OCCUPANT PROTECTION SYSTEM
First Claim
1. An occupant protection system for protecting an occupant of a vehicle from a vertical acceleration of the vehicle, the system comprising:
- a sensor used to detect the vertical acceleration of the vehicle;
a device for lowering a vehicle seat; and
a controller configured to receive input from the sensor and to control the device to lower the vehicle seat based on the input from the sensor.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An occupant protection system is used to protect an occupant from vertical acceleration of a vehicle. The system includes a sensor that detects when a vehicle is subjected to vertical acceleration and a lowering means for a vehicle seat. The seat lowering means actively lowers, or forces the seat in a generally downward direction based on a signal from the sensor. Also, a seat for a vehicle includes a support that may withstand a vertical acceleration of the vehicle, a sensor that may detect the vertical acceleration, and a seat lowering means. The seat is connected to the support, and the seat may slide in a downward direction relative to the support. The seat is lowered by the seat lowering means at least partly in response to a signal from the sensor.
23 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An occupant protection system for protecting an occupant of a vehicle from a vertical acceleration of the vehicle, the system comprising:
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a sensor used to detect the vertical acceleration of the vehicle; a device for lowering a vehicle seat; and a controller configured to receive input from the sensor and to control the device to lower the vehicle seat based on the input from the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A seat for a vehicle, the seat comprising:
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a support coupled to a bottom of the seat; a sensor configured to detect a vertical acceleration of the vehicle; and a seat lowering device; wherein the seat bottom is configured to move a downward direction relative to the support; a controller configured to receive input from the sensor and to control the seat lowering device to lower the seat bottom based on the input from the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for protecting an occupant seated in a seat located in a vehicle from vertical acceleration, the method comprising the steps of:
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detecting the vertical acceleration of the vehicle; and lowering the vehicle seat when the vertical acceleration is excessive. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification