System and method for minimizing injury after a loss of control event

• US 7,014,006 B2
• Filed: 03/26/2003
• Issued: 03/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dynamotive IP LLC
• Original Assignee: Dynamotive LLC
• Inventors: Wielenga, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming, Faye M.
• Application Number:
  US10/397,603
• Publication Number:
  US 20030217883A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,091 Days
• Field of Search: 180/277, 180/279, 180/271, 180/282, 123/198.D, 701/29, 701/112
• US Class Current: 180/277
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/14 responsive to accident or emergency, e.g. deceleration, tilt of vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/00 Vehicle fittings, acting on a single sub-unit only, for automatically controlling vehicle speed, i.e. preventing speed from exceeding an arbitrarily established velocity or maintaining speed at a particular velocity, as selected by the vehicle operator fittings acting on two or more sub-units B60W30/14; speedometers G01P; systems or devices for controlling speed in general G05D13/00 ; in traffic anti-collision system for road vehicles G08G1/16
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2201/024 Collision mitigation systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/22 initiated by contact of vehicle, e.g. bumper, with an external object, e.g. another vehicle , or by means of contactless obstacle detectors mounted on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2030/082 Vehicle operation after collision
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/0265 Automatic obstacle avoidance by steering

Abstract

A system for use with a motor vehicle that minimizes injury after a loss of control event. The motor vehicle has at least one front wheel and at least one rear wheel and an engine. The system includes a control which detects a loss of control event and automatically actuates a brake system and/or a steering system and/or commands an engine controller to reduce power output of an engine.

Claims

1. A system for use with a motor vehicle having an engine, comprising:

an engine control system for controlling the engine;

a sensor for detecting an occurrence of a loss of control event of the motor vehicle and responsively producing a loss of control signal, the loss of control event being a loss of directional control; and

,

a controller for receiving the loss of control signal and signaling the engine control system to reduce power output of the engine.

2. A system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the loss of control event is a collision.

3. A system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the engine control system includes a cruise control function.

4. A system, as set forth in claim 3, wherein the controller is adapted to signal the engine control system to disable the cruise control function.

5. A system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the controller is integrated with the engine control system.

6. A system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sensor includes an accelerometer.

7. A system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sensor is included in an air bag system.

8. A method for use with a motor vehicle having an engine and an engine control for controlling the engine, including the steps of:

detecting an occurrence of a loss of control event of the motor vehicle, the loss of control event being a loss of directional control; and

,

signaling the engine control system to reduce power output of the engine in response to detecting the occurrence of the loss of control event.

9. A method, as set forth in claim 8, wherein the loss of control event is a collision.

10. A method, as set forth in claim 8, wherein the engine control system includes a cruise control function.

11. A method, as set forth in claim 10, including the step of signaling the engine control system to disable the cruise control function in response to detecting the occurrence of the loss of control event.

12. A system for use with a motor vehicle having at least one front wheel and at least one rear wheel, comprising:

a steering system for controllably steering the at least one front wheel and/or the at least one rear wheel;

a sensor for detecting an occurrence of a loss of control event of the motor vehicle and responsively producing a loss of control signal, the loss of control event being a loss of directional control; and

,

a controller for receiving the loss of control signal and automatically actuating the steering system.

13. A system, as set forth in claim 12, wherein the loss of control event is a collision.

14. A method for use with a motor vehicle having at least one front wheel and at least one rear wheel and a steering system for controllably steering the at least one front wheel and/or the at least one rear wheel, the method comprising:

detecting an occurrence of a loss of control event of the motor vehicle, the loss of control event being a loss of directional control; and

,

automatically actuating the steeling system in response to detecting the loss of control event.

15. A method, as set forth in claim 14, wherein the loss of control event is a collision.