Patent ID: 6560519
Filing Date: 2003-05-06
Classification: B60R,B60W

Abstract:
A method of activating a safety device of a vehicle having x, y, and z-axes, the method comprising:generating a y-acceleration signal representative of the acceleration of the vehicle in the direction of the y-axis; generating an angular-rate signal representative of the angular velocity of the vehicle about the x-axis; generating a z-acceleration signal representative of the acceleration of the vehicle in the direction of the z-axis; calculating a vehicle angle having a relationship to the angular-rate signal, and being representative of the angle of the vehicle about the x-axis; calculating an angular-rate threshold having a relationship to the vehicle angle and the y-acceleration signal; determining whether a rollover condition exists, including comparing the angular-rate signal to the angular-rate threshold; confirming the plausibility of the rollover condition, including analyzing the y-acceleration signal and the z-acceleration signal; and activating a first safety device when the magnitude of the angular-rate signal is greater than the angular-rate threshold and when the plausibility of the rollover condition is confirmed.