EP0728624A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Method and apparatus for controlling an actuatable restraining device using predictive crash sensing
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corp
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Filing: 1996-02-22
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2016-02-22
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus controls an actuatable restraining device, the apparatus including an accelerometer for sensing crash acceleration. A controller determines a crash value functionally related to the crash acceleration and compares the determined crash value against a threshold value. A radar system is mounted to the vehicle and connected to the controller for determining target range target closing velocity, and angle of incidence. The threshold value is varied in response to at least one of the target range, target closing velocity, and angle of incidence. The controller provides an actuation signal when the determined crash value is greater than the threshold value.
Inventors
- 👤 William R. Swihart
- 👤 Albert F. Lawrence, Iv
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 23:22
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/01; B60R21/013; B60R21/0134
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
An apparatus for controlling an actuatable restraining device, said apparatus comprising: means for sensing crash acceleration; means for determining a crash value functionally related to said crash acceleration; means for comparing said determined crash value against a threshold value; means for varying said threshold value in response to at least one of target range, target closing velocity, and angle of incidence; and means for providing an actuation signal when said determined crash value is greater than said threshold value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for varying said threshold value includes means for decreasing said threshold value when said closing velocity increases.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for varying said threshold value includes means for decreasing said threshold value when said angle of incidence increases.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
92 words
An apparatus for controlling an actuatable restraining device in a vehicle, said apparatus comprising: means for sensing crash acceleration and providing a signal indicative of sensed crash acceleration; means for determining a crash value functionally related to said crash acceleration; means for comparing said determined crash value against a threshold value; means for sensing range between said vehicle and a target; means for varying said threshold value in response to said sensed target range; and means for providing an actuation signal when said determined crash value is greater than said threshold value.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
94 words
An apparatus for controlling an actuatable restraining device in a vehicle, said apparatus comprising: means for sensing crash acceleration and providing a signal indicative of sensed crash acceleration; means for determining a crash value functionally related to said crash acceleration; means for comparing said determined crash value against a threshold value; means for sensing relative closing velocity between said vehicle and a target; means for varying said threshold value in response to said sensed closing velocity; and means for providing an actuation signal when said determined crash value is greater than said threshold value.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
95 words
An apparatus for controlling an actuatable restraining device in a vehicle, said apparatus comprising: means for sensing crash acceleration and providing a signal indicative of sensed crash acceleration; means for determining a crash value functionally related to said crash acceleration; means for comparing said determined crash value against a threshold value; means for sensing angle of incidence between said vehicle and a target; means for varying said threshold value in response to said sensed angle of incidence; and means for providing an actuation signal when said determined crash value is greater than said threshold value.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
125 words
An apparatus for controlling an actuatable restraining device in a vehicle, said apparatus comprising: means for sensing crash acceleration and providing a signal indicative of sensed crash acceleration; means for determining a crash value functionally related to said crash acceleration; means for comparing said determined crash value against a threshold value; means for sensing relative closing velocity between said vehicle and a target; means for sensing range between said vehicle and said target; means for sensing angle of incidence between said vehicle and said target; means for varying said threshold value in response to said sensed closing velocity, said sensed range, and said sensed angle of incidence; and means for providing an actuation signal when said determined crash value is greater than said threshold value.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for controlling an actuatable restraining device, said method comprising the steps of: sensing crash acceleration; determining a crash value functionally related to said sensed crash acceleration; comparing said determined crash value against a threshold value; varying said threshold value in response to at least one of target range, target closing velocity, and angle of incidence; and providing an actuation signal when said determined crash value is greater than said threshold value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said step of varying said threshold value includes the step of decreasing said threshold value when said closing velocity increases.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said step of varying said threshold value includes the step of decreasing said threshold value when said angle of incidence increases.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said step of determining a crash value includes determining crash velocity.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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