Supplemental restraint deployment method with anticipatory crash classification
First Claim
1. A deployment method for a supplemental restraint in a motor vehicle, comprising the step of:
- providing a sensor for identifying an object approaching said vehicle and determining a closing velocity between said vehicle and said identified object;
detecting an onset of a crash event based on a longitudinal acceleration of said vehicle, and storing a closing velocity determined by said sensor when said onset is detected;
determining a classification of said crash event based on the stored closing velocity; and
executing a classification-specific deployment algorithm during said crash event to determine if and when deployment of said restraint is warranted based on measures of actual crash severity.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A supplemental restraint deployment method utilizes measured vehicle speed and acceleration and the output of a closing velocity sensor that detects the presence and closing rate of an approaching object prior to contact with the vehicle. The closing velocity and vehicle speed are utilized for classification of an impending crash event, where the deployment options vary depending on the crash classification. In the ensuing crash event, a classification-dependent algorithm is executed to determine if, when and what level of restraint deployment is warranted based on measures of actual crash severity. Additionally, the algorithm is reset when the calculated change in vehicle velocity reaches the initial closing velocity.
26 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A deployment method for a supplemental restraint in a motor vehicle, comprising the step of:
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providing a sensor for identifying an object approaching said vehicle and determining a closing velocity between said vehicle and said identified object;
detecting an onset of a crash event based on a longitudinal acceleration of said vehicle, and storing a closing velocity determined by said sensor when said onset is detected;
determining a classification of said crash event based on the stored closing velocity; and
executing a classification-specific deployment algorithm during said crash event to determine if and when deployment of said restraint is warranted based on measures of actual crash severity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification