Data processing: vehicles – navigation – and relative location – Vehicle control – guidance – operation – or indication – Vehicle subsystem or accessory control
Reexamination Certificate
2001-03-05
2003-06-24
Cuchlinski, Jr., William A (Department: 3661)
Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location
Vehicle control, guidance, operation, or indication
Vehicle subsystem or accessory control
C180S268000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06584386
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for controlling an occupant protection device in a vehicle.
In a known method for controlling an occupant protection device in a vehicle, a crash sensor supplies a crash signal. A crash variable derived from the crash signal is thereupon compared with a threshold. The occupant protection device is controlled as a function of an overshooting of the threshold by the crash variable. As a rule, in this case the threshold contains at least one term that is determined from the crash signal.
In this case, the threshold usually contains a plurality of terms that are additively combined with one another, each term per se, that is to say without taking account of the prescribed sign, being considered with positive values in the threshold. In International Patent Disclosure WO 94/14638, the threshold is composed, for example, of a constant term with the inclusion of a term for the average acceleration and excluding a so-called dynamic term which takes account of a maxima and a minima in the acceleration signal. According to the prior art, therefore, each threshold value term initially supplies a positive contribution. The constants, and also the term of the average acceleration, feature with a positive sign in the threshold value, and so their contributions can contribute only to increasing the threshold in a marked or less marked form. The so-called dynamic term, by contrast, features in the threshold value calculation with a prescribed negative sign, such that the term, which of itself supplies positive values, supplies values which lower the threshold because of the prescribed sign. The prescribed combination of the individual terms can therefore certainly lead to a rise or fall in the threshold. However, viewed per se, each term can supply exclusively positive contributions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a method for controlling an occupant protection device in a vehicle, and a control device therefor which overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art methods and devices of this general type, in which a threshold reacts extremely flexibly to the crash signal characterizing the course of the accident.
With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a method for controlling an occupant protection device in a vehicle. The method includes using a crash sensor for supplying a crash signal, deriving a crash variable from the crash signal, and comparing the crash variable with a threshold. The threshold includes at least one term determined by the crash signal or a derived signal derived from the crash signal. The term is configured such that, depending on a configuration of the crash signal, it supplies one of a first contribution which raises the threshold and a second contribution which lowers the threshold. The term is determined by positive and negative components summed separately from one another of the crash signal or the derived signal. The occupant protection device is controlled in dependence on an overshooting of the threshold by the crash variable.
In the invention, the sensor detecting the accident or crash supplies the crash signal. The sensor can be configured as an acceleration sensor that supplies an acceleration signal. In this case, the axis of sensitivity of the acceleration sensor is preferably aligned in that direction from which it is intended to detect a crash. Acceleration sensors for detecting crashes from the side are therefore preferably sensitive transverse to the vehicle longitudinal axis and are fastened in the center of the vehicle, but also on the side of the vehicle on side doors or door sills. An acceleration sensor for detecting a front crash is preferably likewise disposed in the center of the vehicle, but possibly also on the front of the vehicle, and picks up acceleration signals along the vehicle longitudinal axis. However, it is also possible to provide as crash sensors sensors for the direct or indirect penetration of an obstacle into the vehicle. For example, in a direct type a capacitively configured deformation sensor picks up the penetration of an obstacle, in the case of this sensor the outer skin of the vehicle being provided as an electrode, and a further electrode being provided which cooperates with the vehicle outer skin and is installed in a stationary fashion. In an indirect way, a crash sensor can preferably detect a crash from the side by picking up an air pressure in a cavity in the vehicle door. The deformation of the vehicle door initiated by the penetration of the obstacle varies the volume of the cavity, and this leads to a rise in air pressure that can be detected in the crash signal, which is configured as a pressure signal. A crash variable that is compared with a threshold is usually derived from such a crash signal. The crash variable can in this case be the crash signal itself, or preferably be derived from the crash signal by mathematical calculations. In this case, it is preferable to use a partial speed loss, also termed delta V, as the crash variable. For this purpose, the acceleration signal, which is subsequently used as the crash signal, is integrated from the start of the crash. The integrated acceleration signal therefore supplies the decrease in speed from the start of the crash. A partial speed loss is then formed by the difference between the actual speed value and a speed value that was and is stored in a memory determined at an earlier instant. The partial speed loss is preferably compared with the threshold.
The threshold is of variably configured, in this case, and can assume different threshold values over time. The threshold is usually composed additively in this case from a plurality of terms. Each term is a mathematical expression of self-contained content. One term of the threshold can be a constant in this case. Another term can have, for example, a time-linear member in this case. The threshold preferably therefore contains a plurality of terms that are related to one another additively.
The threshold in this case contains at least one term that is determined by the crash signal. Determination by the crash signal can be provided in various ways. Thus, for example, a term can contain the crash signal or a signal derived from the crash signal and directly proportional thereto. As a result, the threshold value characteristic is proportional to the crash signal at least in this term. In a further version, such a term can be determined by the crash signal with the aid of logic combinations. Thus, the term can provide a first constant value when the crash signal undershoots an assigned value. A second, higher constant value can be provided as soon as the crash signal overshoots the assigned value.
The occupant protection device is controlled as a function of the overshooting of the threshold by the crash variable. The occupant protection device can be triggered directly in this case when the threshold is overshot by the crash variable. The overshooting of the threshold by the crash variable can alternatively, however, be one of a plurality of triggering criteria which are logically combined with one another and, in particular, combined with one another in a Boolean fashion. The overshooting of the threshold cooperating only, for example, with the fulfillment of a further criterion for the purpose of activating the assigned occupant protection device. Airbags, in particular driver, passenger, side, head, chest or other airbags, can be provided as the occupant protection device, as can also seat belt pretensioners or rollover protection devices.
According to the invention, at least one term of the threshold is configured in such a way that, depending on the configuration of the crash signal, it supplies a contribution that raises the threshold or a contribution that lowers the threshold. Accordingly, the term itself can supply both positive and negative values as a function of the crash signal. If, therefore, s
Feser Michael
Frimberger Manfred
Cuchlinski, Jr. William A
Greenberg Laurence A.
Locher Ralph E.
Pipala Edward
Stemer Werner H.
LandOfFree
Method for controlling an occupant protection device in a... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method for controlling an occupant protection device in a..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method for controlling an occupant protection device in a... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3117730