Vehicle occupant protection apparatus with inflation volume and shape control
First Claim
1. A vehicle occupant protection apparatus comprising:
- an inflatable device for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle during a crash condition;
a support structure securing a portion of the inflatable device;
a plurality of tethers extending between the support structure and the inflatable device;
at least one sensor for sensing a vehicle occupant condition and generating an occupant condition signal indicative of the sensed condition; and
a control module for receiving the occupant condition signal and determining a preferred inflation volume and shape for the inflatable device;
the control module determining which of the respective tethers to release for inflating the inflatable device to the preferred inflation volume and shape and initiating the release of the respective tethers from the support structure.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable device (14) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle during a crash condition. A support structure (18) secures a portion of the inflatable device (14). A plurality of tethers (34, 36, 38, and 40) extend between the support structure (18) and the inflatable device (14). At least one sensor (62, 64, 66, or 68) senses a vehicle occupant condition and generates an occupant condition signal indicative of the sensed condition. A control module (72) receives the occupant condition signal and determines a preferred inflation volume and shape for the inflatable device (14). The control module (72) determines which of the respective tethers (34, 36, 38, and 40) to release for inflating the inflatable device (14) to the preferred inflation volume and shape and initiates the release of the respective tethers (34, 36, 38, and 40) from the support structure (18).
45 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A vehicle occupant protection apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable device for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle during a crash condition;
a support structure securing a portion of the inflatable device;
a plurality of tethers extending between the support structure and the inflatable device;
at least one sensor for sensing a vehicle occupant condition and generating an occupant condition signal indicative of the sensed condition; and
a control module for receiving the occupant condition signal and determining a preferred inflation volume and shape for the inflatable device;
the control module determining which of the respective tethers to release for inflating the inflatable device to the preferred inflation volume and shape and initiating the release of the respective tethers from the support structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification