Abstract: A battery module includes a first battery cell and a neighboring second battery cell. The battery module also includes a heat sink in contact with and configured to absorb thermal energy from each of the first battery cell and the second battery cell. The battery module additionally includes a module enclosure surrounded by ambient environment and configured to house each of the first battery cell, the second battery cell, and the heat sink. The battery module further includes a heat transfer mechanism having a first switch configured to detect temperature of the first battery cell exceeding a predetermined value indicative of a thermal runaway event. The heat transfer mechanism is also configured to transfer thermal energy from the first battery cell to the module enclosure to thereby control propagation of the thermal runaway event to the second battery cell.

Abstract: A method of controlling a thermal runaway event in a battery system having first and second battery modules. The method includes detecting a thermal runaway event in the first battery module, and, in response to the detection of the thermal runaway event, determining whether an electrical current is flowing through the first battery module. The method also includes electrically decoupling the first battery module from the second battery module in response to the detection of the thermal runaway event, if the current is not flowing through the first battery module. Furthermore, the method includes electrically connecting the second battery module to an electrical load to discharge the second module through the load, if the current is determined to be flowing through the first battery module or after decoupling the first module. Discharging the second battery module is intended to control propagation of the thermal runaway event through the second module.

Abstract: A method of controlling a thermal runaway event in a battery system having first and second battery modules. The method includes detecting a thermal runaway event in the first battery module, and, in response to the detection of the thermal runaway event, determining whether an electrical current is flowing through the first battery module. The method also includes electrically decoupling the first battery module from the second battery module in response to the detection of the thermal runaway event, if the current is not flowing through the first battery module. Furthermore, the method includes electrically connecting the second battery module to an electrical load to discharge the second module through the load, if the current is determined to be flowing through the first battery module or after decoupling the first module. Discharging the second battery module is intended to control propagation of the thermal runaway event through the second module.

Abstract: A system and method for discharging a vehicle battery following a vehicle damaging event. The method includes determining that the vehicle has been involved in the vehicle damaging event and then discharging cells in the battery to a predetermined cell voltage based on the severity of the vehicle damaging event. The battery cells can be discharged by resistors that are already existing in the vehicle battery for cell balancing purposes, or by resistors that have been added for the cell discharge purposes. The voltage of the cells are monitored when they are being dissipated, and once the particular voltage of a cell has reached the desired voltage, then a switch is opened to disconnect the resistor from the cell.

Abstract: A system and method for discharging a vehicle battery following a vehicle damaging event. The method includes determining that the vehicle has been involved in the vehicle damaging event and then discharging cells in the battery to a predetermined cell voltage based on the severity of the vehicle damaging event. The battery cells can be discharged by resistors that are already existing in the vehicle battery for cell balancing purposes, or by resistors that have been added for the cell discharge purposes. The voltage of the cells are monitored when they are being dissipated, and once the particular voltage of a cell has reached the desired voltage, then a switch is opened to disconnect the resistor from the cell.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing an interior component of a vehicle. A system includes a device for monitoring a passenger, a vehicle speed detector, and a controller in communication the interior component, the passenger monitoring device, and the vehicle speed detector, wherein the controller is configured to disable at least one function of the interior component if the rate of speed is greater than a predetermined threshold speed and enable the disabled function(s) when the passenger attempts to actuate the function(s). One method includes the steps of determining a rate of speed the vehicle is traveling, disabling at least one function of the interior component when the rate of speed is greater than a predetermined threshold speed, and enabling the disabled function(s) when the rate of speed is greater than the threshold speed if a passenger attempts to actuate the function(s).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for controlling vehicle airbag status during a vehicle dynamic situation. The method initially includes estimating an occupant classification. This estimation may, for example, be based on the occupant's weight. Thereafter, a plurality of indicators which may signify an impending vehicle dynamic situation are evaluated. If any of the indicators signify an impending vehicle dynamic situation, the occupant classification is held constant. Therefore, the events of the vehicle dynamic situation are prevented from contributing to an incorrect occupant classification.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing an interior component of a vehicle. A system includes a device for monitoring a passenger, a vehicle speed detector, and a controller in communication the interior component, the passenger monitoring device, and the vehicle speed detector, wherein the controller is configured to disable at least one function of the interior component if the rate of speed is greater than a predetermined threshold speed and enable the disabled function(s) when the passenger attempts to actuate the function(s). One method includes the steps of determining a rate of speed the vehicle is traveling, disabling at least one function of the interior component when the rate of speed is greater than a predetermined threshold speed, and enabling the disabled function(s) when the rate of speed is greater than the threshold speed if a passenger attempts to actuate the function(s).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for controlling vehicle airbag status during a vehicle dynamic situation. The method initially includes estimating an occupant classification. This estimation may, for example, be based on the occupant's weight. Thereafter, a plurality of indicators which may signify an impending vehicle dynamic situation are evaluated. If any of the indicators signify an impending vehicle dynamic situation, the occupant classification is held constant. Therefore, the events of the vehicle dynamic situation are prevented from contributing to an incorrect occupant classification.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for providing an indication to a person external to a vehicle, of an occupant inside the vehicle. The method comprises determining whether an occupant is in a vehicle, based on a capacitance measured within the vehicle; sensing whether an ignition of the vehicle is in an off position; detecting whether a first door coupled to the vehicle has been opened and closed, if the vehicle ignition is in an off position; if the first door has been opened and closed and an occupant is sensed in the vehicle, measuring a first time (T1) beginning from the instant the first door is closed; and activating the alert, if T1 is greater than a predetermined threshold time.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for providing an indication to a person external to a vehicle, of an occupant inside the vehicle. The method comprises determining whether a first object in the vehicle is an occupant, based, in part, on a weight of the first object; sensing whether an ignition of the vehicle is in an off position; detecting whether a first door coupled to the vehicle has been opened and closed, if the vehicle ignition is in an off position; if the first door has been opened and closed and an occupant is in the vehicle, measuring a first time (T1) from an instant the first door is closed to an instant after the first door is closed; and activating the alert, if T1 is greater than a predetermined threshold time (Tthreshold).

Abstract: The disclosure describes systems and methods that pertain to interactions between a vehicle and an occupant within the vehicle. More specifically, various systems and methods for enhancing the decisions of automated vehicle applications (collectively “decision enhancement system”) are disclosed. In a safety restraint embodiment, a sensor is used to capture various sensor readings. Sensor readings are typically in the form of images. Occupant information, such as location attributes, motion attributes, and occupant category attributes can be obtained from the sensor readings. If the system concludes that the deployment of a safety restraint is potentially justified, an at-risk-zone detector can be used to determine whether or not the occupant will be too close to the deploying safety restraint at the time of deployment for the safety restraint to be safely deployed.

Abstract: The disclosure describes systems and methods that pertain to interactions between a vehicle and an occupant within the vehicle. More specifically, various systems and methods for enhancing the decisions of automated vehicle applications (collectively “decision enhancement system”) are disclosed. In a safety restraint embodiment, a sensor is used to capture various sensor readings. Sensor readings are typically in the form of images. Occupant information, such as location attributes, motion attributes, and occupant category attributes can be obtained from the sensor readings. If the system concludes that the deployment of a safety restraint is potentially justified, an at-risk-zone detector can be used to determine whether or not the occupant will be too close to the deploying safety restraint at the time of deployment for the safety restraint to be safely deployed.