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US5605202A
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Apparatus and method for enhancing performance of an occupant restraint system in a vehicle
Assignee: ITT Automotive Inc
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Filing: 1995-06-07
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Granted: 1997-02-25
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Expires: 2015-06-07
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus enhances performance of an occupant restraint system of a vehicle. A signal is generated based on vehicle dynamics and selectively places at least one safety module in a heightened state of awareness in response to the signal. The vehicle dynamics can include at least one parameter based on wheel movement. The parameter based on wheel movement can be provided by an anti-lock brake control system and/or a traction control system, or the like. The safety module capable of being placed in a heightened state of awareness can include a three-point seatbelt, an airbag, a pyrotechnic buckle pretensioner and/or an electro-mechanical retractor pretensioner or the like.
Inventors
- 👤 Scott M. Dixon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:27
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R22/00; B60R22/34; B60R22/46; B60R21/00; B60R21/01; B60R22/343; B60T; B60T8/00; B60T8/32; B60R21/013; B60R2021/01311; B60R2021/01313; B60R22/44; B60R2022/4473; B60R2022/4666; B60R22/4619
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
In an occupant restraint system for a vehicle having at least one sensor for sensing a state of at least one accident avoidance system, and control means for periodically performing a diagnostic subroutine function with respect to at least one crash sensor, the improvement comprising: means for generating a signal based on vehicle dynamics corresponding to said sensed state by said at least one accident avoidance system sensor; and safety means for selectively placing at least one safety module in a heightened state of awareness in response to said signal, wherein said heightened state of awareness includes temporarily suspending periodic performance of said diagnostic subroutine function by said control means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
In an occupant restraint system for a vehicle having at least one sensor for sensing a state of at least one accident avoidance system, and control means for periodically performing a diagnostic subroutine function with respect to at least one crash sensor, the improvement comprising: means for generating a signal based on vehicle dynamics corresponding to said sensed state by said at least one accident avoidance system sensor; and safety means for selectively placing at least one safety module in a heightened state of awareness in response to said signal, wherein said heightened state of awareness includes temporarily suspending periodic performance of said diagnostic subroutine function by said control means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: said vehicle dynamics including at least one parameter of wheel movement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising said at least one parameter of wheel movement provided by at least one system selected from the group consisting of an anti-lock brake control system and a traction control system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: wheel control means for controlling wheel movement independent of one another, said wheel control means including said signal generating means based on vehicle dynamics.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: said at least one safety module selected from the group consisting of a three-point seat belt, an air bag, a pyrotechnic buckle pretensioner and a retractor pretensioner.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
127 words
In an occupant restraint system for a vehicle having at least one sensor for sensing a state of at least one accident avoidance system, and control means for periodically performing a diagnostic subroutine function with respect to at least one crash sensor, the improvement comprising: means for generating a signal based on vehicle dynamics including at least one parameter of wheel movement corresponding to said sensed state by said at least one accident avoidance system sensor; and safety means for selectively placing at least one safety module in a heightened state of awareness in response to said signal based on at least one parameter of wheel movement, wherein said heightened state of awareness includes temporarily suspending periodic performance of said diagnostic subroutine function by said control means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
127 words
In an occupant restraint system for a vehicle having at least one sensor for sensing a state of at least one accident avoidance system, and control means for periodically performing a diagnostic subroutine function with respect to at least one crash sensor, the improvement comprising: means for generating a signal based on vehicle dynamics including at least one parameter of wheel movement corresponding to said sensed state by said at least one accident avoidance system sensor; and safety means for selectively placing at least one safety module in a heightened state of awareness in response to said signal based on at least one parameter of wheel movement, wherein said heightened state of awareness includes temporarily suspending periodic performance of said diagnostic subroutine function by said control means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising: said signal generating means including an anti-lock brake control system.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising: said signal generating means including a traction control system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising: wheel control means for controlling wheel movement independently of one another, said wheel control means including said signal generating means based on vehicle dynamics.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising: said at least one safety module selected from the group consisting of a three-point seat belt, an air bag, a pyrotechnic buckle pretensioner and a retractor pretensioner.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
117 words
In a method for enhancing performance of an occupant restraint system for a vehicle having at least one sensor for sensing a state of at least one accident avoidance system, and control means for periodically performing a diagnostic subroutine function with respect to at least one crash sensor, the improvement comprising the steps of: generating a signal based on vehicle dynamics corresponding to said sensed state by said at least one accident avoidance system sensor; and in response to said signal, selectively placing at least one safety module in a heightened state of awareness with safety means, wherein said heightened state of awareness includes temporarily suspending periodic performance of said diagnostic subroutine function by said control means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
117 words
In a method for enhancing performance of an occupant restraint system for a vehicle having at least one sensor for sensing a state of at least one accident avoidance system, and control means for periodically performing a diagnostic subroutine function with respect to at least one crash sensor, the improvement comprising the steps of: generating a signal based on vehicle dynamics corresponding to said sensed state by said at least one accident avoidance system sensor; and in response to said signal, selectively placing at least one safety module in a heightened state of awareness with safety means, wherein said heightened state of awareness includes temporarily suspending periodic performance of said diagnostic subroutine function by said control means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said signal generating step further comprises: said vehicle dynamics including at least one parameter of wheel movement.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said signal generating step further comprises: said at least one accident avoidance system including at least one system selected from the group consisting of an anti-lock brake control system and a traction control system.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of: controlling wheel movement with wheel control means to provide at least one system selected from the group consisting of an anti-lock brake control system and a traction control system.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method of claim 14 further comprising the steps of: determining vehicle stability based on said vehicle dynamics; comparing vehicle stability with a predetermined vehicle stability threshold; if said vehicle stability is within said predetermined threshold, returning to the determining step; if said vehicle stability is beyond said predetermined threshold, performing said generating step to generate said signal to alert said at least one safety module.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
90 words
The method of claim 15 further comprising the steps of: if said vehicle stability is beyond said predetermined threshold, monitoring vehicle stability status; comparing vehicle stability status to said predetermined vehicle stability threshold; if said vehicle stability status is beyond said predetermined threshold, returning to the monitoring step; and if said vehicle stability status is within said predetermined threshold, initializing to a normal operational state, wherein said heightened state of awareness is terminated and the periodic performance of said diagnostic subroutine function is restored, and returning to the determining step.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
98 words
The method of claim 16 further comprising the steps of: in response to said signal, activating a web retractor safety module; monitoring motor resistance of the retractor; comparing said monitored motor resistance to a predetermined motor resistance; based on said comparing step, if said predetermined motor resistance is greater than said monitored motor resistance, continuing to activate said web retractor safety module; and based on said comparing step, if said monitored motor resistance is at least as great as said predetermined motor resistance, completing web retractor safety module readiness and discontinuing activation of said web retractor safety module.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
121 words
In an occupant restraint system for a vehicle having at least one sensor for sensing a state of at least one accident avoidance system and control means for periodically performing a diagnostic subroutine function with respect to at least one crash sensor, the improvement comprising: signal means for generating a signal corresponding to a sensed state of said at least one sensor of said at least one accident avoidance system; and means responsive to said signal for temporarily suspending said diagnostic subroutine function of said control means for providing an increased rate of monitoring of said at least one sensor, for enhancing performance of said occupant restraint system, and for defining a heightened state of awareness of said occupant restraint system.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
121 words
In an occupant restraint system for a vehicle having at least one sensor for sensing a state of at least one accident avoidance system and control means for periodically performing a diagnostic subroutine function with respect to at least one crash sensor, the improvement comprising: signal means for generating a signal corresponding to a sensed state of said at least one sensor of said at least one accident avoidance system; and means responsive to said signal for temporarily suspending said diagnostic subroutine function of said control means for providing an increased rate of monitoring of said at least one sensor, for enhancing performance of said occupant restraint system, and for defining a heightened state of awareness of said occupant restraint system.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The improvement of claim 18 wherein: said at least one accident avoidance system including at least one system selected from the group consisting of an anti-lock brake control system and a traction control system.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
37 words
The improvement of claim 18 said occupant restraint system further comprising: at least one safety module selected from the group consisting of a three-point seat belt, an air bag, a pyrotechnic buckle pretensioner and a retractor pretensioner.
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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) | 2000-02-25 | 2000-08-26 | 2001-02-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-02-25 | 2004-08-26 | 2005-02-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-02-25 | 2008-08-26 | 2009-02-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |