Combined airbag inflation and occupant displacement enabling method and apparatus

• US 6,755,273 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2002
• Issued: 06/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FREEDMAN, LAURA
• Application Number:
  US10/097,082
• Publication Number:
  US 20020092693A1
• Time in Patent Office: 839 Days
• Field of Search: 180/268, 180/274, 180/282, 280/730.2, 280/734, 280/735, 280/801.1, 280/801.2, 280/805, 280/807, 296/65.01, 296/68.1, 296/65.06, 296/65.07, 296/65.11, 296/65.12, 296/65.13, 296/65.14, 296/65.15, 296/190.03, 297/216.1, 297/216.16, 297/216.18, 297/216.19, 297/216.2, 297/468, 297/470, 297/474, 297/475, 340/436, 342/70, 342/72, 701/45, 701/46, 701/47
• US Class Current: 180/274
• 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 2021/23332 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 21/01332 by frequency or waveform analysis
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0134 responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle , e.g. using radar systems
• 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

Combined airbag inflation and occupant displacement enabling system including a seat movably attached to a floor pan of the vehicle for supporting an occupant, an airbag which is inflated to protect the occupant during a crash, a sensor which detects that a crash requiring deployment of the airbag is required and an inflator which inflates the airbag. The inflator is coupled to the sensor and is triggered to inflate the airbag in response to the detection by the sensor of a crash requiring deployment of the airbag. The seat is arranged to move upon inflation of the airbag whereby movement of the seat causes displacement of the occupant. If an anticipatory sensor is provided, the seat can be designed to move at any time after a determination is made that a crash will occur.

Claims

1. In a motor vehicle, a combined airbag inflation and occupant displacement enabling system comprising:

a seat movably attached to a floor pan of the vehicle for supporting an occupant;

at least one airbag arranged to be inflated from a first storage position to a second deployed position in which it is situated between the occupant and a vehicle structure and provides a cushion against which the occupant impacts during a crash to thereby protect the occupant during the crash from impacting the vehicle structure;

an inflator arranged to inflate said at least one airbag into the second position in which it provides the cushion against which the occupant impacts during the crash, and

an anticipatory sensor coupled to said inflator and structured and arranged to determine that a crash requiring deployment of said at least one airbag to prevent the occupant from contacting the vehicle structure will occur based on data obtained prior to the crash,

said inflator being triggered by said anticipatory sensor to inflate said at least one airbag prior to the start of the crash,

said seat being arranged to move automatically after the determination of the impending crash by said anticipatory sensor whereby movement of said seat causes displacement of the occupant and such that both the inflation of said at least one airbag by said inflator and the automatic movement of said seat are enabled by anticipatory sensing of the crash by said anticipatory sensor.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising seat displacement permitting means arranged in connection with said seat for permitting the seat to be displaced after determination of the impending crash by said anticipatory sensor.

3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said at least one airbag is arranged to inflate toward said seat such that said seat is moved upon inflation of said at least one airbag.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a seatbelt coupled to the seat for restraining the occupant on said seat said seatbelt having a belted position in which said seatbelt restrains the occupant and an unbelted position in which the occupant is unrestrained; and

slack introduction means arranged in connection with said seatbelt and coupled to said sensor for introducing a controlled amount of slack into said seatbelt prior to or upon inflation of said at least one airbag.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a seatbelt coupled to the seat for restraining the occupant on said seat, said seatbelt having a belted position in which said seatbelt restrains the occupant and an unbelted position in which the occupant is unrestrained, said seatbelt having a plurality of anchorage points with the anchorage point of said seatbelt being adjustable prior to or upon inflation of said at least one airbag.

6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said at least one airbag is arranged to be inflated between the occupant and a side door of the vehicle, said seat being arranged to move away from said side door upon inflation of said at least one airbag.

7. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising at least one rail mechanism for movably supporting said seat such that said seat is movable upon inflation of said at least one airbag, each of said at least one rail mechanism including a first member having a guide channel arranged in connection with said seat or the vehicle and a second member positioned for movement in said guide channel arranged in the other of said seat and the vehicle.

8. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein each of said at least one rail mechanism is oriented in a direction of deployment of said at least one airbag to thereby enable said seat to be moved away from said at least one airbag upon inflation of said at least one airbag.

9. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein said guide channel is curved and said second member is positioned for curving or rotational movement in said curved guide channel such that said seat is rotatable.

10. A method for protecting an occupant sitting in a seat during a crash of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

movably attaching the seat to a floor pan of the vehicle;

arranging at least one airbag to inflate from a first storage position to a second deployed position in which it is situated between the occupant and a vehicle structure and provides cushion against which the occupant impacts during a crash to thereby protect the occupant during the crash from impacting the vehicle structure;

determining that a crash requiring deployment of the at least one airbag to prevent the occupant from contacting the vehicle structure will occur prior to the crash based on anticipatory sensing;

inflating the at least one airbag into the second position in which it provides the cushion against which the occupant impacts during the crash based on the determination of the impending crash; and

constructing the seat to enable automatic movement of the seat after determination of the impending crash and prior to the crash such that both the inflation of the at least one airbag and the automatic movement of the seat are enabled by anticipatory sensing of the crash.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of:

coupling a seatbelt to the seat; and

introducing a controlled amount of slack into the seatbelt prior to or upon inflation of the at least one airbag.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of introducing a controlled amount of slack into the seatbelt comprises the steps of:

providing an electrically reactive device to introduce slack into the seatbelt; and

directing a signal to the reactive device in response to the determination of the impending crash.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of:

coupling a seatbelt to the seat, the seatbelt having a plurality of anchorage points; and

adjusting the anchorage point of the seatbelt prior to or upon inflation of the at least one airbag.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of adjusting the anchorage point of the seatbelt comprises the steps of:

providing an electrically reactive device to change the anchorage point of the seatbelt; and

directing a signal to the reactive device in response to the determination of the impending crash.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of positioning the at least one airbag to inflate between the seat and a side door of the vehicle such that the seat is moved away from the side door upon inflation of the at least one airbag.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of constructing the seat to move after determination of the impending crash by and prior to the crash comprises the step of mounting the seat on at least one rail mechanism, each of the at least one rail mechanism including a first member having a guide channel arranged in connection with the seat or the vehicle and a second member positioned for movement in the guide channel arranged in the other of the seat and the vehicle.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of orienting each of the at least one rail mechanism in a direction of deployment of the at least one airbag to thereby enable the seat to be moved away from the at least one airbag upon inflation of the at least one airbag.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the guide channel is curved and the second member is positioned for curving or rotational movement in the curved guide channel such that the seat is rotatable.

19. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of constructing the seat to move after determination of the impending crash by and prior to the crash comprises the step of constructing the seat to move upon exertion of a force caused by inflation of the at least one airbag.

20. In a motor vehicle, a combined airbag inflation and occupant displacement enabling system comprising:

a seat movably attached to a floor pan of the vehicle for supporting an occupant;

at least one airbag arranged to be inflated to protect the occupant during a crash;

an inflator arranged to inflate said at least one airbag;

an anticipatory sensor coupled to said inflator and structured and arranged to determine that a crash will occur based on data obtained prior to the crash, said inflator being triggered by said anticipatory sensor to inflate said at least one airbag; and

occupant displacement means coupled to said anticipatory sensor for displacing or enabling displacement of the occupant prior to inflation of said at least one airbag based on the determination of the impending crash by said anticipatory sensor such that both the inflation of said at least one airbag by said inflator and the displacement of the occupant by said occupant displacement means are enabled by anticipatory sensing of the crash by said anticipatory sensor.

21. The vehicle of claim 20, wherein said occupant displacement means comprise a pre-positioning airbag arranged to deploy prior to the crash and prior to deployment of said at least one airbag to move the occupant or a part of the occupant.

22. The vehicle of claim 20, further comprising:

a seatbelt coupled to the seat for restraining the occupant on said seat, said seatbelt having a belted position in which said seatbelt restrains the occupant and an unbelted position in which the occupant is unrestrained; and

slack introduction means arranged in connection with said seatbelt and coupled to said anticipatory sensor for introducing a controlled amount of slack into said seatbelt prior to inflation of said at least one airbag to thereby enable displacement of the occupant.

23. The vehicle of claim 22, 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 direction to cause said sheave to rotate and thus said spool to rotate and unwind said seatbelt from said spool.

24. The vehicle of claim 23, wherein said pressure generating means comprise a housing containing propellant, a squib arranged in connection with said housing and being activated by said anticipatory 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.

25. In a motor vehicle, a combined airbag inflation and occupant displacement enabling system comprising:

a seat movably attached to a floor pan of the vehicle for supporting an occupant;

at least one airbag arranged to be inflated from a first storage position to a second deployed position in which it is situated between the occupant and a vehicle structure and provides a cushion against which the occupant impacts during a crash to thereby protect the occupant during the crash from impacting the vehicle structure;

at least one sensor each arranged to determine that a crash requiring deployment of said at least one airbag to prevent the occupant from contacting the vehicle structure will occur or has occurred; and

an inflator arranged to inflate said at least one airbag into the second position in which it provides the cushion against which the occupant impacts during the crash, said inflator being coupled to said at least one sensor and being triggered to inflate said at least one airbag on response to the crash determination by said at least one sensor;

said seat being arranged to automatically move upon inflation of said at least one airbag whereby movement of said seat causes displacement of the occupant.

26. The vehicle of claim 25, further comprising seat displacement permitting means arranged in connection with said seat for permitting the seat to be displaced upon inflation of said at least one airbag.

27. The vehicle of claim 25, further comprising:

a seatbelt coupled to the seat for restraining the occupant on said seat, said seatbelt having a belted position in which said seatbelt restrains the occupant and an unbelted position in which the occupant is unrestrained; and

slack introduction means arranged in connection with said seatbelt and coupled to said at least one sensor for introducing a controlled amount of slack into said seatbelt prior to or upon inflation of said at least one airbag.

28. The vehicle of claim 27, wherein said slack introduction means comprise a spool on which an end of said seatbelt is wound, a sheave attached to said spoor, 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 direction to cause said sheave to rotate and thus said spool to rotate and unwind said seatbelt from said spool, said pressure generating means comprising a housing containing propellant, a squib arranged in connection with said housing and being activated by said 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.

29. The vehicle of claim 25, further comprising a seatbelt coupled to the seat for restraining the occupant on said seat, said seatbelt having a belted position in which said seatbelt restrains the occupant and an unbelted position in which the occupant is unrestrained, said seatbelt having a plurality of anchorage points with the anchorage point of said seatbelt being adjustable prior to or upon inflation of said at least one airbag.

30. The vehicle of claim 29, wherein said plurality of anchorage points includes a first anchorage point defined by a strip permanently fixed to the vehicle and a second anchorage point permanently fixed to the vehicle, further comprising:

a first member connected to said strip;

a second member having a first position connected to said first member in which said seatbelt is retained at said first anchorage point and a second position apart from said first member in which said seatbelt is not retained at said first anchorage point; and

separation means coupled to said at least one sensor for moving said second member from said first position to said second position so that said seatbelt is no longer retained at said first anchorage point and the movement of the seat is not hindered by said seatbelt.

31. The vehicle of claim 25, wherein said at least one airbag is arranged to be inflated between a side door of the vehicle and a side of said seat adjacent said side door, said seat being arranged to be moved away from said side door upon inflation of said at least one airbag.

32. The vehicle of claim 25, wherein sad at least one sensor comprises an anticipatory sensor structured and arranged to detect that a crash will occur based on data obtained prior to the crash such that said inflator is triggered to release fluid into said at least one airbag prior to the start of the crash.

33. The vehicle of claim 25, further comprising at least one rail mechanism for movably supporting said seat such that said seat is movable upon inflation of said at least one airbag, each of said at least one rail mechanism including a first member having a guide channel arranged in connection with said seat or the vehicle and a second member positioned for movement in said guide channel arranged in the other of said seat and the vehicle.

34. The vehicle of claim 25, further comprising a first plate attached to said seat, a second plate attached to the vehicle and hingedly attached to said first plate, and a clamp for releasably retaining said first plate in connection with said second plate whereby release of said first plate enables tilting of said seat.

35. A method for protecting an occupant sitting in a seat during a crash of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

movably attaching the seat to a floor pan of the vehicle;

arranging at least one airbag to inflate from a first storage position to a second deployed position in which it is situated between the occupant and a vehicle structure and provides cushion against which the occupant impacts during a crash to thereby protect the occupant during the crash from impacting the vehicle structure;

determining that a crash requiring deployment of the at least one airbag to prevent the occupant from contacting the vehicle structure will occur or has occurred;

inflating the at least one airbag in response to the crash determination into the second position in which it provides the cushion against which the occupant impacts during the crash; and

constructing the seat to enable automatic movement of the seat upon inflation of the at least one airbag.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising the steps of:

coupling a seatbelt to the seat; and

introducing a controlled amount of slack into the seatbelt prior to or upon inflation of the at least one airbag by providing an electrically reactive device to introduce slack into the seatbelt and directing a signal to the reactive device in response to the crash determination.

37. The method of claim 35, further comprising the steps of:

coupling a seatbelt to the seat, the seatbelt having a plurality of anchorage points; and

adjusting the anchorage point of the seatbelt prior to or upon inflation of the at least one airbag by providing an electrically reactive device to change the anchorage point of the seatbelt and directing a signal to the reactive device in response to the crash determination.

38. The method of claim 35, further comprising the step of positioning the at least one airbag to inflate between a side door of the vehicle and a side of the seat adjacent the side door of the vehicle such that the seat is moved away from the side door upon inflation of the at least one airbag.

39. The method of claim 35, wherein the step of constructing the seat to move upon inflation of the at least one airbag comprises the step of mounting the seat on at least one rail mechanism, each of the at least one rail mechanism including a first member having a guide channel arranged in connection with the seat or the vehicle and a second member positioned for movement in the guide channel arranged in the other of the seat and the vehicle.

40. The method of claim 39, further comprising the step of orienting each of the at least one rail mechanism in a direction of deployment of the at least one airbag to thereby enable the seat to be moved away from the at least one airbag upon inflation of the at least one airbag.

41. The method of claim 35, wherein the step of constructing the seat to move upon inflation of the at least one airbag comprises the step of arranging the seat to tilt in a vertical plane by attaching a first plate to the seat, attaching a second plate to the vehicle, pivotally connecting the first and second plate together.

42. In a motor vehicle, a combined airbag inflation and occupant displacement enabling system comprising:

a seat movably attached to a floor pan of the vehicle for supporting an occupant;

at least one airbag arranged to be inflated to protect the occupant during a crash;

an inflator arranged to inflate said at least one airbag;

an anticipatory sensor coupled to said inflator and structured and arranged to determine that a crash requiring deployment of said at least one airbag will occur based on data obtained prior to the crash, said inflator being triggered by said anticipatory sensor to inflate said at least one airbag prior to the start of the crash, said seat being arranged to move automatically after the determination of the impending crash by said anticipatory sensor whereby movement of said seat causes displacement of the occupant; and

at least one rail mechanism for movably supporting said seat such that said seat is movable upon inflation of said at least one airbag, each of said at least one rail mechanism including a first member having a guide channel arranged in connection with said seat or the vehicle and a second member positioned for movement in said guide channel arranged in the other of said seat and the vehicle,

each of said at least one rail mechanism being oriented in a direction of deployment of said at least one airbag to thereby enable said seat to be moved away from said at least one airbag upon inflation of said at least one airbag.

43. A method for protecting an occupant sitting in a seat during a crash of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

movably attaching the seat to a floor pan of the vehicle;

determining that a crash requiring deployment of at least one airbag will occur prior to the crash;

inflating the at least one airbag based on the determination of the impending crash; and

constructing the seat to enable automatic movement of the seat after determination of the impending crash and prior to the crash,

the step of constructing the seat to enable movement thereof after determination of the impending crash by and prior to the crash comprising the steps of;

mounting the seat on at least one rail mechanism, each of the at least one rail mechanism including a first member having a guide channel arranged in connection with the eat or the vehicle and a second member positioned for movement in the guide channel arranged in the other of the seat and the vehicle; and

orienting each of the at least one rail mechanism in a direction of deployment of the at least one airbag to thereby enable the seat to be moved away from the at least one airbag upon inflation of the at least one airbag.

44. In a motor vehicle, a combined airbag inflation and occupant displacement enabling system comprising:

a seat movably attached to a floor pan of the vehicle for supporting an occupant;

at least one airbag arranged to be inflated to protect the occupant during a crash;

an inflator arranged to inflate said at least one airbag;

an anticipatory sensor coupled to said inflator and structured and arranged to determine that a crash will occur based on data obtained prior to the crash, said inflator being triggered by said anticipatory sensor to inflate said at least one airbag; and

occupant displacement means coupled to said anticipatory sensor for displacing or enabling displacement of the occupant prior to inflation of said at least one airbag based on the determination of the impending crash by said anticipatory sensor,

said occupant displacement means comprising a pre-positioning airbag arranged to deploy prior to the crash and prior to deployment of said at least one airbag to move the occupant or a part of the occupant.

45. In a motor vehicle, a combined airbag inflation and occupant displacement enabling system comprising:

a seat movably attached to a floor pan of the vehicle for supporting an occupant;

at least one airbag arranged to be inflated to protect the occupant during a crash;

an inflator arranged to inflate said at least one airbag;

an anticipatory sensor coupled to said inflator and structured and arranged to determine that a crash will occur based on data obtained prior to the crash, said inflator bring triggered by said anticipatory sensor to inflate said at least one airbag;

occupant displacement means coupled to said anticipatory sensor for displacing or enabling displacement of the occupant prior to inflation of said at least one airbag based on the determination of the impending crash by said anticipatory sensor;

a seatbelt coupled to the seat for restraining the occupant on said seat said seatbelt having a belted position in which said seatbelt restrains the occupant and an unbelted position in which the occupant is unrestrained; and

slack introduction means arranged in connection with said seatbelt and coupled to said anticipatory sensor for introducing a controlled amount of slack into said seatbelt prior to inflation of said at least one airbag to thereby enable displacement of the occupant.

46. In a motor vehicle, a combined airbag inflation and occupant displacement enabling system comprising:

a seat movably attached to a floor pan of the vehicle for supporting an occupant;

at least one airbag arranged to be inflated to protect the occupant during a crash;

at least one sensor each arranged to determine that a crash requiring deployment of said at least one airbag will occur or has occurred;

an inflator arranged to inflate said at least one airbag, said inflator being coupled to said at least one sensor and being triggered to inflate said at least one airbag in response to the crash determination by said at least one sensor, said seat being arranged to automatically move upon inflation of said at least one airbag whereby movement of said seat causes displacement of the occupant,

a seatbelt coupled to the seat for restraining the occupant on said seat, said seatbelt having a belted position in which said seatbelt restrains the occupant and an unbelted position in which the occupant is unrestrained; and

slack introduction means arranged in connection with said seatbelt and coupled to said at least one sensor for introducing a controlled amount of slack into said seatbelt prior to or upon inflation of said at least one airbag.

47. In a motor vehicle, a combined airbag inflation and occupant displacement enabling system comprising:

a seat movably attached to a floor pan of the vehicle for supporting an occupant;

at least one airbag arranged to be inflated to protect the occupant during a crash;

at least one sensor each arranged to determine that a crash requiring deployment of said at least one airbag will occur or has occurred; and

an inflator arranged to inflate said at least one airbag, said inflator being coupled to said at least one sensor and being triggered to inflate said at least one airbag in response to the crash determination by said at least one sensor, said seat being arranged to automatically move upon inflation of said at least one airbag whereby movement of said seat causes displacement of the occupant,

said at least one sensor comprising an anticipatory sensor structured and arranged to detect that a crash will occur based on data obtained prior to the crash such that said inflator is triggered to release fluid into said at least one airbag prior to the start of the crash.