Peak load detection determination for deploying load limiting restraint devices

• US 20070007066A1
• Filed: 06/26/2006
• Published: 01/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Mertz, Eric
• Application Number:
  US11/474,812
• Publication Number:
  US 20070007066A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/268
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01279 Load limiters
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01315 monitoring occupant displacement
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0132 responsive to vehicle motion parameters , e.g. to vehicle longitudinal or transversal deceleration or speed value
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01512 Passenger detection systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01554 Seat position sensors

Abstract

A method of operating a load limiting restraint system including the steps of receiving an acceleration value and also receiving a signal indicative of an occupant size. The signal received of occupant size is combined with the acceleration value to predict a load on the occupant and the restraint system. If the predicted load exceeds a predicted load value then the load limiting device is actuated to gradually reduce and selectively release the seatbelt.

Claims

1. A method of operating a load limiting restraint system comprising the steps of:

a) receiving an acceleration value;

b) receiving a signal indicative of occupant size;

c) predicting a load restraint system based on the received acceleration value and the signal indicative of occupant size; and

d) generating a signal to actuate a load limiting device for the restraint system responsive to the predicted load exceeding a threshold load value.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, including the step of determining a peak acceleration value indicative of a load exceeding the threshold load value for a plurality of occupant sizes.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, including a different peak acceleration value for each of the plurality of occupant sizes.

4. The method as recited in claim 2, including the step of determining a threshold acceleration value indicative of a load exceeding the threshold load value for the plurality of occupant sizes.

5. The method as recited in claim 4, including a different threshold acceleration value for each of the plurality of occupant sizes.

6. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein step d includes initiating the load limiting device based on one of the peak acceleration value and the threshold value exceeding a value when combined with the signal indicative of occupant size is predicted to exceed the threshold load value.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein occupant size comprises a plurality of occupant size categories.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein step d includes determining a time delay and generating said signal responsive to the time delay exceeding a threshold time value and the predicted load exceeding a threshold load value

9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the occupant size is determined utilizing a position of a seat.

10. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the occupant size is determined utilizing a weight of the occupant.

11. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the load limiting device is a seat belt pretension device activated to selectively release a belt restraint.

12. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the acceleration value comprises acceleration measured in a substantially longitudinal direction.

13. A method of predicting a load on a restraint device comprising the steps of:

a) receiving a signal indicative of acceleration;

b) determining a load for a plurality of occupant categories based on the signal indicative of acceleration;

c) determining which of the plurality of occupant categories is applicable; and

d) generating a signal for controlling a restraint device based on the determined load for the applicable occupant category.

14. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein step b includes determining a load for a plurality of occupant categories based on a peak acceleration value and a threshold acceleration value.

15. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein step d includes generating the signal for controlling a restraint based on one of the peak acceleration value and the threshold acceleration value exceeding a value corresponding to a threshold load value.

16. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the peak acceleration value and threshold acceleration value are determined for a minimum time interval.

17. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the signal indicative of acceleration comprise a signal indicative acceleration in a longitudinal direction.