Side impact airbag systems

• US 6,209,909 B1
• Filed: 02/17/1998
• Issued: 04/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: American Vehicular Sciences LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Automotive Technologies International Incorporated
• Inventors: Breed, David S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Application Number:
  US09/024,085
• Time in Patent Office: 1,141 Days
• Field of Search: 280/735, 280/729, 280/730.1, 280/730.2, 280/736, 280/741, 280/806, 280/748, 280/751, 180/268, 180/274, 180/282
• US Class Current: 280/735
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0268 using sensors or detectors for adapting the seat or seat part, e.g. to the position of an occupant
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0272 using sensors or detectors for detecting the position of seat parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0276 reaction to emergency situations, e.g. crash
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/28 Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2806 for securing the child seat to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2863 backward facing
• 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 19/42 extending primarily along the sides of, or completely encircling, a vehicle ornamental or guard strips B60R13/04
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0006 Lateral collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23146 seat mounted
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23332 using independent bags, one within the other
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26058 using a combination of inflators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/013 including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0134 responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle , e.g. using radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01534 using electromagneticwaves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01536 using ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01538 for image processing, e.g. cameras or sensor arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/23138 specially adapted for side protection B60R21/23184, B60R21/232 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/233 : comprising a plurality of individual compartments; comprising two or more bag-like members, one within the other B60R21/232 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/26 : secured to the seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/321 : using electric means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/25 : using biometry
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/50 : of positioning data, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System] data
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/88 : Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications electromagnetic prospecting or detecting of objects, e.g. near-field detection, G01V3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/87 : Combinations of sonar systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/88 : Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting G01V1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/88 : Lidar systems specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/89 : for mapping or imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/417 : involving the use of neural networks
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/48 : of systems according to group G01S17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4802 : using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation; Target signature; Target cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/487 : Extracting wanted echo signals , e.g. pulse detection
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/539 : using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation; Target signature; Target cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/161 : Decentralised systems, e.g. inter-vehicle communication
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/163 : involving continuous checking
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/164 : Centralised systems, e.g. external to vehicles

Abstract

A variable inflation rate inflator system for inflating one or more airbags including an inflator for releasing a gas into the airbag(s), a first anticipatory crash sensor for determining that a crash requiring an airbag will occur based on data obtained prior to the crash and, upon the making of such a determination, triggering the inflator means to release gas into the airbag(s) to thereby inflate the same at a first inflation rate, and a second crash sensor for determining that a crash requiring an airbag will occur or is occurring and, upon the making of such a determination, affecting the inflator such that an additional quantity of gas is released thereby into the airbag(s) to thereby inflate the airbag(s) at a second inflation rate greater than the first inflation rate. Also, an airbag passive restraint system for protecting an occupant sitting in the seat adjacent the side door is disclosed including at least one airbag arranged to be inflated between the occupant and the side door, a sensor for detecting that a crash requiring deployment of the airbag(s) is required, an inflator for releasing a gas into the airbag(s) to inflate the same and which is triggered by the sensor to release gas into the airbag(s) in response to the detection by the sensor of a crash requiring deployment of the airbag(s), and a system for permitting the occupant to be displaced away from the side door upon inflation of the airbag(s) and thereby increase the space between the occupant and the side door.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle having a passive restraint system including at least first and second airbags and an inflator system for inflating said at least one airbag, said inflator system comprising:

inflator means for controlling accumulation of a gas in said at least one airbag and thus inflation of said at least one airbag, said inflator means comprising a first inflator means structured and arranged to produce gas and direct the gas into said first airbag and a second inflator means structured and arranged to produce gas and direct the gas into said second airbag,

a first anticipatory crash sensor for determining that a crash requiring an airbag will occur based on data obtained prior to the crash and, upon the making of such a determination, triggering said first inflator means to release gas into said first airbag to thereby inflate said at least one airbag at a first inflation rate; and

a second crash sensor for determining that a crash requiring an airbag will occur or is occurring and, upon the making of such a determination, triggering said second inflator means to release gas into said second airbag to thereby inflate said at least one airbag at a second inflation rate greater than said first inflation rate.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first airbag defines an interior and said second airbag is arranged in the interior of said first airbag.

3. The invention in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first and second inflator means are operatively independent of one another such that said first inflator means may be triggered by said first anticipatory crash sensor without triggering of said second inflator means and said second inflator means may be triggered by said second crash sensor without triggering of said first inflator means.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 1, wherein the vehicle includes a side door and a seat, at least one of said first and second airbags being arranged to inflate between the occupant and the side door, the passive restraint system further comprising

occupant displacement permitting means arranged in connection with the seat for permitting the occupant to be displaced away from the side door upon inflation of said at least one airbag and thereby increase the space between the occupant and the side door.

5. The invention in accordance with claim 4, wherein the passive restraint system further comprises a seatbelt coupled to the seat for restraining the occupant on the seat, said occupant displacement permitting means comprising slack introduction means arranged in connection with said seatbelt for introducing a controlled amount of slack into said seatbelt.

6. The invention in accordance with claim 5, wherein said slack introduction means comprise a spool on which an end of said seatbelt is wound, a sheave attached to said spool, a cable wound around said sheave, an actuator including a cylinder, a piston connected to said cable and movable within said cylinder and means defining a space between a bottom of said cylinder and said piston, and pressure generating means for generating a pressure in said space to force said piston in a direction to cause said sheave to rotate and thus said spool to rotate and unwind said seatbelt from said spool.

7. The invention in accordance with claim 6, wherein said pressure generating means comprise a housing containing propellant, a squib arranged in connection with said housing and being activated by at least one of said first anticipatory crash sensor and said second crash sensor to ignite said propellant and thereby produce pressurized gas, and a chamber in flow communication with said propellant to receive the pressurized gas, said chamber being in flow communication with said space in said actuator.

8. The invention in accordance with claim 1, wherein the vehicle includes a seat having a back portion, at least one of aid first and second airbags being arranged in said back portion of the seat.

9. The invention in accordance with claim 8, wherein said at least one airbag is attached to said back portion of the seat.

10. The invention in accordance with claim 8, wherein said at least one airbag is integral with said back portion of the seat.

11. The invention in accordance with claim 1, wherein said inflator system further comprises an airbag module having a housing, at least one of said first and second airbags being arranged in said housing.

12. The invention in accordance with claim 11, wherein the vehicle includes a seat having a back portion, said at least one airbag being arranged in said back portion of the seat.

13. The invention in accordance with claim 12, wherein said airbag module extends substantially along a vertical length of said back portion of the seat.

14. The invention in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second airbags is arranged to inflate outside of the vehicle.

15. The invention in accordance with claim 14, wherein said at least one airbag is arranged in an airbag module and said airbag module is mounted in a side door of the vehicle.

16. A method for inflating at least one airbag arranged in a vehicle, the vehicle including a side door, a seat and a seatbelt coupled to the seat for restraining an occupant on the seat, a first one of the at least one airbag being arranged to inflate between the occupant and the side door, the method comprising the steps of:

making a first determination by means of an anticipatory crash sensor that a crash requiring deployment of one or more airbags will occur based on data obtained prior to the crash,

upon the making of the first determination, producing gas by means of a first inflator means and releasing the gas into the first airbag,

making a second, separate determination by means of a second crash sensor that a crash requiring an airbag will occur or is occurring,

upon the making of the second determination, producing an additional quantity of gas by means of a second inflator means and releasing the additional quantity of gas into the first airbag, and

displacing the occupant away from the side door upon inflation of the first airbag to thereby increase the space between the occupant and the side door.

17. The invention in accordance with claim 16, further comprising the step of:

arranging the first and second inflator means to be operatively independent of one another such that the first inflator means may be triggered without triggering of the second inflator means and the second inflator means may be triggered without triggering of the first inflator means.

18. The invention in accordance with claim 16 wherein the step of displacing the occupant away from the side door comprises the step of introducing a controlled amount of slack into the seatbelt.

19. The invention in accordance with claim 16, further comprising the step of:

arranging an additional airbag in a back portion of a seat of the vehicle.

20. The invention in accordance with claim 16, further comprising the step of:

arranging an additional airbag in a housing of an airbag module extending substantially along a vertical length of a back portion of a seat of the vehicle.

21. The invention in accordance with claim 16, further comprising the step of:

arranging an additional airbag to inflate outside of the vehicle.

22. A motor vehicle having a passive restraint system including first and second airbags and an inflator system for inflating said first and second airbags, said inflator system comprising:

inflator means for inflating said first and second airbags,

a first anticipatory crash sensor for determining that a crash requiring inflation of said first airbag will occur based on data obtained prior to the crash and, upon the making of such a determination, causing said inflator means to inflate said first airbag,

said first crash sensor and said inflator means being structured and arranged such that said first airbag is inflated by said inflator means based solely on a determination by said first crash sensor that inflation of said first airbag is required, and

a second crash sensor for determining that a crash requiring inflation of said second airbag will occur or is occurring and, upon the making of such a determination, causing said inflator means to inflate said second airbag,

said second crash sensor and said inflator means being structured and arranged such that said second airbag is inflated by said inflator means based solely on a determination by said second crash sensor that inflation of said second airbag is required.

23. The invention in accordance with claim 22, wherein said second airbag is arranged in said first airbag.

24. The invention in accordance with claim 22, wherein said inflator means comprise a first inflator means structured and arranged to produce and release gas into said first airbag and a second inflator means, separate from said first inflator means, structured and arranged to produce and release gas into said second airbag.

25. A motor vehicle having a passive restraint system including an airbag and a variable inflation rate inflator system for inflating said airbag, the vehicle including a side door and a seat, said airbag being arranged to inflate between the occupant and the side door, said variable inflation rate inflator system comprising:

inflator means for releasing a gas into said airbag;

a first anticipatory crash sensor for determining that a crash requiring an airbag will occur based on data obtained prior to the crash and, upon the making of such a determination, triggering said inflator means to release gas into said airbag to thereby inflate said airbag at a first inflation rate; and

a second crash sensor for determining that a crash requiring an airbag will occur or is occurring and, upon the making of such a determination, changing the rate at which gas accumulates in said airbag to thereby inflate said airbag at a second inflation rate different than said first inflation rate;

said passive restraint system further comprising

occupant displacement permitting means arranged in connection with the seat for permitting the occupant to be displaced away from the side door upon inflation of said airbag and thereby increase the space between the occupant and the side door, and

a seatbelt coupled to the seat for restraining the occupant on the seat,

said occupant displacement permitting means comprising slack introduction means arranged in connection with said seatbelt for introducing a controlled amount of slack into said seatbelt.

26. The invention in accordance with claim 25, wherein said slack introduction means comprise a spool on which an end of said seatbelt is wound, a sheave attached to said spool, a cable wound around said sheave, an actuator including a cylinder, a piston connected to said cable and movable within said cylinder and means defining a space between a bottom of said cylinder and said piston, and pressure generating means for generating a pressure in said space to force said piston in a direction to cause said sheave to rotate and thus said spool to rotate and unwind said seatbelt from said spool.

27. The invention in accordance with claim 26, wherein said pressure generating means comprise a housing containing propellant, a squib arranged in connection with said housing and being activated by at least one of said first anticipatory crash sensor and said second crash sensor to ignite said propellant and thereby produce pressurized gas, and a chamber in flow communication with said propellant to receive the pressurized gas, said chamber being in flow communication with said space in said actuator.

28. A method for inflating an airbag arranged in a vehicle, the vehicle including a side door, a seat and a seatbelt coupled to the seat for restraining the occupant on the seat, the airbag being arranged to inflate between the occupant and the side door, the method comprising the steps of:

making a first determination by means of an anticipatory crash sensor that a crash requiring deployment of one or more airbags will occur based on data obtained prior to the crash and, upon the making of such a determination, releasing gas into the airbag,

making a second, separate determination by means of a second crash sensor that a crash requiring an airbag will occur or is occurring and, upon the making of such a determination, changing the rate at which gas accumulates in the airbag, and

displacing the occupant away from the side door upon inflation of the airbag to thereby increase the space between the occupant and the side door,

the step of displacing the occupant away from the side door comprising the step of introducing a controlled amount of slack into the seatbelt.

29. A motor vehicle having a passive restraint system including an airbag and a variable inflation rate inflator system for inflating said airbag, the vehicle includes a side door and a seat, said airbag being arranged to inflate between the occupant and the side door, said variable inflation rate inflator system comprising:

inflator means for controlling accumulation of a gas in said airbag and thus inflation of said airbag, said inflator means comprising a first inflator means structured and arranged to produce gas and direct the gas into said airbag and a second inflator means structured and arranged to produce gas and direct the gas into said airbag,

a first anticipatory crash sensor for determining that a crash requiring an airbag will occur based on data obtained prior to the crash and, upon the making of such a determination, triggering said first inflator means to release gas into said airbag to thereby inflate said airbag at a first inflation rate,

a second crash sensor for determining that a crash requiring an airbag will occur or is occurring and, upon the making of such a determination, triggering said second inflator means such that an additional quantity of gas is released by said second inflator means into said airbag to thereby inflate said airbag at a second inflation rate greater than said first inflation rate, and

occupant displacement permitting means arranged in connection with the seat for permitting the occupant to be displaced away from the side door upon inflation of said airbag and thereby increase the space between the occupant and the side door.

30. The invention in accordance with claim 29, wherein said first and second inflator means are operatively independent of one another such that said first inflator means may be triggered by said first anticipatory crash sensor without triggering of said second inflator means and said second inflator means may be triggered by said second crash sensor without triggering of said first inflator means.

31. The invention in accordance with claim 29, wherein the passive restraint system further comprises a seatbelt coupled to the seat for restraining the occupant on the seat, said occupant displacement permitting means comprising slack introduction means arranged in connection with said seatbelt for introducing a controlled amount of slack into said seatbelt.

32. The invention in accordance with claim 31, wherein said slack introduction means comprise a spool on which an end of said seatbelt is wound, a sheave attached to said spool, a cable wound around said sheave, an actuator including a cylinder, a piston connected to said cable and movable within said cylinder and means defining a space between a bottom of said cylinder and said piston.

33. The invention in accordance with claim 32, wherein said slack introduction means further comprise pressure generating means for generating a pressure in said space to force said piston in a direction to cause said sheave to rotate and thus said spool to rotate and unwind said seatbelt from said spool.

34. The invention in accordance with claim 33, wherein said pressure generating means comprise a housing containing propellant and a squib arranged in connection with said housing.

35. The invention in accordance with claim 34, wherein said squib is arranged to be activated by at least one of said first anticipatory crash sensor and said second crash sensor to ignite said propellant and thereby produce pressurized gas, said pressure generating means further comprising a chamber in flow communication with said propellant to receive the pressurized gas, said chamber being in flow communication with said space in said actuator.

36. The invention in accordance with claim 29, wherein said variable inflation rate inflator system further comprises an airbag module having a housing, said airbag being arranged in said housing.