Apparatus for pretensioning seat belt webbing
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- pretensioning means for pretensioning seat belt webbing which is extensible about an occupant of a vehicle seat, said pretensioning means having means for providing at least two different output levels;
sensing means for sensing at least one characteristic of an occupant of the vehicle seat; and
controlling means operatively connected to said sensing means for controlling the output level of said pretensioning means based on the sensed characteristic of the occupant,said means for providing at least two different output levels comprising at least two independently actuatable pyrotechnic charges.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus (40) for pretensioning seat belt webbing (16) which is extensible about an occupant of a vehicle seat (14) has at least two different output levels. Sensors (110, 120, 130) sense at least one characteristic of the occupant of the vehicle seat (14). A controller (100) is operatively connected to the sensors (110, 120, 130) for controlling the output level of the pretensioning apparatus (40) based on the characteristics of the occupant sensed by the sensors. The at least two output levels of the pretensioning apparatus (40) correspond to respective levels of force applied to the seat belt webbing (16) which in turn correspond to respective levels of force imposed on the vehicle occupant by the seat belt webbing.
69 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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pretensioning means for pretensioning seat belt webbing which is extensible about an occupant of a vehicle seat, said pretensioning means having means for providing at least two different output levels; sensing means for sensing at least one characteristic of an occupant of the vehicle seat; and controlling means operatively connected to said sensing means for controlling the output level of said pretensioning means based on the sensed characteristic of the occupant, said means for providing at least two different output levels comprising at least two independently actuatable pyrotechnic charges. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus for pretensioning seat belt webbing which is extensible about an occupant of a seat in a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:
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a cylinder having a first end and a second end; a housing attached to said first end of said cylinder, a chamber being defined in said housing; a piston in said cylinder and in fluid communication with said chamber in said housing, said piston being movable from a first position adjacent said first end of said cylinder to a second position adjacent said second end of said cylinder; coupling means for coupling said piston to the seat belt webbing, a portion of said coupling means extending through said chamber in said housing, said coupling means transmitting movement of said piston into movement of the seat belt webbing to pretension the seat belt webbing in the event of a vehicle collision; moving means for moving said piston in said cylinder, said moving means including at least two independently actuatable pyrotechnic charges connected with said housing and in fluid communication with said chamber in said housing, the actuation of one of said pyrotechnic charges corresponding to a first output level for said moving means and causing said piston to be moved from said first position in said cylinder to said second position, the actuation of all of said at least two pyrotechnic charges corresponding to a second output level for said moving means and causing said piston to be moved from said first position, said second output level for said moving means being higher than said first output level; sensing means for sensing at least one characteristic of the occupant of the vehicle seat; and controlling means operatively connected to said sensing means for controlling the actuation of said moving means based on the sensed characteristic of the occupant. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification