T K Holdings, Inc.

Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc.

Richard W Smith

Leonard Steven Cech

Timothy J Bomya

William Todd Watson

James D Baal

Scott Eugene Bauer

William Merrick

Thomas Lee Miller

Hiroshi Aoki

W Todd Watson

Scott Kerby

Abraham G Phillip

Rene A Whelan

Jeremy K Hollo

Restricted operating modes are provided for a motor vehicle when driven by a secondary driver (such as a less experienced driver). A seat occupancy sensor detects the presence of at least one rear seat passenger. A controller includes a memory storing rules defining a restricted operating mode containing a plurality of limitations to be applied to operation of various vehicle accessories in conjunction with the secondary driver. The controller selectively controls the operation of at least one of the accessories according to one of the rules in response to simultaneously detecting the secondary driver and the presence of at least one rear seat passenger. Use of the rules may also depend on whether the rear seat passenger has an unbuckled seat belt.

Restricted operation of vehicle driven by secondary driver with rear passengers

A magnetic field is generated by at least one coil in magnetic communication with at least a portion of a vehicle responsive to a first time-varying signal operatively coupled to the at least one coil in series with a sense resistor. A second signal is generated responsive to a voltage across the sense resistor and is response to a magnetic condition of the at least one coil, which is response to the magnetic communication of the at least one coil with the portion of the vehicle.

Magnetic crash sensor

A magnetic field generated by at least one coil operatively associated with a first portion of a vehicle responsive to a first signal from a signal source causes an eddy current in at least one conductive element operatively associated with or at least a part of a second portion of the vehicle. In one aspect, a circuit operatively coupled to the at least one coil generates a second signal responsive to a self-impedance of the at least one coil, wherein the second signal is at least partially in-phase with the first signal. In another aspect, a magnetic sensor is responsive to an eddy current in the at least one conductive element. In yet another aspect, the at least one conductive element comprises a metal sheet, film or coating of paramagnetic or diamagnetic material that is relatively highly conductive.

Eddy current magnetic crash sensor

A vehicle safety system including a vehicle sensor component integrated into a portion of a vehicle door. A sensing portion may be integrated into a door module. A controller is coupled to the sensor and configured to activate a protective device when required.

Door mounted vehicle sensor

A time-varying signal is applied to at least one coil in magnetic communication with at least a portion of a vehicle susceptible to deformation responsive to a crash. A sense resistor in series with the at least one coil provides for detecting a current therethrough responsive to a voltage thereacross. The current is responsive to a magnetic condition affecting the magnetic field generated by the at least one coil, responsive to the reluctance of a magnetic circuit with which the at least one coil is in magnetic communication, and responsive to associated eddy currents in proximal conductive elements, responsive to the magnetic field generated by the at least one coil.

Growing community of inventors

Dearborn, MI, United States of America

Richard W Smith