Airbag device
First Claim
1. An airbag device for a vehicle, the airbag device comprising:
- an airbag operatively mounted to a predetermined component of the vehicle;
a gas generator for inflating the airbag with inflation gas; and
a detector for detecting a load applied to the predetermined component of the vehicle to allow inflation of the airbag to be controlled based on the applied load.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An airbag device is provided to prevent an airbag from being deployed or to reduce the deployment force of an airbag when an airbag device or a vehicle-body component adjacent to the airbag device is leaned against by a vehicle occupant. In one form, a passenger-seat airbag device is set in an instrument panel and includes a bracket which is fixed to a vehicle-body member with, for example, a bolt. A strain gauge is attached to the bracket. When a lid covering the front side of a retainer is leaned against by a vehicle occupant, the weight of the occupant is transmitted to the bracket via the retainer, such that a small strain is generated in the bracket. Such a strain is detected by the strain gauge to allow the deployment force of the airbag to be reduced.
11 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An airbag device for a vehicle, the airbag device comprising:
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an airbag operatively mounted to a predetermined component of the vehicle;
a gas generator for inflating the airbag with inflation gas; and
a detector for detecting a load applied to the predetermined component of the vehicle to allow inflation of the airbag to be controlled based on the applied load. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A vehicle having a passenger compartment, the vehicle comprising:
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an instrument panel in the vehicle passenger compartment;
a steering wheel in the vehicle passenger compartment;
an airbag device associated with at least one of the instrument panel and the steering wheel and having an airbag for being inflated in the passenger compartment during vehicle emergency conditions; and
a lean force detector of the airbag device that detects a load applied by a passenger engaging and leaning against the one of the instrument panel and the steering wheel. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification