Method for determining the severity of a vehicle collision

• US 6,300,866 B1
• Filed: 11/19/1999
• Issued: 10/09/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Original Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Inventors: Peller, Martin, Holzner, Michael, Foith, Petra, Bachmaier, Peter, Kuhn, Andreas
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): TANG, SON M
• Application Number:
  US09/443,458
• Time in Patent Office: 690 Days
• Field of Search: 340/436, 340/438, 340/439
• US Class Current: 340/436
• 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 21/01338 using vector analysis

Abstract

A method is provided for determining the severity and pattern of a vehicle collision. A plurality of crash sensors are located in various points in the vehicle. Output signals from the crash sensors are fed to an evaluation unit. The output signals of the crash sensors are related to a system of coordinates that is invariable relative to the vehicle. Information about the movement of the sensor locations and the system of coordinates is obtained from the output signals.

Claims

1. A method for determining information on a vehicle collision via a plurality of sensors coupled with an evaluation unit, the method comprising the acts of:

locating the plurality of crash sensors at various points in a vehicle;

basing output signals from said plurality of crash sensors on a system of coordinates that is invariable relative to the vehicle; and

obtaining information about movement of said sensors locations at the various points relative to the system of coordinates from the output signals of said sensors.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said information on the vehicle collision determines at least one of a severity and pattern of the vehicle collision.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the act of determining a position and movement of the system of coordinates via said sensors located in the vehicle.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein said plurality of sensors primarily determine vehicle dynamics.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein said sensors at least partially function as crash sensors.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising the act of determining information about an impact point of another object from said output signals of said sensors.

7. The method according to claim 5, further comprising the act of determining information about a direction of impact of another object from said output signals of said sensors.

8. The method according to claim 5, further comprising the act of determining information about an impact speed of another object from said output signals of said sensors.

9. The method according to claim 5, further comprising the act of determining information about a kinetic energy of another object from said output signals of said sensors.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the act of determining information about an impact point of another object from said output signals of said sensors.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the act of determining information about a direction of impact of another object from said output signals of said sensors.

12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the act of determining information about an impact speed of another object from said output signals of said sensors.

13. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the act of determining information about a kinetic energy of another object from said output signals of said sensors.