Method and apparatus for deployment of an air bag
DCFirst Claim
1. A restraint system for a vehicle, comprising:
- an airbag module having an inflator with a pair of initiators;
an airbag module controller for providing a sequential firing of both said pair of initiators such that there will be no unfired initiator left in said airbag module;
a plurality of sensors for providing input signals to said airbag module controller, said airbag module controller providing activation signals to said pair of initiators; and
an airbag module suppression system, said airbag module suppression system instructs said airbag module controller to suppress said airbag module;
wherein said airbag module controller is a sensing and diagnostic module, said sensing and diagnostic module generating a first signal and a second signal, said first signal activating one of said pair of initiators and said second signal activating the other one of said pair of initiators, said second signal being delayed a pre-determined time after said first signal; and
wherein said airbag module suppression system is a passive occupant detection system comprising a means for detecting a vehicle occupant, said passive occupant detection system instructs said airbag module controller to suppress said airbag module when a predetermined condition has been met;
wherein said sensing and diagnostic module receives a third signal indicative of the proper attachment and usage of a seatbelt, a fourth signal indicative of the approximate size by weight of the vehicle occupant, a fifth signal indicative of whether a seatbelt is fully extended or extended above a predetermined length and a sixth signal indicative of a threshold impact.
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Litigations
1 Petition
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for controlling the deployment of a passive inflatable restraint system wherein driver and passenger air bags are employed each having two independently actuatable gas generators of the same or different sizes which are activated in a fixed time sequence. The sequence is timed to provide an initial low inflation rate to just open the airbag container and initially deploy the airbag followed by a higher gas flow rate to complete filling of the cushion. An electronic control unit containing a control algorithm and connected to external sensors monitors vehicle decelerations, detects impacts, and determines if impact severity warrants deployment of an airbag for occupant protection. The external sensors include one or more sensors located in the forward portion of the vehicle to provide early impact detection and crash severity indications; a weight based occupant detection system located in the passenger seat to identify infants and small children and provide airbag suppression; and a seat belt mode or seat belt tension sensor to determine the presence of a cinched child seat and provide additional airbag suppression. The control algorithm monitors the above described sensors and if a deployment is required, a signal for activating the first initiator and a second signal for activating the second initiator are provided, the second signal being delayed a predetermined time after the first signal is generated.
18 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A restraint system for a vehicle, comprising:
an airbag module having an inflator with a pair of initiators; an airbag module controller for providing a sequential firing of both said pair of initiators such that there will be no unfired initiator left in said airbag module; a plurality of sensors for providing input signals to said airbag module controller, said airbag module controller providing activation signals to said pair of initiators; and an airbag module suppression system, said airbag module suppression system instructs said airbag module controller to suppress said airbag module; wherein said airbag module controller is a sensing and diagnostic module, said sensing and diagnostic module generating a first signal and a second signal, said first signal activating one of said pair of initiators and said second signal activating the other one of said pair of initiators, said second signal being delayed a pre-determined time after said first signal; and wherein said airbag module suppression system is a passive occupant detection system comprising a means for detecting a vehicle occupant, said passive occupant detection system instructs said airbag module controller to suppress said airbag module when a predetermined condition has been met; wherein said sensing and diagnostic module receives a third signal indicative of the proper attachment and usage of a seatbelt, a fourth signal indicative of the approximate size by weight of the vehicle occupant, a fifth signal indicative of whether a seatbelt is fully extended or extended above a predetermined length and a sixth signal indicative of a threshold impact. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
Specification