Device for stopping an airbag unfolding in a motor vehicle

• US 6,685,221 B1
• Filed: 12/11/2001
• Issued: 02/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering SARL
• Original Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering SARL
• Inventors: Serban, Bogdan, Witte, Michel, Schoos, Aloyse
• Primary Examiner(s): Dunn, David R.
• Application Number:
  US09/914,719
• Time in Patent Office: 784 Days
• Field of Search: 280/735, 280/734, 280/736, 280/740, 280/742, 280/731, 280/732
• US Class Current: 280/735
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01504 detecting bag displacement
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01528 mounted on the bag
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01532 using electric or capacitive field sensors

Abstract

A system for stopping the deployment of an airbag in a vehicle includes a detector for detecting a position of the airbag with respect to an occupant of the vehicle and an airbag operating device. The detector is located on the airbag in an area which, upon deployment of the airbag, is facing the occupant of the vehicle. The detector generates a position signal which is sent to the airbag operating device such that the airbag operating device stops the deployment of the airbag when the position signal indicates a predetermined position of the airbag in relation to the occupant.

Claims

1. A system for stopping the deployment of an airbag in a vehicle, comprising a detector for detecting a position of said airbag with respect to an occupant of the vehicle and an airbag operating device, said detector being located on said airbag in an area which, on deployment of the airbag, is facing said occupant of the vehicle, said detector generating a position signal which is sent to said airbag operating device, and said airbag operating device stopping the deployment of the airbag when said position signal indicates a preset position of the airbag in relation to the occupant, wherein said detector is a contact detector for detecting a contact between the airbag and the occupant;

wherein said contact detector is a force sensor, said force sensor detecting the pressure exerted by said airbag on said occupant; and

wherein the force sensor comprises at least two electrode structures located on said airbag at a certain distance from each other and a layer of semi-conducting material located in an active area of said force sensor, above said electrode structures, said layer of semi-conducting material being in close contact with said electrode structures, and said layer of semi-conducting material having an internal resistance varying with the deformation of said layer.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said layer of semi-conducting material comprises a semi-conducting ink which is printed onto said electrode structures.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said layer of semi-conducting material comprises a conductive elastomer which is deposited onto said electrode structures.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said layer of semi-conducting material comprises a conductive elastomer which is glued onto said electrode structures.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the layer of semi-conducting material is divided into several areas, located at different places above said electrode structures and defining several active areas of said force sensor.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said electrode structures are printed on the airbag.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein said electrode structures are deposited on the airbag.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein said electrode structures are engraved or etched into a metal layer deposited on the airbag.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein said electrode structures are woven or knitted into the airbag.

10. The system according to claim 1, comprising a protective layer applied to said electrode structures and said layer of semi-conducting material.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein said contact detector is connected to said airbag operating system by means of conductors deposited or printed on the airbag.

12. The system according to claim 1, comprising at least one airbag and at least one system for stopping the deployment of the airbag.

13. The system according to claim 12 further comprising several airbags and several systems for stopping deployment of said airbags, wherein each of said systems is associated with stopping a deployment of one of said airbags of the vehicle.