System and method for vehicle side rollover aversion

• US 6,290,019 B1
• Filed: 04/18/2000
• Issued: 09/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Limited (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: TRW Limited (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Kolassa, Scott Edward, Schemansky, Kevin J.
• Primary Examiner(s): English, Peter C.
• Application Number:
  US09/551,692
• Time in Patent Office: 518 Days
• Field of Search: B60/R 2.113, 180/282, 280/755, 701/45, 340/440
• US Class Current: 180/282
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/00 Devices for measuring, signalling, controlling, or distributing tyre pressure or temperature, specially adapted for mounting on vehicles; Arrangement of tyre inflating devices on vehicles, e.g. of pumps or of tanks; Tyre cooling arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/001 Devices for manually or automatically controlling or distributing tyre pressure whilst the vehicle is moving
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/002 by monitoring conditions other than tyre pressure or deformation
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0233 Vehicle tilting, overturning or roll over
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0018 Roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01306 monitoring vehicle inclination
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/013 including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over

Abstract

A system (10) and an associated method to avert vehicle side rollover for a vehicle (12) that has inflated tires (14A-14D). A sensor (18) senses a parameter indicative of an imminent threat of vehicle rollover to one side of the vehicle (12). A tire deflator device (e.g., 26A) reduces an inflation pressure of one of the vehicle tires (14A) on one side of the vehicle (12) to avert vehicle rollover in response to the imminent threat of vehicle rollover.

Claims

1. A system for averting vehicle side rollover for a vehicle having inflated tires, said system comprising:

means for sensing a parameter indicative of an imminent threat of vehicle rollover to one side of the vehicle; and

means for reducing an inflation pressure of one of the vehicle tires on one side of the vehicle to avert vehicle rollover in response to the imminent threat of vehicle rollover.

2. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for reducing an inflation pressure of one of the vehicle tires includes means for deflating the one of the vehicle tires.

3. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the vehicle has a plurality of vehicle tires on the one side of the vehicle, and said means for reducing an inflation pressure of one of the vehicle tires includes means for deflating the plurality of the vehicle tires on the one side of the vehicle.

4. A system for averting vehicle side rollover for a vehicle having inflated tires, said system comprising:

means for sensing a parameter related to potential vehicle rollover and outputting a signal indicative thereof;

means for determining if the parameter signal is indicative of an imminent threat of vehicle rollover to one side of the vehicle; and

means for reducing an inflation pressure of one of the vehicle tires on the one side of the vehicle to avert vehicle rollover in response to an affirmative determination of imminent threat of vehicle rollover.

5. A system as set forth in claim 4, wherein said means for reducing an inflation pressure of one of the vehicle tires includes means for deflating the one of the vehicle tires.

6. A system as set forth in claim 4, wherein the vehicle has a plurality of vehicle tires on the one side of the vehicle, and said means for reducing an inflation pressure of one of the vehicle tires includes means for deflating the plurality of the vehicle tires on the one side of the vehicle.

7. A method for averting vehicle side rollover for a vehicle having inflated tires, said method comprising:

sensing a parameter indicative of an imminent threat of vehicle rollover to one side of the vehicle; and

reducing an inflation pressure of one of the vehicle tires on one side of the vehicle to avert vehicle rollover in response to the imminent threat of vehicle rollover.