Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling a vehicle actuatable occupant restraining system including a central crash accelerometer sensing crash acceleration at a central vehicle location and providing a first crash acceleration signal indicative thereof. A crush zone crash accelerometer senses transverse crash acceleration at a forward location of the vehicle. A controller actuates the actuatable occupant restraining system in response to the central crash acceleration signal and the transverse crash acceleration signal from the crush zone sensor.

Abstract: A vehicle supplemental restraint system (SRS) can include an SRS control unit located rearward of the instrument panel in the vehicle. The SRS control unit can be located at or connected to a cross member of the vehicle frame that is located rearward of the instrument panel in the vehicle such that signals from a side sensor attached to a side portion of the vehicle frame are quickly transmitted to the SRS control unit with high signal strength. A space in the control panel or in the instrument panel of the vehicle can then be used to house a multi-axis or single axis satellite sensor to increase signal strength and sensor accuracy and speed for the front crash sensor or sensors in the vehicle. The SRS control unit can be equipped with an impact sensor. The position of the SRS control unit in combination with use of an impact sensor in the SRS control unit 10 can eliminate the need for certain saving sensors while providing for quick and efficient activation of an SRS.

Abstract: An automotive passenger restraint system of the lapbelt/diagonal shoulder belt type wherein a sensor and lookup table are used to detect the onset of a collision and provide a programmed (a) relocation of the inboard seatbelt anchor point to increase pelvic area restraint and (b) asymmetric airbag deployment.

Abstract: A method for controlling a powertrain system includes monitoring output power of the energy storage device, modifying a preferred electric power limit when the output power of the energy storage device transgresses a trigger power limit, and determining the power constraint of the first power actuator based on the estimated output power of the energy storage device when the output power of the energy storage power transgresses the preferred power limit.

Abstract: A safety system for vehicle occupants having a device for determining the position of the vehicle occupant. A status monitor to which the output signals of sensors are conveyed is provided for determining the position of the vehicle occupant, the sensors detecting the acceleration of the vehicle and the weight of the vehicle occupant. A method for controlling a safety system.

Abstract: Method for protecting an occupant seated on a seat of a vehicle which includes an airbag arranged to deploy to protect the occupant in the event of a crash involving the vehicle, a first sensor system for detecting presence of the occupant, a second sensor system connected to the seatbelt for obtaining information about seatbelt spool out, and a processor coupled to the first and second sensor systems and arranged to control deployment of the airbag based on the presence of the occupant and the information about seatbelt spool out. The second sensor system may be arranged to measure a length of the seatbelt pulled out of a seatbelt retractor and include an encoder arranged on a shaft around which the seatbelt is wound and a receptor arranged to generate a signal when a line on the encoder passes by the receptor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may provide a module for detecting a vehicle crash. The module includes a housing mounted to a vehicular frame member at one end portion thereof. The module includes first and second rods housed in the housing. The first rod is contacted to the frame member at one end thereof through the one end portion of the housing. The second rod is contacted to the opposite end of the first rod and being disposed between the first rod and the opposite end portion of the housing. The module includes first and second sensors mounted to the first and second rods respectively for detecting a crash by sequentially measuring stress wave caused by the crash. The first sensor detects a stress wave propagating through the first rod and outputting a signal. The second sensor detects a stress wave propagating through the second rod and outputting a signal.

Abstract: A headrest apparatus for a vehicle includes a headrest rear portion supported at a seatback, a headrest front portion movable between a fully closed position and a fully open position, a driving device for moving the headrest front portion, a capacitance sensor detecting a change in capacitance in association with an approach of the head of an occupant, and a controlling device for controlling the headrest front portion to move to the fully open position in response to information that a vehicle is approaching from the rear, the controlling device controlling the driving device to stop a movement of the headrest front portion when the head of the occupant is detected on the basis of a detection signal from the capacitance sensor, the controlling device including a first filter having a first cutoff frequency and a second filter having a second cutoff frequency lower than the first cutoff frequency.

Abstract: An electronic control unit charges capacitors of sensors to produce idle phase waveforms having different waveform parameters assigned to the sensors, and transmits nothing between the signal phase time periods. Each sensor detects the idle phase waveform parameter of the capacitor. The sensor responds to the ECU during the signal phase time period, if the detected parameter corresponds to predetermined waveform parameter.

Abstract: A housing fixing structure for fixing a hosing of an airbag control device to a supporting portion of a vehicle is provided. The airbag control device is provided with an impact detection device and configured to control an airbag based on information detected by the impact detection device. The housing includes a main body which accommodates the impact detection device and three fixing portions which are configured to be fixed to the supporting portion. The housing is provided with a contact portion which is configured to come into contact with the support portion. The contact portion is disposed within a triangular region which is defined by lines connecting center points of the fixing portions.

Abstract: A motor vehicle includes at least one first crash sensor for measuring a motion variable of the motor vehicle, arranged in a safety zone of the motor vehicle, and at least one second crash sensor for measuring a motion variable, arranged in a crash zone of the motor vehicle, the motor vehicle including an ignition protection device controllable via an ignition signal and a control unit for ascertaining the ignition signal as a function of the measured motion variables or, in each instance, as a function of a time average of the measured motion variables over at least one first time interval.

Abstract: A method for determining a crash condition of a vehicle comprises the step of sensing crash acceleration in a first direction substantially parallel to a front-to-rear axis of the vehicle and providing a first crash acceleration signal indicative thereof. The method also comprises the step of sensing crash acceleration in a second direction substantially parallel to a side-to-side axis of the vehicle and providing a second crash acceleration signal indicative thereof. The method further comprises the steps of determining a crash metric value functionally related to the sensed crash acceleration based on the second acceleration signal and comparing the determined crash metric value as a function of the sensed first crash acceleration signal against an associated threshold. The method still further comprises the step of determining a crash condition of the vehicle in response to (a) the comparison and (b) the first acceleration signal.

Abstract: A device for protection of a vehicle occupant (14) in a motor vehicle (10) comprises a means for detecting a maloperation during use of a seat belt system by the vehicle occupant (14). The detection means includes means for characterizing the vehicle occupant (14) and individually checks operation of the seat belt system by taking into account the characterization. A method for protecting a vehicle occupant (14) in a motor vehicle (10) with a seat belt system comprises the following steps: characterization of the vehicle occupant (14), and individual check of operation of the seat belt system for a maloperation by taking into account the characterization.

Abstract: To realize an easy maintenance of the load sensor. A passenger's weight measurement device includes a left and right pair of fixed lower rails which are fixed on the vehicle floor, a left and right pair of movable upper rails which are disposed to move in a front-and-rear direction on the fixed lower rail, load sensors which are fixed to an upper surface of the right movable upper rail, load sensors which are disposed on the movable upper rail to be movable in a left-and-right direction with respect to the right movable upper rail, a sub frame which is mounted on the load sensors, side frames which are welded to the sub frame, and a pan frame which is detachably disposed to the side frames to cover the front of the side frames. A gouged section is formed on the side frame.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a sensor system for detecting an impending collision of a vehicle is provided. The sensor system comprises a primary radar arrangement providing the assessment of the severity of an impending impact and the time left before the impact. A separate confirmation detection arrangement including a confirmation sensor is for detecting within a proximity space adjacent to the vehicle to provide a confirmation output. In communication with the primary radar and confirmation detection arrangements is an electronic control module. The module is configured to produce a deployment signal for a safety device which is dependent upon evaluation of the primary radar and confirmation detection outputs.

Abstract: In a vehicle safety system with a vehicle steering wheel, which has a steering wheel rim, and with at least one capacitive sensor which detects an alteration to an electric or electromagnetic field, the sensor is arranged in or on the steering wheel rim.

Abstract: A method for adjusting sensitivity of a load detecting device of a seat for a vehicle includes a seat assembling step for assembling the seat with plural load sensors assembled, a zero point adjusting step for obtaining a non-load output value by totaling output values of the load sensors when no load is applied on the seat and memorizing the non-load output value in a memory of a processing device, an adjusted output value calculating step for obtaining an adjusted output value by subtracting the non-load output value from a total of the output values of the load sensors when a predetermined load is applied on the seat, a trimming coefficient calculating step for calculating a trimming coefficient by dividing a designed output value by the adjusted output value, and a trimming coefficient memorizing step for memorizing the trimming coefficient in the memory of the processing device.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for deploying a safety system when a vehicle involved in a front crash may be experiencing rotational velocity. The vehicle may include a number of acceleration and rotational sensors. The vehicle may further include a controller that may be configured to determine if the vehicle is involved in a frontal crash using a combination of the acceleration and rotational sensors. The controller may also be configured to determine if the vehicle experiences rotational energy during the frontal crash using a combination of the acceleration and rotational sensors. The controller may also be configured to deploy vehicle safety systems, including at least one side safety system, if it is determined that the vehicle is involved in a frontal crash and the vehicle is experiencing rotational energy.

Abstract: A safety system for vehicle occupants includes a control unit and sensors situated remotely from the control unit and connected via conductors to the control unit. The safety system encompasses means for testing the sensors and the conductors to the sensors.

Abstract: The invention is related to capacitive sensing and detection systems and methods. In one embodiment, a capacitive sensor system comprises a first electrode and a second electrode forming a first capacitive sensor mounted to a vehicle and configured to create a first electric field directed outward from the vehicle, and a control unit coupled to the first and second electrodes and configured to measure a change in the first electric field. In another embodiment, a method comprises capacitively sensing an object relative to a vehicle and communicating information related to the object. In yet another embodiment, a method comprises configuring a capacitive sensor to sense an object relative to a vehicle, and providing a path to communicate information from the capacitive sensor.

Abstract: Overlapping section (81) is constructed by positioning an inner side wall portion (78) of an outer impact absorbing section (63) closer to a longitudinal centerline (48) of a vehicle body than an outer side wall (33, 103) of a front side frame (11, 12; 91), so that a collision impact load can be transmitted to the outer side wall portion by way of the overlapping section. Inner impact absorbing section (62) projects forward by a greater length than an outer impact absorbing section (63). Thus, an airbag-deploying acceleration threshold value Gs is set within a range between an acceleration level when the inner impact absorbing section (62) alone is deformed by impact energy and an acceleration level when the inner and outer impact absorbing sections (62, 63) are deformed.

Abstract: An upper rail is movable in a rear and front direction with respect to a lower rail fixed to a vehicle floor. A load sensor is fixed to an upper surface of the upper rail 4, and a rectangular frame 30 is attached onto the load sensor. A rod of the load sensor sequentially penetrates a web of the rectangular frame, a plain washer and a spring holder upward, and a coil spring is wound around the rod. A bush is fitted to an edge of a hole of the plain washer, and a step difference is formed between an upper surface of the plain washer and the bush. A nut is screwed to the rod, and the nut tightens a bottom of a cup portion of the spring holder. In such a way, the coil spring is sandwiched between the spring holder and the web and is compressed, and an end portion of the coil spring engages with the step difference.

Abstract: A plurality of lighting units are positioned forwardly of the driver seat in the cabin of a vehicle for applying infrared radiations in respective directions to the vehicle driver seated on the driver seat. The intensities of the emitted infrared radiations are controlled according to respective basic controlled variables depending on the illuminance in the vehicle cabin. The position and orientation of the face of the vehicle driver are recognized from an image captured of the vehicle driver by an imaging device, and the basic controlled variables are corrected according to the recognized position and orientation, thereby adjusting the intensities of the infrared radiations emitted from the lighting units and a balance of the infrared radiations emitted from the lighting units. Thereafter, the illuminance in the vehicle cabin and the recognized position and orientation change, then corrective coefficients for the basic controlled variables are updated depending on the changes.

Abstract: Method for controlling output of a classification algorithm which classifies an occupant of a seat in a vehicle in which a bladder or other type of weight sensor is arranged in a bottom cushion of the seat, data relating to the pressure exerted by the occupant on the bottom cushion is obtained from the weight sensor, the occupant is initially classified, a current classification is output using data from the weight sensor, the occupant is periodically re-classified using data from the weight sensor, and a classification change is allowed only upon obtaining evidence of a new classification which is greater than evidence of the current classification. The classification change may be enabled by determining a substantially consecutive period of time when the re-classification is unchanged and different from the current classification, and enabling the classification change upon when the consecutive period of time is greater than a threshold.

Abstract: An occupant restraint device for a motor vehicle is provided. The occupant restraint device comprising a first airbag which is inflatable with gas to protect an occupant who occupies a seat in the form of a driver's seat or a front passenger seat of the motor vehicle as intended, wherein the first airbag is designed to be arranged in a steering wheel of the motor vehicle in a non-inflated state, and a second airbag, which can be inflated with gas to protect the occupant. The second airbag is designed such that an edge area thereof facing the vehicle front extends along the A-pillar of the motor vehicle in an inflated state.

Abstract: A system for capacitive detection of seat occupancy in a vehicle comprises a sensing electrode and a shielding electrode arranged in substantially parallel layers. A spacer is arranged between the sensing electrode and the shielding electrode to keep the sensing electrode and the shielding electrode at a certain distance from each other. The spacer comprises an inner textile layer and at least one of the electrodes comprises a film-based electrode.

Abstract: An exemplary vehicle seat system includes a vehicle seat, an electronic control unit, a crash detection unit connected with the control unit, a seat occupancy sensing module configured for sensing an occupancy of the seat and generating a digital signal associated therewith, an airbag, and an airbag inflating module. The detection unit detects a crash and sends a crash signal associated therewith to the control unit. The inflating module is selectively operable in an activated mode where the inflating module is configured to inflate the airbag in response to the crash signal and an inactivated mode where the inflating module is deactivated and irresponsive to the crash signal. The control unit analyzes the digital signal and determining if the vehicle seat is occupied, and switches the inflating module either in the activated mode if the seat is occupied or in the inactivated mode if the seat is not occupied.

Abstract: In order to precisely detect a side collision of a vehicle with a simple configuration, an air bag device has an acceleration sensor which is for detecting a side collision and which is attached to the beam of the vehicle. Hence, in comparison with a case in which a displacement sensor for detecting a side collision is used, the air bag device can have a simplified configuration. Moreover, unlike the displacement sensor, the acceleration sensor needs no adjustment of a positional relationship with a measurement target. Accordingly, the initial adjustment of the air bag device can be carried out within a short time, resulting in a reduction of a production cost of the air bag device.

Abstract: Provided is a passenger airbag apparatus that not only allows an airbag cushion to inflate in different sizes, depending on the types and positions of passengers in a passenger seat, but can automate a folding process, because the airbag cushion is made in 2D. The passenger airbag apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a passenger sensor detecting information on the type and position of a passenger in a passenger seat; a controller outputting control signal on the basis of the information supplied from the passenger sensor; a gas generator generating different amounts of gas in response to the control signal transmitted from the controller; and an airbag cushion connected with the gas generator, having a folded portion that is folded and bound, and inflating in different sizes while the folded portion is unfolded in accordance with the amounts of gas supplied from the gas generator.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting a vehicle rollover or dangerous situations that may precede a rollover, in particular a soil trip type rollover includes the following steps, where the steps are performed in loops, (a) determining a lateral acceleration of the vehicle, (b) calculating an acceleration differential value on the basis of the lateral accelerations determined in at least two steps (a), (c) determining a possibility of a rollover of the vehicle on the basis of the lateral acceleration determined in at least one step (a) and the acceleration differential value calculated in at least one step (b), (d) generating an output activation signal at least on the basis of a possibility of a rollover of the vehicle determined in a step (c).

Abstract: A method for activating a restraint system in a vehicle, in which the restraint system is activated as a function of a speed, an activation characteristic, and at least one quantity derived from an acceleration signal, and in which the at least one quantity exceeds a threshold function that is set as a function of the impact speed and a required activation time. The activation characteristic of a particular accident type runs linearly to a first impact speed value. The activation characteristic runs with a second slope between the first impact speed and a second impact speed value, the first and the second impact speed value depending on the particular vehicle type.

Abstract: A capacitance-based occupant detection system accurately determines seat occupancy and a failure of an electrode and between electrodes and includes an impedance calculation section, a Re/Im part calculation section, and a determination section. A first impedance Z1 is calculated including a main-body impedance Za between a main electrode and a vehicle body. The Re/Im part calculation section calculates real and imaginary parts of the first impedance Z1 based on the first impedance Z1 calculated by the impedance calculation section. The determination section determines the presence or absence of destruction of the main electrode and a guard electrode based on an imaginary part of the first impedance Z1 calculated by the Re/Im part calculation section.

Abstract: A seat sensor system including at least one seat sensor associated to a seat for sensing a status related to a seat occupancy and for generating an output signal indicative of the status and a control unit for communicating with the seat sensor. At least one transmitter for transmitting a data signal indicative of the output signal is associated with the seat and coupled to the seat sensor; and at least one receiver is coupled to the control unit for wirelessly receiving the data signal from the transmitter.

Abstract: In a method and a device for preventively actuating a vehicle occupant protection means in a vehicle having a vehicle movement dynamics control system, the vehicle occupant protection elements can be activated before a collision time and thus placed in an operative position. An evaluation variable relating to a state of “oversteering” is monitored, and when the state of “oversteering” is identified the vehicle occupant protection elements are activated. The evaluation variable for monitoring the state of “oversteering” is determined by using a manipulated variable of the vehicle movement dynamics control system.

Abstract: An image based occupant classification system includes an image sensor and an image processor. The image sensor is configured to capture vehicular occupant information. The image processor is in communication with the image sensor. The image processor is configured to perform first sampling operations upon the vehicular occupant information to determine occupant classification. The image processor is further configured to perform second sampling operations upon the vehicular occupant information to determine a seat belt status. Each of the first sampling operations is conducted at a separate time from each of the second sampling operations. Vehicles are also provided.

Abstract: A lower rail is fixed to a vehicle floor, and an upper rail is movable in a rear and front direction with respect to the lower rail. A load sensor is fixed to an upper surface of the upper rail. A rectangular frame is attached onto the load sensor, a rod of the load sensor sequentially penetrates a web of the rectangular frame and a spring holder upward, and a coil spring is wound around the rod. A nut is screwed to the rod, and the nut tightens a bottom of a cup portion of the spring holder. The coil spring is sandwiched between a flange of the spring holder and the web and is compressed by tightening the nut.

Abstract: Heads-up display systems for vehicles which generate a virtual display in a field of view of an occupant of the vehicle when facing outward of the vehicle. A control system is coupled to the heads-up display system and detects an action by the occupant, e.g., touching of a touch pad, and controls the content of the virtual display being generated by the heads-up display system based on the detected action. The touch pad may include a surface acoustical wave (SAW) device whereby touching causes a particular returned signal from the SAW substrate, with this particular returned signal being processable into an activation of the manner in which the touch pad was touched.

Abstract: A human body communications transmitter is provided to a vehicle body, for transmitting an activation signal by using the human body of a rider as a transmission path on the basis of an instruction from an on-vehicle ECU. A human body communications receiver is provided to an airbag jacket for receiving the activation signal which is transmitted by using the human body of the rider as the transmission path. The in-jacket ECU inflates and thus deploys the airbag jacket upon receipt of the activation signal for the airbag jacket through either human body communications or radio communications. The human body communications transmitter is connected to a right handlebar portion electrode, a left handlebar portion electrode, a seat portion electrode, a right footrest portion electrode and a left footrest portion electrode. The human body communications receiver is connected to an in-jacket electrode adjacent to the human body.

Abstract: A housing for an electrical circuit, in particular for a sensor, pins projecting from the housing for the electrical contacting of the circuit, additional pins being provided which are not connected electrically to the circuit but instead are used as mechanical arrangement for fastening the housing to a printed circuit board in particular. The present invention further relates to a housing having an electrical circuit, in particular a sensor, pins projecting from the housing for the electrical contacting of the circuit, at least two pins being connected to one another mechanically via a connecting piece.

Abstract: Buckle of a seat belt for a motor vehicle comprising a male part and a female part characterized in that it comprises electric contacts carried by two tongues (30, 35), a first tongue (30) comprising a V-shaped section with two branches (31, 32), one of which constitutes an electric contact and a cambered end (34), the convex sections of these two sections facing opposite the second tongue (35) which has a V-shaped section with branches (36, 37), one of which constitutes an electric contact and is designed to bear against the electric contact of the first tongue (30), the cambered section (34) being designed to cooperate with a bar (10) to control the opening of the electric contacts moved by the introduction of the male part of the buckle.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant classification system categorizes vehicle occupants into various classes such as adult, child, infant, etc. to provide variable control for a vehicle restraint system such as an airbag. The classification system utilizes sensors that are installed in various locations in the vehicle. The sensors are used to generate a three-dimensional profile for the vehicle occupant. Various factors can affect the accuracy of this three-dimensional profile. Fuzzy logic is used to reduce some of the inaccuracies by providing multiple decision levels for various stages of the classification. Inaccuracies are also caused by sensors shifting within the system from their original position. This condition creates offset and the system evaluates this offset and generates a correction factor to provide a more accurate three-dimensional profile.

Abstract: To realizes an easy maintenance of the load sensor. A passenger's weight measurement device 1 comprises a left and right pair of fixed lower rails 3 which are fixed on the vehicle floor, a left and right pair of movable upper rails 4 which are disposed to move in a front-and-rear direction on the fixed lower rail 3, load sensors 50 and 60 which are fixed to an upper surface of the right movable upper rail 4, load sensors 70 and 80 which are disposed on the movable upper rail 4 to be movable in a left-and-right direction with respect to the right movable upper rail 4, a sub frame 110 which is mounted on the load sensors 50, 60, 70, and 80, side frames 141 and 142 which are welded to the sub frame 110, and a pan frame 143 which is detachably disposed to the side frames 141 and 142 to cover the front of the side frames 141 and 142. A gouged section 151 is formed on the side frame 141.

Abstract: A side-impact threat assessment system that uses at least one ultrasonic sensor is provided. A method of detecting a potential side-impact collision on a host vehicle is also provided. The method calls for using at least one ultrasonic sensor for presence detection and for providing sensed data used in estimating closing velocity.

Abstract: In a method for determining road clearance of a vehicle, the vehicle is moved relative to a measurement configuration with a reference surface. One or more magnets, which are disposed on the vehicle and assigned preferably each to a defined measurement point on the vehicle, is detected by at least one device for magnetic field measurement. With the help of at least one device for separation measurement, the separation between the measurement configuration and the bottom side of the vehicle is determined. In this way, a rapid, reliable, repeatable and flexibly usable method for the determination of the road clearance of a vehicle is provided. A corresponding device is provided for implementing the method.

Abstract: A vehicle collision detector is configured to reliably activate an airbag system at a collision and prevent the airbag system from erroneously operating. The collision detector includes two acceleration sensors disposed at different positions in a vehicle to detect acceleration for collision determination, first and second collision routines in which a determination is made on whether or not a variation in the detected acceleration is caused by a collision, and a final collision routine in which an airbag module is activated when all of results of the first and second collision routines indicate a collision.

Abstract: A side collision detecting apparatus includes a pressure sensor disposed in a side door of a vehicle and including a diaphragm for detecting a pressure in the side door. The diaphragm has a pressure receiving surface configured to be distorted in accordance with a change in the pressure. The pressure sensor is arranged so as to satisfy one of a first condition where an angle between a line along which the pressure receiving surface extends and a horizontal line extending in a front-rear direction of the vehicle is from 60 degrees to 90 degrees and a second condition where the angle is less than 60 degrees or greater than 90 degrees and the pressure receiving surface is not vertical.

Abstract: A data recorder has: a controlled state detecting unit, operable to detect a controlled state of a vehicle by a driver; an operating state detecting unit, operable to detect an operating state of the vehicle; a state recording unit; and a recording condition determination unit, operable to determine whether or not the controlled state and the operating state are recorded in the state recording unit based on at least the controlled state of the controlled and operating states.

Abstract: To realizes an easy maintenance of the load sensor. A passenger's weight measurement device 1 comprises a left and right pair of fixed lower rails 3 which are fixed on the vehicle floor, a left and right pair of movable upper rails 4 which are disposed to move in a front-and-rear direction on the fixed lower rail 3, load sensors 50 and 60 which are fixed to an upper surface of the right movable upper rail 4, load sensors 70 and 80 which are disposed on the movable upper rail 4 to be movable in a left-and-right direction with respect to the right movable upper rail 4, a sub frame 110 which is mounted on the load sensors 50, 60, 70, and 80, side frames 141 and 142 which are welded to the sub frame 110, and a pan frame 143 which is detachably disposed to the side frames 141 and 142 to cover the front of the side frames 141 and 142. A gouged section 151 is formed on the side frame 141.

Abstract: A safety system for a motor vehicle has a yaw rate sensor for detecting a yaw rate of the vehicle and impact sensors for detecting a side impact. A control module calculates a lateral kinetic energy of the vehicle if the yaw rate exceeds a threshold value, and an occupant restraint is activated based upon the lateral kinetic energy and signals from the side impact sensors. The disclosed system and method provide for improved restraint deployment decisions when a vehicle has a lateral velocity associated with a high yaw rate, as may be the case during a spin or a skid.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant safety system has at least one restraint device having at least one adjustable parameter, a vehicle seat having at least one seat sensor detecting the sitting position of a vehicle occupant, a seatbelt system having at least one belt extension sensor detecting the belt extension length, and a control unit determining from the values from the seat sensor and from the belt extension sensor whether a vehicle occupant is in a forward-leaning position. The control unit then specifies the value of the adjustable parameter of the restraint device as a function of a forward-leaning position of the vehicle occupant.