Abstract: A seat system for a vehicle includes a seat having a seat bottom on which a person can sit. An intermediate support structure is secured to the seat and the vehicle which allows the seat to rotate relative to the vehicle. An actuator can interact with the seat to cause the seat to rotate relative to the vehicle. The combined motion of the vehicle relative to the earth and the seat relative to the vehicle results in motion of the seat moving about a virtual pivot point. A user control is provided for adjustment of the location of the virtual pivot point.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a first data packet on a first polarization portion of an optical signal from a second communication terminal through a free space optical link during a first time period and receiving a first data packet replica on the first polarization portion of the optical signal during a second time period. The second time period is delayed in time relative to the first time period. The method also includes determining receiving powers for the optical link during both the first time period and the second time period based on at least one of the received first data packet and the received first data packet replica. The method also includes selecting the one of the first data packet or the first data packet replica that is associated with the highest receiving power for the optical link as surviving data for maintaining the optical link.

Abstract: A method for detecting the detachment of a sensor device mounted in a wheel of a motor vehicle at an assembly distance from the center of the wheel. The method includes steps for acquiring (E1) the angular-speed value of the wheel, measuring (E2) the acceleration value of the sensor device, calculating (E3) the distance separating the sensor device from the center of the wheel using the angular-speed value and the acceleration value, and determining (E4) the detachment of the sensor device if the calculated distance is different from the assembly distance of the sensor device in the wheel.

Abstract: A machine having a series electric drivetrain system includes an engine to provide mechanical energy to an electric generator, the electric generator able to convert the mechanical energy received from the engine into electrical energy, the electric generator including an input shaft extending through the electric generator, a rotor to rotate on the input shaft, and the input shaft is able to rotate an input gear, an idler gear, a pump drive gear, and a rotor gear, a motor to receive the electrical energy and to produce a rotational output, a single speed ratio direct drive to transfer the rotational output of the motor to a torque output to deliver to a drive shaft, and power electronics to control the electrical energy between the electric generator and the motor and to regulate the rotational output of the motor.

Abstract: An inflatable airbag system provides cushioning restraint of a vehicle occupant during an impact event of a vehicle. The airbag system can be configured to be mounted to a frontal region of a vehicle. The airbag system includes an inflatable airbag and a selectively actuatable vent that can be actuated in response to detection of an oblique impact event and/or a small overlap collision event. The selectively actuatable vent is actuated to open to provide additional venting and thus a lower pressure within the inflatable airbag. A lower pressure can reduce force and momentum on the vehicle occupant's head at an offset angled contact with the airbag. A lower pressure may also prevent the occupant from deflecting or rolling off of an airbag and colliding with other surfaces within the vehicle.

Abstract: Exception event recorders and analysis systems include: vehicle mounted sensors arranged as a vehicle event recorder to capture both discrete and non-discrete data; a discretization facility; a database; and an analysis server all coupled together as a computer network. Motor vehicles with video cameras and onboard diagnostic systems capture data when the vehicle is involved in a crash or other anomaly (an ‘event’). In station where interpretation of non-discrete data is rendered, i.e. a discretization facility, captured data is used as a basis for production of supplemental discrete data to further characterize the event. Such interpreted data is joined to captured data and inserted into a database in a structure which is searchable and which supports logical or mathematical analysis by automated machines. A coupled analysis server is arranged to test stored data for prescribed conditions and upon finding such, to initiate further actions appropriate for the detected condition.

Abstract: A method and a control unit for triggering a passenger protection arrangement for a vehicle are described. A crash type is determined as a function of a first signal of a centrally disposed first acceleration sensor system and of a second signal of a second acceleration sensor system disposed in the side region of the vehicle. The triggering of the passenger protection arrangement takes place as a function of the crash type.

Abstract: A vehicle side door structure is provided including: an outer panel that configures a portion at a vehicle width direction outer side of a side door and that extends along a vehicle up-down direction and a vehicle front-rear direction; an inner panel that configures a portion at a vehicle width direction inner side of the side door, that extends along the vehicle up-down direction and the vehicle front-rear direction, and that, together with the outer panel, forms an internal space; an impact beam having both length direction end portions fixed to the inner panel, that is configured in a straight tube shape extending along the vehicle front-rear direction, and that is disposed at an outer panel side in the internal space; and a sensing bracket that is provided at the impact beam and that juts out from the impact beam toward the outer panel.

Abstract: An implementation determines crash severity quantifier values based on crash sensor samples and determining an air bag firing based at least on the crash severity quantifier values.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling movement of a seat in a vehicle includes a lower seat assembly and an upper seat assembly adjustable relative to the lower seat assembly. An actuator assembly pivotally attached between the lower seat assembly and upper seat assembly selectively adjusts the upper seat assembly relative to the lower seat assembly between at least one upright position and at least one folded position. A control unit selectively actuates a motor and the actuator assembly to control movement of the upper seat assembly relative to the lower seat assembly. The control unit adjusts the position of the actuator assembly to releasably secure the motor in response to the position value detected by a sensor assembly to place the upper seat assembly in position relative to the lower seat assembly.

Abstract: A circuit assembly for plausibility checking of sensor signals, which can be generated by at least two separate sensor elements, includes at least one evaluation and control unit which receives the sensor signals via at least one interface unit and evaluates the received sensor signals for generating sensor data. A first evaluation and control unit is configured to receive the sensor signals of a first sensor element and to generate first sensor data from the first sensor signals. The first evaluation and control unit is configured to provide the generated first sensor data via at least one interface unit to a second evaluation and control unit, which receives and evaluates the sensor signals of a second sensor element to generate second sensor data. The second evaluation and control unit compares the generated second sensor data and the generated first sensor data to each other and inspects them for plausibility.

Abstract: A method for controlling torque reduction of a hybrid electric vehicle including a motor and an engine as a power source includes: calculating a total request amount of torque reduction when a torque reduction is requested; calculating a driving torque contribution of the engine and a driving torque contribution of the motor when the engine is turned on; dividing the total request amount of torque reduction into an amount of engine torque reduction and an amount of motor torque reduction based on the driving torque contribution of the engine and the driving torque contribution of the motor; determining an engine torque command and a motor torque command according to the amount of engine torque reduction and the amount of motor torque reduction; and performing torque reduction according to the engine torque command and the motor torque command.

Abstract: An inclination angle calculation device comprises a motion detector for detecting motions of a traveling object during travel, in two directions included in a cross-section surface of the traveling object, the two directions being orthogonal with each other; and an arithmetic unit for calculating an inclination angle of the traveling object during travel in the cross-section surface, using a frequency of the motion in one of the two directions and a rolling frequency in the other direction of the two directions.

Abstract: A method for controlling torque reduction of a hybrid electric vehicle including a motor and an engine as a power source includes: determining whether a request for a driving torque limit by a traction control system (TCS) is generated; calculating a motor torque command when the request for the driving torque limit by the TCS is generated; calculating an engine torque command based on the calculated motor torque command; calculating an available amount of charging of the motor according to a state of charge (SOC) of a battery of the hybrid electric vehicle; and determining a final motor torque command and a final engine torque command based on the calculated available amount of charging of the motor.

Abstract: A scooter having at least two front wheels, a rear wheel, a deck, a steering assembly that includes a handlebar and a steering tube, an electric motor configured to provide power, and a transmission configured to transfer the power provided by the electric motor. The transmission can be configured to transfer the power provided by the electric motor only to the rear wheel. In some configurations, the scooter includes a battery, a power switch, and a controller coupled to the power switch, the battery, and the electric motor. In response to receiving a signal from the power switch, the controller ramps up the voltage provided to the electric motor over an interval of time.

Abstract: A drive arrangement (1) for driving a vehicle safety device (18) incorporates an input (2) which is connected to an output (9) of an electronic control unit (5). The output (9) of the electronic control unit (5) is an output which is operable to provide a firing signal to activate a pyrotechnic squib in a safety device, such as an airbag module. The drive arrangement (1) incorporates first and second analyzers (14, 15) which perform first and second algorithms on a firing signal provided by the electronic control unit (5) to determine that the firing signal would have activated a pyrotechnic squib. The drive arrangement (1) provides an output signal to a safety device (18) if both the first and second analyzers (14, 15) determine that the firing signal would have activated the pyrotechnic squib.

Abstract: A vehicle airbag system (10) includes a front passenger side airbag (40) that is stored on a front passenger seat (28) side of an instrument panel 26, and that inflates and deploys toward the front passenger seat (28) side by a first inflator (38) being activated and gas being supplied; a curtain airbag (62) that is stored between a roof side rail portion (56) and a roof head lining (58), and that is inflated and deployed to an inside of a front side door (88) by a second inflator (64) being activated and gas being supplied; and a controller (82) that is connected to the first inflator (38) and the second inflator (64), and that, when a small overlap collision occurs, activates the first inflator (38), and then after inflation and deployment of the front passenger side airbag (40) is complete, activates the second inflator (64).

Abstract: A system for the control of the machine torque of a vehicle (1) includes a first drive wheel (2?) associated to a first motor (3?) and a second drive wheel (2?) associated to a second motor (3?), a steering member (4) and an accelerator member (6). The control system includes a user-interface device (13); means (7) for detecting the steering angle (?) associated to a steering member (4); means (8) for detecting the throttle level (?) of the accelerator member (6); means (9) for detecting the yaw rate of the vehicle ({dot over (?)}); means (10) for detecting the speed of the vehicle (v); and a drive module (11).

Abstract: A method for preventing the lateral rollover of motor vehicles, in which a transverse variable is ascertained that represents the lateral transverse dynamics of the motor vehicle and the transverse variable is compared to at least one threshold value and, depending on the comparison, a braking intervention is made to prevent the lateral rollover. An inclination variable is ascertained that represents the lateral inclination of the vehicle body and the threshold value is a function of the inclination variable.

Abstract: A driver assistance system with improved fault tolerance and a method for the same are provided. An actuator control variable for a reduced driver assistance application with reduced functionality is a calculated in a second control unit in case of unavailability of an actuator control variable for the main driver assistance application with full functionality as determined by a first control unit.

Abstract: In an acceleration sensor having two redundantly disposed micromechanical sensor elements having redundant signal paths with a separate A/D converter, a monitor includes a substitute circuit, integrated in the evaluation unit, for a sensor element, and a redundant further A/D converter, which converts the fixed, acceleration-independent output signal of the substitute circuit as a function of the shared operating parameters of all A/D converters to plausibilize the output signals of the acceleration sensor by means of the monitor. This makes it possible to detect faulty triggering of an airbag due to faults in both A/D converters.

Abstract: A method for monitoring operation of a vehicle. The method includes the following: setting a gravitational force (g-force) threshold for operation of the vehicle; measuring a g-force onboard the vehicle; and conveying to an operator of the vehicle that operation of the vehicle has resulted in the measured g-force exceeding the g-force threshold.

Abstract: A connection device 3 for connecting a battery 2 to an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, comprising at least one input 3a capable of being connected to a terminal of the battery and an output 3b capable of being connected to a first terminal of an electrical circuit of the vehicle. The device 3 also comprises an electrical-circuit cutoff device 8 mounted in series between the input 3a and the output 3b of the connection device 3. The cutoff device 8 comprises a pyrotechnic igniter connected to control terminals, the electrical opening of the cutoff device 8 being controlled by an electrical control signal applied to the said control terminals.

Abstract: A method and system may identify vehicle collisions in real-time or at least near real-time based on statistical data collected from previous vehicle collisions. A user's portable computing device may obtain sensor data from sensors in the portable computing device and compare the sensor data to a statistical model indicative of a vehicle collision. If the portable computing device identifies a vehicle collision based on the comparison, notifications may be sent to emergency contacts and/or emergency personnel to provide assistance to the user.

Abstract: An occupant protection device for a vehicle includes an airbag module arranged in a hub region of a vehicle steering wheel used for steering vehicle wheels about a steering angle when the steering wheel is turned to a rotary position. The airbag module has an airbag configured for deployment between a driver and the steering wheel in the event of a crash. An adjustment unit is provided to turn the steering wheel from the rotary position to a crash position while the steering angle of the vehicle wheels remains unchanged so as to align the airbag with a posture of the driver in the event of a crash.

Abstract: The invention provides a driver assistance method, comprising the steps of: sensing a vehicle's state and the environment, on the basis of sensing output signals, determining whether a critical state of the vehicle is to be expected in the future, if yes, determining a total amount and a time duration of an activation of at least one vehicle actuator required in order to avoid occurrence of the critical state, the activation being of a nature which can be sensed by the driver of the vehicle, and partially performing, by a control module, the activation, i.e. for a portion of the amount and/or a portion of the time duration of the determined total amount and time duration.

Abstract: The present specification relates to an apparatus for protecting a vehicle passenger, and the apparatus for protecting a vehicle passenger according to an exemplary embodiment of the present specification includes: a front two-axis sensor; a first side two-axis sensor; a second side two-axis sensor; a control unit which determines whether the vehicle passenger is in a front collision situation, by calculating an average value of acceleration values, or determines whether the vehicle passenger is in a broadside collision situation, by calculating speed and a speed change of the first side two-axis sensor using the acceleration value obtained by the sensor unit and by calculating speed of the second side two-axis sensor; and a protection unit which protects the vehicle passenger based on the determination of the control unit.

Abstract: A device for triggering an occupant protection means of a vehicle has an environment sensor for monitoring a surrounding environment of the vehicle, the environment sensor being adapted so as to output an environment signal in response to an impending collision of the vehicle. The device further has a triggering device that is adapted to acquire, within a peripheral area of the vehicle, a physical quantity indicating a collision that has taken place, and to produce a collision signal based on the physical quantity, and that is adapted to make a triggering decision for the occupant protection means as a function of the environment signal and of the collision signal.

Abstract: An airbag controller in a vehicle occupant protection device deploys airbags when one of a front-right acceleration sensor and a front-left acceleration sensor disposed on a front face of a vehicle detects an over-threshold acceleration exceeding a front threshold and one of a side-right acceleration sensor or a side-left acceleration sensor, which are disposed on a side face of the vehicle, detects an over-threshold acceleration exceeding a lateral threshold. A threshold acceleration storage device stores the front threshold and plural lateral thresholds that have respectively different values. An image processor processes image data from an in-vehicle camera and calculates the offset rate, an offset direction, a collision angle, a collision direction, and a relative speed at a timing just-before an offset collision between a subject vehicle and another vehicle. Based on a detection result, the airbag controller selects one of the plural lateral thresholds stored in the storage device.

Abstract: A contactor includes a contact portion and an actuation portion. The contactor further includes a keeping portion. The keeping portion includes a capacitor structure and uses an electrostatic force between opposite plates of the capacitor structure to keep the contact portion in a contact state or a disconnection state. The electrostatic force generated by an electrostatic latch is used to keep the contactor in a switched-to static state. The contactor has reduced energy consumption in the static state, is convenient to manufacture, and has a low cost.

Abstract: A protection apparatus of a terminal is described in an embodiment of the disclosure, which includes that: a detection module, a driving module and a plugboard, wherein the plugboard is disposed between a mainboard side power supply contact and a battery side power supply contact of the terminal; the mainboard side power supply contact and the battery side power supply contact are connected via the plugboard; the detection module is configured to send a driving instruction to the driving module when detecting that a working parameter of the terminal exceeds a preset threshold; the driving module is configured to push the plugboard so as to break a connection between the mainboard side power supply contact and the battery side power supply contact when receiving the driving instruction sent from the detection module. A protection method of a terminal is also described in an embodiment of the disclosure.

Abstract: A vehicle airbag system comprising an airbag. The airbag may include at least one tether attached to first and second walls of the airbag, wherein each tether includes a tear seam configured to detach when the airbag is inflated with a pressure higher than a predetermined pressure. The airbag may include at least a first tether and a second tether, each tether attached to first and second walls of the airbag, wherein the first tether includes a tear seam configured to detach when the airbag is inflated with a pressure higher than a predetermined pressure. The system may further comprise a controller that may be used for determining whether to inflate an airbag with one of a high pressure and a low pressure depending on whether a detected impact is oblique.

Abstract: A vehicle stability control system comprises a 5-sensor cluster and a stability controller configured to communicate with the 5-sensor cluster and receive signals corresponding to a lateral acceleration, a longitudinal acceleration, a yaw rate, a roll rate, and a pitch rate from the 5-sensor cluster. The stability controller can also be configured to determine a braking amount or a throttle amount to maintain vehicle stability. The system also comprises a brake controller configured to communicate with the stability controller and receive a braking request from the stability controller, and a throttle controller configured to communicate with the stability controller and receive a throttle request from the stability controller. The system may also comprise a braking or throttling command computed based on various scenarios detected by measured and calculated signals.

Abstract: An inverted pendulum type vehicle for improving the steering performance and the comfort of the vehicle. A control device of an inverted pendulum type vehicle including a moving motion unit driven by an actuator device controls the actuator device so that the position of the center of gravity of the entirety of an occupant riding on an occupant riding section and the vehicle is shifted from the position of a balance state in the request direction of movement of the center of gravity of the occupant recognized from a predetermined kind of state of the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems for steering-based oscillatory braking are described herein. A method may involve making a determination, by a computing device, to reduce a speed of a vehicle. The vehicle may include a pair of wheels. The method may further involve providing instructions to turn the pair of wheels of the vehicle in an oscillatory manner, such that each wheel of the pair of wheels is turned in substantially the same direction and turning of the pair of wheels oscillates each wheel of the pair of wheels between given directions about a direction of travel of the vehicle so as to reduce the speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: A bracket for a vehicle blind spot monitor. The bracket can have upper and bottom members that are spaced apart from each other and connected by a side member. The upper, bottom and side members of the bracket can also form an opening where a blind spot monitor can be located. The bottom member can have a debris-blocking flange that protects or shields the outer radar surface from debris such as rocks, sand, etc., that are thrown up from a road surface towards the blind spot monitor. The bracket can have a plurality of protrusions to guide the blind spot monitor into the bracket opening. The bracket additionally features clips that affix the blind spot monitor to the bracket prior to installation on the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle yaw stability control method and a vehicle yaw stability control apparatus are provided. The yaw rate {dot over (?)} of the vehicle is measured. A first reference yaw rate {dot over (?)}ref is set. A difference yaw rate ?{dot over (?)} is set. Stabilizing braking intervention is triggered when a value of the difference yaw rate ?{dot over (?)} exceeds limits defined by difference yaw rate threshold values ?{dot over (?)}min, ?{dot over (?)}max. Information regarding the shape of the road ahead of the vehicle is acquired. The reliability of the driver steering input ? is evaluated upon stabilizing braking intervention being triggered. In case the driver steering input ? is deemed unreliable a replacement reference yaw rate {dot over (?)}refroad is set based on the acquired road shape and a replacement difference yaw rate ?{dot over (?)}road is set whereupon stabilizing braking intervention is performed based on the replacement difference yaw rate ?{dot over (?)}road.

Abstract: Device (10) for vehicle driving evaluation comprising: A means (11) to obtain at least one physical parameter whereby it possible at any time to determine the value of the speed and instantaneous acceleration of a traveling vehicle; A calculation and comparison unit (12) whereby it is possible, from said physical parameter, to calculate an effective parameter that depends on said instantaneous acceleration and to compare said effective parameter with a reference parameter; A driving evaluation unit (13), whereby it is possible to generate a vehicle driving energy score by measuring the variance between said effective parameter and said reference parameter. Corresponding vehicle driving evaluation process.

Abstract: Pitching is reduced even when strong braking operation is performed during low speed running. A vehicular brake hydraulic pressure control apparatus includes control section that performs pitching reducing control for reducing occurrence of pitching by controlling each control valve unit to switch brake hydraulic pressure between pressure increasing state, pressure decreasing state, and holding state.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) is provided for controlling an actuatable restraint (14, 16) in a vehicle (12). An sensor (24) is mounted in the vehicle (12) and outputs an electrical signal having a characteristic indicative of a vehicle event. A discrimination circuit (42) is coupled to the sensor (24) and determines if a predetermined event occurred. A safing circuit (50) is coupled to the sensor (24) signal and sequestered from the discrimination circuit (42) for determining if the predetermined event occurred. An actuation device is actuates the restraint when both the discrimination circuit (42) and the safing circuit (50) determine the predetermined event occurred.

Abstract: A steering column assembly comprises an upper column for supporting a steering wheel and a position lock bracket disposed about the upper column. The position lock bracket is configured to be fixed to the upper column when the position lock bracket occupies a locked mode. The position lock bracket is further configured to be selectively fixed to a rigid structure of the vehicle when operating in a fixed mode and to be instantaneously released from the vehicle structure when operating in a release mode.

Abstract: A standing wheelchair device includes a wheeled base for enabling the device to move on a supporting surface. A harness assembly includes a plurality of braces for attaching to parts of a body of a user of the device, at least some adjacent braces of being connected by joints. A lifting unit mounted on the base, supports a hip joint of the harness assembly, and is configured to raise or lower the hip joint. When the user is attached to the harness assembly and is in a sitting position, raising a height of the hip joint causes the user to assume a standing position. When the when the user is attached to the harness assembly and is in a standing position, lowering the hip joint causes the user to assume a sitting or reclining position.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle's speed by adopting a desired speed vset for the vehicle; determining a horizon for the intended itinerary made up of route segments, effecting the following during each of a number of simulation cycles (s) each comprising a number N of simulation steps conducted at a predetermined frequency f: first predicting the vehicle's speed vpred—cc along the horizon with conventional cruise control when vset is presented as reference speed, comparing the predicted vehicle speed vpred—cc in a range vmin to vmax, making a second prediction of the vehicle's speed vpred—Tnew along the horizon based on the vehicle's engine torque T; determining a reference value for how the vehicle's speed is to be influenced on the basis of at least one of the comparisons and the predicted vehicle speed vpred—Tnew; controlling the vehicle by the reference value. A module for the foregoing controls a vehicle's speed.

Abstract: A wheeled vehicle is steered by a yoke or other operator control the movement of which is limited so that the operator's hands need not change position on the control. The steering is under the control of a microprocessor responsive to an input from the control, the vehicle's speedometer, and to accelerometers responsive to forces acting on the vehicle laterally and perpendicular to the roadway. The relationship between the position of the steerable wheels and the displacement of, or force applied to, the operator control is a function that depends on the magnitude of the displacement or force, speed, and one or more time derivatives of the displacement of, or force on, the operator control. The relationship between the position of the steerable wheels and the displacement of, or force on, the control is overridden when the lateral force is such that the vehicle is in danger of rolling over.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for communicating tactile messages to a user, such as a racecar driver, yacht crewmember, or other athlete. The system can include a tactile vest having tactile activators for conveying tactile messages to the user, including real time messages for helping the user assess and improve physical performance. The messages may be generated based on various types of sensor data, including, for example, data collected by vehicle sensors of a racecar or yacht.

Abstract: An emergency brake assistance system includes: a collision risk detection unit (12) to detect a risk of collision with an object in front of the vehicle, based on data from an environment sensor (14) for recording objects in front of the vehicle and data from an accelerator sensor (16) for recording an intention to accelerate by the driver; and a collision avoidance unit (18) to implement measures to prevent a potential collision with the object in front of the vehicle, based on data from the collision risk detection unit. The system temporarily deactivates, for a specified time duration, an override condition of a safety concept of the system when the accelerator sensor records the driver's intention to accelerate and the vehicle speed is below a specified speed threshold. Thus the driver's acceleration command when setting the vehicle in motion temporarily cannot override an automatic actuation of the emergency brake system.

Abstract: A system for detecting when a vehicle occupant exits the vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a sensor device is configured to measure an acceleration of the vehicle along one direction or accelerations of the vehicle along several directions and to make available a time-dependent signal(s) that represents the acceleration(s). The system also includes an evaluation device configured to evaluate the time-dependent signal(s) in a way to ascertain whether the signal(s) contains a sequence of acceleration values characteristic of the occupant exiting the vehicle.

Abstract: A transporter for transporting a load over a surface. The transporter includes a support platform for supporting the load. The support platform is characterized by a fore-aft axis, a lateral axis, and an orientation with respect to the surface, the orientation referred to as an attitude. At least one ground-contacting element is flexibly coupled to the support platform in such a manner that the attitude of the support platform is capable of variation. One or more ground-contacting elements are driven by a motorized drive arrangement. A sensor module generates a signal characterizing the attitude of the support platform. Based on the attitude, a controller commands the motorized drive arrangement.

Abstract: A method for determining the displacement of or the tampering with a device is provided. The method includes determining an effective displacement in an X direction of a device, determining an effective displacement in a Y direction of the device, and determining an effective displacement in a Z direction of the device. The method also include determining if any one of the effective displacement in the X direction, the effective displacement in the Y direction, or the effective displacement in the Z direction is greater than a predetermined threshold, and when at least one of the effective displacement in the X direction, the effective displacement in the Y direction, and the effective displacement in the Z direction is great then the predetermined threshold, determining that the device has been displaced.

Abstract: A method of autonomously preventing or reducing the affects of roof impact in automotive applications, including the steps of determining a vehicle condition indicative of an imminent roof impact, and modifying a vehicular seat or roof structure, or deploying a netting as a result thereof, wherein active material actuation is preferably utilized to effect the same.