Trw Limited

Scott E Kolassa

Jon Kelly Wallace

Russell Joseph Lynch

Farid Khairallah

Keith R Miciuda

Roger A McCurdy

Kevin J Schemansky

A communication system ( ) includes a communication bus ( ) through which a power/voltage transmitter ( ) conveys electrical energy and messages to a plurality of units ( ). The power/voltage transmitter ( ) includes components for adjusting voltage of the electrical energy past a first predetermined threshold to provide a first type message frame and modulating the voltage of the electrical energy during the first type message frame to convey a first type message. The power/voltage transmitter ( ) also includes components for adjusting the voltage past a second predetermined threshold to provide a second type message frame and modulating the voltage of the electrical energy during the second type message frame to convey a second type message.

Communication system and method utilizing message frames having multiple thresholds for a multi-device vehicle occupant protection system

A system (,) and an associated method to avert vehicle side rollover for a vehicle (,) that has inflated tires (,A-,D). A sensor (,) senses a parameter indicative of an imminent threat of vehicle rollover to one side of the vehicle (,). A tire deflator device (e.g.,,A) reduces an inflation pressure of one of the vehicle tires (,A) on one side of the vehicle (,) to avert vehicle rollover in response to the imminent threat of vehicle rollover.

System and method for vehicle side rollover aversion

A vehicle occupant protection system (,) includes an actuatable device (e.g.,,) for protecting a vehicle occupant (,). An accelerometer (e.g.,,) and a crash determination portion (,) of a controller (,) derive a first metric indicative of a vehicle crash condition. A Z-axis accelerometer (,) and a safing portion (,) of the controller (,) derive a second metric indicative of a vehicle vertical acceleration characteristic. The controller (,) actuates the device (e.g.,,) to protect the occupant (,) in response to the first metric indicating a vehicle crash condition and the second metric exceeding a predetermined threshold. Preferably, the system (,) includes a second device (e.g.,,) and another accelerometer (e.g.,,) and another crash determination portion (,) of the controller (,) to derive a third metric indicative of a vehicle crash condition. The controller (,) actuates the device (e.g.,,) to protect the occupant (,) in response to the third metric indicating a vehicle crash condition and the second metric exceeding a predetermined threshold. Thus, the second metric is utilized twice.

Vehicle occupant protection system and method utilizing Z-axis central safing

A communication system (10) for use in a vehicle occupant restraint system (12). A central controller (14) is connected to a plurality of restraint devices (16) by a power and communication conductor (20). A signal function (28), via a voltage modulator (30), of the central controller (14) sequentially outputs voltage modulation messages to the restraint devices (16) on the conductor (20). The application sequence of the voltage modulation messages corresponds to a predetermined sequence of the restraint devices (16). A signal function (40), via a current draw modulator (42), in each of the restraint devices (16) outputs current modulation messages to the central controller (14) on the conductor (20). The application of the current modulation message from each respective restraint device (16) coincides with the outputting of a voltage modulation message from the central controller (14) to another specified one of the restraint devices.

Communication system and method utilizing an interface protocol for a

An occupant restraint system (10) for a vehicle (22) has a plurality of controllable occupant restraint system devices (12). The plurality of devices (12) includes sensor devices (e.g., 12E) and/or occupant restraint devices (e.g., 12A). Each restraint system device (12) has programmable control circuitry (18) for permitting control of the respective restraint system device by a central controller (38). A control interconnection (44) connects the central controller (38) and the restraint system devices (12). Electronic switches (54) are connected in series along a line (46A) of the control interconnection (44). Each of the switches (54) is associated with one restraint system device (12). Each of the switches (54) regulates communication between the central controller (38) and any device(s) (12) (e.g., devices 2-N) downstream of the associated device (e.g., device 1). The control circuitry (18) causes the associated switch (54) to 'close' and permit communication between the central controller (38) and the device(s) (e.g., device 12-N), if any, downstream of the one restraint system device. The permitted communication is in response to the central controller (38) programming the control circuitry (18) of the one restraint system device. Methods for providing and using the vehicle occupant restraint system (10) are also provided.

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Canton, MI, United States of America

Scott E Kolassa