US5742916A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process and circuit for controlling the control unit of a system for protecting vehicle occupants
Assignee: Siemens AG
•
Filing: 1997-01-17
•
Granted: 1998-04-21
•
Expires: 2017-01-17
Abstract
Abstract A process and a circuit control a control unit of a system for protecting vehicle occupants, with a view toward triggering the protection system if the accident is sufficiently serious. The control unit contains one or more sensors which supply sensor signals during the accident, and it contains a computing unit. During the accident, the latter establishes one ACTUAL value or a plurality of different ACTUAL values characterizing the course of the accident on the basis of the sensor signals. It also automatically and continuously redefines a time-variable triggering threshold value in each case, which is namely directly or indirectly dependent on the changes in the sensor signals during the course of the accident. The computing unit compares one or more ACTUAL values with the triggering threshold value being respectively assigned to the ACTUAL value. However, on the basis of the progression of the ACTUAL value/ACTUAL values, it defines the triggering threshold value at any instant in such a way that it changes in a fluctuating manner at least during an accident phase, namely without delay in dependence on the instantaneous value of the ACTUAL value/ACTUAL values, even if during this accident phase there occur constantly major decelerations without the collision direction altering.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Bischoff
- 👤 Johann Guggenberger
- 👤 Oskar Leirich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 02:54
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/01; B60R21/013; B60R21/0132; B60R21/01332; B60R21/01336
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A process for controlling and adjusting a control unit of a vehicle-occupant protection system by triggering the protection system if an accident is sufficiently serious, wherein the control unit includes: at least one sensor for supplying at least one sensor signal during the accident, and a computing unit for computing ACTUAL values characterizing a course of the accident on the basis of the sensor signal, for independently and continuously redefining a time-variable triggering threshold value, the triggering threshold value being at least indirectly dependent on the momentary sensor signal value of the sensor signal during the course of the accident, the process comprising the steps of: a) computing with the computing unit the triggering threshold value on the basis of the progression of at least one ACTUAL value, which is determined by means of an average deceleration value, b) increasing the triggering threshold value with an increasing amount of the average deceleration; c) comparing with the computing unit the triggering threshold value with another ACTUAL value; and d) triggering the protection system if the other ACTUAL value exceeds the triggering threshold value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
A process for controlling and adjusting a control unit of a vehicle-occupant protection system by triggering the protection system if an accident is sufficiently serious, wherein the control unit includes: at least one sensor for supplying at least one sensor signal during the accident, and a computing unit for computing ACTUAL values characterizing a course of the accident on the basis of the sensor signal, for independently and continuously redefining a time-variable triggering threshold value, the triggering threshold value being at least indirectly dependent on the momentary sensor signal value of the sensor signal during the course of the accident, the process comprising the steps of: a) computing with the computing unit the triggering threshold value on the basis of the progression of at least one ACTUAL value, which is determined by means of an average deceleration value, b) increasing the triggering threshold value with an increasing amount of the average deceleration; c) comparing with the computing unit the triggering threshold value with another ACTUAL value; and d) triggering the protection system if the other ACTUAL value exceeds the triggering threshold value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process according to claim 1, which comprises establishing a plurality of different ACTUAL values with the computing unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process according to claim 1, which comprises establishing at least one ACTUAL value corresponding to a deceleration and an ACTUAL value of a travel/time corresponding to a loss in speed, with the computing unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
79 words
The process according to claim 1, which comprises: supplying a deceleration signal from the at least one sensor in the form of a crash sensor in the event of an accident; performing at least one time integration of the deceleration signal from a starting time with the computing unit during the accident, for determining the at least one ACTUAL value; and comparing the ACTUAL value determined through the integration with a time-variable triggering threshold value in the computing unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process according to claim 4, which comprises performing the time integration of the deceleration signal for determining an ACTUAL loss in speed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The process according to claim 4, which comprises performing a time integration of the deceleration signal with the computing unit over a short time duration in comparison with the duration of the deceleration signal, for continually determining a current partial loss in speed, as the current speed value, during the accident.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The process according to claim 6, which comprises performing the time integration of the deceleration signal for only 5 msec, and beginning the time duration in advanced accident phases after the starting time.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
The process according to claim 4, which comprises performing a time integration of the deceleration signal over the entire duration thus far as the integration with the computing unit, commencing from the starting time, for continually determining a total current loss in speed occurring since the starting time by approximation during the accident.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process according to claim 8, which comprises performing the time integration of the deceleration signal with the computing unit exclusively.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process according to claim 8, which comprises performing the time integration of the deceleration signal with the computing unit additionally.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
72 words
The process according to claim 8, which comprises making the current triggering threshold value dependent on at least one stored past value having been determined by the computing unit during previous phases of the accident, and mathematically defining and making the triggering threshold value dependent on at least a first component depending on the amount of a current deceleration average value, and a second component depending on stored amounts of past values.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
61 words
The process according to claim 11, which comprises respectively representing the first and second component by an element of a mathematical difference, in which the first component forms a subtrahend and contains a weighted amount of the current deceleration average value, and the second component forms a minuend and contains a weighted difference between the amounts of the respective past values.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process according to claim 12, which comprises multiplying the first component by a first weighting factor, and multiplying the second component by a second weighting factor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The process according to claim 1, which comprises also making the current triggering threshold value dependent on at least one stored past value amount having been determined by the computing unit during previous phases of the accident.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
49 words
The process according to claim 14, which comprises using previously determined triggering threshold values as current values for those times for which at least one of the last minimum and the maximum preceding the last minimum of the progression of the respectively determined at least partial loss in speed.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
60 words
The process according to claim 15, which comprises using a difference between a sum of the determined partial loss in speed during the last minimum and during the maximum preceding the last minimum as the past value, wherein the triggering threshold value becomes respectively one of a greater and smaller threshold value according to a rising and a falling difference.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process according to claim 16, which comprises dividing the difference by an amount of the determined loss in speed for the respective maximum.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process according to claim 17, which comprises dividing the difference by the amount of the determined loss in speed for the respective minimum.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process according to claim 16, which comprises dividing the difference by the amount of a time period between the respective minimum and respective maximum.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process according to claim 1, which comprises setting the triggering threshold value to a constant value at predetermined times.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
44 words
The process according to claim 1, which comprises defining the triggering threshold value with the computing unit by a division of a currently determined, at least partial loss in speed through a time duration and consequently by determination of a current deceleration average value.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
186 words
A method for controlling and adjusting a protection system for occupants of a vehicle if a crash is sufficiently serious, the vehicle including: at least one sensor supplying sensor signals during an accident; and a computing unit establishing at least one ACTUAL value characterizing a progression of the accident on the basis of the sensor signals, during the accident, for automatically and continuously redefining a time-variable triggering threshold value, the threshold value being at least indirectly dependent on changes in the sensor signals during the course of the accident, the method which comprises the steps of: a) determining differences between the ACTUAL value and the triggering threshold value assigned to the ACTUAL value; b) defining the triggering threshold value on the basis of the progression of the ACTUAL value, and c) increasing the triggering threshold value with an amount equal to an actual increase in the average deceleration in a fluctuating manner during an accident phase, in dependence on an instantaneous value of the ACTUAL value, if decelerations occur during the accident phase, and d) triggering the protection system if the deceleration exceeds the threshold value.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
186 words
A method for controlling and adjusting a protection system for occupants of a vehicle if a crash is sufficiently serious, the vehicle including: at least one sensor supplying sensor signals during an accident; and a computing unit establishing at least one ACTUAL value characterizing a progression of the accident on the basis of the sensor signals, during the accident, for automatically and continuously redefining a time-variable triggering threshold value, the threshold value being at least indirectly dependent on changes in the sensor signals during the course of the accident, the method which comprises the steps of: a) determining differences between the ACTUAL value and the triggering threshold value assigned to the ACTUAL value; b) defining the triggering threshold value on the basis of the progression of the ACTUAL value, and c) increasing the triggering threshold value with an amount equal to an actual increase in the average deceleration in a fluctuating manner during an accident phase, in dependence on an instantaneous value of the ACTUAL value, if decelerations occur during the accident phase, and d) triggering the protection system if the deceleration exceeds the threshold value.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 22, including establishing with said computing unit a plurality of different ACTUAL values.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 22, including establishing with said computing unit at least one of an ACTUAL value corresponding to a deceleration and an ACTUAL value of a travel/time corresponding to a loss in speed.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 22, including providing in the protective system an air bag system.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3762495A
Cited
US4346913A
Cited
US4638179A
Cited
US5068793A
Cited
EP0292669A1
Cited
EP0327853B1
Cited
US5014810A
Cited
WO1990009298A1
Cited
EP0458796B1
Cited
WO1990011207A1
Cited
US4994972A
Cited
US5040118A
Cited
US5262949A
Cited
US5343411A
Cited
EP0511556A2
Cited
US5424583A
Cited
DE4117811A1
Cited
US5493493A
Cited
WO1994014638A1
Cited
US5446661A
Cited
US5430649A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-04-20 | 2001-10-20 | 2002-04-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-04-20 | 2005-10-20 | 2006-04-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-04-20 | 2009-10-20 | 2010-04-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |