Patent · US Expired

Control unit for an occupant restraint system using adaptive triggering threshold

US6109648A · kind A · utility

12Cited by
4References
4Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 14, 1998
Grant dateAug 29, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 14, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60R2021/01322
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An adaptive activation control device for an occupant restraint system of a vehicle is provided that includes an electrical energy reserve circuit, an electronic accelerometer, a microprocessor unit, an electromechanical impact sensor, a firing circuit control unit, and a warning light driving circuit. The restraint system activation is determined by the two kinds of impact sensors. The first of the sensors is the electronic accelerometer, which provides analog output signals that are converted into digital signals. Then, the digital signals are processed by an algorithm in the microprocessor unit. Finally, the activation of the occupant restraint system will be determined by the adaptive triggering threshold. The second of the sensors is the electromechanical impact sensor. The impact sensor is connected in series with the firing circuit for higher safety. Both of the sensors have to operate normally in order for the adaptive control unit to work properly.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.