US6095553A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Side impact sensor system and method
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
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Filing: 1998-06-30
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Granted: 2000-08-01
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Expires: 2018-06-30
Abstract
Abstract A side impact sensor system is used in a vehicle having a side air-bag, a lower body component, and a body side with a front door belt line area. The system includes a body side impact sensor mounted to the body side at least as high as the front door belt-line area. A lower body side impact sensor is mounted to the lower body component inboard from the body side. A safing sensor is secured to the vehicle. Electronic control module is provided in the electrical communication with the side air-bag and with the sensors for sending firing signals to the side air-bag when the safing sensor and at least one of the body and lower body side impact sensors signal a sufficiently high lateral acceleration indicative of a side impact.
Inventors
- 👤 Chang Tau Chou
- 👤 Jiamaw Doong
- 👤 Jian Yang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:54
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/01; B60R21/013; B60R21/0132; B60R2021/0002; B60R2021/0006; B60R2021/01006; B60R2021/01013; B60R2021/01027
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A side impact sensor system for use in a vehicle having a side air-bag, a lower body component on an underside of the vehicle, and a body side with a front door belt line area, the system comprising: a body side impact sensor mounted to the body side at least as high as the front door belt line area; a lower body side impact sensor mounted to the lower body component inboard from the body side, said lower body component comprising a vehicle floor pan; a safing sensor secured to the vehicle; and an electronic control module in electrical communication with the side air-bag and with said sensors for sending firing signals to the side air-bag when said safing sensor and at least one of said body and lower body side impact sensors signal a predetermined level of lateral acceleration indicative of a side impact.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
A side impact sensor system for use in a vehicle having a side air-bag, a lower body component on an underside of the vehicle, and a body side with a front door belt line area, the system comprising: a body side impact sensor mounted to the body side at least as high as the front door belt line area; a lower body side impact sensor mounted to the lower body component inboard from the body side, said lower body component comprising a vehicle floor pan; a safing sensor secured to the vehicle; and an electronic control module in electrical communication with the side air-bag and with said sensors for sending firing signals to the side air-bag when said safing sensor and at least one of said body and lower body side impact sensors signal a predetermined level of lateral acceleration indicative of a side impact.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The side impact sensor system of claim 1, further comprising a second body side impact sensor mounted to the body side at least as high as the front door belt line area.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The side impact sensor system of claim 1, wherein said safing sensor is connected to said electronic control module.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of deploying a side air-bag in a vehicle having a vehicle floor pan an underside of the vehicle and a body side with a front door belt line area, the method comprising: sensing a first lateral acceleration at a body side impact sensor location on the body side at least as high as the front door belt line area; sensing a second lateral acceleration at a lower body side impact sensor location on the vehicle floor pan inboard from the body side; sensing a third lateral acceleration at a safing sensor location on the vehicle; and deploying the side air-bag if said third lateral acceleration and at least one of said first and second lateral accelerations exceed predetermined threshold values indicative of a side impact.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of deploying a side air-bag in a vehicle having a vehicle floor pan an underside of the vehicle and a body side with a front door belt line area, the method comprising: sensing a first lateral acceleration at a body side impact sensor location on the body side at least as high as the front door belt line area; sensing a second lateral acceleration at a lower body side impact sensor location on the vehicle floor pan inboard from the body side; sensing a third lateral acceleration at a safing sensor location on the vehicle; and deploying the side air-bag if said third lateral acceleration and at least one of said first and second lateral accelerations exceed predetermined threshold values indicative of a side impact.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of deploying a side air-bag of claim 4, further comprising sensing a fourth lateral acceleration at a second body side impact sensor location on the body side at least as high as the front door belt line area.
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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) | 2003-08-01 | 2004-01-31 | 2004-08-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-08-01 | 2008-01-31 | 2008-08-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-08-01 | 2012-01-31 | 2012-08-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |