Automotive vehicle equipped with air bag system

• US 5,323,872 A
• Filed: 11/12/1991
• Issued: 06/28/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NSK Limited
• Original Assignee: NSK Limited
• Inventors: Yabe, Takayuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Focarino, Margaret A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DICKSON, PAUL N
• Application Number:
  US07/790,440
• Time in Patent Office: 959 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728, 280/738, 280/740, 280/739, 280/735, 280/728 A, 280/728 R, 280/728 B, 180/271, 180/274, 180/282, 180/281, 454/75, 454/143
• US Class Current: 180/271
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01 Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents electrical circuits for transmission of signals between steering wheel and the vehicle itself B60R16/027; for electrically actuating belt retractor locking means B60R22/343
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/164 combined with vehicle venting means for reducing or avoiding the passenger compartment overpressure during inflation

Abstract

An automotive vehicle equipped with an air bag system includes an interior gas discharge device for communicating a vehicle interior to the outside upon detection of a vehicular collision and a forced ventilation device provided for operation upon detection of the vehicular collision.

Claims

1. An automotive vehicle equipped with an air bag system, comprising:

a collision sensor means for detecting a vehicular collision;

an air bag provided for inflation upon detection of a collision by the collision sensor means, whereby a passenger is protected from impact;

an interior gas discharge means for communicating a vehicle interior to the outside upon detection of the collision by the collision sensor means; and

a forced ventilation means provided for operation upon detection of the collision by the collision sensor means, whereby the vehicle interior is ventilated.

2. The automotive vehicle of claim 1, wherein said collision sensor means comprises a collision sensor and a controller for analyzing a detection signal from the collision sensor and, upon analysis of a vehicular collision, outputting an actuating signal.

3. The automotive vehicle of claim 2, wherein the air bag is inflated upon receipt of the actuating signal from the controller.

4. The automotive vehicle of claim 2, wherein said interior gas discharge means is actuated upon receipt of the actuating signal from the controller.

5. The automotive vehicle of claim 4, wherein said interior gas discharge means comprises a drive motor for driving a power window in an opening direction upon receipt of the actuating signal.

6. The automotive vehicle of claim 4, wherein said interior gas discharge means comprises a means for opening a power sunroof upon receipt of the actuating signal.

7. The automotive vehicle of claim 4, wherein said interior gas discharge means comprises a means for enlarging an air inlet or outlet of the vehicle interior upon receipt of the actuating signal.

8. The automotive vehicle of claim 4, wherein said interior gas discharge means comprises a means for breaking a window glass pane upon receipt of the actuating signal.

9. The automotive vehicle of claim 4, wherein said interior gas discharge means comprises a means for normally biasing a window glass pane or a sunroof in an opening direction and a lock mechanism for normally holding the window glass pane or sunroof in a closed state against the force of the biasing means but releasing the closed state upon receipt of the actuating signal.

10. The automotive vehicle of claim 2, wherein said forced ventilation means is operated upon receipt of the actuating signal from the controller.

11. The automotive vehicle of claim 10, wherein said forced ventilation means comprises an air conditioner blower capable of providing a maximum airflow rate upon receipt of the actuating signal.

12. The automotive vehicle of claim 10, wherein said forced ventilation means comprises an air conditioner blower whose rotation is reversed upon receipt of the actuating signal.

13. The automotive vehicle of claim 10, wherein said forced ventilation means comprises a blower provided for operation upon receipt of the actuating signal.

14. The automotive vehicle of claim 1, wherein said collision sensor means comprises a first collision sensor for inflating the air bag and a second collision sensor for operating said interior gas discharge means or said forced ventilation means, and the first and second collision sensors actuate independently from each other.