Airbag Deployment Control Based on Contact with Occupant
First Claim
1. A method for controlling outflow of fluid from a vehicular airbag, comprising:
- deploying the airbag toward an occupant prior to or during an accident involving the vehicle;
detecting contact between the airbag and the occupant by means of a sensor; and
controlling outflow of fluid from the airbag based on the detected contact by the sensor.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Method for controlling outflow of gas from an airbag includes deploying the airbag toward an occupant prior to or during an accident involving the vehicle, detecting contact between the airbag and the occupant by means of a sensor, and controlling outflow of gas from the airbag based on the detected contact. Contact between the airbag and the occupant may be detected by analyzing deceleration of the airbag, e.g., via an accelerometer arranged on a surface of the airbag, a pressure sensor arranged to sense the pressure in the airbag which is correlatable to the deceleration of the airbag and tension sensors arranged on tethers between opposed inner surfaces of the airbag. Outflow of fluid from the airbag may be controlled by arranging an exit control valve or vent in, on or in connection with the airbag and which is adjustable to provide variable outflows of gas from the airbag.
102 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for controlling outflow of fluid from a vehicular airbag, comprising:
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deploying the airbag toward an occupant prior to or during an accident involving the vehicle;
detecting contact between the airbag and the occupant by means of a sensor; and
controlling outflow of fluid from the airbag based on the detected contact by the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for controlling outflow of fluid from a vehicular airbag, comprising:
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an airbag arranged to deploy toward an occupant prior to or during an accident involving the vehicle;
a sensor system for detecting contact between said airbag and the occupant; and
a fluid outflow control system for controlling outflow of fluid from said airbag based on the contact between said airbag and the occupant as detected by said sensor system. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for controlling deployment of a vehicular airbag, comprising:
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detecting an accident involving the vehicle;
deploying the airbag toward an occupant prior to or during the accident at initial deployment conditions;
detecting contact between the airbag and the occupant by means of a sensor;
determining adjusted deployment conditions based on the detected contact; and
adjusting the deployment of the airbag to provide the adjusted deployment conditions. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification