Patent US6140169A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US6209909B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6209909B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Side impact airbag systems
Assignee: American Vehicular Sciences LLC
•
Filing: 1998-02-17
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Granted: 2001-04-03
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Expires: 2018-02-17
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 David S. Breed
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 15:02
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/01; B60R21/013; B60R21/0134; B60N; B60N2/00; B60N2/02; B60N2/0224; B60N2/02246; B60N2/0244; B60N2/0268; B60N2/0272; B60N2/0276; B60N2/24; B60N2/26; B60N2/28; B60N2/2803; B60N2/2806; B60N2/2857; B60N2/2863; B60R19/00; B60R19/02; B60R19/18; B60R19/20; B60R19/205; B60R19/42; B60R21/015; B60R21/01512; B60R21/0153; B60R21/01534; B60R21/01536; B60R21/01538; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/23; B60R21/231; B60R21/23138; B60R21/233; B60R22/00; B60R22/18; B60R22/26; B60R22/32; B60R22/321; B60R25/00; B60R25/20; B60R25/25; G; G01; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/88; G01S15/00; G01S15/87; G01S15/88; G01S17/00; G01S17/88; G01S7/00; G01S7/02; G01S7/41; G01S7/417; G01S7/48; G01S7/4802; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/16; G08G1/161; G08G1/163; G08G1/164; B60R2021/0002; B60R2021/0006; B60R2021/23146; B60R2021/23324; B60R2021/23332; B60R21/26; B60R2021/26058; B60W; B60W2556/00; B60W2556/45; B60W2556/50; G01S17/89; G01S7/483; G01S7/486; G01S7/487; G01S7/52; G01S7/539
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
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.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
207 words
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.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
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.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
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.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
86 words
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.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
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.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
104 words
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.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
79 words
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.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
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.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention in accordance with claim 8 , wherein said at least one airbag is attached to said back portion of the seat.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention in accordance with claim 8 , wherein said at least one airbag is integral with said back portion of the seat.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
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.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
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.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention in accordance with claim 12 , wherein said airbag module extends substantially along a vertical length of said back portion of the seat.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
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.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
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.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
196 words
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.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
196 words
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.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
58 words
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.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
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.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
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.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
40 words
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.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention in accordance with claim 16 , further comprising the step of: arranging an additional airbag to inflate outside of the vehicle.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
200 words
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.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
200 words
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.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention in accordance with claim 22 , wherein said second airbag is arranged in said first airbag.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
52 words
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.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
247 words
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.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
247 words
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.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
104 words
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.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
79 words
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.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
186 words
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.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
186 words
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.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
262 words
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.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
262 words
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.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
63 words
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.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
53 words
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.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
67 words
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.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
51 words
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.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
27 words
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.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
71 words
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.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
30 words
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.
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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) | 2004-04-02 | 2004-10-02 | 2005-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-04-02 | 2008-10-02 | 2009-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-04-02 | 2012-10-02 | 2013-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |