Air bag system with variable activation time point

US6219605A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• TRW Airbag Systems GmbH & Co. KG · DE

Inventors

• Hermann Bauer · Wolnzach, DE
• Richard Bender · Achern, DE
• Franz Fürst · Großmehring, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 11, 1998
• Grant date: Apr 17, 2001
• Expiry date: Jun 11, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60R2021/01231
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

In a method and an air bag system for depleting the kinetic energy of a vehicle occupant in case of a vehicle accident involving heavy, negative acceleration, the air bag system comprising a control unit for inflating an air bag which activates the air bag system on the basis of electric signals of an acceleration sensor provided in the vehicle, further sensor elements are provided by means of which the parameters determining the individual kinetic energy of the vehicle occupant are sensed and electrical signals representing these parameters are transmitted by the sensor elements to an electronic analyzer connected to the control unit, this electronic analyzer establishing on the basis of these signals a point in time t.sub.4 at which the vehicle occupant is likely to come into contact with the inflated air bag of the air bag system, the electronic analyzer calculating on the basis of the established point in time t.sub.4 a prior point in time t.sub.2 at which the inflation of the air bag is to commence and signalling this to the control unit which at the point in time t.sub.2 activates inflation of the air bag, thus enabling optimum protection of the vehicle occupant seated in fro…