Crash control system for vehicles employing predictive pre-crash signals
First Claim
1. A crash control system for a vehicle, comprising:
- a first subsystem on said vehicle for controlling a first operating function of said vehicle and generating a signal predictive of an imminent potential crash of said vehicle;
a second subsystem on said vehicle for controlling a second operating function of said vehicle, said second subsystem includes a suspension control system; and
a controller on said vehicle for receiving said predictive signal and altering the operation of said suspension control system to lower a chassis of said vehicle to lower the center of gravity and to ready said vehicle for said crash.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A crash control system for vehicles employs pre-crash surrogate signals to predict a potential crash. The predictive signals may be generated by activation of the vehicle'"'"'s anti-lock brakes, or by a sensor that detects rate of brake pedal travel indicating panic braking or by advanced radar systems. The pre-crash signals may be used to ready various safety systems on the vehicle, such as chassis and suspension systems, dynamic body systems, interior occupant protection systems and other systems that function to improve vehicle'"'"'s crash worthiness or assist in improving vehicle stability or control. The pre-crash signals may also be used to modify the normal trigger points of safety systems to improve the timing of their response.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A crash control system for a vehicle, comprising:
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a first subsystem on said vehicle for controlling a first operating function of said vehicle and generating a signal predictive of an imminent potential crash of said vehicle;
a second subsystem on said vehicle for controlling a second operating function of said vehicle, said second subsystem includes a suspension control system; and
a controller on said vehicle for receiving said predictive signal and altering the operation of said suspension control system to lower a chassis of said vehicle to lower the center of gravity and to ready said vehicle for said crash. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A crash control system for a vehicle, comprising:
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braking system on said vehicle, said braking system including a brake pedal and means for generating a signal predictive of an imminent potential crash of said vehicle, said signal generating means includes a sensor for sensing the rate of movement of said pedal and generating said predictive signal;
a safety system on said vehicle for readying said vehicle for said crash;
a controller on said vehicle and responsive to said predictive signal for activating said safety system prior to said crash. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. A method of readying a vehicle for a potential crash, comprising the steps of:
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(A) sensing a first parameter related to the operation of a braking system on said vehicle, including detecting the rate at which a brake pedal on said vehicle is depressed;
(B) using the parameter sensed in step (A) to generate a signal that is predictive of said crash; and
(C) readying a safety system on said vehicle when said predictive signal is generated in step (B). - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
sensing a second parameter related to the operation of said vehicle, comparing said second parameter with a threshold value indicative of a crash, activating a crash mitigation system on said vehicle based on said comparing step, modifying said threshold value based on the value of said first parameter.
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Specification