US5835007A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for crash sensing using anticipatory sensor inputs
Assignee: Delphi Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1997-02-10
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Granted: 1998-11-10
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Expires: 2017-02-10
Abstract
Abstract Anticipatory crash sensors mounted on the front of a vehicle or optionally on the sides sense the speed of approach to an obstacle. A signal processing algorithm determines the ratio of the speed to a threshold and multiplies the output of an accelerometer with the ratio. This enhanced acceleration signal is input to a single point crash sensor algorithm to reduce the time to generate a trigger signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter Kirk Kosiak
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 17:47
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/01; B60R21/013; B60R21/0134; B60R21/0132; B60R21/01332; G; G01; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/88; G01S13/93; G01S13/931; G01S2013/932; G01S2013/9323; G01S2013/9324; G01S2013/9327; G01S2013/93271; G01S2013/93274
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A method of controlling a vehicle occupant restraint system having a pre-impact obstacle detection sensor for detecting an obstacle prior to an impact between the vehicle and the obstacle, and an accelerometer for detecting acceleration of the vehicle due to the impact between the vehicle and the obstacle, the method comprising the steps of: determining a relative speed between the vehicle and the obstacle prior to said impact based on a signal produced by said pre-impact obstacle detection sensor; determining an acceleration value due to said impact based on a signal produced by said accelerometer; modifying the determined acceleration value as a function of the determined relative speed to produce a modified acceleration value; applying the modified acceleration value as an acceleration input to a crash sensing algorithm; and controlling activation of an occupant restraint in accordance with the crash sensing algorithm.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
142 words
A method of controlling a vehicle occupant restraint system having a pre-impact obstacle detection sensor for detecting an obstacle prior to an impact between the vehicle and the obstacle, and an accelerometer for detecting acceleration of the vehicle due to the impact between the vehicle and the obstacle, the method comprising the steps of: determining a relative speed between the vehicle and the obstacle prior to said impact based on a signal produced by said pre-impact obstacle detection sensor; determining an acceleration value due to said impact based on a signal produced by said accelerometer; modifying the determined acceleration value as a function of the determined relative speed to produce a modified acceleration value; applying the modified acceleration value as an acceleration input to a crash sensing algorithm; and controlling activation of an occupant restraint in accordance with the crash sensing algorithm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of modifying the acceleration value comprises adjusting the amplitude of the acceleration value as a function of the determined relative speed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of modifying the acceleration value comprises increasing the amplitude of the acceleration value as a function of the determined relative speed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of modifying the determined acceleration value comprises the steps of: establishing a pre-impact relative speed threshold; determining a ratio of the determined relative speed to the pre-impact relative speed threshold; and multiplying the determined acceleration value by the ratio.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of modifying the determined acceleration value comprises the steps of: establishing a pre-impact relative speed threshold; determining a ratio of the determined relative speed to the pre-impact relative speed threshold; and when the determined relative speed exceeds the pre-impact relative speed threshold, multiplying the determined acceleration value by the ratio.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said pre-impact obstacle detection sensor is a radar sensor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
75 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining a relative speed between the vehicle and the obstacle includes the steps of: determining a distance between the vehicle and the obstacle based on the signal produced by the pre-impact obstacle detection sensor; and determining a relative speed between the vehicle and the obstacle based on the signal produced by the pre-impact obstacle detection sensor when the determined distance is equal to a predefined distance.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
160 words
A restraint system in a vehicle for activating a restraint in the event of a severe crash between the vehicle and an obstacle, comprising: a pre-impact obstacle detection sensor for detecting an obstacle in a path of the vehicle prior to an impact between the vehicle and the obstacle; an accelerometer for producing acceleration data based on a detected acceleration of the vehicle due to the impact between the vehicle and the obstacle; restraint activation means including a crash algorithm for determining whether to activate said restraint based on an analysis of an acceleration signal supplied thereto; means for determining a relative speed between the vehicle and the obstacle prior to said impact based on a signal produced by said pre-impact obstacle detection sensor; means for modifying the acceleration data produced by said accelerometer as a function of the determined relative speed to produce a modified acceleration signal, and for supplying said modified acceleration signal to said crash sensing algorithm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
160 words
A restraint system in a vehicle for activating a restraint in the event of a severe crash between the vehicle and an obstacle, comprising: a pre-impact obstacle detection sensor for detecting an obstacle in a path of the vehicle prior to an impact between the vehicle and the obstacle; an accelerometer for producing acceleration data based on a detected acceleration of the vehicle due to the impact between the vehicle and the obstacle; restraint activation means including a crash algorithm for determining whether to activate said restraint based on an analysis of an acceleration signal supplied thereto; means for determining a relative speed between the vehicle and the obstacle prior to said impact based on a signal produced by said pre-impact obstacle detection sensor; means for modifying the acceleration data produced by said accelerometer as a function of the determined relative speed to produce a modified acceleration signal, and for supplying said modified acceleration signal to said crash sensing algorithm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 8 wherein the means for modifying the acceleration data comprises means for multiplying the acceleration data and a factor determined as a function of the determined relative speed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 8 wherein the means for modifying the acceleration data comprises enhancement means for determining the ratio of the determined relative speed and a threshold relative speed value and for multiplying the acceleration data and the ratio.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 10 wherein the enhancement means includes means for limiting the ratio to values above unity, thereby avoiding degradation of performance of the crash sensing algorithm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 10 wherein the enhancement means includes means for limiting the ratio to values above unity and below about three.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 8 wherein the pre-impact obstacle detection sensor comprises a radar sensing unit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
76 words
The system of claim 8, wherein the means for determining a relative speed between the vehicle and the obstacle comprises: means for determining a distance between the vehicle and the obstacle based on the signal produced by the pre-impact obstacle detection sensor; and means for determining a relative speed between the vehicle and the obstacle based on the signal produced by the pre-impact obstacle detection sensor when the determined distance is equal to a predefined distance.
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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) | 2001-11-09 | 2002-05-11 | 2002-11-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-11-09 | 2006-05-11 | 2006-11-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-11-09 | 2010-05-11 | 2010-11-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |