Method and System for Restraint Deployment Using Lateral Kinetic Energy
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- operating a safety system of a vehicle in an active safety mode;
comparing a vehicle yaw rate with a threshold value;
if the yaw rate exceeds the threshold value, changing operation of the safety system to a crash-imminent mode and calculating a vehicle lateral kinetic energy;
operating an impact sensor to detect a side impact; and
using the lateral kinetic energy and output from the impact sensor to control an occupant restraint.
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Abstract
A safety system for a motor vehicle has a yaw rate sensor for detecting a yaw rate of the vehicle and impact sensors for detecting a side impact. A control module calculates a lateral kinetic energy of the vehicle if the yaw rate exceeds a threshold value, and an occupant restraint is activated based upon the lateral kinetic energy and signals from the side impact sensors. The disclosed system and method provide for improved restraint deployment decisions when a vehicle has a lateral velocity associated with a high yaw rate, as may be the case during a spin or a skid.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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operating a safety system of a vehicle in an active safety mode; comparing a vehicle yaw rate with a threshold value; if the yaw rate exceeds the threshold value, changing operation of the safety system to a crash-imminent mode and calculating a vehicle lateral kinetic energy; operating an impact sensor to detect a side impact; and using the lateral kinetic energy and output from the impact sensor to control an occupant restraint. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of operating a safety system of a vehicle comprising:
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generating signals indicating a dynamic state of the vehicle including a yaw rate and a lateral acceleration; operating at least one active safety control system in an active safety mode using at least some of the signals; comparing the yaw rate with a threshold value; if the yaw rate exceeds the threshold value, entering a crash-imminent mode adapted for optimum control of passive safety systems, the crash-imminent mode including calculating a lateral kinetic energy of the vehicle using at least some of the signals; operating an impact sensor to detect a side impact; and using the lateral kinetic energy and output from the impact sensor to control an occupant restraint. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A safety system for a motor vehicle comprising:
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an active safety system; a dynamics sensor detecting a vehicle yaw rate; at least one control module operating in an active safety mode if the yaw rate is below a threshold value and changing operation to a crash-imminent mode if the yaw rate reaches the threshold value, the crash-imminent mode comprising calculating a vehicle lateral kinetic energy; an impact sensor detecting a side impact; and an occupant restraint activated based upon the lateral kinetic energy and signals from the impact sensor. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification