Abstract: A system and method for detecting a rollover of a vehicle that includes at least one wheel reaction force sensing device for transmitting wheel reaction force signal indicative of an amount of force exerted on at least one wheel of the vehicle is provided. The system includes a controller operably coupled to the at least one wheel reaction force sensing device and including at least one accelerometer sensor for transmitting the acceleration signal. The controller is configured to determine a first force index in response to the wheel reaction force signal, determine a first lateral acceleration of the vehicle in response to the acceleration signal, compare the first force index to a threshold force index and the first lateral acceleration to a threshold lateral acceleration, and deploy a restraint system based on the comparison.

Abstract: A system and method for performing side impact sensing in a vehicle including at least one side impact zone is provided. The system comprises a controller and at least one crash signature sensor. The controller is configured to deploy one or more safety restraints in response to at least one crash signature signal. The one crash signature sensor is positioned in the side impact zone. The crash signature sensor is configured to detect an impact with an object at the side impact zone. The crash signature sensor is further configured to generate the crash signature signal which corresponds to measured structural impact energy of the vehicle in the side impact zone deformed by the impact at frequencies above 2 kHz.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a rollover of a vehicle that includes at least one wheel reaction force sensing device for transmitting wheel reaction force signal indicative of an amount of force exerted on at least one wheel of the vehicle is provided. The system includes a controller operably coupled to the at least one wheel reaction force sensing device and including at least one accelerometer sensor for transmitting the acceleration signal. The controller is configured to determine a first force index in response to the wheel reaction force signal, determine a first lateral acceleration of the vehicle in response to the acceleration signal, compare the first force index to a threshold force index and the first lateral acceleration to a threshold lateral acceleration, and deploy a restraint system based on the comparison.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a rollover of a vehicle that includes at least one wheel reaction force sensing device for transmitting wheel reaction force signals indicative of an amount of force exerted on at least one wheel of the vehicle is provided. The system includes a controller operably coupled to the at least one wheel reaction force sensing device and including at least one accelerometer sensor for transmitting acceleration signals. The controller is configured to determine a first force index in response to the wheel reaction force signals, determine a first lateral acceleration of the vehicle in response to the acceleration signals, compare the first force index to a threshold force index and the first lateral acceleration to a threshold lateral acceleration, and deploy a restraint system based on the comparison.

Abstract: A system and method for deploying one or more airbags in a vehicle is provided. The system comprises a passive detection device, an active detection device and a controller. The passive detection device is configured to present one or more passive signals indicative of the motion of the vehicle after the vehicle has experienced an impact. The active detection device is configured to present suspension information related to the vehicle that is indicative of the motion of the vehicle prior to the vehicle experiencing an impact. The controller is configured to predict vehicle impact and deploy the airbags in response to the suspension information and the one or more passive signals.

Abstract: A system for providing post-impact signals in a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes at least one impact zone with a passive safety sensor positioned at designated sections of the vehicle. The system comprises a plurality of passive safety sensors, a passive safety controller, and an active safety controller. The passive safety controller determines the impact location, impact direction and intensity. The passive safety controller transmits a passive output signal indicative of the impact intensity, impact direction and impact location. The active safety controller stabilizes the vehicle post-impact in response to the passive output signal.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a rollover of a vehicle that includes at least one wheel reaction force sensing device for transmitting wheel reaction force signals indicative of an amount of force exerted on at least one wheel of the vehicle is provided. The system includes a controller operably coupled to the at least one wheel reaction force sensing device and including at least one accelerometer sensor for transmitting acceleration signals. The controller is configured to determine a first force index in response to the wheel reaction force signals, determine a first lateral acceleration of the vehicle in response to the acceleration signals, compare the first force index to a threshold force index and the first lateral acceleration to a threshold lateral acceleration, and deploy a restraint system based on the comparison.

Abstract: A system and method for performing side impact sensing in a vehicle including at least one side impact zone is provided. The system comprises a controller and at least one crash signature sensor. The controller is configured to deploy one or more safety restraints in response to at least one crash signature signal. The one crash signature sensor is positioned in the side impact zone. The crash signature sensor is configured to detect an impact with an object at the side impact zone. The crash signature sensor is further configured to generate the crash signature signal which corresponds to measured structural impact energy of the vehicle in the side impact zone deformed by the impact at frequencies above 2 kHz.

Abstract: A system for providing post-impact signals in a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes at least one impact zone with a passive safety sensor positioned at designated sections of the vehicle. The system comprises a plurality of passive safety sensors, a passive safety controller, and an active safety controller. The passive safety controller determines the impact location, impact direction and intensity. The passive safety controller transmits a passive output signal indicative of the impact intensity, impact direction and impact location. The active safety controller stabilizes the vehicle post-impact in response to the passive output signal.

Abstract: A system and method for deploying one or more airbags in a vehicle is provided. The system comprises a passive detection device, an active detection device and a controller. The passive detection device is configured to present one or more passive signals indicative of the motion of the vehicle after the vehicle has experienced an impact. The active detection device is configured to present suspension information related to the vehicle that is indicative of the motion of the vehicle prior to the vehicle experiencing an impact. The controller is configured to predict vehicle impact and deploy the airbags in response to the suspension information and the one or more passive signals.

Abstract: An occupant restraint system (11) for an automotive vehicle (10) includes a rollover sensor (30) that generates a rollover signal. A seat (12) having a seat base (16) rotatably coupled to a seat back (18) may be included in the occupant restraint system (11). A controller (26) is coupled to the rollover sensor (30) and seat base (16). The controller (26) controls the seat back (18) to move relative to the seat base in response to the rollover signal. The rollover control module (26) may also control the operation of an inflatable seat belt (36) to maintain the occupant's position relative to the seat back (18).

Abstract: An automotive ejection prevention assembly is provided comprising an airbag mounted within the beltline of a vehicle door. The airbag has an airbag stored condition and an airbag deployed position. The airbag expands vertically upwards from the beltline when in the airbag deployed position. A cover cloth assembly is mounted within a window frame of the vehicle door. The cover cloth assembly has a vertical restraint edge mounted to a vertical portion of the window frame and a horizontal restraint edge mounted to the beltline. The cover cloth assembly includes an inner cloth surface and an outer cloth surface joined to form an internal pocket. The airbag is positioned within the internal pocket. The cover cloth assembly fills a portion of the window frame upon the airbag entering the airbag deployed position. The cover cloth assembly prevents occupant ejection through the window frame.

Abstract: Intelligent vehicle rollover detection systems and methods are claimed and described. An embodiment may comprise various data sensors to sense various signals and a control circuit to receive the signals. In some embodiments, the control circuit may be adapted to provide a vehicle unstable signal to activate a first occupant restraint system and a rollover detection signal to activate a second occupant restraint system. In some embodiments, the control circuit may also determine an updated threshold and a reduced threshold, and generate a rollover detection signal in response to at least one of the updated threshold and a reduced threshold. Other embodiments are also claimed and described.

Abstract: A rollover detection system (12) for an automotive vehicle (10) includes a controller (14) that is hooked to various types of sensors. The sensors may include a lateral acceleration sensor and another sensor or combination of sensors that gives an indication to another lateral condition of the vehicle. The controller determines a roll condition in response to comparing the lateral acceleration and the lateral condition other than lateral acceleration to a threshold. When the conditions are above the threshold then a roll condition is indicated. When a roll condition is indicated a safety device (40) may be controlled to prevent rollover and/or deploy a safety device.

Abstract: A CAE waveform assessor 10 is provided, including a CAE resultant waveform 12 and a reference waveform 16. The CAE waveform assessor 10 utilizes a time domain assessor 18 to produce a time domain index 22 by comparing the CAE resultant waveform 12 with the reference waveform 16. A frequency domain assessor 20 produces a frequency domain index 24 by comparing the CAE resultant waveform 12 with the reference waveform 16.

Abstract: A CAE waveform assessor 10 is provided, including a CAE resultant waveform 12 and a reference waveform 16. The CAE waveform assessor 10 utilizes a time domain assessor 18 to produce a time domain index 22 by comparing the CAE resultant waveform 12 with the reference waveform 16. A frequency domain assessor 20 produces a frequency domain index 24 by comparing the CAE resultant waveform 12 with the reference waveform 16.

Abstract: A rollover sensing system (12) that may be used in the determination of when to deploy restraints in the vehicle. The rollover sensing system (12) may include lateral acceleration sensors (32), a roll rate sensor (18) and a roll angle detector (20). A control circuit (16) determines a predetermined rollover threshold in response to the roll rate and roll angle detector (20) and calculates an adjusted threshold as a function of the predetermined rollover threshold and the lateral acceleration. The control circuit (16) generates a control signal in response to the adjusted threshold.

Abstract: An improved structure is provided for supporting pillars of automotive vehicles which provides energy absorption through provision of three stamped metallic panels (24,26,28) defining first and second energy absorbing chambers (56,58) therebetween and an interior trim cover (30) joined to all the panels and defining a third chamber (62) between it and the interior of the three panels and selected energy absorbing media carried between the trim cover and the interior of the panels. Generally C-shaped spring structures (74) and plastic honeycomb structures (68) are preferred for the energy absorbing media.

Abstract: An energy absorbing structural member disposed within the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle and including an outer cell and an inner cell. The outer cell of the structural member provides conventional torsional, bending and compressive rigidity necessary for such structural member. Additionally, the inner cell is adapted to plastically deform under a predetermined generally transversely imposed load, the load being substantially insufficient to deform the outer cell.

Abstract: An energy absorbing vehicle door includes an inner panel, an outer panel joined to the inner panel, a door trim panel mounted on the inner panel, and energy absorbing bolsters protracting through the door trim panel for movement independently into an occupant compartment of the vehicle during a side collision type impact of the vehicle door.