Vehicle impact force limiting system

• US 20030075374A1
• Filed: 10/20/2001
• Published: 04/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yakov Feldman
• Original Assignee: Yakov Feldman
• Inventors: Feldman, Yakov
• Granted Patent: US 6,712,168 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/274
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/45 Other types, e.g. external jets for stability with particular characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 1/12 acting otherwise than by retarding wheels, e.g. jet action

Abstract

A vehicle impact force limiting system including at least one gas generator or gas source which generates gas and directs a flow of gas forward in a lengthwise direction with a force enabling to reduce the impact force during a vehicle frontal collision or a rear-impact crash. The gas flow can have a predetermined or an adjustable force based on crash severity. The impact or driving force of the vehicle is directed forward in a lengthwise direction, while the reactive force of the gas flow of the impact force limiting system is directed rearward in an opposite lengthwise direction. Thus, the reactive force of the gas flow reduces the frontal-impact force which lowers the rate of deceleration in the occupant compartment during a frontal collision, or the reactive force reduces the rear-impact force which lowers the rate of sudden forward acceleration in the occupant compartment during a rear-impact crash. The reduced impact force reduces the severity of occupant'"'"'s injuries in a vehicle crash. In case of emergency, the system allows the vehicle occupant to stop the vehicle almost instantly.

Claims

1. A vehicle impact force limiting system comprising:

means for sensing a crash of a vehicle, and

at least one gas generator adapted to generate gas and

to direct a flow of said gas forward with a force of the gas flow enabling

to reduce the impact force when said means for sensing a crash senses a crash of a selected severity and activates said gas generator,

whereby said reduced impact force reduces the severity of occupant'"'"'s injuries during a vehicle crash.

2. The vehicle impact force limiting system of claim 1 wherein:

said gas flow has an adjustable force.

3. The vehicle impact force limiting system of claim 1 wherein:

said gas flow is directed forward through a guide device.

4. The vehicle impact force limiting system of claim 1 further including:

means for activating said gas generator in case of emergency stopping of the vehicle.

5. A vehicle impact force limiting system comprising:

means for sensing a vehicle collision, and

at least one gas generator adapted to generate gas and

to direct a blast of said gas forward in a lengthwise direction with a force of the gas blast enabling

to reduce the crash force when said gas generator is activated by said means for sensing a vehicle collision of a predetermined severity,

whereby said reduced crash force reduces the severity of occupant'"'"'s injuries in a vehicle collision.

6. The vehicle impact force limiting system of claim 5 wherein:

said gas blast has a predetermined force.

7. The vehicle impact force limiting system of claim 5 wherein:

said gas blast is directed forward in a lengthwise direction through a guide device.

8. The vehicle impact force limiting system of claim 5 further including:

means for activating said gas generator in order to stop the vehicle in an emergency.

9. A vehicle impact force limiting system comprising:

means for sensing a vehicle impact, and

at least one gas source adapted to shoot out a stream of the gas forward in a longitudinal direction with a force of the gas stream enabling

to reduce the impact force when said gas source is activated by said means for sensing a vehicle impact,

whereby said reduced impact force reduces the severity of occupant'"'"'s injuries during a vehicle impact.

10. The vehicle impact force limiting system of claim 9 wherein:

said gas stream has a modulative force.

11. The vehicle impact force limiting system of claim 9 wherein:

said gas stream is directed forward in a longitudinal direction through a guide device.

12. The vehicle impact force limiting system of claim 9 further including:

means for activating said gas generator for emergency stopping of the vehicle.