Crash detection system
US6438475B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 3, 2000 |
| Grant date | Aug 20, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 3, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R2021/01027
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A crash detection system comprises two sensors with complementary performance characteristics, a controller evaluates the signals from both sensors to determine whether an airbag should be activated, when an airbag should be activated and whether multiple stages of the airbag should be activated. The first sensor preferably comprises a ball-in-tube sensor and the second sensor preferably comprises an electronic sensing module comprising an accelerometer and a CPU. The CPU receives signals from the accelerometer and the ball-in-tube sensor. The controller activates the airbag only if both sensors generate fire signals. The controller generates an airbag activation signal based upon crash type and the sum of the times required from the beginning of the crash for both sensors to generate fire signals.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.