Control of air bag activation in vehicles by occupancy weight

• US 5,877,677 A
• Filed: 11/22/1996
• Issued: 03/02/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Christopher Shoulders, LLC
• Original Assignee: Christopher Shoulders, LLC
• Inventors: Fleming, Joseph A., Fleming, Lawrence E., Fleming, Jo A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LIEU, JULIE BICHNGOC
• Application Number:
  US08/754,863
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 340/436, 340/438, 340/666, 340/667, 340/426, 180/282, 180/273, 280/734, 280/735
• US Class Current: 340/436
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01524 using electric switches
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01564 Manually or key-actuated inhibition switches
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01566 Devices for warning or indicating mode of inhibition
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/414 using electronic computing means only
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/4142 for controlling activation of safety devices, e.g. airbag systems electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements in case of vehicle accidents B60R21/015

Abstract

An automotive air bag system and a method are provided which restrict activation of an air bag to situations in which the weight of the vehicle occupant meets or exceeds a predetermined amount, e.g., 50 pounds. Occupant weight is determined using a weight pressure sensor positioned underneath the vehicle seat such that it bears pressure from the weight of the seat occupant. The sensor comprises (a) a vessel containing fluid with at least one wall of the vessel defining a first opening; (b) a ram in contact with the fluid, with the ram extending in a substantially linear fashion from the fluid contact inside the vessel to a point outside of the vessel, with the ram capable of being pushed against the fluid contact by the weight of the seat occupant, thereby increasing the fluid pressure; (c) a pressure sensor in fluidic communication with the fluid inside the vessel via a conduit connected to the first opening, with the pressure sensor capable of sensing the fluid pressure, comparing the fluid pressure to a set pressure, and issuing a control signal based upon the comparison; and (d) a switch connected to the pressure sensor for receiving the control signal, with the switch connected in series with the control electronics, the control signal directing the switch to assume either an open state or a closed state and thereby controlling whether the air bag is activated by the control electronics.

Claims

1. A weight pressure sensor device for controlling the operation of an air bag system for use in automotive vehicles, said air bag system comprising an air bag positioned within a vehicle opposite a predetermined vehicle seat position, said air bag being coupled to inflation means activated by control means for deploying the air bag in the event of vehicle impact, said device comprising:

(a) compressible means connected to said vehicle seat for registering a weight pressure exerted on said seat, said compressible means including a vessel containing a fluid adapted to flow in response to said weight pressure exerted on said seat;

(b) sensor means coupled to said compressible means for sensing said weight pressure registered by said compressible means with reference to a predetermined pressure setpoint, said predetermined pressure setpoint being adjustable; and

(c) switch means coupled to said sensor means for enabling said air bag system when said weight pressure sensed by said sensor means is at least equal to said predetermined pressure setpoint.

2. A weight pressure sensor device for controlling the operation of an air bag system for use in automotive vehicles, said air bag system comprising an air bag positioned within a vehicle opposite a predetermined vehicle seat position, said air bag being coupled to inflation means activated by control means for deploying the air bag in the event of vehicle impact, said device comprising:

(a) compressible means connected to said vehicle seat for registering a weight pressure exerted on said seat, said compressible means including a ram and cylinder combination, said compressible means including a vessel containing a fluid adapted to flow in response to said weight pressure exerted on said seat;

(b) sensor means coupled to said compressible means for sensing said weight pressure registered by said compressible means with reference to a predetermined adjustable pressure setpoint; and

(c) switch means coupled to said sensor means for enabling said air bag system when said weight pressure sensed by said sensor means is at least equal to said predetermined pressure setpoint.

3. The device of claim 2, further including a vehicle operator display for indicating whether said inflation means is activated.

4. The device of claim 2, further including a manual override switch to enable said air bag system independently of said weight pressure sensed by said sensor means.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein there is a predetermined time delay between the removal of said weight pressure exerted on said seat and said switch means returning said air bag system to its pre-enabled state.

6. The device of claim 2, wherein said compressible means consists of a ram and cylinder combination;

said cylinder containing a hydraulic fluid having a pressure;

said ram being in contact with said fluid and being capable of being pushed by said weight pressure exerted on said seat, to thereby increase said fluid pressure;

said sensor means being in fluidic communication with said fluid inside said cylinder via a conduit connected thereto, said sensor means being capable of sensing said fluid pressure, comparing said fluid pressure to said predetermined pressure setpoint and issuing a control signal based upon said comparison; and

wherein said device further includes a vehicle operator display for indicating whether said inflation means is activated, and a manual override switch to enable said air bag system independently of said weight pressure sensed by said sensor means, wherein there is a predetermined time delay between the removal of said weight pressure exerted on said seat and said sensor means issuing a further control signal based upon said comparison.

7. A weight pressure sensor device for controlling the operation of an air bag system for use in automotive vehicles, said air bag system comprising an air bag positioned within a vehicle opposite a predetermined vehicle seat position, said air bag being coupled to inflation means activated by control means for deploying the air bag in the event of vehicle impact, said device comprising:

(a) compressible means connected to said vehicle seat for registering a weight pressure exerted on said seat, said compressible means including a ram and cylinder combination, said cylinder containing a fluid having a pressure, said ram being in contact with said fluid and being capable of being pushed by said weight pressure exerted on said seat to thereby increase said fluid pressure, said compressible means including a vessel containing a fluid adapted to flow in response to said weight pressure exerted on said seat;

(b) sensor means coupled to said compressible means for sensing said weight pressure registered by said compressible means with reference to a predetermined pressure setpoint, said sensor means being in fluidic communication with said fluid inside said cylinder via a conduit connected thereto, said sensor means being capable of sensing said fluid pressure, comparing said fluid pressure to said predetermined pressure setpoint and issuing a control signal based upon said comparison; and

(c) switch means coupled to said sensor means for enabling said air bag system when said weight pressure sensed by said sensor means is at least equal to said predetermined pressure setpoint.

8. A weight pressure sensor device for controlling the operation of an air bag system for use in automotive vehicles, said air bag system comprising an air bag positioned within a vehicle opposite a predetermined vehicle seat position, said air bag being coupled to inflation means activated by control means for deploying the air bag in the event of vehicle impact, said device comprising:

(a) compressible means connected to said vehicle seat for registering a weight pressure exerted on said seat, said compressible means including a vessel containing a fluid adapted to flow in response to said weight pressure exerted on said seat;

(b) sensor means coupled to said compressible means for sensing said weight pressure registered by said compressible means with reference to a predetermined adjustable pressure setpoint, said predetermined adjustable pressure setpoint corresponding to an occupant weight within the range of 50 and 100 pounds; and

(c) switch means coupled to said sensor means for enabling said air bag system when said weight pressure sensed by said sensor means is at least equal to said predetermined adjustable pressure setpoint.

9. A weight pressure sensor device for controlling the operation of an air baa system for use in automotive vehicles, said air bag system comprising an air bag positioned within a vehicle opposite a predetermined vehicle seat position, said air bag being coupled to inflation means activated by control means for deploying the air bag in the event of vehicle impact, said device comprising;

(a) compressible means connected to said vehicle seat for registering a weight pressure exerted on said seat, said compressible means including a vessel containing a fluid adapted to flow in response to said weight pressure exerted on said seat, said fluid being hydraulic fluid;

(b) sensor means coupled to said compressible means for sensing said weight pressure registered by said compressible means with reference to a predetermined adjustable pressure setpoint; and

(c) switch means coupled to said sensor means for enabling said air bag system when said weight pressure sensed by said sensor means is at least equal to said predetermined adjustable pressure setpoint.

10. A weight pressure sensor device for controlling the operation of an air bag system for use in automotive vehicles, said air bag system comprising an air bag positioned within a vehicle opposite a predetermined adjustable vehicle seat position, said air bag being coupled to inflation means activated by control means for deploying the air bag in the event of vehicle impact, said device comprising;

(a) compressible means connected to said vehicle seat for registering a weight pressure exerted on said seat, said compressible means including a vessel containing a fluid adapted to flow in response to said weight pressure exerted on said seat;

(b) sensor means coupled to said compressible means for sensing said weight pressure registered by said compressible means with reference to a predetermined adjustable pressure setpoint; and

(c) switch means coupled to said sensor means for enabling said air bag system when said weight pressure sensed by said sensor means is at least equal to said predetermined adjustable pressure setpoint, wherein there is a predetermined adjustable time delay between the removal of said weight pressure exerted on said seat and said switch means returning said air bag system to its pre-enabled state, said predetermined adjustable time delay being at least one second.

11. An air bag system for use in automotive vehicles, said air bag system including an air bag positioned within a vehicle opposite a front passenger seat, said air bag being connected with control electronics that activate said air bag upon receipt of an electrical signal from a power source such that said air bag inflates in the event of vehicle impact, said air bag system further including a weight pressure sensor device to sense the weight of an occupant of said front passenger seat and to control whether said electrical signal is received by said control electronics based upon said weight, said weight pressure sensor device comprising:

(a) a cylindrical vessel containing hydraulic fluid and having a wall and an end, said wall defining a first opening in the vessel, said hydraulic fluid having a pressure;

(b) a ram in contact with said hydraulic fluid, said ram extending in a substantially linear fashion from said fluid contact inside said vessel to a point outside said vessel, wherein said ram is capable of being pushed against said fluid contact by the weight of said occupant of the front passenger seat, thereby increasing said fluid pressure;

(c) a pressure sensor in fluidic communication with said hydraulic fluid inside said vessel via a conduit connected to said first opening, said pressure sensor being capable of sensing said fluid pressure, comparing said fluid pressure to a set pressure and issuing a control signal if said fluid pressure equals or exceeds said set pressure; and

(d) a switch connected to said pressure sensor for receiving said control signal, said switch being connected in series with said control electronics, said control signal directing said switch to close such that said electrical signal is received by the control electronics and said air bag is activated.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein there is a predetermined time delay between the removal of said weight of an occupant on said front passenger seat and said pressure sensor issuing a further control signal.

13. A method for controlling whether an air bag for use in automotive vehicles is activated based upon vehicle occupancy weight, said air bag being positioned within a vehicle opposite a predetermined vehicle seat position, and being coupled to inflation means activated by control means for deploying said air bag in the event of vehicle impact, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) connecting compressible means to said vehicle seat for registering a weight pressure exerted on said seat, said compressible means including a vessel containing a fluid adapted to flow in response to said weight pressure exerted on said seat;

(b) sensing said weight pressure with reference to a predetermined adjustable pressure setpoint using a sensor means coupled to said compressible means for sensing said weight pressure registered by said compressible means; and

(c) enabling said air bag system when said weight pressure sensed by said sensor means is at least equal to said predetermined adjustable pressure setpoint.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of providing a vehicle operator display for indicating whether said inflation means is activated.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of providing a manual override switch to enable said air bag system independently of the weight pressure sensed by the sensor means.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of providing a predetermined time delay between the removal of said weight pressure exerted on said seat and returning said air bag system to its pre-enabled state.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of providing a vehicle operator display for indicating whether said inflation means is activated.