Rear impact detection method and system
DC
First Claim
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1. A method for deploying an occupant restraint system in a vehicle, comprising:
- providing an occupant restraint system in the vehicle comprising a movable headrest associated with a seat in the vehicle, wherein the headrest is positioned to be proximate to a head of an occupant sitting in the seat;
arranging a sensor in the vehicle to obtain rear impact data about an actual or expected rear impact;
providing the rear impact data to a computer system onboard the vehicle;
configuring the computer system to make a deployment determination, based on the rear impact data, when the actual or expected rear impact is or will be of sufficient magnitude to warrant deployment of the occupant restraint system; and
configuring the computer system to trigger deployment of the occupant restraint system in response to the deployment determination,wherein the step of deploying the occupant restraint system comprises moving the headrest toward the head of the occupant.
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Abstract
Method and system for deploying an occupant restraint device in a vehicle includes arranging a sensor to detect a rear impact and deploying the occupant restraint device when the sensor detects the rear impact of sufficient magnitude to require deployment of the occupant restraint device to prevent injury to the occupant. The sensor may be a crush sensor which preferably extends across a major portion of the rear of the vehicle, an inertial sensor and/or an anticipatory sensor.
45 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for deploying an occupant restraint system in a vehicle, comprising:
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providing an occupant restraint system in the vehicle comprising a movable headrest associated with a seat in the vehicle, wherein the headrest is positioned to be proximate to a head of an occupant sitting in the seat; arranging a sensor in the vehicle to obtain rear impact data about an actual or expected rear impact; providing the rear impact data to a computer system onboard the vehicle; configuring the computer system to make a deployment determination, based on the rear impact data, when the actual or expected rear impact is or will be of sufficient magnitude to warrant deployment of the occupant restraint system; and configuring the computer system to trigger deployment of the occupant restraint system in response to the deployment determination, wherein the step of deploying the occupant restraint system comprises moving the headrest toward the head of the occupant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for moving a movable headrest associated with a seat in a passenger compartment of a vehicle to protect an occupant sitting in the seat during a rear impact involving the vehicle, the headrest being positionable proximate to a head of the occupant sitting in the seat, the method comprising:
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arranging a sensor system in the vehicle to obtain rear impact data about an actual rear impact during its occurrence or an expected rear impact prior to its occurrence; providing the rear impact data to a computer system; configuring the computer system to make a deployment determination, based on the rear impact data, whether the rear impact is or will be of sufficient magnitude to require movement of the headrest to prevent injury to the occupant; and configuring the computer system to trigger movement of the headrest toward the occupant in response to the deployment determination, wherein the step of moving the headrest comprises moving the headrest from a first position in which it is in prior to the deployment determination by the computer system to a second position in contact with the occupant'"'"'s head so that it will be in the second position during the rear impact. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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Specification
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Litigation Data
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Current AssigneeAmerican Vehicular Sciences LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
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Original AssigneeAutomotive Technologies International Incorporated
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InventorsBreed, David S.
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Primary Examiner(s)Tarcza, Thomas
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Assistant Examiner(s)MUSTAFA, IMRAN K
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Application NumberUS11/939,183Publication NumberTime in Patent Office1,876 DaysField of Search701/45US Class Current701/45CPC Class CodesB60N 2/02246 Electric motors thereforB60N 2/0272 using sensors or detectors ...B60N 2/0276 reaction to emergency situa...B60N 2/2863 backward facingB60R 2021/0004 Frontal collisionB60R 2021/0006 Lateral collisionB60R 2021/23107 the bag being integrated in...B60R 2021/23153 specially adapted for rear ...B60R 2021/23161 specially adapted for prote...B60R 2021/23169 specially adapted for knee ...B60R 2021/23192 Roof bags, i.e. protecting ...B60R 2021/23308 the individual compartments...B60R 2021/23316 Inner seams, e.g. creating ...B60R 2021/23504 characterised by materialB60R 2021/23514 coated fabricB60R 2021/23519 Resin for coating fabric B6...B60R 2021/23523 Composite coated fabric B60...B60R 2021/23557 MoldingB60R 2021/2358 BondingB60R 2021/2359 WeldingView All
