Abstract: The method and system of this invention discriminates between a lateral collision and a static non-collision event by measuring lateral velocity of the vehicle and adjusting a threshold value causing occupant restraint system actuation according to the measured lateral velocity. The threshold value is decreased in response to an increase in lateral velocity and increased or maintained at a higher value when lateral velocity is minimal to prevent actuation caused by a non-crash event such as a door slam.

Abstract: An air bag system (12) provides a central controller (14), a multiple of satellite sensors (16) and a multiple of deployable air bags (18). The central controller (14) runs the impact event algorithms. The number of satellites which are allowed to activate algorithms at any one time is limited. The minimum number of satellites required for full protection is the maximum number of satellite sensors allowed to wake up an impact event algorithm at any one time. An order for algorithm wake is also specified since the number of algorithms allowed is less than the total number of satellite sensors.

Abstract: A vehicle safety system (20) includes a controller (24) that verifies the plausibility of a roll angle indication obtained by processing a roll angular rate sensor (26) output. The controller (24) determines whether an acceleration value corresponding to the roll angle indication is within an expected range. In a disclosed example, the controller (24) utilizes a vertical acceleration value and a first expected range and a lateral acceleration value and a second expected range. When both of the acceleration values are outside of the respective expected range, the controller determines that the roll angle indication is invalid.

Abstract: A rollover detection system or apparatus 10 deployed on a vehicle 30. Apparatus 10 includes a controller 12 having a memory unit 14 and operating under stored program control. Controller 12 is electrically, physically, and communicatively coupled to sensors 16, 18, 20, and to vehicle occupant safety devices or assemblies 22, 24 by use of a communications bus or path 26. Controller 12 receives signals generated by sensors 16-20, processes and utilizes the received signals to determine when a vehicle rollover situation is imminent or relatively certain to occur, and selectively activates safety devices 22, 24, if such a determination is made.