Vehicle crash determination arrangement and method, utilizing center of gravity, for an occupant protection system
US6431593B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 13, 2000 |
| Grant date | Aug 13, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 13, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R2021/01315
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vehicle crash determination arrangement (20) includes a plurality of weight sensors (52,54). The sensors (52,54) are disposed beneath a vehicle seat (16), and each sensor senses a weight value from the seat and an occupant (14) located on the seat. A center of gravity determination portion (62) of a controller (34) determines center of gravity of the seat (16) and the occupant (14) using the sensed weight values. A C.O.G. crash determination portion (64) of the controller (34) determines occurrence of a vehicle crash using change in the determined center of gravity and outputs a signal (66) indicative of the determination of crash occurrence. Preferably, the arrangement (20) is part of an occupant protection system (10) for the occupant (14). The system (10) includes an actuatable occupant protection device (24). An actuation control portion (46) of the controller (34) controls actuation of the device (24).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.