Method and system for achieving constant average impact deceleration independent of vehicle load
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for achieving a constant average deceleration of a vehicle, the method comprising:
- comparing an effective loaded mass of the vehicle to a baseline loaded mass; and
if said effective loaded mass differs from said baseline loaded mass by at least a designated percentage, then upon detection of a vehicle impact, adjusting energy absorbing structures disposed within and to affect the structure of the vehicle so as to alter crush forces of the vehicle, thereby resulting in a desired average deceleration of the vehicle.
12 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for achieving a constant average deceleration of a vehicle is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes comparing an effective load mass of the vehicle to a baseline load mass. If the effective load mass differs from the baseline load mass by at least a designated percentage, then upon detection of a vehicle impact, energy absorbing structures within the vehicle are adjusted so as to alter crush forces of the vehicle, thereby resulting in a desired average deceleration of the vehicle.
-
Citations
16 Claims
-
1. A method for achieving a constant average deceleration of a vehicle, the method comprising:
-
comparing an effective loaded mass of the vehicle to a baseline loaded mass; and
if said effective loaded mass differs from said baseline loaded mass by at least a designated percentage, then upon detection of a vehicle impact, adjusting energy absorbing structures disposed within and to affect the structure of the vehicle so as to alter crush forces of the vehicle, thereby resulting in a desired average deceleration of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A method for achieving a constant average deceleration of a vehicle, the method comprising:
-
determining a gross loaded vehicle mass;
determining, for each occupant of the vehicle, occupant mass and restraint status information, said occupant mass and restraint status information indicative of whether said occupant is restrained within the vehicle;
calculating an effective loaded mass of the vehicle, based upon said gross loaded vehicle mass and said occupant mass and restraint status information;
comparing said effective loaded mass of the vehicle to a baseline loaded mass; and
if said effective loaded mass differs from said baseline loaded mass by at least a designated percentage, then upon detection of either a vehicle impact or an imminent vehicle impact, adjusting energy absorbing structures disposed within and to affect the structure of the vehicle so as to alter crush forces of the vehicle, thereby resulting in a desired average deceleration of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A system for achieving a constant average deceleration of a vehicle, comprising:
-
a system controller;
a plurality of load sensors included in the vehicle and in communication with said system controller;
a plurality of seat load sensors in the vehicle and in communication with said system controller;
a plurality of seat belt use sensors in the vehicle and in communication with said system controller;
at least one impact sensor for detecting a vehicle impact, said at least one impact sensor in communication with said system controller; and
at least one energy absorbing structure disposed within and to affect the structure of the vehicle;
wherein, if an effective loaded mass of the vehicle differs from a baseline loaded mass by at least a designated percentage, then said system controller causes said at least one energy absorbing structure to be adjusted so as to affect the structure and alter crush forces of the vehicle, thereby resulting in a desired average deceleration of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
-
Specification