant; and actuating the occupant protection device depending on the parameter of the occupant.

8. (canceled)

9. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein determining a parameter of an occupant to be protected includes ascertaining with the evaluation unit one or more of a current movement and a current movement direction of the occupant, and wherein the occupant protection device is actuated depending on the one or more of the current movement and the current movement direction of the occupant.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the current movement of the occupant is a forward displacement.

11. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein determining a parameter of an occupant to be protected includes undertaking with the evaluation unit a classification of the occupant, and wherein the occupant protection device is actuated depending on the classification of the occupant.

Description

[0027] The invention will be explained further below on the basis of figures.

[0028] In detail:

[0029] FIGS. 1a to c show flowcharts of the methods of the present invention

[0030] FIG. 1a shows a flowchart of an embodiment of the methods of the present invention.

[0031] In step 101, the reflected component of the emitted light beam is evaluated in order to ascertain a current position of a captured occupant. This evaluation can be effected by means of the evaluation unit of the sensor arrangement of the present invention.

[0032] In step 102, occupant protection means are actuated, wherein the ascertained, current position of the captured occupant is taken into account during the actuation; consequently, the occupant protection means are actuated depending on the ascertained, current position of the occupant.

[0033] FIG. 1b shows a flowchart of an embodiment of the methods of the present invention.

[0034] In step 201, the reflected component of the emitted light beam is evaluated in order to ascertain a current movement, in particular a current movement direction, of a captured occupant. This evaluation can be effected by means of the evaluation unit of the sensor arrangement of the present invention.

[0035] In step 202, occupant protection means are actuated, wherein the ascertained, current movement, in particular the ascertained, current movement direction, of the captured occupant is taken into account during the actuation; consequently, the occupant protection means are actuated depending on the ascertained, current movement, in particular the ascertained, current movement direction, of the occupant.

[0036] FIG. 1c shows a flowchart of an embodiment of the methods of the present invention.

[0037] In step 301, the reflected component of the emitted light beam is evaluated in order to classify a captured occupant. In the present case, a classification of a captured occupant should be understood to mean, inter alia, the ascertainment of capturable or derivable parameters of an occupant and the assignment thereof to a class. This includes, in particular, the capture or derivation of a size of the occupant and the assignment of the occupant to a size class depending on the captured size. In particular, this also includes the derivation of a weight of the occupant, for example from the captured size, and the assignment of the occupant to a weight class, depending on the derived weight. This evaluation, in particular the derivation, can be effected by means of the evaluation unit of the sensor arrangement of the present invention.

[0038] In step 302, occupant protection means are actuated, wherein the classification of the captured occupant is taken into account during the actuation; consequently, the occupant protection means are actuated depending on the classification of the occupant.