Vehicle occupant protection apparatus with inflation volume and shape control
US6616184B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 25, 2001 |
| Grant date | Sep 9, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 25, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R2021/23382
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable device (14) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle during a crash condition. A support structure (18) secures a portion of the inflatable device (14). A plurality of tethers (34, 36, 38, and 40) extend between the support structure (18) and the inflatable device (14). At least one sensor (62, 64, 66, or 68) senses a vehicle occupant condition and generates an occupant condition signal indicative of the sensed condition. A control module (72) receives the occupant condition signal and determines a preferred inflation volume and shape for the inflatable device (14). The control module (72) determines which of the respective tethers (34, 36, 38, and 40) to release for inflating the inflatable device (14) to the preferred inflation volume and shape and initiates the release of the respective tethers (34, 36, 38, and 40) from the support structure (18).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.