US6053530A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle occupant protection apparatus
Assignee: ZF Passive Safety Systems US Inc
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Filing: 1998-07-23
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Granted: 2000-04-25
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Expires: 2018-07-23
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) which is deployable into engagement with a vehicle occupant. The apparatus (14) further includes a source (16) of inflation fluid and a device (62) that is actuatable to regulate a flow of the inflation fluid from the source (16) to the protection device (14). A cover structure (40) is configured to cover the protection device (14) at a location that is spaced from the occupant when the occupant is not out-of-position. A sensor (50) senses a force (F) applied to the cover structure (40) by the occupant when the occupant is out-of-position. A controller (64) responds to the sensor (50) by controlling the actuatable device (62) with reference to the force (F) applied to the cover structure (40) by the out-of-position occupant.
Inventors
- 👤 Ernst M. Faigle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 17:25
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/01; B60R21/015; B60R21/01508; B60R21/01512; B60R21/01516
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
Apparatus comprising: an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device deployable into engagement with a vehicle occupant; a source of inflation fluid; a device that is actuatable to regulate a flow of said inflation fluid from said source to said protection device; a cover structure configured to cover said protection device at a location that is spaced from said occupant when said occupant is not out-of-position; a sensor that senses a force applied to said cover structure by said occupant when said occupant is out-of-position; and a controller that responds to said sensor by controlling actuation of said actuatable device with reference to said force.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
Apparatus comprising: an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device deployable into engagement with a vehicle occupant; a source of inflation fluid; a device that is actuatable to regulate a flow of said inflation fluid from said source to said protection device; a cover structure configured to cover said protection device at a location that is spaced from said occupant when said occupant is not out-of-position; a sensor that senses a force applied to said cover structure by said occupant when said occupant is out-of-position; and a controller that responds to said sensor by controlling actuation of said actuatable device with reference to said force.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said controller controls actuation of said actuatable device in a selected one of a plurality of differing modes corresponding to a plurality of differing forces that may be applied to said cover structure by an out-of-position vehicle occupant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said actuatable device is part of an inflator containing said source of inflation fluid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said actuatable device is a valve.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said cover structure comprises a trim panel configured to define the contour of a vehicle instrument panel across the location of said protection device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said sensor senses deflection of said cover structure under said force.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said sensor comprises a strain gauge.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said sensor comprises an optical fiber mounted to deflect with said cover structure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
87 words
Apparatus comprising: an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device deployable into engagement with a vehicle occupant; an inflator which is actuatable to inflate said protection device; a cover structure configured to cover said protection device at a location that is spaced from said occupant when said occupant is not out-of-position; a sensor that senses a force applied to said cover structure by said occupant when said occupant is out-of-position; and a controller that responds to said sensor by controlling actuation of said inflator with reference to said force.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
87 words
Apparatus comprising: an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device deployable into engagement with a vehicle occupant; an inflator which is actuatable to inflate said protection device; a cover structure configured to cover said protection device at a location that is spaced from said occupant when said occupant is not out-of-position; a sensor that senses a force applied to said cover structure by said occupant when said occupant is out-of-position; and a controller that responds to said sensor by controlling actuation of said inflator with reference to said force.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said controller controls actuation of said inflator in a first mode when said sensor senses said force and in a second, different mode when said sensor does not sense said force.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said inflator does not inflate said protection device when actuation of said inflator is controlled in said second mode.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said first mode is one of a plurality of differing modes corresponding to a plurality of differing forces that may be applied to said cover structure by an out-of-position vehicle occupant.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said cover structure comprises a trim panel configured to continue the contour of a vehicle instrument panel across the location of said protection device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said sensor senses deflection of said cover structure under the influence of said force.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein said sensor comprises a strain gauge.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein said sensor comprises an optical fiber mounted to deflect with said cover structure.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
103 words
Apparatus comprising: an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device deployable into engagement with a vehicle occupant; means for inflating said protection device; means for covering said protection device at a location that is spaced from said occupant when said occupant is not out-of-position; means for sensing a force applied to said covering means by said occupant when said occupant is out-of-position; and means for responding to said sensing means by actuating said inflating means in a selected one of a plurality of differing modes corresponding to a plurality of differing forces that may be applied to said covering means by an out-of-position vehicle occupant.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
103 words
Apparatus comprising: an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device deployable into engagement with a vehicle occupant; means for inflating said protection device; means for covering said protection device at a location that is spaced from said occupant when said occupant is not out-of-position; means for sensing a force applied to said covering means by said occupant when said occupant is out-of-position; and means for responding to said sensing means by actuating said inflating means in a selected one of a plurality of differing modes corresponding to a plurality of differing forces that may be applied to said covering means by an out-of-position vehicle occupant.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein said modes include a mode in which said inflating means does not inflate said protection device.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-04-25 | 2003-10-25 | 2004-04-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-04-25 | 2007-10-25 | 2008-04-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-04-25 | 2011-10-25 | 2012-04-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |