FLEXIBLE ELECTRO-RESISTIVE IMPACT DETECTION SENSOR FOR FRONT RAIL MOUNTED AIRBAG
First Claim
1. A sensing device for actuating an airbag system in a motor vehicle comprising an airbag having a stowed condition and an inflated condition, an inflator operationally coupled with the airbag responsive to electrical actuation for inflating the airbag with a gas, an impact detection sensor for generating a signal upon an offset impact event, and a controller for processing the signal generated by the sensor and electrically actuating the inflator upon computing a predetermined impact severity to a forward corner of the motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle further comprises a front bumper beam attached proximate a distal end of a front rail and the sensor comprises a flexible electro-resistive sensor mounted to a rear side of an outboard portion of the front bumper beam.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sensing device for actuating an airbag system in a motor vehicle comprises an airbag having a stowed condition and an inflated condition, an inflator operationally coupled with the airbag responsive to electrical actuation for inflating the airbag with a gas, an impact detection sensor for generating a signal upon an offset impact event, and a controller for processing the signal generated by the sensor and electrically actuating the inflator upon computing a predetermined impact severity to a forward corner of the motor vehicle. The motor vehicle further comprises a front bumper beam attached proximate a distal end of a front rail and the sensor comprises a flexible electro-resistive sensor mounted to a rear side of an outboard portion of the front bumper beam.
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Citations
20 Claims
- 1. A sensing device for actuating an airbag system in a motor vehicle comprising an airbag having a stowed condition and an inflated condition, an inflator operationally coupled with the airbag responsive to electrical actuation for inflating the airbag with a gas, an impact detection sensor for generating a signal upon an offset impact event, and a controller for processing the signal generated by the sensor and electrically actuating the inflator upon computing a predetermined impact severity to a forward corner of the motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle further comprises a front bumper beam attached proximate a distal end of a front rail and the sensor comprises a flexible electro-resistive sensor mounted to a rear side of an outboard portion of the front bumper beam.
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16. An airbag system for a motor vehicle comprising:
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an airbag having a stowed condition and an inflated condition; an inflator operationally coupled with the airbag responsive to electrical actuation for inflating the airbag with a gas; a flexible electro-resistive impact detection sensor for generating a signal upon an impact event; and
a controller for processing the signal generated by the sensor and electrically actuating the inflator upon computing a predetermined impact severity to a forward corner of the motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle further comprises a front bumper beam attached proximate a distal end of a front rail and the sensor is mounted to a rear side of an outboard portion of the front bumper beam.
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17. A method of deploying a motor vehicle airbag system, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a motor vehicle front rail having a forward projecting distal end and a front bumper beam attached proximate the forward projecting distal end of the front rail; providing an airbag having a stowed condition and an inflated condition equipping the airbag with an inflator operationally coupled with the airbag responsive to electrical actuation for inflating the airbag with a gas; providing a flexible electro-resistive impact detection sensor mounted to a rear side of an outboard portion of the front bumper beam for generating a signal upon an offset impact event; providing a controller for processing the signal generated by the detection sensor; and electrically actuating the inflator upon a predetermined impact severity to the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification