Safety device for vehicles

• US 6,363,306 B1
• Filed: 09/02/1999
• Issued: 03/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Volvo Personvagnar AB (AB Volvo)
• Original Assignee: Volvo Personvagnar AB (AB Volvo)
• Inventors: Saméus, Jörgen, Palmertz, Camilla
• Primary Examiner(s): Zanelli, Michael J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gibson, Eric M.
• Application Number:
  US09/331,386
• Time in Patent Office: 936 Days
• Field of Search: 701/45, 280/728.1, 280/734, 280/801.1, 280/806, 280/755, 280/756
• US Class Current: 701/45
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01306 monitoring vehicle inclination
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01327 Angular velocity or angular acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/013 including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0133 by integrating the amplitude of the input signal

Abstract

Safety devices and methods of detecting the rotation of a vehicle are disclosed. The safety devices include micromechanical gyros for determining the angular position and angular speed of rotation of the vehicle about one of its axes, a control unit for comparing the angular position and angular speed of rotation with predetermined threshold values for those values in which at least one of the threshold values is variable and is based upon a predetermined operational condition of the vehicle, and at least one protective device actuatable by the control unit based upon that comparison. The methods disclosed include determining the angular position and angular speed of rotation of the vehicle about at least one axis, comparing the angular position and angular speed of rotation with predetermined threshold values for those values, at least one of the threshold values being variable and based upon at least one predetermined operational condition for the vehicles, and actuating at least one protective device based upon that comparison.

Claims

1. A safety device for detecting the rotation of a vehicle having a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis and a steering wheel comprising:

angular position means for determining the angular position and angular velocity of said vehicle about at least one of said longitudinal axis and said transverse axis,

a control unit for comparing said angular position and angular speed of rotation with predetermined threshold values for said angular position and said angular speed of rotation, at least one of said threshold values being variable and based upon at least one predetermined operational condition of said vehicle, and

at least one protective device actuatable by said control unit based upon said comparison.

2. The safety device of claim 1 wherein said control unit further comprises:

means for comparing said angular velocity about said longitudinal axis with a first predetermined threshold value, and if said angular velocity about said longitudinal axis exceeds said first predetermined threshold value,

comparing said angular position about said longitudinal axis with a second predetermined threshold value, said second predetermined threshold value being variable and based upon the magnitude of said angular velocity, and if said angular position about said longitudinal axis exceeds said second predetermined threshold value,

actuating said at least one protective device.

3. The safety device of claim 1 further comprising:

a transducer for determining the side acceleration of said vehicle,

said control unit further comprising means for comparing said side acceleration to a first predetermined threshold value, and

if said side acceleration exceeds said first predetermined threshold value, comparing said angular position about said longitudinal axis with a second predetermined value, said second predetermined threshold value being variable and based upon said side acceleration, and

if said angular position about said longitudinal axis exceeds said second predetermined threshold value, calculating the time during which said side acceleration has exceeded said first predetermined threshold value, comparing said time during which said side acceleration has exceeded said first predetermined threshold value with a third predetermined threshold value, said third predetermined threshold value being variable and based upon said side acceleration and said angular position, and

if said time during which said side acceleration has exceeded said first predetermined threshold value exceeds said third predetermined threshold value, actuating at least one protective device.

4. The safety device of claim 1 further comprising:

a first transducer for determining the angular position of said steering wheel, and

a second transducer for determining the velocity of said vehicle,

said control unit further comprising means for comparing said angular position about said longitudinal axis with a first predetermined threshold value, and if said angular position about said longitudinal axis exceeds said first predetermined threshold value,

comparing said speed of said vehicle with a second predetermined threshold value, said second predetermined threshold value being variable and based upon said angular position about said longitudinal axis, and if said speed of said vehicle exceeds said second predetermined threshold value,

comparing said angular position of said steering wheel with a third predetermined threshold value, said third predetermined threshold value being variable and based upon said angular position and said speed of said vehicle, and if said angular position of said steering wheel exceeds said third predetermined threshold value,

actuating said at least one protective device.

5. The safety device of claim 4 wherein said control unit further comprises:

means for determining the angular velocity of said steering wheel with respect to the direction of turning of said steering wheel and for comparing said angular position about said longitudinal axis with a fourth predetermined threshold value, and

if said angular position about said longitudinal axis exceeds said fourth predetermined threshold value, comparing said speed of said vehicle with a fifth predetermined threshold value, said fifth predetermined threshold value being variable and based upon said angular position about said longitudinal axis, and

if said speed of said vehicle exceeds said fifth predetermined threshold value, comparing said angular velocity of said steering wheel with a sixth predetermined threshold value, said sixth predetermined threshold value being variable and based upon said angular position and the absolute value of said speed of said vehicle, and

if said angular velocity of said steering wheel exceeds said sixth predetermined threshold value,

actuating said at least one protective device.

6. The safety device of claim 1 wherein said control unit further comprises:

means for comparing the angular velocity about said transverse axis with a first predetermined threshold value, and

if said angular velocity about said transverse axis exceeds said first predetermined threshold value, comparing said angular velocity about said transverse axis with a second predetermined threshold value, said second predetermined threshold value being variable and based upon said angular velocity, and

if said angular velocity about said transverse axis exceeds said second predetermined threshold value, actuating said at least one protective device.

7. The safety device of claim 6 further comprising:

a transducer for determining the acceleration of said vehicle in said longitudinal direction,

said control unit further comprising means for comparing said acceleration with a third predetermined threshold value, and

if said acceleration exceeds said third predetermined threshold value, comparing said angular position about said transverse axis with a fourth predetermined threshold value, said fourth predetermined threshold value being variable and based upon said acceleration, and

if said angular position about said transverse axis exceeds said fourth predetermined threshold value, comparing the time during which said acceleration exceeds said third predetermined threshold value with a fifth predetermined threshold value, said fifth predetermined threshold value being variable and based upon said acceleration and said angular position about said transverse axis, and

if said time during which said acceleration exceeds said third predetermined threshold value exceeds said fifth predetermined threshold value, actuating said at least one protective device.

8. The safety device of claim 1 wherein said control unit further comprises:

means for determining an angular acceleration about said transverse axis and comparing the angular acceleration about said transverse axis with a first predetermined threshold value, and

if said angular acceleration about said transverse axis exceeds said first predetermined threshold value, comparing the time during which said angular acceleration about said transverse axis exceeds said first predetermined threshold value with a second predetermined threshold value, said second predetermined threshold value being variable and based upon said angular acceleration about said transverse axis, and

if said time during which said angular acceleration about said transverse axis exceeds said first predetermined threshold value exceeds said second predetermined threshold value, comparing the angular velocity about said longitudinal axis with a third predetermined threshold value, said third predetermined threshold value being variable and based upon said angular acceleration about said transverse axis and said time during which said angular acceleration about said transverse axis exceeds said first predetermined threshold value, and

if said angular velocity about said longitudinal axis exceeds said third predetermined threshold value, comparing the angular position of said vehicle about said longitudinal axis with a fourth predetermined threshold value, said fourth predetermined threshold value being variable and based upon the angular acceleration about said transverse axis, said time during which said angular acceleration exceeds said first predetermined threshold value, and said angular velocity about said longitudinal axis, and

if said angular position about said longitudinal axis exceeds said fourth predetermined threshold value,

actuating said at least one protective device.

9. The safety device of claim 1 wherein said control unit further comprises:

means for determining an angular acceleration of said vehicle about said transverse axis and comparing the angular acceleration of said vehicle about said transverse axis with a first predetermined threshold value, and

if said angular acceleration about said transverse axis exceeds said first predetermined threshold value, comparing the time during which said angular acceleration exceeds said first predetermined threshold value with a second predetermined threshold value, said second predetermined threshold value being variable and based upon said angular acceleration about said transverse axis, and

if said time during which said angular acceleration exceeds said first predetermined threshold value exceeds said second predetermined threshold value, comparing the angular velocity about said transverse axis with a third predetermined threshold value, said third predetermined threshold value being variable and based upon the angular acceleration about said transverse axis and said time during which said angular acceleration about said transverse axis exceeds said first predetermined threshold value, and

if said angular velocity about said transverse axis exceeds said third predetermined threshold value, comparing the angular position of said vehicle with respect to said transverse axis with a fourth predetermined threshold value, said fourth predetermined threshold value being variable and based upon said angular acceleration about said transverse axis, said time during which said angular acceleration about said transverse axis exceeds said first predetermined threshold value and said angular velocity about said transverse axis, and

if said angular position with respect to said transverse axis exceeds said fourth predetermined threshold value, actuating said at least one protective device.

10. The safety device of claim 1 wherein said angular position means comprises at least one micromechanical gyro for detecting an angular velocity of said vehicle about said at least one of said longitudinal and transverse axes, said micromechanical gyro being connected to said control unit.

11. A safety device for detecting the rotation of a vehicle having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, comprising a transducer for determining the side acceleration of said vehicle, a control unit for comparing said side acceleration to a first predetermined threshold value, and if said side acceleration exceeds said first predetermined threshold value, comparing the time during which said side acceleration exceeds said first predetermined threshold value with a second predetermined threshold value, and at least one protective device actuatable by said control unit if said time during which said side acceleration exceeds said first predetermined threshold value exceeds said second predetermined threshold value.

12. The safety device of claim 11 wherein said second predetermined threshold value is variable and based upon said side acceleration.

13. A safety device for detecting the rotation of a vehicle having a longitudinal axis comprising:

a transducer for determining the angular acceleration of said vehicle about said longitudinal axis,

a control unit for comparing said angular acceleration about said longitudinal axis with a first predetermined threshold value, said first predetermined threshold value being variable and based upon the positional energy of said vehicle which must be overcome for said vehicle to roll over, and

at least one protective device actuatable by said control unit if said angular acceleration about said longitudinal axis exceeds said first predetermined threshold value.

14. A method for detecting the rotation of a vehicle including a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis and a steering wheel, said method comprising:

determining the angular position and the angular velocity of said vehicle about at least one of said longitudinal axis and said transverse axis,

comparing said angular position and said angular velocity with predetermined threshold values for said angular position and said velocity, at least one of said threshold values being variable and based upon at least one predetermined operational condition for said vehicle, and

actuating at least one protective device based upon said comparison.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

comparing the angular velocity of said vehicle about said longitudinal axis with a first predetermined threshold value, and if said angular velocity about said longitudinal axis exceeds said first predetermined threshold value,

comparing the angular position of said vehicle about said longitudinal axis with a second predetermined threshold value, said second predetermined threshold value being variable and based upon said angular velocity about said longitudinal axis, and if said angular position about said longitudinal axis exceeds said second predetermined threshold value,

actuating said at least one protective device.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

comparing a side acceleration of said vehicle with a first predetermined threshold value, and if said side acceleration exceeds said first predetermined threshold value,

comparing the angular position about said transverse axis of said vehicle with a second predetermined threshold value, said second predetermined threshold value being variable and based upon said side acceleration, and if said angular position of said vehicle about said transverse axis exceeds said second predetermined threshold value,

comparing the time during which said first predetermined threshold value is exceeded with a third predetermined threshold value, said third predetermined threshold value being variable and based upon said side acceleration and said angular position of said vehicle about said transverse axis, and if said time during which said side acceleration exceeds said first predetermined threshold value exceeds said third predetermined threshold value,

actuating said at least one protective device.

17. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

comparing the angular position of said vehicle about said longitudinal axis with a first predetermined threshold value, and if said angular position about said longitudinal axis exceeds said first predetermined threshold value,

determining an absolute value of the velocity of said vehicle,

comparing the absolute value of the velocity of said vehicle in said longitudinal direction with a second predetermined threshold value, said second predetermined threshold value being variable and based upon the angular position of said vehicle about said longitudinal axis, and if said absolute value of said velocity in said longitudinal direction exceeds said second predetermined threshold value,

determining an angular position of said steering wheel,

comparing the angular position of said steering wheel with a third predetermined threshold value, said third predetermined threshold value being variable and based upon the angular position of said vehicle about said longitudinal axis and the absolute value of said velocity of said vehicle in said longitudinal direction, and if said angular position of said steering wheel exceeds said third predetermined threshold value,

actuating said at least one protective device.

18. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

comparing the angular position of said vehicle about said longitudinal axis with a first predetermined threshold value, and if said angular position of said vehicle about said longitudinal axis exceeds said first predetermined threshold value,

determining an absolute value of said velocity of said vehicle,

comparing the absolute value of said velocity of said vehicle in said longitudinal direction with a second predetermined threshold value, said second predetermined threshold value being variable and based upon the angular position of said vehicle about said longitudinal axis, and if said absolute value of said velocity of said vehicle in said longitudinal direction exceeds said second predetermined threshold value,

determining an angular velocity of said steering wheel,

comparing the angular velocity of said steering wheel with a third predetermined threshold value, said third predetermined threshold value being variable and based upon the angular position of said vehicle about said longitudinal axis and the absolute value of said velocity of said vehicle in said longitudinal direction, and if said angular velocity of said steering wheel exceeds said third predetermined threshold value,

actuating said at least one protective device.

19. A method according to claim 14 further comprising:

comparing the angular velocity of said vehicle about said transverse axis with a first predetermined threshold value, and if said angular velocity of said vehicle about said transverse axis exceeds said first predetermined threshold value,

comparing the angular position of said vehicle about said transverse axis with a second predetermined threshold value, said second predetermined threshold value being variable and based upon the magnitude of said angular velocity of said vehicle about said transverse axis, and if said angular position of said vehicle about said transverse axis exceeds said second predetermined threshold value,

actuating said at least one protective device.

20. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

determining an acceleration of said vehicle in said longitudinal direction,

comparing the acceleration of said vehicle in said longitudinal direction with a first predetermined threshold value, and if said acceleration of said vehicle in said longitudinal direction exceeds said first predetermined threshold value,

comparing the angular position of said vehicle about said transverse axis with a second predetermined threshold value, said second predetermined threshold value being variable and based upon the acceleration of said vehicle in said longitudinal direction, and if said angular position of said vehicle about said transverse axis exceeds said second predetermined threshold value,

comparing the time during which said acceleration of said vehicle in said longitudinal direction exceeds said first predetermined threshold value with a third predetermined threshold value, said third predetermined threshold value being variable and based upon the acceleration of said vehicle in said longitudinal direction and the angular position of said vehicle, and if said time during which said acceleration of said vehicle in said longitudinal direction exceeds said first predetermined threshold value exceeds said third predetermined threshold value,

actuating said at least one protective device.

21. A method according to claim 14 further comprising:

determining an angular acceleration of said vehicle in said longitudinal direction,

comparing the angular acceleration of said vehicle in said longitudinal direction with a first predetermined threshold value, and if said angular acceleration of said vehicle in said longitudinal direction exceeds said first predetermined threshold value,

comparing the time during which said angular acceleration of said vehicle in said longitudinal direction exceeds said first predetermined threshold value with a second predetermined threshold value, said second predetermined threshold value being variable and based upon said angular acceleration of said vehicle in said longitudinal direction, and if said time during which said angular acceleration of said vehicle in said longitudinal direction exceeds said second predetermined threshold value,

comparing the angular velocity of said vehicle about said longitudinal axis with a third predetermined threshold value, said third predetermined threshold value being variable and based upon the angular acceleration of said vehicle in said longitudinal direction and said time during which said angular acceleration in said longitudinal direction exceeds said first predetermined threshold value, and if said angular velocity of said vehicle about said longitudinal axis exceeds said third predetermined threshold value,

comparing the angular position of said vehicle about said longitudinal axis with a fourth predetermined threshold value, said fourth predetermined threshold value being variable and based upon said angular acceleration of said vehicle in said longitudinal direction, said time during which said angular acceleration of said vehicle in said longitudinal direction exceeds said first predetermined threshold value and said angular velocity of said vehicle about said longitudinal axis, and if said angular position of said vehicle about said longitudinal axis exceeds said fourth predetermined threshold value,

actuating said at least one protective device.

22. A method according to claim 14 further comprising:

determining an angular acceleration of said vehicle in said longitudinal direction,

comparing the angular acceleration of said vehicle in said transverse direction with a first predetermined threshold value, and if said angular acceleration of said vehicle in said transverse direction exceeds said first predetermined threshold value,

comparing the time during which said angular acceleration of said vehicle in said transverse direction exceeds said twentieth predetermined threshold value with a second predetermined threshold value, said second predetermined threshold value being variable and based upon the angular acceleration of said vehicle in said transverse direction, and if said time during which said angular acceleration of said vehicle in said transverse direction exceeds said first predetermined threshold value exceeds said second predetermined threshold value,

comparing the angular velocity of said vehicle about said longitudinal axis with a third predetermined threshold value, said third predetermined threshold value being variable and based upon the angular acceleration of said vehicle in said transverse direction and the time during which said angular acceleration of said vehicle in said transverse direction exceeds said first predetermined threshold value, and if said angular velocity of said vehicle about said longitudinal axis exceeds said third predetermined threshold value,

comparing the angular position of said vehicle about said transverse axis with a fourth predetermined threshold value, said fourth predetermined threshold value being variable and based upon said angular acceleration of said vehicle in said transverse direction, said time during which said angular acceleration of said vehicle in said transverse direction exceeds said first predetermined threshold value and said angular velocity of said vehicle about said longitudinal axis, and if said angular position of said vehicle and of said transverse axis exceeds said fourth predetermined threshold value,

actuating said at least one protective device.

23. A method for detecting the rotation of a vehicle including a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, said method comprising:

determining the side acceleration of said vehicle,

comparing said side acceleration of said vehicle with a first predetermined threshold value, and if said side acceleration exceeds said first predetermined threshold value,

comparing the time during which said side acceleration exceeds said first predetermined threshold value with a second predetermined threshold value, and

actuating at least one protective device if said time during which said side acceleration exceeds said first predetermined threshold value exceeds said second predetermined threshold value.

24. A method for detecting the rotation of a vehicle including a longitudinal axis, said method comprising:

determining the angular acceleration of said vehicle about said longitudinal axis,

determining a value corresponding to the rotational energy of said vehicle about said longitudinal axis,

comparing said value of said rotational energy of said vehicle with a predetermined threshold value, said predetermined threshold value being variable and based upon the positional energy of said vehicle which must be overcome for said vehicle to roll over, and

actuating at least one protective device if said value of said rotational energy exceeds said predetermined threshold value.

25. A safety device for detecting the rotation of a vehicle about its longitudinal axis or transverse axis or both, wherein at least one or more protective devices are activated upon the detection, comprising:

means for determining the angular position of the vehicle about at least one of said axes,

means for determining the angular velocity of the vehicle about at least one of said axes,

a control unit arranged for activation of at least one or more protective devices if one or more certain predetermined threshold values regarding the operating condition of the vehicle are fulfilled,

wherein at least one of said threshold values is constituted by a first value that is compared with a second measured value representing the angular position of the vehicle, said first value being variable and based on the instantaneous measured value of at least one predetermined, additional operating condition of the vehicle.