AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE SENSING SYSTEM FOR SELECTIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A vehicle sensing system for assisting in the selective deployment of an air bag near a seat, said seat including a buttocks supporting portion, a torso supporting portion and a head supporting portion, said vehicle sensing system comprising:
- a first sensor placed adjacent to a footwell for detecting the lower extremities of an individual sitting in an upright position in said seat, said footwell located in front of and at least partially below said buttocks supporting portion of said seat;
a second sensor placed adjacent said head supporting portion of said seat for detecting the bust of said individual sitting in an upright position, said first and second sensors in communication with an air bag system including said air bag, said first and second sensors capable of sending signals to said air bag system depending on whether said first and second sensors detect objects, said signals assisting in controlling the degree of any deployment of said air bag.
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Abstract
An internal vehicle sensing system for assisting in controlling deployment of an air bag is disclosed. The sensing system includes at least one sensor that forms a sensor array designed to detect a portion of an individual. The sensing system sends signals to the air bag system based upon objects detected and signals, commands or allows full deployment, partial deployment, or suppression of deployment of an air bag.
8 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A vehicle sensing system for assisting in the selective deployment of an air bag near a seat, said seat including a buttocks supporting portion, a torso supporting portion and a head supporting portion, said vehicle sensing system comprising:
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a first sensor placed adjacent to a footwell for detecting the lower extremities of an individual sitting in an upright position in said seat, said footwell located in front of and at least partially below said buttocks supporting portion of said seat;
a second sensor placed adjacent said head supporting portion of said seat for detecting the bust of said individual sitting in an upright position, said first and second sensors in communication with an air bag system including said air bag, said first and second sensors capable of sending signals to said air bag system depending on whether said first and second sensors detect objects, said signals assisting in controlling the degree of any deployment of said air bag. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A vehicle sensing system for assisting in the selective deployment of an air bag near a seat, said seat including a buttocks supporting portion, a torso supporting portion and a head supporting portion, said vehicle sensing system comprising:
a sensor placed adjacent one of at least said head supporting portion and said torso supporting portion of said seat for detecting respectively a bust and a torso of an adult sitting in an upright position, said sensor in communication with an air bag system including said air bag, said sensor capable of sending a signal to said air bag system depending on whether said sensor detects objects, said signal assisting in controlling the degree of any deployment of said air bag. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20)
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17. A vehicle sensing system for assisting in the selective deployment of an air bag near a seat, said seat including a buttocks supporting portion, a torso supporting portion and a head supporting portion, said vehicle sensing system comprising:
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a transmitting unit for forming a transmitting array adjacent said transmitting unit;
a receiving unit for forming a receiving array adjacent said receiving unit;
one of said units placed adjacent a footwell for positioning its respective array within said footwell, said footwell located in front of and at least partially below said buttocks supporting portion of said seat;
one of said units placed adjacent said head supporting portion of said seat for forming its respective array adjacent said head supporting portion, said receiving and transmitting unit in communication with an air bag system for assisting in controlling deployment of said air bag, said receiving and transmitting unit allowing full deployment of said air bag if said receiving unit receives a signal from said transmitting unit, said receiving unit only receiving said signal from said transmitting unit if an object is present within said transmitting array and said receiving array as a connection for said signal to travel through.
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Specification