Device and Method for Deploying a Vehicular Occupant Protection System
First Claim
1. In combination with a motor vehicle including a vehicle seat and a seatbelt assigned to the seat, a device for protecting a vehicle occupant seated on the seat, comprising:
- an airbag arranged to deploy to protect the occupant on the seat in the event of a crash involving the vehicle;
a first sensor system for detecting presence of the occupant on the seat;
a second sensor system connected to said seatbelt for obtaining information about seatbelt spool out; and
a processor coupled to said first and second sensor systems and arranged to control deployment of said airbag based on the presence of the occupant on the seat and the information about seatbelt spool out.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Device and method for protecting an occupant seated on a seat of a vehicle which includes an airbag arranged to deploy to protect the occupant in the event of a crash involving the vehicle, a first sensor system for detecting presence of the occupant, a second sensor system connected to the seatbelt for obtaining information about seatbelt spool out, and a processor coupled to the first and second sensor systems and arranged to control deployment of the airbag based on the presence of the occupant and the information about seatbelt spool out. The second sensor system may be arranged to measure a length of the seatbelt pulled out of a seatbelt retractor and include an encoder arranged on a shaft around which the seatbelt is wound and a receptor arranged to generate a signal when a line on the encoder passes by the receptor.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. In combination with a motor vehicle including a vehicle seat and a seatbelt assigned to the seat, a device for protecting a vehicle occupant seated on the seat, comprising:
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an airbag arranged to deploy to protect the occupant on the seat in the event of a crash involving the vehicle;
a first sensor system for detecting presence of the occupant on the seat;
a second sensor system connected to said seatbelt for obtaining information about seatbelt spool out; and
a processor coupled to said first and second sensor systems and arranged to control deployment of said airbag based on the presence of the occupant on the seat and the information about seatbelt spool out. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for controlling deployment of an airbag in a motor vehicle, comprising:
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detecting presence of an occupant to be protected by the airbag;
obtaining information about spool out of a seatbelt associated with a seat on which the occupant is seated; and
controlling deployment of the airbag based on the detected presence of the occupant and the obtained information about seatbelt spool out. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for controlling deployment of an airbag in a motor vehicle designed to protect an occupant of the vehicle during a crash involving the vehicle, comprising:
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obtaining information about spool out of a seatbelt associated with a seat on which the occupant is seated; and
controlling deployment of the airbag based on the obtained information about seatbelt spool out. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification