Patent ID: 6154698
Filing Date: 2000-11-28
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
A deployment method for vehicular supplemental restraint system having an acceleration sensor and a restraint device to be deployed for occupant protection in a crash event, the method comprising the steps of:monitoring an output signal of the acceleration sensor to generate an indication of a potential crash event initiation;resetting the indication of crash event initiation if the output signal falls below a reset threshold for at least a predetermined period of time;processing the acceleration sensor output signal to obtain a measure of crash severity, beginning each time said indication of potential crash event initiation is generated;normally deploying the restraint device if the measure of crash severity exceeds a primary deployment threshold indicative of a severe crash event;generating an indication of a rough road condition if (a) the measure of crash severity exceeds a rough road threshold and (b) the indication of crash event initiation is subsequently reset with no intervening deployment of the restraint device;inhibiting the normal deploying of the restraint device in response to the generation of said indication of a rough road condition; anddeploying the restraint device despite the indication of a rough road condition if the measure of crash severity exceeds a secondary deployment threshold which is initially higher than said primary deployment threshold.