Energy distribution and communication system and method...

Details Energy distribution and communication system and method... Energy distribution and communication system and method...

1999-02-03

2001-02-13

Lieu, Julie (Department: 2736)

Communications: electrical

Land vehicle alarms or indicators

Internal alarm or indicator responsive to a condition of the...

C340S315000, C340S315000, C307S038000, C307S039000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06188314

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention is generally directed to an energy distribution and communication system and method of a vehicle occupant protection system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As the sophistication of vehicle occupant protection systems has increased, the number and complexity of vehicle occupant protection devices within the protection systems has increased. In response to the increased number of devices, there has been a movement toward centralized control of the devices within the protection systems to reduce cost and increase reliability. This change in the design approach for protection systems has brought about a need to design new arrangements for power distribution and data communication between a central controller and the devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect, the present invention provides an energy distribution and communication system between a central unit and a plurality of remote units. An electrical conductor interconnects the central unit and the remote unit for conducting electrical energy. Energy supply means provides electrical energy, which has a voltage, onto the conductor to power the remote units. Voltage messaging means, associated with the central unit, adjusts voltage of the electrical energy past a predetermined threshold to provide a message frame and modulates voltage of the electrical energy during the message frame to convey messages from the central unit to the remote units via the conductor. Voltage receiver means, at each remote unit, monitors the voltage of the electrical energy during the message frame and detects the voltage modulations to discern messages from the central unit. Current messaging means, at each remote unit, modulates current of the electrical energy during the message frame to convey messages to the central unit via the conductor. The current messaging means includes means for utilizing the modulation of voltage of the electric energy to clock current modulation. Current receiver means, associated with the central unit, detects current modulations to discern messages from the remote units.
In accordance with another aspect, the present invention provides an occupant protection system for protecting a vehicle occupant. An actuatable occupant protection device protects the vehicle occupant. A central unit controls actuation of the protection device and provides power for use by the protection device. The protection device is located remote from the central unit. An electrical conductor interconnects the central unit and the protection device for conducting electrical energy. The central unit includes energy supply means for providing electrical energy, having a voltage, onto the conductor. The central unit includes voltage messaging means for adjusting voltage of the electrical energy past a predetermined threshold to provide a message frame and for modulating voltage of the electrical energy during the message frame to convey messages from the central unit to the protection device via the conductor. The protection device includes voltage receiver means for monitoring the voltage of the electrical energy during the message frame and for detecting the voltage modulations to discern messages from the central unit. The protection device includes current messaging means for modulating current of the electrical energy during the message frame to convey messages to the central unit via the conductor. The current messaging means includes means for utilizing the modulation of voltage of the electric energy to clock current modulation. The central unit includes current receiver means for detecting current modulations to discern messages from the protection device.
In accordance with another aspect, the present invention provides a method of distributing energy and communicating between a central unit and a plurality of remote units. Electrical energy, having a voltage, is provided onto a conductor from the central unit to power the remote units. The voltage of the electrical energy is adjusted past a predetermined threshold to provide a message frame. The voltage of the electrical energy is modulated during the message frame to convey messages from the central unit to the remote units. The voltage modulations are detected at the remote units to discern messages from the central unit. Current is modulated during the message frame to convey messages from the remote units to the central unit. The current modulations are detected at the central unit to discern messages from the remote units. The step of modulating current includes utilizing the modulation of the voltage to clock current modulation.


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