System for improving vehicle safety in crash situations

• US 6,420,803 B1
• Filed: 03/22/2000
• Issued: 07/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Woodall, Robert, Garcia, Felipe
• Primary Examiner(s): STERRETT, JEFFREY L
• Application Number:
  US09/533,635
• Time in Patent Office: 846 Days
• Field of Search: 180/271, 180/274, 180/282, 307/9.1, 307/10.1, 307/112, 307/121, 701/45
• US Class Current: 307/121
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/00 Wheel guards; Radiator guards, e.g. grilles; Obstruction removers; Fittings damping bouncing force in collisions reinforcement elements for side doors B60J5/0412; mudguards B62D
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2019/007 Means for adjusting or regulating the crash absorption capacity of the vehicle, e.g. when detecting an impending collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/00 Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks safety belts or body harnesses in vehicles B60R22/00; devices, apparatus or methods for life-saving in general A62B; safety devices for propulsion unit control specially adapted for, or arranged in, vehicles B60K28/00; seats constructed to protect the occupant from the effect of abnormal g-forces, e.g. crash or safety seats, B60N2/42; energy-absorbing arrangements for hand wheels for steering vehicles B62D1/11; energy-absorbing arrangements for vehicle steering columns B62D1/19; harnessing in aircraft B64D25/00

Abstract

A system and method are provided for improving vehicle safety in a crash situation for a vehicle having mountable vehicle components. A plurality of pyrotechnic bolts are used to mechanically couple at least a portion of the vehicle components to the vehicle. A force measuring device measures forces experienced by the vehicle during a crash and produces a signal indicative thereof. This signal is compared with a threshold. An activation signal is generated when the threshold is attained. Failure of the pyrotechnic bolts is then initiated in accordance with a prescribed plan.

Claims

1. For a vehicle having mountable vehicle components, a system for improving vehicle safety in a crash situation, comprising:

a plurality of pyrotechnic bolts for mechanically coupling at least a portion of the vehicle components to the vehicle;

first means coupled to the vehicle for measuring forces experienced by the vehicle during a crash and for producing a signal indicative of said forces;

second means coupled to said first means for comparing said signal with a threshold wherein an activation signal is generated by said second means when said threshold is attained; and

third means coupled to said second means and to said plurality of pyrotechnic bolts for initiating failure of said plurality of pyrotechnic bolts in accordance with a prescribed sequencing plan when said activation signal is generated, wherein said prescribed sequencing plan dictates an order in which failure of said plurality of pyrotechnic bolts is to occur.

2. A system as in claim 1 wherein said first means comprises at least one accelerometer.

3. A system as in claim 1 wherein said second means comprises a logic device wherein said activation signal is indicative of a logical “

1”

.

4. A system as in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of shock dampening elements coupled mechanically at selected positions between the vehicle and the vehicle components.

5. A system as in claim 1 wherein said third means includes delay means coupled to at least one of said plurality of pyrotechnic bolts for delaying failure initiation thereof in accordance with said prescribed sequencing plan.

6. A system as in claim 5 wherein said delay means is coupled in line with said at least one of said plurality of pyrotechnic bolts.

7. A system as in claim 1 further comprising at least one rigid deflector mounted to the vehicle between at least one of the vehicle components and a passenger compartment of the vehicle.

8. A system as in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of pyrotechnic pushers coupled mechanically at selected positions between the vehicle and the vehicle components, and coupled electrically to said third means, said plurality of pyrotechnic pushers initiated by said third means to apply a pushing force to the vehicle components at said selected positions when said activation signal is generated.

9. A method of improving vehicle safety in a crash situation, comprising the steps of:

providing a vehicle having vehicle components supported from a frame of the vehicle by mounting assemblies that use mechanical fasteners to mechanically couple the vehicle components to the mounting assemblies;

replacing at least a portion of the mechanical fasteners with pyrotechnic bolts;

measuring forces experienced by the vehicle in a crash situation;

converting said forces to a signal indicative thereof;

comparing said signal with a threshold wherein an activation signal is generated when said threshold is attained; and

supplying failure initiation energy to said pyrotechnic bolts in accordance with a prescribed sequencing plan when said activation signal is generated, wherein said prescribed sequencing plan dictates an order in which failure of said plurality of pyrotechnic bolts is to occur.

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein the vehicle is equipped with an airbag restraint system, and wherein said steps of measuring, converting, comparing and supplying are accomplished using the airbag restraint system.

11. A method according to claim 9 wherein said step of supplying includes the step of delaying receipt of said failure initiation energy by selected ones of said plurality of pyrotechnic bolts in accordance with said prescribed sequencing plan.

12. A method according to claim 9 further comprising the step of applying pushing forces to the vehicle components at selected positions when said activation signal is generated.

13. For a vehicle having mountable vehicle components, a system for improving vehicle safety in a crash situation, comprising:

a plurality of pyrotechnic bolts for mechanically coupling at least a portion of the vehicle components to the vehicle;

at least one accelerometer coupled to the vehicle for measuring forces experienced by the vehicle during a crash and for producing a signal indicative of said forces;

a processor coupled to said accelerometer for comparing said signal with a threshold wherein an activation signal is generated by said processor when said threshold is attained;

a source of electrical current;

a switch coupled to said processor and between said source and said plurality of pyrotechnic bolts, wherein said switch closes only when said switch is supplied with said activation signal; and

delay means coupled between at least one of said plurality of pyrotechnic bolts and said switch wherein, when said switch is closed, said source is connected to said plurality of pyrotechnic bolts directly or through said delay means so that failure of said plurality of pyrotechnic bolts is initiated in accordance with a prescribed sequencing plan, wherein said prescribed sequencing plan dictates an order in which failure of said plurality of pyrotechnic bolts is to occur.

14. A system as in claim 13 further comprising a plurality of pyrotechnic pushers coupled mechanically at selected positions between the vehicle and the vehicle components, and coupled electrically to said switch, wherein said plurality of pyrotechnic pushers are initiated by said electrical current when said switch is closed whereby said plurality of pyrotechnic pushers apply a pushing force to the vehicle components at said selected positions.

15. A system as in claim 13 further comprising a plurality of shock dampening elements coupled mechanically at selected positions between the vehicle and the vehicle components.

16. A system as in claim 13 further comprising at least one rigid deflector mounted to the vehicle between at least one of the vehicle components and a passenger compartment of the vehicle.