Airbag deployment control based on deployment conditions
First Claim
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1. A method for controlling flow of gas into an airbag, comprising:
- providing a gas generator having a combustion chamber for generating gas;
providing a variable flow restrictor in a flow path from the combustion chamber to the airbag, the variable flow restrictor having at least one inlet communicating with the combustion chamber and at least one outlet all of which lead to the airbag and being arranged such that all of the generated gas flowing into the least one outlet from the combustion chamber flows out of the at least one outlet to the airbag under variable flow conditions;
providing a controller for controlling flow resistance of the variable flow restrictor;
directing the gas into the airbag after initiation of deployment of the airbag; and
controlling the flow of gas into the airbag via the controller based on at least one condition at the time of initiation such that the airbag is variably deployed dependent on the at least one condition and the flow resistance provided by the variable flow resistor causes pressure in the combustion chamber to be controlled.
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Abstract
Method for controlling flow of gas into an airbag includes generating gas, directing the gas into the airbag, and controlling the flow of gas into the airbag based on conditions at the time of deployment such that the airbag is variably deployed dependent on ambient conditions. A related arrangement for controlling flow of gas into an airbag includes a system for generating gas, a system for directing the gas into the airbag and a system for controlling the flow of gas into the airbag based on conditions at the time of deployment such that the airbag is variably deployed dependent on ambient conditions.
62 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method for controlling flow of gas into an airbag, comprising:
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providing a gas generator having a combustion chamber for generating gas; providing a variable flow restrictor in a flow path from the combustion chamber to the airbag, the variable flow restrictor having at least one inlet communicating with the combustion chamber and at least one outlet all of which lead to the airbag and being arranged such that all of the generated gas flowing into the least one outlet from the combustion chamber flows out of the at least one outlet to the airbag under variable flow conditions; providing a controller for controlling flow resistance of the variable flow restrictor; directing the gas into the airbag after initiation of deployment of the airbag; and controlling the flow of gas into the airbag via the controller based on at least one condition at the time of initiation such that the airbag is variably deployed dependent on the at least one condition and the flow resistance provided by the variable flow resistor causes pressure in the combustion chamber to be controlled. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An arrangement for controlling flow of gas into an airbag, comprising:
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a gas generator having a combustion chamber for generating a fixed mass of gas upon initiation of deployment of the airbag; a variable flow restrictor in the flow path from the combustion chamber to the airbag, the variable flow restrictor having at least one inlet communicating with the combustion chamber and at least one outlet all of which lead to the airbag and being arranged such that all of the generated gas flowing into the least one outlet from the combustion chamber flows out of the at least one outlet to the airbag under variable flow condition; a controller for controlling the flow resistance of the variable flow restrictor; a conduit for conducting the gas into the airbag; and at least one sensor that determines at least one condition related to the vehicle or a vehicle occupant at the time of initiation such that the airbag is variably deployed dependent on the at least one condition and the flow resistance provided by the variable flow resistor causes pressure in the combustion chamber to be controlled. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. An arrangement for controlling flow of gas into an airbag in a vehicle, comprising:
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a gas combustion unit including a housing and non-gaseous material which, when ignited, will generate gas in said housing; a conduit system arranged to receive the gas after generation in said gas combustion unit and provide a controlled flow restricted passage for the gas to flow from an interior of said housing into an interior of the airbag, the flow restricted passage having at least one inlet communicating with said gas combustion unit and at least one outlet all of which lead to the airbag and being arranged such that all of the generated gas flowing into the least one outlet from said gas combustion unit flows out of the at least one outlet to the airbag under variable flow conditions; and a controller that controls the restricted passage based on at least one condition of the vehicle or an occupant of the vehicle; said gas combustion unit being arranged to provide a controlled generation of gas based on said conduit system being arranged to adjust said passage based on at least one condition of the vehicle or an occupant to provide a variable flow of gas into the interior of the airbag based on at least one condition of the vehicle or an occupant such that the airbag is variably deployed dependent on ambient conditions the at least one condition and the flow resistance provided by the variable flow resistor causes pressure in the combustion chamber to be controlled.
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Specification