Airbag inflation control based on sensed contact with occupant

• US 20070132219A1
• Filed: 07/12/2006
• Published: 06/14/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1995
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: American Vehicular Sciences LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Automotive Technologies International Incorporated
• Inventors: Breed, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,575,248 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/735
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0152 using strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01534 using electromagneticwaves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01536 using ultrasonic waves

Abstract

Method for controlling inflation of an airbag in a vehicle which protects an occupant from injury in a crash involving the vehicle includes sensing a crash, inflating the airbag to protect the occupant during the crash, sensing contact between the airbag and the occupant during inflation of the airbag, and adjusting the continued inflation of the airbag after contact of the airbag with the occupant based on the sensed contact. Contact between the airbag and the occupant may be sensed in a variety of ways. One way is to arrange or otherwise incorporate a sensor in connection with the airbag to sense contact between the airbag and the occupant during inflation of the airbag, the continued inflation of the airbag after contact of the airbag with the occupant being adjusted based on contact between the airbag and the occupant as sensed by the sensor.

Claims

1. A method for controlling inflation of an airbag in a vehicle which protects an occupant from injury in a crash involving the vehicle, comprising:

sensing a crash involving the vehicle for which deployment of the airbag is desired;

inflating the airbag to protect the occupant in the crash involving the vehicle upon sensing of the crash;

sensing contact between the airbag and the occupant during inflation of the airbag; and

adjusting the continued inflation of the airbag after contact of the airbag with the occupant based on the sensed contact between the airbag and the occupant.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of sensing contact between the airbag and the occupant comprises arranging a sensor in connection with the airbag to sense contact between the airbag and the occupant during inflation of the airbag, the continued inflation of the airbag after contact of the airbag with the occupant being adjusted based on contact between the airbag and the occupant as sensed by the sensor.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the sensor is an accelerometer arranged to measure acceleration of the airbag and senses contact between the airbag and the occupant based on changes in the measured acceleration of the airbag arising from contact of the airbag with the occupant.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the adjustment of the continued inflation of the airbag is control of outflow of inflation fluid from the airbag.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising controlling the outflow of the inflation fluid to maintain the occupant'"'"'s chest acceleration below a threshold, the occupant chest acceleration corresponding to the deceleration of the airbag.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the sensor is arranged to measure pressure in the airbag and senses contact between the airbag and the occupant based on changes in the measured pressure in the airbag arising from contact of the airbag with the occupant.

7. The method of claim 2, further comprising incorporating the sensor into a surface of the airbag.

8. The method of claim 2, further comprising incorporating the sensor in a seatbelt worn by the occupant.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the adjustment of the continued inflation of the airbag is control of outflow of inflation fluid from the airbag.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising controlling the outflow of the inflation fluid to maintain the occupant'"'"'s chest acceleration below a threshold.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

forecasting the severity of the crash; and

setting the threshold based on the forecast severity.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining if the occupant is wearing a seatbelt; and

when the occupant is determined to be wearing a seatbelt, reducing outflow of inflation fluid from the airbag.

13. A method for controlling inflation of an airbag in a vehicle which protects an occupant from injury in a crash involving the vehicle, comprising:

sensing a crash involving the vehicle for which deployment of the airbag is desired;

inflating the airbag to protect the occupant in the crash involving the vehicle upon sensing of the crash;

arranging a sensor in connection with the airbag to obtain information about a reaction of the airbag to contact with the occupant during inflation of the airbag; and

adjusting the continued inflation of the airbag after contact of the airbag with the occupant based on the information obtained by the sensor.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the sensor is an accelerometer arranged to measure acceleration of the airbag and senses contact between the airbag and the occupant based on changes in the measured acceleration of the airbag arising from contact of the airbag with the occupant.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the adjustment of the continued inflation of the airbag is control of outflow of inflation fluid from the airbag.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the sensor is arranged to measure pressure in the airbag and senses contact between the airbag and the occupant based on changes in the measured pressure in the airbag arising from contact of the airbag with the occupant.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising incorporating the sensor into a surface of the airbag.

18. A system for protecting an occupant from injury in a crash involving the vehicle, comprising:

an inflatable airbag arranged to inflate to protect the occupant from injury during the crash;

a crash sensor system arranged to sense a crash involving the vehicle for which inflation of said airbag is desired;

an airbag inflation system coupled to said crash sensor system and arranged to initiate inflation of said airbag to protect the occupant in the crash involving the vehicle upon sensing of the crash by said crash sensor system; and

a deployment control system arranged to adjust continued inflation of said airbag after contact of said inflating airbag with the occupant based on contact between said airbag and the occupant.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein said deployment control system includes a sensor arranged in connection with said airbag to obtain data relating to the inflation of said airbag which is analyzed to determine contact between said airbag and the occupant during inflation of said airbag.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein said sensor is an accelerometer arranged to measure acceleration of said airbag and senses contact between said airbag and the occupant based on changes in the measured acceleration of said airbag arising from contact of said airbag with the occupant, or said sensor is arranged to measure pressure in said airbag and senses contact between said airbag and the occupant based on changes in the measured pressure in said airbag arising from contact of said airbag with the occupant.