Delphi Technologies, Inc.

Shyam V Potti

Christopher Michael Caruso

Lee Charles Boger

Brian Scott Kvapil

James Hill Brogoitti

Hector Daniel Martinez

Sheri Lynn Patterson

Joseph Thomas Dalum

Gerhard F Wessels

An improved method of using multiple point crash sensing and multiple sensor occupant position sensing for classifying a crash event and determining which restraints should be deployed. A central controller collects crash data from multiple crash sensors and combines severity characterization data from each of the multiple sensors to construct a characterization table or matrix for the entire system. Each possible crash event classification is represented by a characterization value mask, and the various masks are sequentially applied to the system characterization table until a match is found, with a match identifying the appropriate crash event classification. The classification decision, in turn, is used to determine which, if any, of the restraint devices should be deployed based upon the crash severity. Similarly, the controller collects data from various occupant position sensors to construct a characterization table or matrix for the occupant position detection system. Each possible occupant position sensor classification is represented by a characterization value mask, and various masks are sequentially applied to the table until a match is found, with a match identifying the appropriate occupant position status. The occupant position status, in turn, is used to determine which, if any, of the restraints may be deployed. The system also includes a centrally located crash sensor, and the controller constructs an intrusion table based on differences between the remote and central sensors. The intrusion classification is determined and combined with the crash classification and occupant position status to determine which restraints should ultimately be deployed.

Crash classification method and apparatus using multiple point crash sensing

A dual stage occupant restraint deployment control provides a signal for first stage restraint deployment if, during a sensed possible crash event, a velocity value derived from a sensed acceleration and one or more immunity measures meet predetermined criteria. A second stage restraint deployment signal is provided if a crash severity measure derived from the time rate of change of the sensed acceleration meets predetermined criteria and the first stage activation signal has been generated. The method and apparatus ensure that the immunity criteria are met for both first and second stage deployment without repeated testing if the crash severity measure is vulnerable to non-crash accelerations produced by &ldquo;misuse&rdquo; events and rough road driving. The crash severity measure may be the time rate of change of the acceleration itself, an oscillation value derived this time rate of change of the acceleration with a velocity value requirement in the predetermined criteria, or a veloscillation value derived as a scaled sum of the oscillation value and the velocity value.

Dual stage occupant restraint deployment control for motor vehicle

A satellite crash sensor for use in a noisy area such as a crush zone has a crash dependent clock that uses an accumulated velocity signal derived from the acceleration signal, rather than the acceleration signal itself, to determine initiation and counting of the clock count. Successive velocity values are accumulated in an accumulated velocity value that is limited between zero and a maximum limit value. The clock count is incremented away from an initial zero value when the accumulated velocity value is greater than zero and back toward the zero value when the accumulated velocity value is equal to zero. The clock count is used as a measure of time from initiation of a possible crash event in the generation of a restraint deploy indicating signal in the satellite crash sensor.

Crush space crash sensor for motor vehicle occupant restraint deployment control

A vehicle satellite crash sensor includes a microcomputer with a stored datum indicating intended use in a frontal application such as the front crush space or a side application such as a vehicle side door. The microcomputer also stores a program that processes a sensed acceleration signal, derives an oscillation value and derives an occupant restraint deployment signal at least in response to the oscillation value. The program includes stored code for two alternative oscillation derivation algorithms: one of which is used in frontal applications and derives an integral of the absolute value of the sensed acceleration signal; the other of which is used in side applications and derives an integral of the sensed acceleration. The stored datum determines which of the stored oscillation algorithms is used.

Vehicle satellite sensor for frontal or side occupant restraint deployment

A satellite crash sensor for a motor vehicle occupant restraint system that provides multi-stage deploy signaling in a manner that detects a second stage deploy crash event having an initial velocity rise followed by a loss of velocity that delays the continuation of the velocity rise. The sensor derives a velocity value from an accelerometer signal. The initiation of a possible crash event is detected and a clock count indicating a time progression into the event is initiated. A constant second stage threshold value and data defining a first stage threshold varying as function of the clock count are stored. Only for a time indicated by a first predetermined value of the clock count, a second stage datum is stored if the velocity exceeds the second stage threshold value. For a longer time determined by a second predetermined clock count, the velocity value is compared with a clock count determined value of the first stage threshold and alternatively (1) a second stage deploy signal is generated if the velocity value exceeds the value of the first stage threshold and the second stage datum is stored, (2) a first stage deploy signal is generated if the velocity value exceeds the value of the first stage threshold and the second stage datum is not stored, and (3) no deploy signal is generated if the velocity value does not exceed the first stage threshold. For at least a portion of the predetermined clock count, the clock determined value of the first threshold exceeds the second threshold value.

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Carmel, IN, United States of America

Shyam V Potti