Method and installation for detecting certain parameters concerning an auxiliary child seat with a view to controlling the operation of the airbags of a vehicle

摘要

A system to detect certain parameters concerning an auxiliary child seat placed on a passenger seat of a motor vehicle equipped with an airbag protection system. The system uses inductive electromagnetic emitter and receiver circuits located in the passenger seat and at least two resonant circuits provided in the base of an auxiliary child seat. Using the inductive and resonant circuits, the system detects various parameters concerning the child seat. Some of the parameters include the presence of a child seat, whether or not the child seat is occupied, the orientation of the child seat, and the type of child seat present. These parameters are transmitted to an airbag control unit in order to adapt the deployment of the airbag to the specific circumstances as indicated by the inductive and resonant circuits. The transmitted information allows the airbag control unit to disable the airbag in certain situations where it is not needed, such as when the child seat is not occupied or is facing the rear of the vehicle.