Ralph J Weaver

US Patent:

6600985, Jul 29, 2003

Filed:

May 13, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/144327

Inventors:

Ralph M. Weaver - Fishers IN
Michael L. Miller - Carmel IN

Assignee:

Indiana Mills Manufacturing, Inc. - Westfield IN

International Classification:

B60R 2200

US Classification:

701 45, 180282, 280735, 340440, 340438

Abstract:

A roll sensor system for a land vehicle is provided to determine when a vehicle roll condition has occurred and to trigger a safety system in response to that determination. In certain embodiments, an angular rate sensor is used to obtain an angular rate and, from the angular rate, an angle relative to the roll axis of the land vehicle. If the angular rate and the angle correspond to a safety system activation event, the roll sensor system will provide a trigger signal to the safety system. In some embodiments, the system includes an incline sensor(s) to aid in detecting and compensating for drift in the output of the angular rate sensor. In other embodiments the output of an angular rate sensor is used to validate the output of the incline sensor to aid in determining whether a vehicle safety system trigger event has occurred.

US Patent:

62124552, Apr 3, 2001

Filed:

Dec 3, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/204898

Inventors:

Ralph M. Weaver - Fishers IN

Assignee:

Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc. - Westfield IN

International Classification:

B60R 2200
G06F 700
G06F 1700
G06F 770

US Classification:

701 45

Abstract:

A roll sensor system for a land vehicle is provided to determine when a vehicle roll condition has occurred and to trigger a safety system in response to that determination. In certain embodiments, an angular rate sensor is used to obtain an angular rate and, from the angular rate, an angle relative to the roll axis of the land vehicle. If the angular rate and the angle correspond to a safety system activation event, the roll sensor system will provide a trigger signal to the safety system. In some embodiments, the system includes an incline sensor to aid in detecting and compensating for drift in the output of the angular rate sensor. In other embodiments the output of an angular rate sensor is used to validate the output of the incline sensor to aid in determining whether a vehicle safety system trigger event has occurred.