Driver Restraining System in a Motor Vehicle

• US 20080023946A1
• Filed: 12/03/2004
• Published: 01/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Company LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Company LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Roth, Gerhard, Haag, Klaus-Dieter
• Application Number:
  US10/587,828
• Publication Number:
  US 20080023946A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/735
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01218 control of expansion speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/013 including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01554 Seat position sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/203 in steering wheels or steering columns
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/206 in the lower part of dashboards, e.g. for protecting the knees

Abstract

In a driver restraining system in a motor vehicle having an airbag which is integrated into a steering device, in the event of a crash, the positioning of the steering device and a triggering decision about the unfolding of the airbag and an unfolding characteristic of the airbag are determined by a control unit whose input signals include a signal of a crash detection sensor system and a signal of a passenger compartment sensor system which has at least one seat position detection means and a sensor system for sensing morphological data of the driver. Furthermore, in the event of a crash, the control unit additionally actuates a motor-operated seat adjustment device of the driver'"'"'s seat in an adapted fashion.

Claims

1-9. -9. (canceled)

10. A driver restraining system in a motor vehicle, comprising:

an airbag which is integrated into a steering device; and

a control unit whose input signals comprise a signal of a crash detection sensor system and a signal of a passenger compartment which has at least one seat position detector and a sensor system for sensing morphological data of a driver of the vehicle;

wherein,

in the event of a crash, positioning of the steering device and a triggering decision about unfolding of the airbag and an unfolding characteristic of the airbag are determined by the control unit; and

in the event of a crash, the control unit adaptively actuates a motor-operated seat adjustment device of a driver'"'"'s seat.

11. The driver restraining system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the sensor system for sensing morphological data of the driver has at least one weight sensor, which is integrated into the driver'"'"'s seat and which is a component of a seat occupation detector.

12. The driver restraining system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the sensor system for sensing morphological data of the driver has at least one sensor which determines a size of the driver and which senses a position of the driver'"'"'s head.

13. The driver restraining system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the sensor for determining the position of the driver'"'"'s head is arranged in the region of the inner roof lining of a vehicle or of a headrest, the sensor being embodied as a capacitive sensor.

14. The driver restraining system as claimed in claim 10, wherein, in the event of a crash, the motor-operated seat adjustment device sets a vertical position and an axial position of seat elements, including a seat lower part, a backrest and a headrest, as a function of signals of the control unit.

15. The driver restraining system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the passenger compartment sensor system has a sensor for sensing a distance of the driver from a steering wheel of the steering device.

16. The driver restraining system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the sensor for sensing the distance of the driver from the steering wheel is arranged on an exit flap of the airbag.

17. The driver restraining system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the sensor for sensing the distance of the driver from the steering wheel comprises a capacitive sensor.

18. The driver restraining system as claimed in claim 10, wherein, in the event of a crash, the control unit actuates a belt pretensioning device.

19. The driver restraining system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the sensor system for sensing morphological data of the driver has at least one sensor which determines a size of the driver and which senses a position of the driver'"'"'s head.

20. The driver restraining system as claimed in claim 11, wherein, in the event of a crash, the motor-operated seat adjustment device sets a vertical position and an axial position of seat elements, including a seat lower part, a backrest and a headrest, as a function of signals of the control unit.

21. The driver restraining system as claimed in claim 12, wherein, in the event of a crash, the motor-operated seat adjustment device sets a vertical position and an axial position of seat elements, including a seat lower part, a backrest and a headrest, as a function of signals of the control unit.

22. The driver restraining system as claimed in claim 13, wherein, in the event of a crash, the motor-operated seat adjustment device sets a vertical position and an axial position of seat elements, including a seat lower part, a backrest and a headrest, as a function of signals of the control unit.

23. The driver restraining system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the passenger compartment sensor system has a sensor for sensing a distance of the driver from a steering wheel of the steering device.

24. The driver restraining system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the passenger compartment sensor system has a sensor for sensing a distance of the driver from a steering wheel of the steering device.

25. The driver restraining system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the passenger compartment sensor system has a sensor for sensing a distance of the driver from a steering wheel of the steering device.

26. The driver restraining system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the passenger compartment sensor system has a sensor for sensing a distance of the driver from a steering wheel of the steering device.

27. The driver restraining system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the sensor for sensing a distance of the driver from the steering wheel comprises a capacitive sensor.

28. The driver restraining system as claimed in claim 11, wherein, in the event of a crash, the control unit actuates a belt pretensioning device.

29. The driver restraining system as claimed in claim 12, wherein, in the event of a crash, the control unit actuates a belt pretensioning device.