Plastic air bag cover having an integrated occupant-sensing sensor module

• US 5,549,323 A
• Filed: 06/07/1995
• Issued: 08/27/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Global IP Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Larry J. Winget
• Inventors: Davis, David J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hurley, Kevin
• Assistant Examiner(s): English, Peter C.
• Application Number:
  US08/477,872
• Time in Patent Office: 447 Days
• Field of Search: 280/735, 280/734, 280/728.1, 280/728.3, 280/731, 280/732, 280/730.1, 280/730.2, 180/272, 180/273, 340/436, 340/438, 362/80, 362/83.3, 362/812, 40/593, 40/544, 40/564
• US Class Current: 280/728.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01512 Passenger detection systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01534 using electromagneticwaves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01536 using ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/215 characterised by the covers for the inflatable member B60R21/2176 takes precedence

Abstract

A plastic air bag cover is provided having an integrated occupant-sensing sensor module adapted for use in a vehicle occupant-sensing system. The sensor module includes a base plate and either a single occupant-sensing sensor (i.e., a transceiver) or a sensor pair (a transmitter and a separate receiver) mounted on the base plate. The sensor module receives a first signal which is transmitted through a window in the front panel of the air bag cover. In one embodiment, the window is formed adjacent the front panel. In turn, the sensor generates a second signal for use by the occupant-sensing system to prevent the air bag from being deployed.

Claims

1. A plastic air bag door having an integrated sensor module adapted for use in a vehicle occupant-sensing system, the door comprising:

a front panel adapted to overlie an undeployed air bag disposed in a passenger side of the vehicle, the front panel having a front outer surface and a rear inner surface, the front panel having a window associated therewith capable of transmitting a first signal therethrough;

an occupant-sensing sensor module including a base plate and sensor means mounted on the base plate; and

a back plate secured to the rear inner surface of the front panel in containing relationship to the sensor module and forming a hollow compartment for the sensor module wherein the first signal is transmitted through the window and received by the sensor means, the sensor means generating a second signal for use by the occupant-sensing system to prevent the air bag from being deployed.

2. The air bag door as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sensor means is an ultrasonic sensor means and wherein the first signal is a reflected ultrasonic wave, the window permitting the reflected ultrasonic wave to pass therethrough and be received by the ultrasonic sensor means.

3. The air bag door as claimed in claim 2 wherein the ultrasonic sensor means includes a transmitter for transmitting an ultrasonic wave through the window and a receiver for receiving the reflected ultrasonic wave.

4. The air bag door as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sensor means is an electromagnetic sensor means which sets up an electromagnetic field in a passenger compartment of the vehicle, the window allowing the electromagnetic field to be set up therethrough.

5. The air bag door as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sensor means is an optical sensor means and wherein the first signal is a reflected optical signal, the window allowing the reflected optical signal to pass therethrough and be received by the optical sensor means.

6. The air bag door as claimed in claim 5 wherein the optical sensor means is an infrared optical sensor.

7. The air bag door as claimed in claim 5 wherein the optical sensor means includes a light-emitting transmitter for transmitting an optical signal through the window and a receiver for receiving the reflected optical signal.

8. The air bag door as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sensor means includes a transmitter and a receiver.

9. The air bag door as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sensor means is a transceiver.