Method for controlling gas pressure of a passenger-side airbag

• US 20050029783A1
• Filed: 12/29/2003
• Published: 02/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Inventors: Kim, Yong Jun
• Granted Patent: US 7,150,469 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/735
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01211 Expansion of air bags
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01225 control of expansion volume
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01512 Passenger detection systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01526 using piezoelectric elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/33 Arrangements for non-electric triggering of inflation electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements B60R21/01

Abstract

A method for controlling gas pressure for inflating a passenger-side frontal airbag in a vehicle comprises a determination of the type and number of passengers in the passenger seat and a determination of the nature and severity of the impact. When at least one passenger is resident in the passenger seat, the current passenger type is selected from a plurality of predetermined passenger types. The gas pressure for inflating the passenger-side frontal airbag is adjusted on the basis of the current passenger type and number, and the frontal impact generated from the collision.

Claims

1. A method for controlling gas pressure for inflating a passenger-side frontal airbag in a vehicle, comprising:

determining whether at least one passenger is resident in the passenger seat;

determining a number of passengers and a current passenger type corresponding to the at least one passenger when at least one passenger is resident in the passenger seat, the current passenger type being selected from a plurality of predetermined passenger types;

determining whether the number of the at least one passenger is not one;

determining, in the case that the number of the at least one passenger is not one, whether a collision occurs;

determining, in the case of a vehicle collision, whether the vehicle collision is a frontal collision;

detecting, in the case of the frontal collision, a frontal impact generated from the vehicle collision; and

adjusting the gas pressure for inflating the passenger-side frontal airbag on the basis of the current passenger type and the frontal impact generated from the collision.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein when the current passenger type is a child only type, the adjusting the gas pressure comprises:

determining whether the detected frontal impact is larger than a first predetermined impact (Im_—

1); and

determining whether the detected frontal impact is larger than a second predetermined impact (Im_—

2 wherein, Im_—

2>

Im_—

1),

wherein when the detected frontal impact is not larger than the first predetermined impact the passenger-side airbag is not operated,

wherein when the detected impact is larger than the first predetermined impact (Im_—

1) and is not larger than the second predetermined impact (Im_—

2) the gas pressure is formed to be 25% of a normal pressure (P_normal), and

wherein when the detected impact is larger than the second predetermined impact (Im_—

2) the gas pressure is formed to be 50% of the normal pressure (P_normal).

3. The method of claim 1, wherein when the current passenger type is an adult only type, the adjusting the gas pressure comprises:

determining whether the detected frontal impact is larger than a first predetermined impact (Im_—

1); and

determining whether the detected frontal impact is larger than a second predetermined impact (Im_—

2 wherein, Im_—

2>

μ

m_—

1),

wherein when the detected frontal impact is not larger than the first predetermined impact the passenger-side airbag is not operated,

wherein when the detected impact is larger than the first predetermined impact (Im_—

1) and is not larger than the second predetermined impact (Im_—

2) the gas pressure is formed to be 75% of a normal pressure (P_normal), and

wherein when the detected impact is larger than the second predetermined impact (Im_—

2) the gas pressure is formed to be 100% of the normal pressure (P_normal).

4. The method of claim 1, wherein when the current passenger type is a child-adult mixed type, the adjusting the gas pressure comprises:

determining whether the detected frontal impact is larger than a first predetermined impact (Im_—

1); and

determining whether the detected frontal impact is larger than a second predetermined impact (Im_—

2 wherein, Im_—

2>

Im_—

1),

wherein when the detected frontal impact is not larger than the first predetermined impact the passenger-side airbag is not operated,

wherein when the detected impact is larger than the first predetermined impact (Im_—

1) and is not larger than the second predetermined impact (Im_—

2) the gas pressure is formed to be 25% or 50% of a normal pressure (P_normal), and

wherein when the detected impact is larger than the second predetermined impact (Im_—

2) the gas pressure is formed to be 50% or 75% of the normal pressure (P_normal).

5. The method of claim 1, wherein when the at least one passenger is resident in the passenger seat and the number of the at least one passenger is not one, further comprising transmitting an alarm with a predetermined means for alarming.