Method for operating a pre-crash sensing system to deploy airbags using confidence factors prior to collision
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- scanning a frontal zone with a pre-crash sensing system and generating a pre-crash signal;
classifying a potential collision in response to the pre-crash signal;
using the collision classification, the pre-crash signal, and sensor-based predictions that provide data about the potential collision to set a pre-crash collision confidence level; and
when the confidence level is greater than or equal to a confidence factor threshold, deploying a restraint system in pre-collision mode, the pre-collision mode deploying the restraint system at a rate that is slower than deployment of the restraint system for a collision mode; and
when the confidence level is less than the confidence factor threshold, yet the potential collision is confirmed with vehicle collision sensors to be a collision, deploying the restraint system in collision mode.
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Abstract
A method of operating a vehicle includes determining a pre-crash collision confidence factor and estimating a time to collision. The method further includes deploying a reversible restraint in response to the confidence factor and the time to collision and deploying a non-reversible restraint in response to the confidence factor and the time to collision.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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scanning a frontal zone with a pre-crash sensing system and generating a pre-crash signal; classifying a potential collision in response to the pre-crash signal; using the collision classification, the pre-crash signal, and sensor-based predictions that provide data about the potential collision to set a pre-crash collision confidence level; and when the confidence level is greater than or equal to a confidence factor threshold, deploying a restraint system in pre-collision mode, the pre-collision mode deploying the restraint system at a rate that is slower than deployment of the restraint system for a collision mode; and when the confidence level is less than the confidence factor threshold, yet the potential collision is confirmed with vehicle collision sensors to be a collision, deploying the restraint system in collision mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of operating a restraint system having a reversible restraint and a non-reversible restraint comprising:
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using a collision classification, a pre-crash signal, and sensor-based predictions that provide data about a potential collision to set a pre-crash collision confidence level; estimating a time to collision; deploying the reversible restraint in response to the confidence level and the time to collision as compared to a first threshold value for the confidence level and the estimated time to collision; deploying the non-reversible restraint in response to the confidence level and the time to collision as compared to a second threshold value for the confidence level and the estimated time to collision; and deploying the reversible restraint before deploying the non-reversible restraint as compared to a third threshold value for the confidence level and the estimated time to collision. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification