Backup power supply for a crash notification system for an automotive vehicle and method of operating the same

• US 6,591,176 B1
• Filed: 09/11/2002
• Issued: 07/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Cuddihy, Mark A., Aulakh, Gurpreet, Perry, Frank, Helmke, James W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hernandez, Olga
• Application Number:
  US10/065,024
• Time in Patent Office: 300 Days
• Field of Search: 701/45, 280/802, 280/734, 280/735, 307/9.1, 307/10.1, 307/10.7, 180/271, 340/438
• US Class Current: 701/45
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/013 including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/061 for DC powered loads

Abstract

A crash notification system (12) has a main battery (58) and a backup battery (60). The main battery has a main battery voltage and the backup battery has a backup battery voltage. A telematics control unit (16) senses the voltage of the main battery and receives an emergency notification signal from a restraints control module (18). In response to a change of state of the emergency notification signal and the main battery dropping below a predetermined battery the backup battery may be used. In addition, if an SOS button (52) is employed in the system, and the main battery voltage drops below a predetermined voltage the backup battery (60) may also be used.

Claims

1. A method of operating a crash notification system having a main battery, a backup battery and a telematics control unit comprising:

sensing a main battery voltage;

generating an emergency notification signal having a first state indicative of an undeployed restraint device and a second state indicative of a deployed restraint device;

when an emergency notification signal is in a second state and the main battery voltage is below a predetermined level, operating the telematics with the backup battery.

2. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising when a help button is depressed and the main battery voltage is below a predetermined level, operating the telematics with the backup battery.

3. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising when an emergency notification signal is in a first state and the main battery voltage is below a predetermined level, not operating the telematics with the backup battery.

4. A method as recited in claim 3 further comprising when a help button is depressed and the main battery voltage is below a predetermined level, operating the telematics with the backup battery.

5. A method of operating a crash notification system having a main battery, a backup battery and a telematics control unit comprising:

sensing a main battery voltage;

generating an emergency notification signal having a first state indicative of an undeployed restraint device and a second state indicative of a deployed restraint device;

when an emergency notification signal is in a second state and the main battery voltage is below a predetermined level, operating the telematics with the backup battery, when a help button is depressed and the main battery voltage is below a predetermined level, operating the telematics with the backup battery, when an emergency notification signal is in a first state and the main battery voltage is below a predetermined level, not operating the telematics with the backup battery.

6. A crash notification system interfacing coupled to a communication network comprising:

a main battery having a main battery voltage;

a backup battery having a backup battery voltage;

a restraint control module generating an emergency notification signal; and

a controller coupled to the main battery, the backup battery and the restraint control module, said controller operating from the backup battery in response to said main battery voltage and said emergency notification signal.

7. A crash notification system as recited in claim 6 further comprising a help button coupled to the controller, when a help button is depressed and the main battery voltage is below a predetermined level, said controller operated by the backup battery.

8. A crash notification system as recited in claim 6 wherein said help button is coupled to the controller through an OR gate.

9. A crash notification system as recited in claim 6 wherein when an emergency notification signal is in a first state and the main battery voltage is below a predetermined level, said controller not operating the telematics with the backup battery.

10. A crash notification system as recited in claim 6 wherein said controller comprises a telematics control unit.