Device for recognizing a vehicle overturn

• US 20060015237A1
• Filed: 03/18/2003
• Published: 01/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Schmid, Michael, Kroeninger, Mario, Lahmann, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 7,664,587 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/70
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0018 Roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01313 monitoring the vehicle steering system or the dynamic control system
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01327 Angular velocity or angular acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0132 responsive to vehicle motion parameters , e.g. to vehicle longitudinal or transversal deceleration or speed value

Abstract

An apparatus for detecting a vehicle rollover includes a sensor suite for sensing vehicle dynamics data, the sensor suite being connected to a processor which is configured in such a way that the processor detects a vehicle rollover as a function of the vehicle dynamics data and the rollover sensor suite. The processor has means for dividing an operating state of the vehicle into chronologically successive phases. In particular, the processor has means for determining, for each phase, a float angle and a transverse vehicle velocity from the vehicle dynamics data; the float angle and the transverse vehicle velocity being used, together with the data from the rollover sensor suite, for detection of the vehicle rollover.

Claims

1-6. -6. (canceled)

7. An apparatus for detecting a vehicle rollover, comprising:

a sensor suite for sensing vehicle dynamics data and rollover data; and

a processor connected to the sensor unit, wherein the processor categorizes an operating state of the vehicle into one of a plurality of successive phases, and wherein the processor determines, for each phase, a float angle and a transverse vehicle velocity from the vehicle dynamics data and the rollover data, and wherein the vehicle rollover is detected based on the float angle and the transverse vehicle velocity.

8. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the chronologically successive phases include a stable operating state, a breakaway state, and a skid state, wherein the stable operating state is characterized by a substantially constant value of the float angle, the breakaway state is characterized by a large change in the float angle, and the skid state is characterized by a value of the float angle that is greater than a predefined threshold value.

9. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the vehicle dynamics data includes at least one of a longitudinal vehicle velocity, a yaw rate and a transverse vehicle acceleration.

10. The apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein the vehicle dynamics data includes at least one of a longitudinal vehicle velocity, a yaw rate and a transverse vehicle acceleration.

11. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein the sensor suite additionally detects and outputs at least one of a wheel rotational speed, a longitudinal vehicle acceleration, a steering angle, and an estimate of the float angle.

12. The apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein the sensor suite additionally detects and outputs at least one of a wheel rotational speed, a longitudinal vehicle acceleration, a steering angle, and an estimate of the float angle.

13. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the apparatus is connected to a restraint system that is activated by the processor based on the detection of the rollover.

14. The apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein the apparatus is connected to a restraint system that is activated by the processor based on the detection of the rollover.

15. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein the apparatus is connected to a restraint system that is activated by the processor based on the detection of the rollover.

16. The apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein the apparatus is connected to a restraint system that is activated by the processor based on the detection of the rollover.

17. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the apparatus is connected to a restraint system that is activated by the processor based on the detection of the rollover.

18. The apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein the apparatus is connected to a restraint system that is activated by the processor based on the detection of the rollover.

19. An apparatus for detecting a vehicle rollover, comprising:

a sensor suite for sensing vehicle dynamics data and rollover data; and

a processor connected to the sensor unit, wherein the processor categorizes an operating state of the vehicle into one of a plurality of successive phases, and wherein the processor determines, for each phase, a float angle and a vehicle center-of-mass velocity from the vehicle dynamics data and the rollover data, and wherein the vehicle rollover is detected based on the float angle and the vehicle center-of-mass velocity.

20. The apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein the chronologically successive phases include a stable operating state, a breakaway state, and a skid state, wherein the stable operating state is characterized by a substantially constant value of the float angle, the breakaway state is characterized by a large change in the float angle, and the skid state is characterized by a value of the float angle that is greater than a predefined threshold value.

21. The apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein the vehicle dynamics data includes at least one of a longitudinal vehicle velocity, a yaw rate and a transverse vehicle acceleration.

22. The apparatus as recited in claim 20, wherein the vehicle dynamics data includes at least one of a longitudinal vehicle velocity, a yaw rate and a transverse vehicle acceleration.

23. The apparatus as recited in claim 21, wherein the sensor suite additionally detects and outputs at least one of a wheel rotational speed, a longitudinal vehicle acceleration, a steering angle, and an estimate of the float angle.

24. The apparatus as recited in claim 22, wherein the sensor suite additionally detects and outputs at least one of a wheel rotational speed, a longitudinal vehicle acceleration, a steering angle, and an estimate of the float angle.

25. The apparatus as recited in claim 22, wherein the apparatus is connected to a restraint system that is activated by the processor based on the detection of the rollover.

26. The apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein the apparatus is connected to a restraint system that is activated by the processor based on the detection of the rollover.