Vehicle occupant protection apparatus with inflation volume and shape control

• US 6,616,184 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2001
• Issued: 09/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Incorporated (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Incorporated (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Fischer, Kurt F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DRAPER, DEANN L
• Application Number:
  US09/842,353
• Publication Number:
  US 20020158456A1
• Time in Patent Office: 867 Days
• Field of Search: 280/743.1, 280/743.2, 280/734, 280/735, 280/739, 280/728.1
• US Class Current: 280/743.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01225 control of expansion volume
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01238 control of expansion shape
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23382 Internal tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01512 Passenger detection systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/205 in dashboards
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/206 in the lower part of dashboards, e.g. for protecting the knees
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/233 comprising a plurality of individual compartments; comprising two or more bag-like members, one within the other B60R21/232 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2338 Tethers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/33 Arrangements for non-electric triggering of inflation electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements B60R21/01

Abstract

A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable device (14) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle during a crash condition. A support structure (18) secures a portion of the inflatable device (14). A plurality of tethers (34, 36, 38, and 40) extend between the support structure (18) and the inflatable device (14). At least one sensor (62, 64, 66, or 68) senses a vehicle occupant condition and generates an occupant condition signal indicative of the sensed condition. A control module (72) receives the occupant condition signal and determines a preferred inflation volume and shape for the inflatable device (14). The control module (72) determines which of the respective tethers (34, 36, 38, and 40) to release for inflating the inflatable device (14) to the preferred inflation volume and shape and initiates the release of the respective tethers (34, 36, 38, and 40) from the support structure (18).

Claims

1. A vehicle occupant protection apparatus comprising:

an inflatable device for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle during a crash condition;

a support structure securing a portion of the inflatable device;

a plurality of tethers extending between the support structure and the inflatable device;

at least one sensor for sensing a vehicle occupant condition and generating an occupant condition signal indicative of the sensed condition; and

a control module for receiving the occupant condition signal and determining a preferred inflation volume and shape for the inflatable device;

the control module selectively determining whether one or more of the plurality of tethers is to be released for controlling the inflation of the inflatable device to the preferred inflation volume and shape and initiating the release of the one or more of the plurality of tethers from the support structure.

2. The vehicle occupant protection apparatus of claim 1 further being defined by:

each one of the plurality of tethers being secured to the support structure by a release mechanism;

the release mechanism being actuatable by the controller; and

actuation of the release mechanism releasing one or more of the plurality of tethers from the support structure.

3. The vehicle occupant protection apparatus of claim 2 further being defined by:

the release mechanism including a solenoid mechanism connected to an anchoring plate;

in an unactuated condition, the solenoid mechanism pressing the anchoring plate against the support structure to clamp the plurality of tethers against the support structure;

upon actuation, the solenoid mechanism moving the anchoring plate away from the support structure to release the plurality of tethers.

4. The vehicle occupant protection apparatus of claim 2 further being defined by:

the release mechanism being an exploding fastener.

5. The vehicle occupant protection apparatus of claim 2 further being defined by:

each tether having a first end, a second end and an intermediate portion between the first and second ends;

the first end of the tether being secured to the support structure and the second end of the tether being secured to the inflatable device;

the intermediate portion of the tether being secured to the support structure by the release mechanism;

upon actuation of the release mechanism, the intermediate portion of the tether being released.

6. The vehicle occupant protection apparatus of claim 2 further being defined by:

the tether being secured to the support structure by a plurality of release mechanisms;

the plurality of release mechanisms being systematically actuated to control an amount of the tether being released.

7. The vehicle occupant protection apparatus of claim 2 further being defined by:

the release mechanism being a pyrotechnic charge that is applied to a portion of the tether;

the pyrotechnic charge being ignitable by the controller to sever the tether.

8. The vehicle occupant protection apparatus of claim 2 further being defined by:

the release mechanism including a retainer having a stem;

a pyrotechnic charge being applied to the stem of the retainer;

the retainer securing the tether to the support structure;

the pyrotechnic charge being ignitable by the controller to sever the stem of the retainer and release the tether.

9. The vehicle occupant protection apparatus of claim 1 further being defined by:

each of the tethers including a welt that surrounds a portion of the tether that is secured to the support structure.

10. A vehicle occupant protection apparatus comprising:

an inflatable device for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle during a crash condition;

a support structure securing a portion of the inflatable device;

a plurality of tethers extending between the support structure and the inflatable device;

at least one sensor for sensing a vehicle occupant condition and generating an occupant condition signal indicative of the sensed condition; and

a control module for receiving the occupant condition signal and determining a preferred inflation volume and shape for the inflatable device;

the control module determining which of the respective tethers to release for inflating the inflatable device to the preferred inflation volume and shape and initiating the release of the respective tethers from the support structure,

each of the tethers being secured to the support structure by a release mechanism;

the release mechanism being actuatable by the controller; and

actuation of the release mechanism releasing the tether from the support structure,

the release mechanism being an exploding fastener,

the exploding fastener including a tubular bolt;

the tubular bolt having a threaded outer surface for receiving a nut and a chamber having a pyrotechnic charge.

11. A vehicle occupant protection apparatus comprising:

an inflatable device for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle during a crash condition;

a support structure securing a portion of the inflatable device;

a plurality of tethers extending between the support structure and the inflatable device;

at least one sensor for sensing a vehicle occupant condition and generating an occupant condition signal indicative of the sensed condition; and

a control module for receiving the occupant condition signal and determining a preferred inflation volume and shape for the inflatable device;

the control module selectively determining whether at least one but less than all of the plurality of tethers is to be released for controlling inflation of the inflatable device to the preferred inflation volume and shape and initiating the release of the at least one but less than all of the plurality of tethers from the support structure.