Motor vehicles – With means for promoting safety of vehicle – its occupant or... – Responsive to sensing of acceleration – deceleration – or tilt...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-18
2001-09-18
English, Peter C. (Department: 3619)
Motor vehicles
With means for promoting safety of vehicle, its occupant or...
Responsive to sensing of acceleration, deceleration, or tilt...
C280S755000, C701S045000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06290019
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to systems that prevent side rollover of a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Side rollover of vehicles is a serious safety concern. A vehicle rollover event is defined as an event in which the tread of all of the wheels of a vehicle breaks contact with the ground, and the side or the roof of the vehicle contacts the ground.
It is possible that incidents of rollover accidents may be increasing for vehicles such as passenger vehicles, apparently due to changing demographics of vehicles in current use. For example, vehicles that have a higher center of gravity, such as sport utility vehicles, have become increasing popular in recent years. Thus, there has been an associated increase in the efforts to reduce the propensity of vehicles to rollover and also in the efforts to protect vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle rollover. An example of an effort to reduce propensity of vehicle roll includes provision of active devices that control steering and suspension. An example of an effort to protect a vehicle occupant during a vehicle rollover event is the provision of pyrotechnic side curtain devices that are actuated upon the event of a vehicle rollover.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect, the present invention provides a system for averting vehicle side rollover for a vehicle having inflated tires. Means senses a parameter indicative of an imminent threat of vehicle rollover to one side of the vehicle. Means reduces an inflation pressure of one of the vehicle tires on one side of the vehicle to avert vehicle rollover in response to the imminent threat of vehicle rollover.
In accordance with another aspect, the present invention provides a system for averting vehicle side rollover for a vehicle that has inflated tires. Means senses a parameter indicative of vehicle roll and outputs a signal indicative thereof. Means determines if the parameter signal is indicative of an imminent threat of vehicle rollover to one side of the vehicle. Means reduces an inflation pressure of one of the vehicle tires on the side of the vehicle to avert vehicle rollover in response to an affirmative determination of imminent threat of vehicle rollover.
In accordance with another aspect, the present invention provides a method for averting vehicle side rollover for a vehicle having inflated tires. A parameter indicative an imminent threat of vehicle rollover to one side of the vehicle is sensed. An inflation pressure of one of the vehicle tires on one side of the vehicle is reduced to avert vehicle rollover in response to the imminent threat of vehicle rollover.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5610575 (1997-03-01), Gioutsos
patent: 5825284 (1998-10-01), Dunwoody et al.
patent: 5890084 (1999-03-01), Halasz et al.
patent: 5931499 (1999-08-01), Sutherland
patent: 6002974 (1999-12-01), Schiffmann
patent: 6002975 (1999-12-01), Schiffmann et al.
patent: 6170594 (2001-01-01), Gilbert
Kolassa Scott Edward
Schemansky Kevin J.
English Peter C.
Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell, Tummino & Szabo L.L.
TRW Inc.
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