Abstract: A distributed array of force sensors disposed in the inner lining of a safety helmet measure forces between the inner periphery of the helmet and a user's head, and a microcontroller responsive to the force measurements and other sensor data determines if the helmet fits the user properly. The force sensors are preferably provided at the front, back, sides and top of the inner lining, and the microcontroller compares the measured forces to calibrated threshold values to evaluate and indicate the fit of the helmet.

Abstract: A child restraint system and a method for monitoring installation of the child restraint system are provided. The child restraint system includes a child seat configured to receive a child occupant. The child restraint system further includes a first sensor coupled to the child seat. The first sensor is configured to output a first signal indicative of positional angle of the child seat relative to a first axis. The child restraint system further includes a controller coupled to the child seat configured to receive the first signal and to calculate a first angle value based on the first signal. The controller is further configured to induce a first device disposed on the child seat to indicate when the first angle value is not within a predetermined angular range from the first axis.

Abstract: A child restraint system includes an electronic control unit having an event data recorder for storing data relating to proper adjustment or installation of the child restraint system. The control unit receives an electrical signal from one or more sensors mounted on the child seat and determines conditions of the child seat based upon the value of the property indicated by the signal. The event data recorder is configured to store the resulting data and to allow the stored data to be retrieved in response to an inquiry. Thus, in the event of a vehicle accident or other incident, the electronic control unit may be connected to an external diagnostic unit, and the relevant data may be downloaded to the diagnostic unit for evaluation.

Abstract: A child restraint system and a method for monitoring installation of the child restraint system are provided. The child restraint system includes a child seat configured to receive a child occupant. The child seat has at least a first seat belt guide member configured to engage a vehicle seat belt webbing for securing the child seat to a vehicle seat. The child restraint system further includes a first sensor coupled to the first seat belt guide member. The first sensor is configured to output a first signal indicative of an amount of tension being applied to the vehicle seat belt webbing. The child restraint system further includes a controller coupled to the child seat configured to receive the first signal and to compute a first tension value based on the first signal. The controller further is configured to induce a first device disposed on the child seat to indicate when the first tension value is less than a predetermined tension value.

Abstract: A child restraint system includes a belt assembly for restraining a child occupant and a control unit for monitoring proper adjustment of the belt assembly. The belt assembly may include a belt harness affixed to the child restraint system or a vehicle belt seat. The child restraint system also includes a sensor for detecting the presence of the child occupant, a sensor for determining whether the belt assembly is properly adjusted, and a sensor for determining whether the vehicle is in motion. The control unit provides an alert signal if the child is present, the vehicle is in motion and the belt assembly is not properly adjusted.

Abstract: A child seat adapted for use in a vehicle, the child seat comprising: a shell portion; a harness for securing a child to the child seat, the harness comprising adjustable harness tether(s) secured to the shell portion at one end and having a latch plate at the other, the latch plate being configured to releasably engage a buckle of the harness; a tension sensor(s) for providing a signal indicative of a tension of the adjustable harness tether(s); and an electronic control unit secured to the shell portion, the electronic control unit being operably coupled to the tension sensor(s) to receive the signal, the electronic control unit being capable of processing the signal to compare the signal to a signal indicative of a predetermined range of acceptable tension, wherein the electronic control unit provides an output indicating whether the tension of the adjustable harness tether(s) is(are) within the predetermined range.

Abstract: The child restraint system comprises a harness that extends through one of a plurality of slots in the shell for restraining a child occupant within the child restraint system, and a control unit for determining whether the harness is properly adjusted based upon the size of the child. Belt location sensors are disposed at the slots to detect the presence of a harness belt. The child restraint system also includes temperature sensors responsive to body temperature of the child. The control unit processes the signals from the belt location sensors and the proximity sensors and issues an alert signal if the belt location is not the recommended belt location based upon the size of the child.

Abstract: A flash programmable microprocessor-based control module is operated in a manner to protect the integrity of event data stored in the programmable memory of the module while permitting authorized manufacturing and field alteration of the programmable memory with a Download and Execute routine. The Download and Execute routine is resident in a designated sector of the module's read-only memory, and download access to the module's random access memory after module manufacture has been completed is denied. During manufacture of the module, and during field programming of the controller prior to the writing of event data, the programmable memory may be externally altered by an authorized service tool by transferring the Download and Execute routine from read-only memory to random access memory for execution by the module's microprocessor, and downloading the new data or code over a data link coupling the service tool to the module.

Abstract: A vehicle rollover detection apparatus and method are provided for detecting an overturn condition of the vehicle. The rollover detection apparatus includes an angular rate sensor sensing angular rate of the vehicle, and a vertical accelerometer for sensing vertical acceleration of the vehicle. A controller processes the sensed angular rate signal and integrates it to produce an attitude angle. The vertical acceleration signal is processed to determine an inclination angle of the vehicle. The rollover detection apparatus adjusts the attitude angle as a function of the inclination angle and compares the adjusted attitude angle and the processed angular rate signal to a threshold level to provide a vehicle overturn condition output signal. Additionally, the rollover detection apparatus detects a near-rollover event and adjusts the variable threshold in response thereto to prevent deployment of a vehicle overturn condition, thus providing immunity to such events.

Abstract: A vehicle rollover detection apparatus and method are provided for detecting an overturn condition of the vehicle. The rollover detection apparatus includes an angular rate sensor sensing angular rate of the vehicle, and a vertical accelerometer for sensing vertical acceleration of the vehicle. A controller processes the sensed angular rate signal and integrates it to produce an attitude angle. The vertical acceleration signal is processed to determine an inclination angle of the vehicle. The rollover detection apparatus adjusts the attitude angle as a function of the inclination angle and compares the adjusted attitude angle and the processed angular rate signal to a threshold level to provide a vehicle overturn condition output signal. Additionally, the rollover detection apparatus detects a near-rollover event and adjusts the variable threshold in response thereto to prevent deployment of a vehicle overturn condition, thus providing immunity to such events.

Abstract: A vehicle rollover sensing apparatus and method are provided for detecting an overturn condition of the vehicle. The rollover sensing apparatus includes an angular rate sensor for sensing attitude rate of change of a vehicle and producing an output signal indicative thereof. The rollover sensing apparatus also has an integrator for integrating the sensed attitude rate of change signal over a variable time window and producing an attitude angle. The rollover sensing apparatus further includes deployment logic for comparing the attitude angle and attitude rate of change to a pair of variable threshold values, with a gray-zone that varies based on time, and an output for deploying a vehicle overturn condition signal based on the comparison. Adaptive bias removal and output minimum logic reduces bias and noise associated with the sensed signal.

Abstract: A vehicle rollover sensor is provided for detecting an anticipated overturn condition of a vehicle. The rollover sensor includes a first angular rate sensor sensing attitude rate of change of a vehicle about a first axis and producing a first attitude rate of change signal. Also included is a second angular rate sensor sensing attitude rate of change of the vehicle about a second axis and producing a second attitude rate of change signal. The first and second angular rate sensors are located on a vehicle and arranged so that the first axis is different from the second axis. The rollover sensor further includes a rollover discrimination controller for determining a vehicle overturn condition based on the first and second sensed attitude rate of change signals. In addition, roll arming logic generates a roll arming signal based on the first and second sensed attitude rate of change signals.

Abstract: A vehicle rollover sensor is provided for detecting an anticipated overturn condition of a vehicle. The rollover sensor includes a first angular rate sensor sensing attitude rate of change of a vehicle about a first axis and producing a first attitude rate of change signal. Also included is a second angular rate sensor sensing attitude rate of change of the vehicle about a second axis and producing a second attitude rate of change signal. The first and second angular rate sensors are located on a vehicle and arranged so that the first axis is different from the second axis. The rollover sensor further includes a rollover discrimination controller for determining a vehicle overturn condition based on the first and second sensed attitude rate of change signals. In addition, roll arming logic generates a roll arming signal based on the first and second sensed attitude rate of change signals.

Abstract: A flash programmable microprocessor-based control module is operated in a manner to protect the integrity of event data stored in the programmable memory of the module while permitting authorized manufacturing and field alteration of the programmable memory with a Download and Execute routine. The Download and Execute routine is resident in a designated sector of the module's read-only memory, and download access to the module's random access memory after module manufacture has been completed is denied. During manufacture of the module, and during field programming of the controller prior to the writing of event data, the programmable memory may be externally altered by an authorized service tool by transferring the Download and Execute routine from read-only memory to random access memory for execution by the module's microprocessor, and downloading the new data or code over a data link coupling the service tool to the module.

Abstract: A vehicle rollover sensing apparatus and method are provided for detecting an overturn condition of the vehicle. The rollover sensing apparatus includes an angular rate sensor for sensing attitude rate of change of a vehicle and producing an output signal indicative thereof. The rollover sensing apparatus also has an integrator for integrating the sensed attitude rate of change signal over a variable time window and producing an attitude angle. The rollover sensing apparatus further includes a deployment logic for comparing the attitude angle and attitude rate of change to a pair of variable threshold value with a gray-zone that varies based on time, and an output for deploying a vehicle overturn condition signal based on the comparison. Adaptive bias removal and output minimum logic reduces bias and noise associated with the sensed signal.

Abstract: A rollover sensing apparatus and method are provided for predicting rollover and/or pitchover conditions of a vehicle. An angular rate sensor senses attitude rate of the vehicle, a first accelerometer measures horizontal acceleration of the vehicle, and a second accelerometer measures vertical acceleration of the vehicle. A current attitude angle is estimated with Kalman filtering and a future attitude angle is predicted at an advance time. The predicted attitude angle is compared to a threshold and an output is produced for indicating a predicted vehicle rollover condition based on the comparison. A vehicle rollover condition about the longitudinal axis of the vehicle is predicted by comparing a future roll angle to a rollover angle threshold, while a pitchover condition about the lateral axis of a vehicle is predicted by comparing a future pitch angle to a pitch angle threshold.