Method and apparatus for controlling an actuatable restraint device using crash severity indexing
US6036225A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 1, 1998 |
| Grant date | Mar 14, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 1, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R2021/01322
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus for controlling an actuatable occupant restraint device for a vehicle, the restraining device having a plurality of actuatable stages (24, 26), the apparatus including a crash sensor (14, 16) for sensing crash acceleration and providing a crash acceleration signal indicative thereof. A controller (22) includes an integrator (72, 172) for determining a velocity value from the crash acceleration signal and for providing a velocity signal (74, 174). The controller (22) is coupled to the actuatable device for (i) effecting actuation of a first of the actuatable stages (24) when the determined velocity value exceeds a first threshold value, and (ii) upon the determined velocity value exceeding a second threshold value, determining a crash severity index (112, 212) having a value related to a time interval from when the determined velocity value (74, 174) exceeds the first threshold value (88, 188) to when the determined velocity value exceeds the second threshold value (96, 196). The controller effects actuation of a second of the actuatable stages (26) in response to the crash severity index value (112, 212).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.