Multiple sensor controlled vehicle airbag deployment system

• US 7,344,153 B1
• Filed: 07/18/2005
• Issued: 03/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dimitri J. Manneh, Nicholas R. Mayo
• Original Assignee: Dimitri J. Manneh, Nicholas R. Mayo
• Inventors: Manneh, Dimitri J., Mayo, Nicholas R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson; Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Coker; Robert A.
• Application Number:
  US11/183,012
• Time in Patent Office: 974 Days
• Field of Search: 280/735, 280/736, 280/741, 701/45
• US Class Current: 280/735
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26058 using a combination of inflators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2633 with a plurality of inflation levels
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0132 responsive to vehicle motion parameters , e.g. to vehicle longitudinal or transversal deceleration or speed value
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0136 responsive to actual contact with an obstacle , e.g. to vehicle deformation, bumper displacement or bumper velocity relative to the vehicle monitoring crash strength in combination with passenger seat detection B60R21/01558
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01512 Passenger detection systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01542 detecting passenger motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01544 detecting seat belt parameters, e.g. length, tension or height-adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/017 including arrangements for providing electric power to safety arrangements or their actuating means, e.g. to pyrotechnic fuses or electro-mechanic valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/26 characterised by the inflation fluid source or means to control inflation fluid flow arrangement or mounting thereof to the vehicle B60R21/20; blasting cartridges for producing gas under pressure in general F42B3/04; initiators or igniters therefor F42B3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2644 using only solid reacting substances, e.g. pellets, powder

Abstract

A multiple sensor controlled vehicle airbag deployment system, the system having from one to a plurality of airbags, each airbag with multiple inflation cartridges, each cartridge with a conductive strip whereby the CPU of the system determines not only the number of cartridges to be fired per airbag, based upon multiple informational sensors, but also whether or not the correct number of cartridges fired, the system firing more cartridges if not, each airbag further comprised of more cartridges than needed for any single collision event, thereby protecting in more than one collision.

Claims

1. A multiple sensor controlled airbag and multiple cartridge airbag deployment system for protecting passengers of a vehicle in a collision, the system comprising:

a CPU for mounting within a motor vehicle, the CPU powered by the vehicle electrical system;

at least one occupant weight sensor for mounting within a seat bottom of the vehicle, each weight sensor for sensing the presence and weight of a passenger;

at least one occupant distance sensor, the distance sensor for reading at least one occupant'"'"'s distance from interior surfaces of the vehicle;

at least one seatbelt sensor, each seatbelt sensor detecting whether or not an occupied seatbelt is fastened;

a seatback angle sensor for detecting the angle of an occupied seatback;

a speed sensor for detecting the speed of the vehicle and the change of speed of the vehicle;

at least one airbag for installation within the vehicle;

a plurality of inflation cartridges for each airbag;

a propellant within each cartridge;

an igniter of each cartridge;

a filter for filtering ignition elements to prevent their discharge from the cartridge;

a seal at an end of each cartridge, the seal on the end of the cartridge opposite the igniter;

a conductive strip across each seal of each cartridge, whereby the conductive strip is broken upon cartridge firing, thereby notifying the CPU of cartridge firing,

whereby the CPU fires more cartridges to fill an airbag if the number of cartridges to be fired by the CPU were not fired, the CPU capable of reset after each collision,

whereby the system fires an appropriate number of cartridges for controlled airbag inflation in a collision event, each airbag fitted with sufficient cartridges for more than one collision.

2. The system in claim 1 wherein the CPU further derives information from a speedometer of the vehicle.

3. The system in claim 2 wherein the speed sensor of the vehicle is disposed within the CPU.