Collision air bag and flotation system

• US 7,882,921 B2
• Filed: 06/18/2007
• Issued: 02/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: A-Hamid Hakki, Sam Hakki
• Original Assignee: A-Hamid Hakki, Sam Hakki
• Inventors: Hakki, A-Hamid, Hakki, Sam
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming; Faye M.
• Application Number:
  US11/820,127
• Publication Number:
  US 20080309060A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,331 Days
• Field of Search: 180/271, 280/735
• US Class Current: 180/271
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/205 inflatable in the direction of an obstacle upon impending impact, e.g. using air bags
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0016 Fall in water
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0088 Cycles, e.g. motorcycles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0093 Aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/138 using external airbags
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23332 using independent bags, one within the other
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0134 responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle , e.g. using radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/239 characterised by their venting means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/36 using airbags

Abstract

A pre-impact inflation air bag system for a vehicle having a preselected decreasing distance between the vehicle and an object is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of nested inflatable air bags. A plurality of inflators are provided for inflating the plurality of nested inflatable air bags, respectively. A collision sensor produces a collision sensor output upon detecting the object with the preselected decreasing distance between the vehicle and the object. A controller receives the collision sensor output for simultaneously inflating each of the plurality of nested inflatable air bags between vehicle and an object. A plurality of pressure relief members are connected to the plurality of nested inflatable air bags for sequentially deflating the plurality of nested inflatable air bags upon sequential impact of the plurality of nested inflatable air bags with the object.

Claims

1. A process for deploying a plurality of pre-impact inflation air bags for reducing an impact to a vehicle upon an imminent collision with an object, comprising the steps of:

simultaneously inflating a plurality of nested inflatable air bags between the vehicle and the object for decreasing a velocity of the vehicle; and

sequentially deflating a plurality of nested inflatable air bags to limit the maximum deceleration of the vehicle to be under eighteen-times the force of gravity (18g).

2. A process for deploying a plurality of pre-impact inflation air bags for reducing an impact to a vehicle upon an imminent collision with an object, comprising the steps of:

simultaneously inflating a plurality of nested inflatable air bags between the vehicle and the object for decreasing a velocity of the vehicle; and

sequentially deflating the plurality of nested inflatable air bags starting with a deflation of an outer most inflatable air bag to an inner most inflatable air bag of said plurality of nested inflatable air bags to limit the maximum deceleration of the vehicle to be under eighteen-times the force of gravity (18g) during the sequentially deflating the plurality of nested inflatable air bags.

3. A pre-impact inflation air bag system for a vehicle having a preselected decreasing distance between the vehicle and an object, comprising:

an inflatable air bag;

an enclosure located on the vehicle for containing said inflatable air bag;

an inflator for inflating said inflatable air bag;

a camera for imaging a region about the vehicle;

a recorder for recording images from said camera;

a collision sensor for producing a collision sensor output upon detecting the object with the preselected decreasing distance between the vehicle and the object;

a controller receiving said collision sensor output for providing a controller output to inflate said inflatable air bag between vehicle and an object; and

said controller output connected to actuate said camera for imaging a region about the vehicle just prior to impact with the object.