Method and apparatus for sensing a vehicle crash using crash energy

• US 5,668,723 A
• Filed: 05/20/1996
• Issued: 09/16/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Incorporated (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Incorporated (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Blackburn, Brian K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Teska, Kevin J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WALDER, STEPHEN JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US08/650,424
• Time in Patent Office: 484 Days
• Field of Search: 364/424.055, 364/424.056, 364/424.057, 180/282, 180/232, 180/271, 280/728, 280/734, 280/735, 340/438, 340/436, 307/9.1, 307/10.1
• US Class Current: 701/45
• 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 21/01332 by frequency or waveform analysis

Abstract

A method and apparatus is disclosed for providing a passenger restraint actuation signal for use in an actuatable passenger restraint system in a vehicle is provided. A sensor provides a signal indicative of crash acceleration. A crash energy value is determined from the crash acceleration signal and is compared against an energy threshold value. If the determined crash energy value equals or exceeds the energy threshold value, a passenger restraint actuation signal is provided.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing a passenger restraint actuation signal for use in controlling actuation of a passenger restraint system in a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

sensing means mountable to the vehicle for providing a signal having a characteristic indicative of crash acceleration;

means for determining from said sensing means signal a crash energy value functionally related to the square of the crash acceleration;

means for comparing the determined said crash energy value against an energy threshold value; and

means for providing said passenger restraint actuation signal when said comparing means indicates that said determined crash energy value is equal to or greater than said energy threshold value.

2. A method for providing a passenger restraint actuation signal for use in controlling actuation of a passenger restraint system in a vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a signal having a characteristic indicative of crash acceleration;

determining from said crash acceleration signal a crash energy value functionally related to the square of the crash acceleration;

comparing the determined crash energy value against an energy threshold value; and

providing said passenger restraint actuation signal when said comparing step indicates that said crash energy value is equal to or greater than the energy threshold value.