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Air bag system for motor vehicle, and method of controlling the same

  • US 6,276,716 B1
  • Filed: 12/10/1998
  • Issued: 08/21/2001
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/10/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An air bag system for a motor vehicle, comprising:

  • an inflator that is installed on the vehicle;

    a control device that causes said inflator to emit gas when an impact that is greater than a predetermined level is applied to a vehicle body of the motor vehicle;

    an air bag that deploys to fill space between a vehicle occupant and said inflator when the gas emitted from the inflator is supplied to the air bag, said air bag having a plurality of sections that are formed independently of each other including at least a first air bag section and a second air bag section; and

    a sensor that detects whether the vehicle occupant wears a seat belt;

    wherein said control device changes an amount of the gas supplied from said inflator to each of a plurality of sections;

    by deploying the first air bag section when the sensor detects seat belt use;

    and by deploying the second air bag section and then deploying the first air bag section after a predetermined time has elapsed when the sensor detects no seat belt use.

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