US 5,825,098 A · Vehicle safety device controller

Abstract

A safety device controller for controlling safety devices and a method of controlling activation of a safety device in a vehicle safety system are disclosed. The safety device controller is capable of activating various safety devices to protect the occupants of a vehicle in the event of a crash. It is capable of operating devices such as airbags, seatbelt tensioners, fuel cutoff switches, battery disconnect switches, emergency notification devices, and location notification devices. The safety device controller is capable of performing self tests and sending the results of these tests to a central electronic control unit over a communication bus. Upon receipt of a coded command from the central electronic control unit, the safety device controller activates a safety device by discharging stored energy into a squib or electromechanical device to activate the safety device. An optional safing sensor may be installed in the safety device controller to prevent inadvertent actuation of the safety device.

Claims51

Dependent claims

A safety device controller for controlling activation of a safety device in a vehicle safety system comprising:

(a) power means for storing energy on an energy storage capacitor by charging the energy storage capacitor to a predetermined voltage;
(b) communication means for receiving a safety device activation command from a communication bus, the safety device activation command comprising an address part and a command part;
(d) diagnostic means for reading integrity data of the safety device controller;
(e) control means for generating a safety device activation signal in response to the safety device activation command and the integrity data;
and
(f) safety device activation means for coupling the energy stored on the energy storage capacitor to a safety device in response to the safety device activation signal, whereby the energy storage capacitor discharges through the safety device causing the safety device to activate.

3 more elements

A safety device controller for controlling activation of a safety device in a vehicle safety system comprising:

(a) communications means for receiving a safety device activation and an integrity data command from a high speed, digital electronic, bi-directional serial communication bus, and for sending a safety device controller integrity data and fault warning messages onto the high speed, digital electronic bi-directional serial communication bus;
(b) control means comprising a microprocessor for receiving the safety device activation and integrity data commands from the communication means, for receiving the safety device controller integrity data from a diagnostic means, for comparing the safety device controller integrity data to predetermined limits and generating the fault warning messages, for sending the safety device controller integrity data and the fault warning messages to the communication means, and for generating and sending a safety device activation signal to a safety device activation means;
(c) the diagnostic means comprising a multiplexer and an analog-to-digital converter for reading the safety device controller integrity data and for sending the safety device controller integrity data to the control means;
(d) power conversion means comprising a DC-to-DC converter for boosting the voltage level from a vehicle battery to a substantially greater voltage level than the voltage level of the vehicle battery, and for applying the substantially greater voltage level to an energy storage capacitor;
and
(e) the safety device activation means comprising semiconductor current switches for coupling energy stored on the energy storage capacitor to the safety device for activating the safety device upon receipt of a safety device activation signal from the control means.

3 more elements

A method for controlling activation of a safety device in a vehicle safety system using a safety device controller, comprising the steps of:

(a) storing energy on an energy storage capacitor in a safety device controller from a power means by charging the energy storage capacitor to a predetermined voltage;
(b) receiving a safety device activation command by the safety device controller communication means over a communication bus;
(c) reading integrity data of the safety device controller by a diagnostic means;
(d) generating a safety device activation signal by a control means in response to the integrity data of the safety device controller and the safety device activation command received from the communication means over the communication bus;
and
(e) coupling the energy stored on the energy storage capacitor to the safety device by a safety device activation means in response to the safety device activation signal, causing the energy storage capacitor to discharge through the safety device thereby causing the safety device to activate.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Vehicle safety device controller

Life of this patent

Vehicle safety device controller

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims51