Patent US5587906A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5587906A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for sensing a vehicle crash condition using velocity enhanced acceleration crash metrics
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corp
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Filing: 1994-06-13
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Granted: 1996-12-24
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Expires: 2014-06-13
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for sensing a vehicle crash condition includes an accelerometer (20) for sensing a vehicle crash condition and for providing a signal having a characteristic indicative of the vehicle crash condition. A crash velocity determining circuit (74) determines a crash velocity value (78) from the accelerometer. Crash metric determining circuits (80, 82, 94, 96, 104, 108) determine crash metric values functionally related to acceleration. Threshold determining circuits (88, 98, 112) determining associated threshold values functionally related to the determined crash velocity value (78). Comparators (90, 100, 116) compare the determined crash metric values against associated threshold values. A controller (34) provides a control signal to control actuation of a restraining device in response to the comparison. A shape monitoring circuit (120) determines if the shape of the acceleration signal matches a predetermined shape. If the shape matches, the controller provides the control signal.
Inventors
- 👤 George W. McIver
- 👤 Mark A. Carlin
- 👤 James E. Bormann
- 👤 Ronald A. Muckley
- 👤 Roger A. McCurdy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 13:34
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/01; B60R21/013; B60R21/0132
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
An apparatus for sensing a vehicle crash condition comprising: acceleration sensing means for sensing a vehicle crash condition and for providing a crash acceleration signal having a characteristic indicative of the vehicle crash condition; crash velocity determining means connected to said acceleration sensing means for determining a crash velocity value from said crash acceleration signal; crash metric determining means connected to said acceleration sensing means for determining a crash metric value functionally related to said acceleration signal; threshold determining means for determining a velocity based threshold value functionally related to said determined crash velocity value, said velocity based threshold value varying as a function of said determined crash velocity value; comparing means for comparing said determined crash metric value against said velocity based threshold value and for providing a signal indicative of the comparison; and control signal means for providing a control signal in response to said comparing means when said determined crash metric exceeds said velocity based threshold value.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
160 words
An apparatus for sensing a vehicle crash condition comprising: acceleration sensing means for sensing a vehicle crash condition and for providing a crash acceleration signal having a characteristic indicative of the vehicle crash condition; crash velocity determining means connected to said acceleration sensing means for determining a crash velocity value from said crash acceleration signal; crash metric determining means connected to said acceleration sensing means for determining a crash metric value functionally related to said acceleration signal; threshold determining means for determining a velocity based threshold value functionally related to said determined crash velocity value, said velocity based threshold value varying as a function of said determined crash velocity value; comparing means for comparing said determined crash metric value against said velocity based threshold value and for providing a signal indicative of the comparison; and control signal means for providing a control signal in response to said comparing means when said determined crash metric exceeds said velocity based threshold value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said crash metric determining means includes means for determining a band-limited value functionally related to the value of the crash acceleration signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said crash metric determining means includes means for determining a value functionally related to crash violence.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said crash metric determining means includes means for determining a value functionally related to the square of the crash acceleration signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said crash metric determining means includes means for determining a value functionally related to the sum of the squares of the crash acceleration signal.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
194 words
An apparatus for sensing a vehicle crash condition comprising: acceleration sensing means for sensing a vehicle crash condition and for providing a crash acceleration signal having a characteristic indicative of the vehicle crash condition; crash velocity determining means connected to said acceleration sensing means for determining crash velocity value from said a crash acceleration signal; a plurality of crash metric determining means connected to said acceleration sensing means, each crash metric determining means determining a crash metric value functionally related to said crash acceleration signal; a plurality of velocity based threshold determining means, each crash metric having an associated velocity based threshold determining means, each threshold determining means determining its associated velocity based threshold value functionally related to said determined crash velocity value so that each of said velocity based threshold values varies as a function of said determined crash velocity value; comparing means for comparing each of said determined crash metric value against its associated velocity based threshold value and for providing a signal indicative of the comparison; and control signal means for providing a control signal in response to any of said determined crash metrics exceeding its associated velocity based threshold value.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
194 words
An apparatus for sensing a vehicle crash condition comprising: acceleration sensing means for sensing a vehicle crash condition and for providing a crash acceleration signal having a characteristic indicative of the vehicle crash condition; crash velocity determining means connected to said acceleration sensing means for determining crash velocity value from said a crash acceleration signal; a plurality of crash metric determining means connected to said acceleration sensing means, each crash metric determining means determining a crash metric value functionally related to said crash acceleration signal; a plurality of velocity based threshold determining means, each crash metric having an associated velocity based threshold determining means, each threshold determining means determining its associated velocity based threshold value functionally related to said determined crash velocity value so that each of said velocity based threshold values varies as a function of said determined crash velocity value; comparing means for comparing each of said determined crash metric value against its associated velocity based threshold value and for providing a signal indicative of the comparison; and control signal means for providing a control signal in response to any of said determined crash metrics exceeding its associated velocity based threshold value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said crash metric determining means includes means for determining a band-limited value functionally related to the value of the crash acceleration signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said crash metric determining means includes means for determining a value functionally related to crash violence.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said crash metric determining means includes means for determining a value functionally related to the square of the crash acceleration signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said crash metric determining means includes means for determining a value functionally related to the sum of the squares of the crash acceleration signal.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
312 words
An apparatus for sensing a vehicle crash condition comprising: acceleration sensing means for sensing a vehicle crash condition and for providing an acceleration signal having a characteristic indicative of the vehicle crash condition; crash velocity determining means connected to said acceleration sensing means for determining a crash velocity value from said acceleration signal; first crash metric determining means connected to said acceleration sensing means for determining a value proportional to said acceleration signal; first crash metric threshold determining means associated with said first crash metric determining means for determining a first velocity based threshold value functionally related to said determined crash velocity value; second crash metric determining means connected to said acceleration sensing means for determining a value proportional to said acceleration signal squared; second crash metric threshold determining means associated with said second crash metric determining means for determining a second velocity based threshold value functionally related to said determined crash velocity value; third crash metric determining means connected to said acceleration sensing means for determining a value proportional to a sum of said acceleration signal squared; third crash metric threshold determining means associated with said third crash metric determining means for determining a third velocity based threshold value functionally related to said determined crash velocity value; fourth crash metric determining means connected to said acceleration sensing means for determining a value proportional to a shape of said acceleration signal; shape comparing means for comparing said crash metric shape against a predetermined shape; comparing means for comparing each of said determined crash metric values against its associated velocity based threshold value and for providing a signal indicative of the comparison; and control signal means for providing a control signal in response to any of said determined crash metrics exceeding its associated velocity based threshold value as indicated by said comparing means or said compared shape is equal to said predetermined shape.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
312 words
An apparatus for sensing a vehicle crash condition comprising: acceleration sensing means for sensing a vehicle crash condition and for providing an acceleration signal having a characteristic indicative of the vehicle crash condition; crash velocity determining means connected to said acceleration sensing means for determining a crash velocity value from said acceleration signal; first crash metric determining means connected to said acceleration sensing means for determining a value proportional to said acceleration signal; first crash metric threshold determining means associated with said first crash metric determining means for determining a first velocity based threshold value functionally related to said determined crash velocity value; second crash metric determining means connected to said acceleration sensing means for determining a value proportional to said acceleration signal squared; second crash metric threshold determining means associated with said second crash metric determining means for determining a second velocity based threshold value functionally related to said determined crash velocity value; third crash metric determining means connected to said acceleration sensing means for determining a value proportional to a sum of said acceleration signal squared; third crash metric threshold determining means associated with said third crash metric determining means for determining a third velocity based threshold value functionally related to said determined crash velocity value; fourth crash metric determining means connected to said acceleration sensing means for determining a value proportional to a shape of said acceleration signal; shape comparing means for comparing said crash metric shape against a predetermined shape; comparing means for comparing each of said determined crash metric values against its associated velocity based threshold value and for providing a signal indicative of the comparison; and control signal means for providing a control signal in response to any of said determined crash metrics exceeding its associated velocity based threshold value as indicated by said comparing means or said compared shape is equal to said predetermined shape.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
125 words
An apparatus for sensing a vehicle crash condition comprising: acceleration sensing means for sensing a vehicle crash condition and for providing a crash acceleration signal having a characteristic indicative of the vehicle crash condition; crash velocity determining means connected to said acceleration sensing means for determining crash velocity value from said crash acceleration signal; crash metric determining means connected to said acceleration sensing means for determining a crash metric value functionally related to said crash acceleration signal, said value being indicative of a type of crash event; and control signal means for providing a control signal in response to (i) said determined crash velocity value being greater than a predetermined value and (ii) said crash metric value indicating that a deployment crash event is occurring.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
125 words
An apparatus for sensing a vehicle crash condition comprising: acceleration sensing means for sensing a vehicle crash condition and for providing a crash acceleration signal having a characteristic indicative of the vehicle crash condition; crash velocity determining means connected to said acceleration sensing means for determining crash velocity value from said crash acceleration signal; crash metric determining means connected to said acceleration sensing means for determining a crash metric value functionally related to said crash acceleration signal, said value being indicative of a type of crash event; and control signal means for providing a control signal in response to (i) said determined crash velocity value being greater than a predetermined value and (ii) said crash metric value indicating that a deployment crash event is occurring.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
148 words
A method for sensing a vehicle crash condition, said method comprising the steps of: sensing a vehicle crash condition and providing a crash acceleration signal having a characteristic indicative of the vehicle crash deceleration; determining a crash velocity value from said crash acceleration signal; determining a plurality of crash metric values functionally related to said crash acceleration signal; determining an associated velocity based threshold value for each crash metric, each determined velocity based threshold value being functionally related to said determined crash velocity value so that each of said determined velocity based threshold values varies as a function of said determined crash velocity value; comparing each of said determined crash metric values against its associated velocity based threshold value and providing a signal indicative of the comparison; and providing a control signal in response to any of said determined crash metrics exceeding its associated velocity based threshold value.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
148 words
A method for sensing a vehicle crash condition, said method comprising the steps of: sensing a vehicle crash condition and providing a crash acceleration signal having a characteristic indicative of the vehicle crash deceleration; determining a crash velocity value from said crash acceleration signal; determining a plurality of crash metric values functionally related to said crash acceleration signal; determining an associated velocity based threshold value for each crash metric, each determined velocity based threshold value being functionally related to said determined crash velocity value so that each of said determined velocity based threshold values varies as a function of said determined crash velocity value; comparing each of said determined crash metric values against its associated velocity based threshold value and providing a signal indicative of the comparison; and providing a control signal in response to any of said determined crash metrics exceeding its associated velocity based threshold value.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said step of determining a crash metric value includes determining a band-limit value functionally related to the value of the crash acceleration signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said step of determining a crash metric includes determining a value functionally related to crash violence.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said step of determining a crash metric includes determining a value functionally related to the square of the crash acceleration signal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said step of determining a crash metric includes determining a value functionally related to the sum of the squares of the crash acceleration signal.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
211 words
An apparatus for sensing a vehicle crash condition comprising: acceleration sensing means for sensing a vehicle crash condition and for providing a crash acceleration signal having a characteristic indicative of the vehicle crash condition; crash velocity determining means connected to said acceleration sensing means for determining a crash velocity value from said crash acceleration signal; a plurality of crash metric determining means connected to said acceleration sensing mean, each crash metric determining means determining a crash metric value functionally related to said crash acceleration signal; means for determining the shape of the crash acceleration signal as a function of time; a plurality of velocity based threshold determining means, each crash metric having an associated velocity based threshold determining means, each threshold determining means determining its associated velocity based threshold value functionally related to said determined crash velocity value; comparing means for comparing each of said determined crash metric value against its associated velocity based threshold value and for providing a signal indicative of the comparison; and control signal means for providing a control signal in response to any of said determined crash metrics exceeding its associated velocity based threshold value and for providing said control signal if said determined shape of said crash acceleration signal is equal to a predetermined shape.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
211 words
An apparatus for sensing a vehicle crash condition comprising: acceleration sensing means for sensing a vehicle crash condition and for providing a crash acceleration signal having a characteristic indicative of the vehicle crash condition; crash velocity determining means connected to said acceleration sensing means for determining a crash velocity value from said crash acceleration signal; a plurality of crash metric determining means connected to said acceleration sensing mean, each crash metric determining means determining a crash metric value functionally related to said crash acceleration signal; means for determining the shape of the crash acceleration signal as a function of time; a plurality of velocity based threshold determining means, each crash metric having an associated velocity based threshold determining means, each threshold determining means determining its associated velocity based threshold value functionally related to said determined crash velocity value; comparing means for comparing each of said determined crash metric value against its associated velocity based threshold value and for providing a signal indicative of the comparison; and control signal means for providing a control signal in response to any of said determined crash metrics exceeding its associated velocity based threshold value and for providing said control signal if said determined shape of said crash acceleration signal is equal to a predetermined shape.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
161 words
A method for sensing a vehicle crash condition, said method comprising the steps of: sensing a vehicle crash condition and providing a crash acceleration signal having a characteristic indicative of the vehicle crash deceleration; determining a crash velocity value from said crash acceleration signal; determining a plurality of crash metric values functionally related to said crash acceleration signal; determining an associated velocity based threshold value for each crash metric, each determined velocity based threshold value being functionally related to said determined crash velocity value; determining the shape of the crash acceleration signal as a function of time; comparing each of said determined crash metric values against its associated velocity based threshold value and providing a signal indicative of the comparison; and providing a control signal in response to any of said determined crash metrics exceeding its associated velocity based threshold value and providing said control signal if said determined shape of said crash acceleration signal is equal to a predetermined shape.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
161 words
A method for sensing a vehicle crash condition, said method comprising the steps of: sensing a vehicle crash condition and providing a crash acceleration signal having a characteristic indicative of the vehicle crash deceleration; determining a crash velocity value from said crash acceleration signal; determining a plurality of crash metric values functionally related to said crash acceleration signal; determining an associated velocity based threshold value for each crash metric, each determined velocity based threshold value being functionally related to said determined crash velocity value; determining the shape of the crash acceleration signal as a function of time; comparing each of said determined crash metric values against its associated velocity based threshold value and providing a signal indicative of the comparison; and providing a control signal in response to any of said determined crash metrics exceeding its associated velocity based threshold value and providing said control signal if said determined shape of said crash acceleration signal is equal to a predetermined shape.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-12-24 | 2000-06-24 | 2000-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-12-24 | 2004-06-24 | 2004-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-12-24 | 2008-06-24 | 2008-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |