System for controlling a motorcycle air bag

• US 6,702,321 B2
• Filed: 05/14/2001
• Issued: 03/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BMW AG (Bayerische Motoren Werke AG)
• Original Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Inventors: Thoma, Rainer
• Primary Examiner(s): Culbreth, Eric
• Assistant Examiner(s): To, Toan C
• Application Number:
  US09/853,628
• Publication Number:
  US 20010042973A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,030 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.1, 280/730.1, 280/735
• US Class Current: 280/730.1
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 27/20 Airbags specially adapted for motorcycles or the like

Abstract

In the case of a system for controlling a motorcycle air bag with respect to the sitting position of a motorcycle occupant, a distance measuring device measures the distance of the motorcycle occupant with respect to the motorcycle, and an adaptation device controls a motorcycle air bag corresponding to this distance.

Claims

1. System for controlling a motorcycle air bag with respect to a sitting position of a motorcycle occupant, comprising:

a distance measuring device for measuring a distance of a motorcycle occupant with respect to the motorcycle, and

an adaptation device for controlling a motorcycle air bag corresponding to said distance wherein, the distance measuring device includes a transmitter adapted to be arranged at a motorcycle occupant'"'"'s helmet and a motorcycle-fixed receiver for the signal emitted by the transmitter.

2. System according to claim 1,

wherein the distance measuring device is operable to determine the distance of a motorcycle-fixed point with respect to a given point on an exterior side of the motorcycle occupant.

3. System according to claim 1,

wherein the distance measuring device determines a contour of the motorcycle occupant.

4. System according to claim 1,

wherein the distance measuring device is arranged in an instrument cluster of the motorcycle.

5. System according to claim 1,

wherein the distance measuring device is arranged in a rear view mirror of the motorcycle.

6. System according to claim 1,

wherein the distance measuring device operates on the basis of ultrasound.

7. System according to claim 2,

wherein the distance measuring device operates on the basis of ultrasound.

8. System according to claim 3,

wherein the distance measuring device operates on the basis of ultrasound.

9. System according to claim 4,

wherein the distance measuring device operates on the basis of ultrasound.

10. System according to claim 5,

wherein the distance measuring device operates on the basis of ultrasound.