Apparatus for protecting an occupant of a vehicle upon a side impact to the vehicle
US5364125A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 19, 1993 |
| Grant date | Nov 15, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 19, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R2021/2615
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus for restraining movement of a vehicle occupant in the event of a side impact to the vehicle includes an air bag module (10) in the vehicle door (12). The air bag module includes front (60) and rear (50) air bags, a source (70) of inflation fluid, and a flow control apparatus (94). The flow control apparatus (94) is actuatable into either a first condition for directing inflation fluid from the source into the front air bag (60) or a second condition for directing inflation fluid into the rear air bag (50). A sensor (26) senses the position of the vehicle occupant and provides a position signal indicative of the vehicle occupant's position. An actuator (80) is responsive to the position signal for actuating the flow control apparatus (94) into either the first or conditions. When the vehicle occupant's seat (20) is disposed forward of a predetermined position in the vehicle, the actuator (80) places the flow control apparatus (94) in the first condition to direct fluid from the inflation fluid source into only the front air bag (60). When the seat (20) is disposed rearward of the predetermined position in the vehicle, the actuator (80) places the flow control apparatus …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.