Air bag system for an automobile

• US 6,408,237 B1
• Filed: 01/04/2000
• Issued: 06/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Esther Song Cho
• Original Assignee: Myungeun Cho
• Inventors: Cho, Myungeun
• Primary Examiner(s): ARTHUR JEANGLAUDE, GERTRUDE
• Application Number:
  US09/477,748
• Time in Patent Office: 896 Days
• Field of Search: 701/45, 701/46, 701/47, 180/167, 180/169, 180/232, 180/271, 340/903, 340/425.5, 340/435, 340/436, 280/730.2, 280/736
• US Class Current: 701/45
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01225 control of expansion volume
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01238 control of expansion shape
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/013 including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0134 responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle , e.g. using radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01512 Passenger detection systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/36 using airbags

Abstract

An air bag system for an automobile including an external detection system, an internal detection system, a wireless system, a computer processing unit (CPU), at least one external air bag inflation device, and at least one internal air bag inflation device. The air bag system controls inflation size and absorption quantity of an air bag by means that the CPU receives information from the external detection system, the internal detection system, and the wireless system for a calculation based on the information inputted in the CPU and transmits control signal to the relevant parts of the air bag inflation device to enable the external air bag and the internal air bag to effectively inflate for protecting automobile body and object against damage and passengers against personal injury from a collision.

Claims

1. An air bag system installed in a vehicle for protecting vehicles, passengers, roadside objects, and pedestrians from being damaged and injured at a collision, the air bag system comprising:

means for using an external detection system for obtaining information relating to a roadway obstacle, a roadway vehicle and roadway conditions;

means for using an internal detection system installed inside of the roadway vehicle for obtaining information on passengers'"'"' conditions inside of the roadway vehicle;

means for using a wireless system for obtaining required information to function the air bag system;

means for a computer processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) installed in the roadway vehicle to process information obtained by said external detection system, said internal detection system, and said wireless system based on information inputted in said CPU, said CPU having a means for calculating of a criterion for inflation of an external air bag, calculating inflation size and shape of the external air bag, and calculating absorption quantity of the external air bag, and said CPU having a means for calculating a criterion for inflation of an internal air bag and calculating absorption quantity of the internal air bag;

means for using at least one external air bag inflation device installed in the roadway vehicle, said at least one external air bag inflation device having an external air bag installed therein for inflating said external air bag prior to a collision over an external portion of the roadway vehicle in an imminent situation to reduce collision damage to the vehicle and obstacles, injury to passengers and pedestrians;

means for using at least one internal air bag inflation device installed in the roadway vehicle, said at least one internal air bag inflation device having an internal air bag installed therein for inflating said internal air bag toward the passengers of the roadway vehicle prior to a collision in an imminent situation to reduce injury to the passengers;

means for deciding an inflation size of each external and internal air bag according to a roller connected to a motor controlled by said CPU installed in an air bag inflation device in the vehicle;

said external air bag inflation device and said internal air bag inflation device comprising;

an air bag, one end of which being attached to a roller for enabling said roller to release said air bag from a retracted condition by the roller rotating in a first direction;

a roller rotatably positioned inside of said air bag inflation device for enabling the roller to rotate for controlling inflation size of said air bag;

a motor attached to the roller for rotatably driving the roller, the motor being rotatable in a second direction for opposing rotation of the roller, by which the releasing of said air bag is stopped at required inflation size to hold the inflation of said air bag;

a first roller sensor attached to an inside surface of said air bag inflation device surrounding the roller to help detect the number of rotations of said roller;

a second roller sensor attached to an outside surface of said roller for providing a means by which number of rotations of the roller is detected;

a first absorption device connected to an external layer of said air bag to provide a primary means for relieving a collision impact intensity imposed on said air bag in an inflated shape;

a second absorption device connected to an internal layer of said air bag to provide a secondary means for relieving a collision impact intensity imposed on said air bag in an inflated shape; and

a photoelectron system used for supplying energy to air bag system, which is currently used in the industries.

2. The system recited in claim 1, wherein said external detection system comprises:

a first sensing device installed in a roadway vehicle for detecting obstacles surrounding the roadway vehicle;

a second sensing device installed on a lamp post along the road for detecting information relating to the roadway conditions;

a third sensing device installed in a communication satellite in the earth'"'"'s atmosphere for detecting roadway conditions;

a fourth sensing device installed in a roadway obstacle for detecting roadway conditions around the roadway obstacle.

3. The system recited in claim 2, wherein said external detection system further comprises:

a coating material placed on a dangerous object that may possibly give damage to automobile, injury to passengers, or damage to object itself by the automobile at collision, said coating material capable of being detected by said external detection system for distinguishing an obstacle accurately to let said CPU determine whether or not an inflation of the air bag is required against the object; and

said coating material for being placed on said external air bag inflation device or an external surface of the body of the vehicle where said external air bag inflation device is internally installed for having said external detection system easily confirm existence of said external air bag inflation device or a location of said external air bag inflation device if it is therein.

4. The system recited in claim 1, wherein said wireless system comprises:

a first wireless apparatus installed in the roadway vehicle for receiving and transmitting information from and to said CPU;

a second wireless apparatus installed in the roadway obstacle for transmitting information relating to the roadway obstacle to said first wireless apparatus;

a third wireless apparatus installed in a satellite for transmitting information relating to a roadway situation to said first wireless apparatus from a position situated in the earth'"'"'s atmosphere; and

a fourth wireless apparatus installed on a lamp post for transmitting information relating to a roadway situation to said first wireless apparatus from a position situated along the roadside.

5. The system recited in claim 4, wherein said first wireless apparatus receives and transmits information from and to said CPU and also transmits the information to said second wireless apparatus installed on a roadway obstacle to advise the roadway obstacle on the situation of the roadway vehicle.

6. The system recited in claim 1, wherein each of said first absorption device and said second absorption device is a valve or port.

7. The system recited in claim 6, wherein said valve or port controlled by said CPU controls an absorption quantity of said external air bag.

8. The system recited in claim 6, wherein said valve or port controlled by said CPU controls an absorption quantity of said internal air bag.

9. The system recited in claim 1, wherein said CPU controls inflation size of said external air bag based on said first roller sensor and said second roller sensor.

10. The system recited in claim 1, wherein said CPU controls inflation size of said internal air bag based on said first roller sensor and said second roller sensor.

11. The system recited in claim 1, wherein said CPU controls nation size of said external air bag by controlling the roller.

12. The system recited in claim 1, wherein said CPU controls inflation size of said external air bag by controlling the motor attached to the roller.

13. The system recited in claim 1, wherein said CPU controls inflation size of said internal air bag by controlling the roller.

14. The system recited in claim 1, wherein said CPU controls inflation size of said internal air bag by controlling the motor attached to the roller.

15. The system recited in claim 1, wherein said CPU is programmed to generate signal for controlling said external air bag inflation device according to the information calculated based on the information obtained by said external detection system and said wireless system and the information inputted in said CPU.

16. The system recited in claim 1, wherein said CPU is programmed to generate signal for controlling said internal air bag inflation device according to a calculation based on the information obtained by said external detection system, said wireless system, and said internal detection system and also the information inputted in said CPU.

17. The system recited in claim 1, wherein said CPU has a processing means for calculating inflation size and absorption quantity under which said internal air bag of said roadway vehicle inflates based on the information stored in said CPU and the information obtained by said external detection system, said internal detection system, and said wireless system.

18. The system recited in claim 1, wherein said photoelectron system is installed in said roadway vehicle for an endless supply of electric energy to the relevant parts of the vehicle for an operation of the air bag system.

19. The system recited in claim 1, wherein said CPU calculates an inflation size of said external air bag of said roadway vehicle based on an external air bag inflation device in an applicable zone of said roadway vehicle.

20. The system recited in claim 1, wherein said CPU calculates an inflation size of said external air bag of said roadway vehicle based on a minimum allowable time (distance) window.

21. The system recited in claim 1, wherein said CPU calculates an inflation size of said external air bag on said roadway vehicle based on the time (distance) that elapses from a detected point on said roadway obstacle to a collision point between said external air bag of said roadway vehicle and said roadway obstacle.

22. The system recited in claim 1, wherein said CPU calculates an inflation size of said external air bag of said roadway vehicle based on an anticipated collision point.

23. The system recited in claim 1, wherein said CPU calculates an inflation size of said external air bag of said roadway vehicle based on a moving speed of said roadway obstacle relative to said roadway vehicle.

24. The system recited in claim 1, wherein said CPU calculates an inflation size of said external air bag of said roadway vehicle based on a moving location of said roadway obstacle relative to said roadway vehicle according to shapes of both said roadway vehicle and the roadway obstacle and sizes of both the shapes.

25. The system recited in claim 1, wherein said CPU calculates an inflation size of said external air bag of said roadway vehicle based on disaccord or accord between an anticipated collision point and a location of said external air bag inflation device of said roadway obstacle.

26. The system recited in claim 25, wherein said CPU calculates an inflation size of said external air bag of said roadway vehicle when accord exists, to be half the inflation size of said external air bag of said roadway vehicle based on disaccord.

27. The system recited in claim 1, wherein said CPU calculates an absorption quantity of said external air bag of said roadway vehicle based on disaccord or accord between an anticipated collision point and a location of said external air bag inflation device of said roadway obstacle.

28. The system recited in claim 27, wherein said CPU calculates an absorption quantity of said external air bag of said roadway vehicle based on an anticipated real collision point according to disaccord.

29. The system recited in claim 27, wherein said CPU calculates an absorption quantity of said external air bag of said roadway vehicle based on a comparison of the nature of said roadway obstacle to the nature of sad external air bag of said roadway vehicle according to disaccord.

30. The system recited in claim 27, wherein said CPU calculates an absorption quantity of said external air bag of said roadway vehicle based on an anticipated real collision point according to accord.

31. The system recited in claim 27, wherein said CPU calculates an absorption quantity of said external air bag of said roadway vehicle based on a comparison of the nature of said external air bag of said roadway obstacle to the nature of said external air bag of said roadway vehicle according to accord.

32. The system recited in claim 27, wherein said CPU calculates an absorption quantity of said external air bag of said roadway vehicle based on inflation size and shape of said external air bag in an applicable zone of said roadway obstacle according to accord.

33. The system recited in claim 27, wherein said CPU calculates an absorption quantity of said external air bag of said roadway vehicle based on a moving speed of said roadway obstacle relative to said roadway vehicle.

34. The system recited in claim 27, wherein said CPU calculates an absorption quantity of said external air bag of said roadway vehicle based on a direction of motion of said roadway obstacle relative to said roadway vehicle.

35. The system recited in claim 27, wherein said CPU calculates an absorption quantity of said external air bag of said roadway vehicle based on a comparison of the weight of said roadway obstacle to the weight of said roadway vehicle.

36. The system recited in claim 27, wherein said CPU calculates an absorption quantity of said external air bag of said roadway vehicle based on an inflation size and shape of said external air bag in an applicable zone of said roadway vehicle.

37. The system recited in claim 1, wherein said CPU calculates a criterion for inflation of said internal air bag in an applicable zone of said roadway vehicle based on disaccord or accord existing between an anticipated collision point and a location of said external air bag inflation device of said roadway obstacle.

38. The system recited in claim 37, wherein said CPU calculates a criterion for inflation of said internal air bag in an applicable zone of said roadway vehicle based on an anticipated real collision point according to disaccord.

39. The system recited in claim 37, wherein said CPU calculates a criterion for inflation of said internal air bag in an applicable zone of said roadway vehicle based on a comparison of the nature of said roadway obstacle to the nature of said external air bag of said roadway vehicle according to disaccord.

40. The system recited in claim 37, wherein said CPU calculates a criterion for inflation of said internal air bag in an applicable zone of said roadway vehicle based on an anticipated real collision point according to accord.

41. The system recited in claim 37, wherein said CPU calculates a criterion for inflation of said internal air bag in an applicable zone of said roadway vehicle based on a comparison of the nature of said external air bag of said roadway obstacle to the nature of said external air bag of said roadway vehicle according to accord.

43. The system recited in claim 37, wherein said CPU calculates a criterion for inflation of said internal air bag in an applicable zone of said roadway vehicle based on an absorption quantity of said external air bag in an applicable zone of said roadway obstacle according to accord.

44. The system recited in claim 37, wherein said CPLJ calculates a criterion for inflation of said internal air bag in an applicable zone of said roadway vehicle based on an inflation size and shape of said eternal air bag in an applicable zone of said roadway vehicle.

45. The system recited in claim 37, wherein said CPU calculates a criterion for inflation of said internal air bag in an applicable zone of said roadway vehicle based on an absorption quantity of said external air bag in an applicable zone of said roadway vehicle.

46. The system recited in claim 37, wherein said CPU calculates an absorption quantity of said internal air bag in an applicable zone of said roadway vehicle based on a comparison of the weight of said roadway obstacle to the weight of said roadway vehicle.

47. The system recited in claim 1, wherein said CPU calculates an absorption quantity of said internal air bag in an applicable zone of said roadway vehicle based on disaccord or accord existing between an anticipated collision point and a location of said external air bag inflation device of said roadway obstacle.

48. The system recited in claim 47, wherein said CPU calculates an absorption quantity of said internal air bag in an applicable zone of said roadway vehicle based on an anticipated real collision point according to disaccord.

49. The system recited in claim 47, wherein said CPU calculates an absorption quantity of said internal air bag in an applicable zone of said roadway vehicle based on a comparison of the nature of said roadway obstacle to the nature of said external air bag of said roadway vehicle according to disaccord.

50. The system recited in claim 47, wherein said CPU calculates an absorption quantity of said internal air bag in an applicable zone of said roadway vehicle based on an anticipated real collision point according to accord.

51. The system recited in claim 47, wherein said CPU calculates an absorption quantity of said internal air bag in an applicable zone of said roadway vehicle based on a comparison of the nature of said external air bag of said roadway obstacle to the nature of said external air bag of said roadway vehicle according to accord.

52. The system recited in claim 47, wherein said CPU calculates an absorption quantity of said internal air bag in an applicable zone of said roadway vehicle based on an inflation size and shape of said external air bag in an applicable zone of said roadway obstacle according to accord.

53. The system recited in claim 47, wherein said CPU calculates an absorption quantity of said internal air bag in an applicable zone of said roadway vehicle based on an absorption quantity of said external air bag in an applicable zone of said roadway obstacle according to accord.

54. The system recited in claim 47, wherein said CPU calculates an absorption quantity of said internal air bag in an applicable zone of said roadway vehicle based on a moving speed of said roadway obstacle relative to said roadway vehicle.

55. The system recited in claim 47, wherein said CPU calculates an absorption quantity of said internal air bag in an applicable zone of said roadway vehicle based on a direction of motion of said roadway obstacle relative to said roadway vehicle.

56. The system recited in claim 47, wherein said CPU calculates an absorption quantity of the internal air bag in an applicable zone of said roadway vehicle based on an inflation size and shape of said external air bag in an applicable zone of said roadway vehicle.

57. The system recited in claim 47, wherein said CPU calculates an absorption quantity of the internal air bag in an applicable zone of said roadway vehicle based on an absorption quantity of said external air bag in an applicable zone of said roadway vehicle.

58. The system recited in claim 47, wherein said CPU calculates an absorption quantity of the internal air bag in an applicable zone of said roadway vehicle based on position, posture, weight, and size of occupants.

42. The system recited in 37, wherein said CPU calculates a criterion for inflation of said internal air bag in an applicable zone of said roadway vehicle based on inflation size and shape of said external air bag in an applicable zone of said roadway obstacle according to accord.