Kinetic energy density rollover detective sensing algorithm

A method of controlling a safety device of an automotive vehicle comprising:

• determining a roll angle or rate of the vehicle;
• determining a lateral acceleration;
• determining a lateral characteristic other than lateral acceleration;
• generating a first indication of a roll condition in response to roll angle or rate;
• generating a second indication of a roll condition by comparing the lateral acceleration and the lateral characteristic other than the lateral acceleration to a threshold that is a function of the lateral acceleration and the lateral characteristic other than the lateral acceleration;
• and
• controlling the safety device in response to the first indication and the second indication.

A control system for an automotive vehicle comprising:

• a lateral acceleration sensor generating a lateral acceleration signal;
• a longitudinal speed sensor generating a longitudinal speed signal;
• a lateral speed sensor generating a lateral speed signal;
• a roll angle sensor generating a roll angle signal;
• and
• a controller coupled to the lateral acceleration sensor, the longitudinal speed sensor, and the roll angle sensor, said controller generating a side slip angle in response to the lateral speed and the longitudinal speed, said controller generating a lateral characteristic other than lateral acceleration said controller indicating a roll condition by comparing the lateral acceleration signal and the lateral characteristic to a threshold and in response to side slip angle and roll angle, said threshold being a function of the lateral acceleration and the lateral characteristic other than the lateral acceleration.