Rear Impact Detection Method and System

• US 20080082237A1
• Filed: 11/13/2007
• Published: 04/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/1991
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: American Vehicular Sciences LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Automotive Technologies International Incorporated
• Inventors: Breed, David
• Granted Patent: US 8,346,438 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/45
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0272 using sensors or detectors for detecting the position of seat parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0276 reaction to emergency situations, e.g. crash
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2863 backward facing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0004 Frontal collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0006 Lateral collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23107 the bag being integrated in a multi-bag system
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23153 specially adapted for rear seat passengers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23161 specially adapted for protecting at least two passengers, e.g. preventing them from hitting each other
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23169 specially adapted for knee protection
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23192 Roof bags, i.e. protecting the occupant in a roll-over situation
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23308 the individual compartments defining the external shape of the bag
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23316 Inner seams, e.g. creating separate compartments or used as tethering means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23504 characterised by material
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23514 coated fabric
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23519 Resin for coating fabric B60R2021/23514
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23523 Composite coated fabric B60R2021/23514
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23557 Molding
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2358 Bonding
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2359 Welding
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2636 : The volume of gas being continuously adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/20 : Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2032 : the inflator or inflatable member not being rotatable with the steering wheel; Arrangements using the steering column or steering wheel rim for storing, supplying or evacuating the inflation gas or for storing the inflatable member
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/206 : in the lower part of dashboards, e.g. for protecting the knees
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/214 : in roof panels
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 : Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/233 : comprising a plurality of individual compartments; comprising two or more bag-like members, one within the other B60R21/232 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/235 : characterised by their material
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/239 : characterised by their venting means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/264 : using instantaneous generation of gas, e.g. pyrotechnic B60R21/268 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/30 : with means to draw ambient air into the flow line and mix such air with the inflation fluid
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 : communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 : Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005

Abstract

Method and system for deploying an occupant restraint device in a vehicle includes arranging a sensor to detect a rear impact and deploying the occupant restraint device when the sensor detects the rear impact of sufficient magnitude to require deployment of the occupant restraint device to prevent injury to the occupant. The sensor may be a crush sensor which preferably extends across a major portion of the rear of the vehicle, an inertial sensor and/or an anticipatory sensor.

Claims

1. A method for deploying an occupant restraint device in a vehicle, comprising:

arranging a sensor to detect or forecast a rear impact; and

deploying the occupant restraint device when the sensor detects or forecasts a rear impact of sufficient magnitude to require deployment of the occupant restraint device to prevent injury to an occupant,

wherein the occupant restraint device comprises a headrest which moves up and forward into contact with the head of an occupant and automatically resets after the rear impact.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a crush sensor which preferably extends across a major portion of the rear of the vehicle.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor is an inertial sensor.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor is an anticipatory sensor.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising arranging at least one sensor in the headrest to provide information about the relative distance between the headrest and the occupant'"'"'s head and thereby enable the headrest to move into contact with the occupant'"'"'s head.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one sensor in the headrest is a contact switch.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising moving the headrest up and forward into contact with the occupant'"'"'s head after the detection or forecast of the rear impact.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising moving the headrest from a first position in which it is in prior to the detection or forecast of the rear impact to a second position in contact with the occupant'"'"'s head so that it will be in the second position during the rear impact.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising moving the headrest from the second position back to the first position after the rear impact to thereby automatically reset the headrest after the rear impact.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein the headrest moving means are arranged to move the headrest from the second position back to the first position after the rear impact to thereby automatically reset the headrest after the rear impact.

5. A system for deploying an occupant restraint device in a vehicle, comprising:

at least one sensor arranged to detect or forecast a rear impact;

a controller coupled to said at least one sensor and the occupant restraint device and arranged to control deployment of the occupant restraint device when said at least one sensor detects or forecasts a rear impact of sufficient magnitude to require deployment of the occupant restraint device to prevent injury to the occupant,

wherein the occupant restraint device comprises a headrest which moves up and forward into contact with the head of the occupant and automatically resets after the rear impact.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the sensor includes a crush sensor which preferably extends across a major portion of the rear of the vehicle.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the at least one sensor includes an inertial sensor.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the at least one sensor includes an anticipatory sensor.

14. The system of claim 5, further comprising at least one sensor arranged in the headrest to provide information about the relative distance between the headrest and the occupant'"'"'s head and thereby enable the headrest to move into contact with the occupant'"'"'s head.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said at least one sensor in the headrest is a contact switch.

16. The system of claim 5, further comprising means for moving the headrest up and forward into contact with the occupant'"'"'s head after the detection or forecast of the rear impact.

17. The system of claim 5, further comprising means for moving the headrest from a first position in which it is in prior to the detection or forecast of the rear impact to a second position in contact with the occupant'"'"'s head so that it will be in the second position during the rear impact.

19. A motor operated headrest, comprising:

movement means for moving the headrest from a first position not in contact with the head of an occupant to a second position in contact with the head of the occupant during or prior to a rear impact and automatically resetting the headrest after the rear impact by moving from the second position back to the first position; and

a head contact or proximity sensor for providing information about contact between the headrest and the occupant'"'"'s head to enable said movement means to move the headrest to the second position.

20. The headrest of claim 19, wherein said sensor comprises a switch, capacitive sensor or ultrasonic sensor.