Side impact sensor systems

• US 20050082799A1
• Filed: 10/12/2004
• Published: 04/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1993
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: American Vehicular Sciences LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Automotive Technologies International Incorporated
• Inventors: Castelli, Vittorio, Breed, David S., Pruszenski, Anthony S. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 7,025,379 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/730.200
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0006 Lateral collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0132 responsive to vehicle motion parameters , e.g. to vehicle longitudinal or transversal deceleration or speed value
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/20 Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/21 in vehicle side panels, e.g. doors pillar mounted arrangements B60R21/213
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/33 Arrangements for non-electric triggering of inflation electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements B60R21/01

Abstract

Side airbag system including an airbag arranged to deploy in the event of an impact into a side of the vehicle, a side impact crash sensor arranged to sense an impact into a side of the vehicle, and an inflator for inflating the airbag. The crash sensor is an electrical sensor which includes a movable sensing mass which moves when the side of the vehicle is impacted and a signal generating mechanism for generating a time-varying signal representative of movement of the sensing mass, analyzing the signal representative of the movement of the sensing mass and generating a deployment signal based thereon. The inflator is coupled to the crash sensor and receives the deployment signal therefrom and inflates the airbag upon receipt of the deployment signal.

Claims

1. A side airbag system for a vehicle, comprising:

an airbag arranged to deploy in the event of an impact into a side of the vehicle;

a side impact crash sensor arranged to sense an impact into a side of the vehicle, said crash sensor being an electrical sensor including a movable sensing mass which moves when the side of the vehicle is impacted and signal generating means for generating a time-varying signal representative of movement of said sensing mass, analyzing the signal representative of the movement of said sensing mass and generating a deployment signal based thereon; and

an inflator for inflating said airbag, said inflator being coupled to said crash sensor and arranged to receive the deployment signal from said crash sensor and inflate said airbag upon receipt of said deployment signal.

2. The airbag system of claim 1, wherein said generating means comprise a micro-processor which processes signals representative of the continuous movement of said sensing mass.

3. The airbag system of claim 2, wherein the movement of said sensing mass is recorded over time and said micro-processor includes an algorithm arranged to determine whether the movement of said sensing mass results in a calculated value which is in excess of a threshold value in order to generate the deployment signal.

4. The airbag system of claim 1, wherein said electrical sensor comprises an accelerometer.

5. The airbag system of claim 1, wherein said generating means comprise a strain gage.

6. The airbag system of claim 1, wherein said generating means comprise a piezo-electric element.

7. The airbag system of claim 1, wherein said airbag is arranged around said inflator.

8. The airbag system if claim 1, wherein said crash sensor is arranged proximate said inflator.

9. A vehicle having a front, a rear, left and right sides and at least one door arranged on each of the left and right sides, comprising:

an airbag arranged to deploy along the left or right side of the vehicle in the event of an impact into the left or right side of the vehicle;

a side impact crash sensor arranged to sense an impact into the left or right side of the vehicle, said crash sensor being an electrical sensor including a movable sensing mass which moves when the left or right side of the vehicle is impacted and signal generating means for generating a time-varying signal representative of movement of said sensing mass, analyzing the signal representative of the movement of said sensing mass and generating a deployment signal based thereon; and

an inflator for inflating said airbag, said inflator being coupled to said crash sensor and arranged to receive the deployment signal from said crash sensor and inflate said airbag upon receipt of said deployment signal.

10. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein said airbag and said inflator are arranged in a door or seat of the vehicle or on the left or right side of the vehicle.

11. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein said generating means comprise a micro-processor which processes signals representative of the continuous movement of said sensing mass.

12. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the movement of said sensing mass is recorded over time and said micro-processor includes an algorithm arranged to determine whether the movement of said sensing mass results in a calculated value which is in excess of a threshold value in order to generate the deployment signal.

13. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein said electrical sensor comprises an accelerometer.

14. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein said generating means comprise a strain gage.

15. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein said generating means comprise a piezo-electric element.

16. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein said airbag is arranged around said inflator.

17. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein said crash sensor is arranged proximate said inflator.

18. A method for protecting an occupant in a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

arranging an airbag in the vehicle in a position to protect the occupant in the event of an impact into a side of the vehicle;

sensing an impact into a side of the vehicle by continuously monitoring movement of a sensing mass to generate a time-varying signal representative of movement of the sensing mass and analyzing the signal representative of the movement of the sensing mass to generate a deployment signal based thereon; and

directing the deployment signal to an inflator to cause the inflator to inflate the airbag.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of providing a micro-processor to process the signal representative of the movement of the sensing mass.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of providing the micro-processor with an algorithm arranged to determine whether the motion over time of the sensing mass results in a calculated value which is in excess of a threshold value in order to generate the deployment signal.