US20100264632A1 - Vehicle Occupant Safety System with Variable Support and Method of Operating the Same - Google Patents
Vehicle Occupant Safety System with Variable Support and Method of Operating the Same Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20100264632A1 US20100264632A1 US12/740,897 US74089708A US2010264632A1 US 20100264632 A1 US20100264632 A1 US 20100264632A1 US 74089708 A US74089708 A US 74089708A US 2010264632 A1 US2010264632 A1 US 2010264632A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- airbag
- safety system
- vehicle occupant
- unfolding
- occupant
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
- B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
- B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
- B60R21/23—Inflatable members
- B60R21/231—Inflatable members characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration
- B60R21/233—Inflatable members characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration comprising a plurality of individual compartments; comprising two or more bag-like members, one within the other
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
- B60R21/01—Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents
- B60R21/015—Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents including means for detecting the presence or position of passengers, passenger seats or child seats, and the related safety parameters therefor, e.g. speed or timing of airbag inflation in relation to occupant position or seat belt use
- B60R21/01512—Passenger detection systems
- B60R21/01544—Passenger detection systems detecting seat belt parameters, e.g. length, tension or height-adjustment
- B60R21/01546—Passenger detection systems detecting seat belt parameters, e.g. length, tension or height-adjustment using belt buckle sensors
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
- B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
- B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
- B60R21/23—Inflatable members
- B60R21/231—Inflatable members characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
- B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
- B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
- B60R21/23—Inflatable members
- B60R21/231—Inflatable members characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration
- B60R2021/23115—Inflatable members characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration with inflatable support compartments creating an internal suction volume
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
- B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
- B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
- B60R21/23—Inflatable members
- B60R21/231—Inflatable members characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration
- B60R21/2334—Expansion control features
- B60R21/2338—Tethers
- B60R2021/23382—Internal tether means
- B60R2021/23384—Internal tether means having ends which are movable or detachable during deployment
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a vehicle occupant safety system, and to an operating method, with at least one airbag, at least one sensor device for sensing one or more situation parameters and a control device for the directly or indirectly controlling inflation, deflation, and/or unfolding, and/or positioning of the airbag based on the at least one situation parameter.
- the present invention further relates to a method for operating a vehicle occupant safety system.
- German patent document DE 196 10 833 A1 discloses a device for controlling an occupant restraint system with sensors for sensing the position and weight of an occupant.
- a control unit accesses a ventilation device based on among other things, the occupant's position, his or her weight or the accident severity, to control the pressure of the gas in the airbag during its unfolding by controlling the gas amount guided away from the airbag via the ventilation device.
- the ventilation device is thus accessed prior to or during the ignition of the airbag.
- German patent document DE 40 28 715 A1 further discloses an airbag which is provided with an outlet valve, which is activated by the destruction of a closing plate by means of a pyrotechnical priming charge 30 ms after the actuation of a pressurized gas source for the airbag.
- the outlet valve is adjusted to a predetermined differential pressure in the airbag and the surroundings.
- the automotive industry further has the problem that the restraint systems have to be designed differently for different country-specific requirements. This means that the restraint systems can be designed in a less universal manner and that additional logistics costs result by means of several airbag versions.
- airbags adapted to different body regions are also known.
- the respective adaptation is however not adaptive.
- German patent document DE 101 57 710 B4 discloses a method for accessing a ventilation device of a vehicle airbag where the ventilation device is brought into an operation-ready state at a predetermined time after triggering the gas generator.
- the ventilation device is opened when the pressure acting on the airbag which is sensed by the sensor exceeds a limit value.
- the ventilation is thus triggered by the pressure signal which is received by the pressure sensor.
- the predetermined time and the limit value for the pressure can be adjusted in dependence on the seat position or the weight of a vehicle occupant.
- the occupant safety system which has at least one airbag, at least one sensor device for sensing one or more situation parameters and at least one control device for controlling inflation and deflation, unfolding and/or a positioning of the airbag in dependence on the at least one situation parameter.
- the shape of the airbag or the distribution of pressure in the airbag can be controlled directly or indirectly in a targeted manner by the control device in dependence on the one or more situation parameters.
- a method for operating a vehicle occupant safety system with an airbag is further provided according to the invention, by sensing at least one situation parameter and controlling an inflation and/or deflation and/or unfolding and/or a positioning of the airbag in dependence on the at least one situation parameter, wherein the shape of the airbag and/or the distribution of pressure in the airbag is controlled in a targeted manner in dependence on the situation parameter.
- a variable airbag support in dependence on environment parameters can thus be ensured in an advantageous manner.
- a reduction of the load on the thorax e.g., of the thorax indentation with EU NCAP experiments or the thorax acceleration with US NCAP experiments
- a realization can usually be achieved without an additional sensor system.
- a situation parameter, which is sensed by a sensor unit preferably represents an accident type, an accident severity, an impact direction, a type of occupant an occupant weight, an occupant size, an occupant contour, an occupant position, an occupant kinematics and/or a belt state.
- the belt state can for example in particular be determined by a belt buckle sensor.
- the present invention can in principle be applied to different types of airbags as e.g., conventional airbags, which are only supported by the filling gas, support structure airbags or mechanical airbags.
- an imminent or occurred accident can be detected with the sensor device and the shape of the airbag and/or the distribution of pressure in the airbag prior to and/or during the accident can be changed with the control device.
- the risk of injury can be reduced considerably with the corresponding adaptation.
- control device can control the shape of the airbag in such a manner that, if the sensor device recognizes a closed belt, a region of the airbag meant for the support of the thorax of an occupant supplies less support force than in the case of a belt which is not closed. Thereby, the thorax is not excessively strained by the airbag, if high forces already act thereon by the belts.
- the shape of the airbag can be adapted differently in several regions to a predetermined and/or predicted contour.
- a suitable support can respectively take place for example for the head region, the neck region, the shoulder region and the thorax region of the occupant.
- the airbag can further have several segments, which are separated from each other and which can be filled with pressures which are different from each other.
- a support dependent on the body region can also be achieved thereby.
- control device has active and/or passive elements for changing the shape of the airbag and/or the distribution of pressure in the airbag.
- the pressure in the airbag can thus for example be influenced in a purely passive manner dependent on the speed according to the principle of Bernoulli.
- Rebound straps controlled by ignition tablet(s), gas generator(s) and or electromagnet(s) can e.g., be used as active elements.
- a means for the releasable or temporary constriction of the airbag can be arranged thereon.
- a releasable rebound strap can reduce the volume of the airbag at least in a first release stage. The constriction can be released, but this is not necessary.
- a multi-stage gas generator for inflating the airbag, wherein the control device for a first release stage of the gas generator leaves the constriction of the airbag and releases the constriction for a second release stage.
- the airbag volume can thereby be adapted to the inflation volume of the respective gas generator stage.
- the release of the constriction can take place not only directly via the release stage, but also indirectly, e.g., via the pressure increase by the ignition of a further generator stage.
- a release stage of a gas generator/of a gas generator stage can also contain the function of a control device or be connected thereto. It is e.g. possible that a rebound strap is released for the constriction of an airbag by the release of a second generator stage (e.g, severed).
- FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the support of a vehicle occupant with a fastened seat belt, by an airbag with rebound strap;
- FIG. 2 shows the support of a vehicle occupant with an unfastened seat belt, by the airbag with released rebound strap.
- the airbag is no longer designed or adapted to an occupant as a unit, but according to the situation to individual body regions and/or impact directions.
- the airbag can be adapted specially prior to or during an accident for individual regions (e.g., head, thorax) in dependence on boundary conditions (as e.g., accident type, accident severity, impact direction, type of occupant, belt state, etc.) corresponding to the necessary restraining effect.
- boundary conditions as e.g., accident type, accident severity, impact direction, type of occupant, belt state, etc.
- a decision or adaptation algorithm can possibly also consider several boundary conditions and put them in relation to each other.
- the shape of the airbag is adapted to individual body regions according to the situation. These include for example the omission of regions, which shall be not be restrained or only be restrained in a reduced manner by the airbag.
- the shape of the airbag adapts to the impact direction in such a manner that a larger part of the airbag lies between the occupant and the possible impact surface in the vehicle interior, as would be the case without adaptation.
- the airbag is segmented for individual body regions. At least one of the regions resulting in this manner can be adapted according to the situation prior to or during the restraint. A segment can thereby for example have an inner pressure, which is different from the other segments. This can be realized by different damping actions (outflow openings), inflations or loads/charges etc.
- the characteristics of the three embodiments which have just been introduced can also be combined with each other, if this is sensible.
- the adaptation can further take place in a passive manner (self-adaptive) and/or in an active manner (e.g.. switchable).
- FIGS. 1 and 2 A concrete embodiment of a vehicle occupant safety system is introduced in the following by means of FIGS. 1 and 2 .
- One part of the belt 3 passes over the thorax of the occupant 1 .
- the belt 3 exerts a force F G on the thorax of the occupant 1 , so as to restrain him.
- F AB a pressure on the thorax.
- the two forces F AB and F G are added together.
- a releasable rebound strap 5 is arranged in the airbag 4 . This rebound strap 5 slightly constricts the airbag 4 in the region of the thorax of the vehicle occupant 1 , such that the force F AB exerted from the airbag on the thorax is reduced.
- a belt buckle sensor 6 that the vehicle occupant 1 is fastened with a seat belt.
- This sensor signal is guided as a situation parameter to a control device 7 , which serves for releasing the airbag 4 .
- the control device 7 thereby determines a fastened load case, and a holding device 8 accessed thereby holds the rebound strap 5 for example at the panel 9 .
- the airbag can thereby not unfold completely in the thorax region and only exerts a reduced force F AB on the thorax.
- the airbag 4 is supported on the windscreen 10 . In the region of the head of the occupant 1 , the airbag is however not constricted. A force F AK1 thus acts on the head. No other force acts on the head, so that only the airbag is responsible for the restraining of the head.
- the airbag 4 By means of the constriction of the airbag 4 in the thorax region, it mainly acts in the head region when the occupant 1 is fastened by a seat belt.
- the restraining force acting on the thorax can thus be adjusted in a clearly more even or restrained manner. If a similar ratio of gas filling amount per volume unit is to be achieved for the cases with/without rebound strap, this can e.g., be achieved by the “redistribution” of the airbag volume. For this, several rebound straps can possibly be useful. (E.g., for the omission of occupant regions and for the release of division volumes). A further example with multi-stage gas generators is listed below.
- the occupant 1 is not fastened by a seat belt.
- the belt buckle sensor 6 has recognized that the occupant is not fastened by a seat belt. It delivers a corresponding sensor signal (situation parameter) to the control device 7 . This determines the unfastened load case and releases the holding device 8 when impacting.
- the airbag or the airbag 4 is thereby not constricted by the rebound strap 5 and exerts an increased force F AB ' on the thorax of the occupant 1 .
- This increased force F AB can approximately correspond to the sum of the reduced airbag force F AB and the belt force F G from the example of FIG. 1 .
- the force F AK2 is exerted on the head of the occupant 1 .
- this force especially with the ratio to the force F AK1 —it can be sensible that (e.g., together with the release of the rebound strap) the damping action of the airbag is changed, e.g., by opening an additional outflow surface.
- the airbag 4 has a different shape in the example of FIG. 2 , in which the constriction is ineffective, at the end of the unfolding or filling phase compared to the example of FIG. 1 , in which the constriction acts.
- the airbag 4 has a shape which is suitable for this situation in its completely inflated state (maximum inflation state) at the end of the unfolding or inflation period.
- the possibly necessary constriction can thereby also take place by several rebound straps and/or by (releasable) hold of an airbag region.
- the differentiation of the different situations can advantageously take place as in the above example by means of serial sensors, as the belt buckle switch here.
- the described airbag with a releasable constriction can be combined advantageously with a multi-stage (e.g., two-stage) gas generator.
- the airbag volume can additionally be adapted to the inflation volume of the release stage of the gas generator. This is not the case in this manner with conventional airbags.
- the delayed build-up of the internal airbag pressure which is usual with multi-stage airbags, can further be avoided with the constriction during the restraining phase during the ignition of not all stages, can be accelerated, and an airbag volume which is not necessary can be avoided.
- the fastening of the constriction is for example blown (with a pyrotechnical stage) or torn (with a pressurized gas stage or with a pyrotechnical stage) by means of the ignition of the second stage while using the energy resulting therefrom.
- a mechanical release while using e.g., the released energy is also possible. (E.g., releasing a locking device by inflow by means of the gas).
- the improved vehicle occupant safety system altogether permits the use of a conventional airbag system with only slight additions, changes or additional costs. Possibly, only a releasable constriction with a triggering algorithm is additionally necessary to obtain an adaptive airbag system.
- the remaining components such as the sensor system, actuator system, cabling etc. are often already present in the series-production.
Abstract
A vehicle occupant safety system having an airbag prevents an excessive force from acting upon the thorax of an occupant who has fastened the seat belt, in the event of an impact. The vehicle occupant safety system comprises an airbag, a sensor device for sensing at least one situation parameter and a control device for controlling the inflation and/or deflation and/or unfolding and/or positioning of the airbag in dependence of the at least one situation parameter. The unfolding, position or shape of the airbag and/or distribution of pressure within the airbag at the end of the filling phase, is directly or indirectly controlled in a targeted manner by a control device based on the at least one situation parameter. A modification of the shape of the airbag in the thorax region can be obtained in particular by a releasable constriction.
Description
- This application is a national stage of PCT International Application No. PCT/EP2008/009159, filed Oct. 30, 2008, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to German Patent Application No. 10 2007 052 247.0, filed Nov. 2, 2007 and No. 10 2008 037 812.7, filed Aug. 14, 2008, the entire disclosures of which are herein expressly incorporated by reference.
- The present invention relates to a vehicle occupant safety system, and to an operating method, with at least one airbag, at least one sensor device for sensing one or more situation parameters and a control device for the directly or indirectly controlling inflation, deflation, and/or unfolding, and/or positioning of the airbag based on the at least one situation parameter. The present invention further relates to a method for operating a vehicle occupant safety system.
- When conventional restraint systems are adjusted, it is necessary to find a good compromise for different accident situations (type, severity, impact, occupant type, belt state etc.) with requirements which are often quite different with regard to the occupant protection. This is so because some parameters of the airbag of the restraint system are fixed during development, cannot thereafter be changed, even if the accident situation is or will be known at least partially during or prior to an accident.
- In addition to considering real accidents, legal requirements are particularly important during the design of restraint systems. For example, the legal requirements with regard to unfastened loads must be satisfied in the USA, so that the airbag must be designed in such a manner that it alone delays the occupant sufficiently, as the restraint by a belt is completely omitted. This is however often counterproductive for low occupant load in the fastened load cases (e.g., in so-called rating experiments), as the retaining forces of the belt and the airbag are added, which additionally takes place in a stepped manner.
- This fundamental problem is increasingly approached by means of adaptive restraint systems. For this, outflow openings or the inflation degree of airbags and/or their size are e.g., adapted to different accident/occupant parameters. German patent document DE 196 10 833 A1, for example, discloses a device for controlling an occupant restraint system with sensors for sensing the position and weight of an occupant. A control unit accesses a ventilation device based on among other things, the occupant's position, his or her weight or the accident severity, to control the pressure of the gas in the airbag during its unfolding by controlling the gas amount guided away from the airbag via the ventilation device. The ventilation device is thus accessed prior to or during the ignition of the airbag.
- German patent document DE 40 28 715 A1 further discloses an airbag which is provided with an outlet valve, which is activated by the destruction of a closing plate by means of a pyrotechnical priming charge 30 ms after the actuation of a pressurized gas source for the airbag. In the activated state, the outlet valve is adjusted to a predetermined differential pressure in the airbag and the surroundings.
- It is disadvantageous with these adaptive restraint systems that, during the adaptation, only parameters of the airbag such as dampening (outflow opening) or airbag size are changed for the occupant seen as a unit. Improvements with the most important load cases are thus limited.
- Furthermore, conventional airbags with a predetermined outflow and size are known, where the ignition time of at least one gas generator stage can take place in dependence on e.g., accident type, accident severity, belt state and seat occupancy. Further adaptation during or just prior to the accident, however, is no longer possible. In addition, especially with fastened load cases in particular for thorax loads, the problem exists that initially only the belt, and then additionally the airbag, apply their restraining force. An optimum load which is as even as possible is thus not possible in principle.
- The automotive industry further has the problem that the restraint systems have to be designed differently for different country-specific requirements. This means that the restraint systems can be designed in a less universal manner and that additional logistics costs result by means of several airbag versions.
- Finally, airbags adapted to different body regions are also known. The respective adaptation is however not adaptive.
- German patent document DE 101 57 710 B4 discloses a method for accessing a ventilation device of a vehicle airbag where the ventilation device is brought into an operation-ready state at a predetermined time after triggering the gas generator. The ventilation device is opened when the pressure acting on the airbag which is sensed by the sensor exceeds a limit value. The ventilation is thus triggered by the pressure signal which is received by the pressure sensor. The predetermined time and the limit value for the pressure can be adjusted in dependence on the seat position or the weight of a vehicle occupant.
- Conventional approaches of adaptive systems thus change the restraining effect of airbags or belts shortly prior to or during an accident in dependence on the above-mentioned parameters (e.g., in dependence on the belt state). The occupant is thereby however usually viewed as a unit. The desired decoupling of optimization measures with regard to their effect for accidents with different boundary conditions is thus restricted. In addition, there exists the problem with many previous approaches of adaptive airbags that the sensor system for decisive improvements is not sufficient or at least expensive.
- It is thus one object of the present invention to provide an improved vehicle occupant safety systems (in particular, restraint systems) in which the effective forces are distributed as optimally as possible during accidents; that is, e.g., the thorax is not strained excessively. Furthermore, a corresponding method for operating a vehicle occupant safety system shall be suggested.
- This and other objects and advantages are achieved by the occupant safety system according to the invention, which has at least one airbag, at least one sensor device for sensing one or more situation parameters and at least one control device for controlling inflation and deflation, unfolding and/or a positioning of the airbag in dependence on the at least one situation parameter. The shape of the airbag or the distribution of pressure in the airbag can be controlled directly or indirectly in a targeted manner by the control device in dependence on the one or more situation parameters.
- A method for operating a vehicle occupant safety system with an airbag is further provided according to the invention, by sensing at least one situation parameter and controlling an inflation and/or deflation and/or unfolding and/or a positioning of the airbag in dependence on the at least one situation parameter, wherein the shape of the airbag and/or the distribution of pressure in the airbag is controlled in a targeted manner in dependence on the situation parameter.
- A variable airbag support in dependence on environment parameters can thus be ensured in an advantageous manner. A reduction of the load on the thorax (e.g., of the thorax indentation with EU NCAP experiments or the thorax acceleration with US NCAP experiments) can thus be achieved. A realization can usually be achieved without an additional sensor system. A situation parameter, which is sensed by a sensor unit, preferably represents an accident type, an accident severity, an impact direction, a type of occupant an occupant weight, an occupant size, an occupant contour, an occupant position, an occupant kinematics and/or a belt state. The belt state can for example in particular be determined by a belt buckle sensor.
- The present invention can in principle be applied to different types of airbags as e.g., conventional airbags, which are only supported by the filling gas, support structure airbags or mechanical airbags.
- According to one further development, an imminent or occurred accident can be detected with the sensor device and the shape of the airbag and/or the distribution of pressure in the airbag prior to and/or during the accident can be changed with the control device. The risk of injury can be reduced considerably with the corresponding adaptation.
- In a further embodiment, the control device can control the shape of the airbag in such a manner that, if the sensor device recognizes a closed belt, a region of the airbag meant for the support of the thorax of an occupant supplies less support force than in the case of a belt which is not closed. Thereby, the thorax is not excessively strained by the airbag, if high forces already act thereon by the belts.
- The shape of the airbag can be adapted differently in several regions to a predetermined and/or predicted contour. Thus, a suitable support can respectively take place for example for the head region, the neck region, the shoulder region and the thorax region of the occupant.
- The airbag can further have several segments, which are separated from each other and which can be filled with pressures which are different from each other. A support dependent on the body region can also be achieved thereby.
- In a further embodiment, the control device has active and/or passive elements for changing the shape of the airbag and/or the distribution of pressure in the airbag. The pressure in the airbag can thus for example be influenced in a purely passive manner dependent on the speed according to the principle of Bernoulli. Rebound straps controlled by ignition tablet(s), gas generator(s) and or electromagnet(s) can e.g., be used as active elements.
- Furthermore, a means for the releasable or temporary constriction of the airbag can be arranged thereon. In particular, a releasable rebound strap can reduce the volume of the airbag at least in a first release stage. The constriction can be released, but this is not necessary.
- In an advantageous further development of the invention, a multi-stage gas generator is provided for inflating the airbag, wherein the control device for a first release stage of the gas generator leaves the constriction of the airbag and releases the constriction for a second release stage. The airbag volume can thereby be adapted to the inflation volume of the respective gas generator stage. The release of the constriction can take place not only directly via the release stage, but also indirectly, e.g., via the pressure increase by the ignition of a further generator stage. A release stage of a gas generator/of a gas generator stage can also contain the function of a control device or be connected thereto. It is e.g. possible that a rebound strap is released for the constriction of an airbag by the release of a second generator stage (e.g, severed).
- Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the support of a vehicle occupant with a fastened seat belt, by an airbag with rebound strap; and -
FIG. 2 shows the support of a vehicle occupant with an unfastened seat belt, by the airbag with released rebound strap. - The embodiments described in more detail in the following represent preferred embodiments of the present invention.
- According to the invention, the airbag is no longer designed or adapted to an occupant as a unit, but according to the situation to individual body regions and/or impact directions. The airbag can be adapted specially prior to or during an accident for individual regions (e.g., head, thorax) in dependence on boundary conditions (as e.g., accident type, accident severity, impact direction, type of occupant, belt state, etc.) corresponding to the necessary restraining effect. A decision or adaptation algorithm can possibly also consider several boundary conditions and put them in relation to each other.
- With the vehicle occupant safety system according to the invention, an even more targeted division of the restraining effect of the airbag on individual body regions in dependence on different boundary conditions or situations is possible. As the optimization measures can be decoupled in a better manner for this for the different boundary conditions, these optimizations are partially actually only possible for the first time. It is for example conceivable for fastened load cases that the airbag or airbag only supports the head, so as to enable a reduction of the thorax load. For prevalent unfastened load cases, the support by means of the airbag is however needed.
- A vehicle occupant safety system according to the present invention can for example be realized in the following embodiments:
- According to a first embodiment, the shape of the airbag is adapted to individual body regions according to the situation. These include for example the omission of regions, which shall be not be restrained or only be restrained in a reduced manner by the airbag. According to a second embodiment, the shape of the airbag adapts to the impact direction in such a manner that a larger part of the airbag lies between the occupant and the possible impact surface in the vehicle interior, as would be the case without adaptation.
- In a third embodiment, the airbag is segmented for individual body regions. At least one of the regions resulting in this manner can be adapted according to the situation prior to or during the restraint. A segment can thereby for example have an inner pressure, which is different from the other segments. This can be realized by different damping actions (outflow openings), inflations or loads/charges etc.
- The characteristics of the three embodiments which have just been introduced can also be combined with each other, if this is sensible. The adaptation can further take place in a passive manner (self-adaptive) and/or in an active manner (e.g.. switchable).
- A concrete embodiment of a vehicle occupant safety system is introduced in the following by means of
FIGS. 1 and 2 . - A vehicle occupant, a passenger in this case, sits in his
seat 2 while being fastened with a seat belt. One part of thebelt 3 passes over the thorax of theoccupant 1. During an impact, thebelt 3 exerts a force FG on the thorax of theoccupant 1, so as to restrain him. As theairbag 4 was also released during the impact, it additionally exerts a pressure FAB on the thorax. The two forces FAB and FG are added together. In order that this force does not exceed a predetermined threshold, areleasable rebound strap 5 is arranged in theairbag 4. Thisrebound strap 5 slightly constricts theairbag 4 in the region of the thorax of thevehicle occupant 1, such that the force FAB exerted from the airbag on the thorax is reduced. - In the present case, it was recognized by a
belt buckle sensor 6 that thevehicle occupant 1 is fastened with a seat belt. This sensor signal is guided as a situation parameter to acontrol device 7, which serves for releasing theairbag 4. Thecontrol device 7 thereby determines a fastened load case, and aholding device 8 accessed thereby holds therebound strap 5 for example at thepanel 9. The airbag can thereby not unfold completely in the thorax region and only exerts a reduced force FAB on the thorax. Theairbag 4 is supported on thewindscreen 10. In the region of the head of theoccupant 1, the airbag is however not constricted. A force FAK1 thus acts on the head. No other force acts on the head, so that only the airbag is responsible for the restraining of the head. - By means of the constriction of the
airbag 4 in the thorax region, it mainly acts in the head region when theoccupant 1 is fastened by a seat belt. The restraining force acting on the thorax can thus be adjusted in a clearly more even or restrained manner. If a similar ratio of gas filling amount per volume unit is to be achieved for the cases with/without rebound strap, this can e.g., be achieved by the “redistribution” of the airbag volume. For this, several rebound straps can possibly be useful. (E.g., for the omission of occupant regions and for the release of division volumes). A further example with multi-stage gas generators is listed below. - In the example of
FIG. 2 , theoccupant 1 is not fastened by a seat belt. During the impact it is thus necessary that the airbag does not only restrain the head, but also the thorax region of theoccupant 1 without the help of thebelt 3. Thebelt buckle sensor 6 has recognized that the occupant is not fastened by a seat belt. It delivers a corresponding sensor signal (situation parameter) to thecontrol device 7. This determines the unfastened load case and releases the holdingdevice 8 when impacting. The airbag or theairbag 4 is thereby not constricted by therebound strap 5 and exerts an increased force FAB' on the thorax of theoccupant 1. This increased force FAB can approximately correspond to the sum of the reduced airbag force FAB and the belt force FG from the example ofFIG. 1 . - The force FAK2 is exerted on the head of the
occupant 1. In order to adapt this force—especially with the ratio to the force FAK1—it can be sensible that (e.g., together with the release of the rebound strap) the damping action of the airbag is changed, e.g., by opening an additional outflow surface. - The
airbag 4 has a different shape in the example ofFIG. 2 , in which the constriction is ineffective, at the end of the unfolding or filling phase compared to the example ofFIG. 1 , in which the constriction acts. According to the situation, theairbag 4 has a shape which is suitable for this situation in its completely inflated state (maximum inflation state) at the end of the unfolding or inflation period. The possibly necessary constriction can thereby also take place by several rebound straps and/or by (releasable) hold of an airbag region. The differentiation of the different situations can advantageously take place as in the above example by means of serial sensors, as the belt buckle switch here. - The described airbag with a releasable constriction can be combined advantageously with a multi-stage (e.g., two-stage) gas generator. For this, the airbag volume can additionally be adapted to the inflation volume of the release stage of the gas generator. This is not the case in this manner with conventional airbags. The delayed build-up of the internal airbag pressure, which is usual with multi-stage airbags, can further be avoided with the constriction during the restraining phase during the ignition of not all stages, can be accelerated, and an airbag volume which is not necessary can be avoided. With this special solution, it would even be conceivable in a simple embodiment that the fastening of the constriction is for example blown (with a pyrotechnical stage) or torn (with a pressurized gas stage or with a pyrotechnical stage) by means of the ignition of the second stage while using the energy resulting therefrom. A mechanical release while using e.g., the released energy is also possible. (E.g., releasing a locking device by inflow by means of the gas).
- The improved vehicle occupant safety system according to the invention altogether permits the use of a conventional airbag system with only slight additions, changes or additional costs. Possibly, only a releasable constriction with a triggering algorithm is additionally necessary to obtain an adaptive airbag system. The remaining components such as the sensor system, actuator system, cabling etc. are often already present in the series-production.
- The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
Claims (11)
1-10. (canceled)
11. A vehicle occupant safety system comprising:
at least one airbag;
at least one sensor device for sensing at least one situation parameter; and
at least one control device for controlling at least one of inflation, unfolding, positioning, and deflation of the airbag based on the at least one situation parameter;
wherein, at least one of the form of the airbag, its unfolding or positioning, and a distribution of pressure in the airbag are controlled by the control device in a targeted manner, based on the situation parameter.
12. The vehicle occupant safety system according to claim 11 , wherein the situation parameter characterizes at least one of an accident type, accident severity, an impact direction, a type of occupant, occupant weight, occupant size, occupant contour, occupant position, occupant kinematics and a belt state.
13. The vehicle occupant safety system according to claim 11 , wherein:
The sensor device is operable to detect an imminent or current accident; and
at least one of the shape, unfolding, positioning, and pressure of the airbag can be changed directly or indirectly by the control device prior to or during the accident.
14. The vehicle occupant safety system according to claim 11 , wherein the control device controls at least one of the shape, unfolding, positioning, and pressure of the airbag directly or indirectly in such a manner that, if the sensor device recognizes a closed belt, a region of the airbag predetermined for the support of the thorax of an occupant delivers less support force than in the case of a belt which is not closed.
15. The vehicle occupant safety system according to claim 11 , wherein the shape of the airbag can be adapted to a predetermined or predicted contour in several regions in a different manner.
16. The vehicle occupant safety system according to claim 11 , wherein the airbag has a plurality of segments that are separated from each other and can be inflated with pressures that are different from each other or adapted with damping behaviors that are different from each other.
17. The vehicle occupant safety system according to claim 11 , further comprising active or passive elements for directly or indirectly changing the shape, unfolding, or positioning of the airbag, or the distribution of pressure in the airbag.
18. The vehicle occupant safety system according to claim 11 , further comprising means for releasably constricting the airbag.
19. The vehicle occupant safety system according to claim 18 , further comprising a multi-stage gas generator for inflating the airbag; wherein the control device for a first release stage of the gas generator leaves the constriction of the airbag and releases the constriction for a second release stage.
20. A method for operating a vehicle occupant safety system with an airbag, said method comprising:
sensing at least one situation parameter; and
controlling at least one of inflation, deflation, unfolding, positioning of the airbag depending on the at least one situation parameter;
wherein at least one of the shape, unfolding, the positioning, and distribution of pressure within the airbag is controlled in a targeted manner depending on the at least one situation parameter.
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE102007052247.0 | 2007-11-02 | ||
DE102007052247 | 2007-11-02 | ||
DE102008037812A DE102008037812A1 (en) | 2007-11-02 | 2008-08-14 | Vehicle occupant safety system with variable support and operating method |
DE102008037812.7 | 2008-08-14 | ||
PCT/EP2008/009159 WO2009056309A2 (en) | 2007-11-02 | 2008-10-30 | Vehicle occupant safety system with variable support and corresponding operating method |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20100264632A1 true US20100264632A1 (en) | 2010-10-21 |
Family
ID=40120318
Family Applications (4)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/740,863 Active 2028-12-24 US8342572B2 (en) | 2007-11-02 | 2008-09-25 | Support structure for an airbag |
US12/740,864 Active 2029-03-26 US8403362B2 (en) | 2007-11-02 | 2008-10-30 | Restraint system with closeable air flow openings |
US12/740,656 Active 2029-10-07 US8505965B2 (en) | 2007-11-02 | 2008-10-30 | Vehicle occupant safety system with energy-absorbing elements, and method of operating same |
US12/740,897 Abandoned US20100264632A1 (en) | 2007-11-02 | 2008-10-30 | Vehicle Occupant Safety System with Variable Support and Method of Operating the Same |
Family Applications Before (3)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/740,863 Active 2028-12-24 US8342572B2 (en) | 2007-11-02 | 2008-09-25 | Support structure for an airbag |
US12/740,864 Active 2029-03-26 US8403362B2 (en) | 2007-11-02 | 2008-10-30 | Restraint system with closeable air flow openings |
US12/740,656 Active 2029-10-07 US8505965B2 (en) | 2007-11-02 | 2008-10-30 | Vehicle occupant safety system with energy-absorbing elements, and method of operating same |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (4) | US8342572B2 (en) |
JP (4) | JP5070343B2 (en) |
DE (4) | DE102008037812A1 (en) |
WO (4) | WO2009056201A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20120086190A1 (en) * | 2010-10-06 | 2012-04-12 | Slaats Paul M | Method and system for multi-stage inflation of a curtain airbag for ejection mitigation |
CN103616184A (en) * | 2013-11-26 | 2014-03-05 | 重庆长安汽车股份有限公司 | Testing device for whiplash-harming resistance |
Families Citing this family (21)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102008037812A1 (en) * | 2007-11-02 | 2009-06-04 | Daimler Ag | Vehicle occupant safety system with variable support and operating method |
DE102008057376A1 (en) * | 2008-11-14 | 2010-05-20 | Daimler Ag | Airbag with channel-shaped closure element |
DE102010007880A1 (en) * | 2010-02-13 | 2011-08-18 | Daimler AG, 70327 | Valve device for a medium, airbag with such a valve device and method for operating such a valve device |
DE102010007879A1 (en) * | 2010-02-13 | 2011-08-18 | Daimler AG, 70327 | Airbag and method for producing such an airbag |
DE102010007882A1 (en) * | 2010-02-13 | 2011-08-18 | Daimler AG, 70327 | Valve device for a medium and airbag for a motor vehicle with such a valve device |
US9272680B1 (en) * | 2010-06-15 | 2016-03-01 | The Boeing Company | Airbag for protection of multiple body regions |
DE102010044527A1 (en) * | 2010-09-07 | 2011-05-05 | Daimler Ag | Airbag, particularly for motor vehicle, has supporting structure, which is moved from storage position into retaining position |
KR101219703B1 (en) * | 2010-11-11 | 2013-01-21 | 현대자동차주식회사 | Roof airbag apparatus for vehicle |
US8876156B2 (en) * | 2011-01-31 | 2014-11-04 | TRW Vehical Safety Systems Inc. | Reduced volume air bag |
JP5804967B2 (en) * | 2012-02-21 | 2015-11-04 | タカタ株式会社 | Air bag and air bag device |
DE102012018450B4 (en) * | 2012-09-18 | 2015-02-12 | Autoliv Development Ab | Passenger car with a vehicle roof on the supporting gas bag of a passenger front airbag module and gas bag for such a passenger car |
EP2905185B1 (en) * | 2014-02-06 | 2018-03-14 | Autoliv Development AB | Motor vehicle with an airbag between a wheel and the car body and airbag unit |
AT516097B1 (en) * | 2014-07-03 | 2016-09-15 | Blue Danube Robotics Gmbh | Protection method and protective device for handling equipment |
DE102014226745A1 (en) | 2014-12-22 | 2016-06-23 | Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft | Safety device for an occupant of a vehicle |
DE102015100504A1 (en) * | 2015-01-14 | 2016-07-14 | Autoliv Development Ab | passenger airbag |
DE102016009590A1 (en) | 2016-08-06 | 2018-02-08 | Daimler Ag | Foil for an airbag |
US10246043B2 (en) * | 2017-02-03 | 2019-04-02 | Autoliv Asp, Inc. | Overhead airbag assemblies |
JP6801609B2 (en) * | 2017-08-21 | 2020-12-16 | トヨタ自動車株式会社 | Passenger seat occupant protection device |
FR3102735B1 (en) * | 2019-10-30 | 2022-04-15 | Renault Sas | Vehicle seat with chest protection device |
DE102021002965A1 (en) | 2021-06-09 | 2021-08-05 | Daimler Ag | Restraint device for a motor vehicle, in particular for a passenger vehicle |
DE102021004054A1 (en) | 2021-08-05 | 2023-02-09 | Mercedes-Benz Group AG | Airbag device for arranging on a back part of a sliding seat device of a motor vehicle and seat device |
Citations (21)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5197759A (en) * | 1990-04-09 | 1993-03-30 | Alfred Kroiss | Air bag collision safety device |
US5400487A (en) * | 1994-01-14 | 1995-03-28 | Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. | Variable inflation system for vehicle safety restraint |
US5959552A (en) * | 1996-05-20 | 1999-09-28 | Cho; Myungeun | System for minimizing automobile collision damage and personal injury |
US6219605B1 (en) * | 1995-12-12 | 2001-04-17 | Trw Airbag Systems Gmbh & Co. Kg | Air bag system with variable activation time point |
US6276716B1 (en) * | 1997-12-10 | 2001-08-21 | Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Air bag system for motor vehicle, and method of controlling the same |
US6290257B1 (en) * | 1998-07-27 | 2001-09-18 | Nihon Plast Co., Ltd. | Safety system for automobile |
US6315323B1 (en) * | 1999-12-21 | 2001-11-13 | Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. | Apparatus for positioning an inflated air bag |
US6419267B1 (en) * | 1999-04-13 | 2002-07-16 | Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha | Air bag device |
US6533317B2 (en) * | 1999-03-10 | 2003-03-18 | Volkswagen Ag | Restraining device with dynamic “danger” zone |
US6554313B2 (en) * | 1998-08-10 | 2003-04-29 | Toshiki Uchida | Air bag system |
US20030127839A1 (en) * | 2002-01-09 | 2003-07-10 | Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. | Air bag with vent |
US6616184B2 (en) * | 2001-04-25 | 2003-09-09 | Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. | Vehicle occupant protection apparatus with inflation volume and shape control |
US6918611B1 (en) * | 2000-09-28 | 2005-07-19 | Delphi Technologies, Inc. | System and method for controlling an inflatable cushion |
US6918614B2 (en) * | 2002-09-05 | 2005-07-19 | Delphi Technologies, Inc. | Inflation assembly for variable profile air bag |
US20060022439A1 (en) * | 2004-07-30 | 2006-02-02 | Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. | Inflatable vehicle occupant protection device with differentially pressurized chambers |
US20060267322A1 (en) * | 2005-05-26 | 2006-11-30 | Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. | Apparatus for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint |
US20060290117A1 (en) * | 2005-06-23 | 2006-12-28 | Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. | Vehicle occupant protection apparatus having vent member that is controlled by a releasable tether |
US20070228710A1 (en) * | 2006-03-28 | 2007-10-04 | Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. | Airbag apparatus |
US20070246924A1 (en) * | 2006-04-25 | 2007-10-25 | Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. | Air bag module with releasable tether |
US7431333B2 (en) * | 2004-10-13 | 2008-10-07 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Occupant safety-restraint system and method for fully deploying an airbag prior to occupant contact |
US7819421B2 (en) * | 2007-03-20 | 2010-10-26 | Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. | Side airbag apparatus |
Family Cites Families (66)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE811338C (en) | 1950-04-29 | 1951-08-20 | Robert Bauer | Slidable storage box and engine forked on one side, especially for conveyors |
US3039184A (en) * | 1959-04-17 | 1962-06-19 | Kramer Hyman | Method of assembling t-shaped fasteners to webbing strips |
US3883154A (en) * | 1970-03-30 | 1975-05-13 | Rocket Research Corp | Crash protection equipment |
DE2125923C3 (en) * | 1970-05-26 | 1974-06-12 | Iwao Tokio Shibamoto | Device for protecting vehicle occupants in the event of an accident |
US4126325A (en) * | 1970-06-20 | 1978-11-21 | Klippan Gmbh Hamburg | Inflatable air bag for motor vehicles for attenuating the impact effect of the passenger in case of accident |
US3675942A (en) * | 1970-08-31 | 1972-07-11 | Unidynamics Phoenix | Collision survival system |
JPS5030339B1 (en) * | 1970-09-14 | 1975-09-30 | ||
CA957404A (en) | 1970-11-24 | 1974-11-05 | Isao Maeda | Rapidly inflatable impact cushioning device for high-speed travelling vehicle |
DE2105428A1 (en) * | 1971-02-05 | 1972-08-24 | Uniroy al AG, 5100 Aachen | Safety device in vehicles to reduce the impact |
US3733091A (en) * | 1971-05-12 | 1973-05-15 | Gec Detroit | Occupant restraint cushion |
US3747952A (en) * | 1971-09-17 | 1973-07-24 | R Graebe | Protective device |
US3762741A (en) * | 1971-10-04 | 1973-10-02 | Gen Motors Corp | Occupant restraint cushion |
US3791666A (en) * | 1971-11-03 | 1974-02-12 | I Shibamoto | Safety device for vehicles such as automobiles |
BE794296A (en) * | 1972-01-19 | 1973-07-19 | Des Soc Nat | NEW INFLATABLE CUSHION SAFETY DEVICE, ESPECIALLY FOR UATOMOBILE VEHICLES |
FR2168669A5 (en) * | 1972-01-19 | 1973-08-31 | Poudres & Explosifs Ste Nale | |
US3784225A (en) * | 1972-10-02 | 1974-01-08 | Gen Motors Corp | Occupant restraint system |
SE397312B (en) * | 1973-02-12 | 1977-10-31 | Inventing Ab | METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SHOCK-ENSURING PROTECTION FOR VEHICLE PASSENGERS |
SE386116B (en) | 1973-02-12 | 1976-08-02 | Inventing Ab | DEVICE FOR EXPANDABLE FOREMALS, PREFERABLY SHOCK-ENSURING PROTECTION FOR VEHICLE PASSENGERS |
US3887213A (en) * | 1973-02-28 | 1975-06-03 | Eaton Corp | Inflatable vehicle occupant restraint and system therefor |
JPS5168044A (en) * | 1974-12-09 | 1976-06-12 | Nippon Soken | |
US4500114A (en) * | 1982-08-27 | 1985-02-19 | Thiokol Corporation | Device for controlled differential flow |
JPH0533427Y2 (en) * | 1987-11-16 | 1993-08-25 | ||
JP2932666B2 (en) | 1990-10-22 | 1999-08-09 | タカタ株式会社 | Airbag |
JPH04228648A (en) * | 1990-12-27 | 1992-08-18 | Bridgestone Corp | Air bag |
DE69311864T2 (en) * | 1992-04-08 | 1997-10-16 | Daicel Chem | AIR BAG WITH INFLATABLE RIBS |
US5626359A (en) | 1993-12-02 | 1997-05-06 | Trw Vehicle Safety Systems, Inc. | Method and apparatus for controlling an actuatable restraining device in response to discrete control zones |
US5542695A (en) * | 1993-12-28 | 1996-08-06 | R. Stresau Laboratory, Inc. | Air bag deployment system |
US5489117A (en) * | 1994-07-25 | 1996-02-06 | Huber; John F. | Occupant restraint system |
US5599041A (en) * | 1995-10-24 | 1997-02-04 | Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. | Inflatable vehicle occupant restraint |
DE29609703U1 (en) * | 1996-05-31 | 1996-09-26 | Trw Repa Gmbh | Gas bag |
DE19633883C2 (en) | 1996-08-19 | 1998-07-02 | Petri Ag | Airbag for an airbag module |
DE19822227A1 (en) | 1998-05-18 | 1999-11-25 | Volkswagen Ag | Airbag device for side protection |
DE19932696C1 (en) * | 1999-07-15 | 2000-09-07 | Daimler Chrysler Ag | Occupant protection device with at least two airbags for filling with gas has first airbag with short unfolding length towards occupant triggered independently of second airbag, esp. earlier |
JP3900765B2 (en) * | 1999-12-08 | 2007-04-04 | タカタ株式会社 | Airbag device |
DE20003652U1 (en) | 2000-02-22 | 2000-04-20 | Petri Ag | Flow guiding device for guiding at least one gas flow for filling a gas bag and airbag module |
JP2002046567A (en) * | 2000-07-31 | 2002-02-12 | Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd | Air bag for head protection airbag system |
JP2003054348A (en) * | 2001-08-10 | 2003-02-26 | Nippon Plast Co Ltd | Airbag |
DE10157710B4 (en) | 2001-11-24 | 2004-07-29 | Daimlerchrysler Ag | A method for controlling a ventilation device of a vehicle airbag and vehicle occupant safety system |
ATE389566T1 (en) * | 2001-12-03 | 2008-04-15 | Inova Gmbh Tech Entwicklungen | AIRBAG DEVICE AND OPERATING METHOD THEREOF |
JP3915544B2 (en) * | 2002-02-25 | 2007-05-16 | タカタ株式会社 | Airbag device |
DE10224138A1 (en) | 2002-05-24 | 2003-12-11 | Takata Petri Ag | Driver or front passenger airbag |
JP4134752B2 (en) * | 2003-02-26 | 2008-08-20 | タカタ株式会社 | Air bag and air bag device |
US7025376B2 (en) * | 2003-03-04 | 2006-04-11 | Autoliv Asp, Inc. | One piece cushion for personal airbag |
EP1477372A1 (en) | 2003-05-14 | 2004-11-17 | Delphi Technologies, Inc. | Safety device |
US7278655B2 (en) * | 2003-09-24 | 2007-10-09 | Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. | Head-protecting airbag |
JP2005162195A (en) | 2003-11-07 | 2005-06-23 | Takata Corp | Airbag cushion with slanted recess |
CN1259207C (en) * | 2004-11-30 | 2006-06-14 | 湖南大学 | Laminated pipe safety air bag |
US7669894B2 (en) | 2004-12-11 | 2010-03-02 | Autoliv Development Ab | Airbag arrangement having thrust-neutral outlet cross-sections of the gas generator |
DE202005001000U1 (en) | 2005-01-21 | 2005-06-02 | Trw Automotive Safety Systems Gmbh | Airbag module for a vehicle occupant restraint device |
JP2006205830A (en) * | 2005-01-26 | 2006-08-10 | Tkj Kk | Airbag and airbag apparatus |
US7264268B2 (en) * | 2005-02-18 | 2007-09-04 | Tk Holdings Inc. | Air bag |
US7396043B2 (en) * | 2005-03-02 | 2008-07-08 | Autoliv Asp, Inc. | Multiple chambered airbag system |
JP4811028B2 (en) * | 2005-03-07 | 2011-11-09 | タカタ株式会社 | Air bag and air bag device |
JP4235975B2 (en) | 2005-06-10 | 2009-03-11 | オートリブ ディベロップメント エービー | Airbag device and airbag manufacturing method |
JP2007055501A (en) | 2005-08-25 | 2007-03-08 | Toyota Motor Corp | Airbag device for passenger seat |
US7625008B2 (en) * | 2005-10-17 | 2009-12-01 | Key Safety Systems, Inc. | Air bag with groove or recess, open or partially covered |
JP4161997B2 (en) * | 2005-10-17 | 2008-10-08 | トヨタ自動車株式会社 | Airbag device |
JP2007230501A (en) | 2006-03-03 | 2007-09-13 | Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd | Airbag device for front passenger seat |
DE102006013287A1 (en) * | 2006-03-23 | 2007-09-27 | Daimlerchrysler Ag | Airbag e.g. side airbag, for use in motor vehicle, has flow channel with reverse flow safety device that allows flow of gas in passage direction, while flow of gas into blocking direction opposite to passage direction is blocked |
US7448645B2 (en) * | 2006-03-31 | 2008-11-11 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Contoured side impact airbag |
US7347445B2 (en) * | 2006-05-12 | 2008-03-25 | Hyundai Motor Company | Vehicle airbag device with an auxiliary chamber |
DE102006043552B4 (en) * | 2006-09-12 | 2009-03-05 | Takata-Petri Ag | Airbag for an airbag module of a motor vehicle |
DE102007052246B4 (en) * | 2007-11-02 | 2020-06-04 | Daimler Ag | Airbag, in particular for a motor vehicle |
DE102008037812A1 (en) * | 2007-11-02 | 2009-06-04 | Daimler Ag | Vehicle occupant safety system with variable support and operating method |
JP5125596B2 (en) * | 2008-02-22 | 2013-01-23 | 豊田合成株式会社 | Side airbag device |
DE102008057376A1 (en) * | 2008-11-14 | 2010-05-20 | Daimler Ag | Airbag with channel-shaped closure element |
-
2008
- 2008-08-14 DE DE102008037812A patent/DE102008037812A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2008-08-14 DE DE102008037810.0A patent/DE102008037810B4/en active Active
- 2008-08-14 DE DE102008037811.9A patent/DE102008037811B4/en active Active
- 2008-09-25 DE DE112008002575T patent/DE112008002575A5/en active Pending
- 2008-09-25 US US12/740,863 patent/US8342572B2/en active Active
- 2008-09-25 WO PCT/EP2008/008123 patent/WO2009056201A1/en active Application Filing
- 2008-09-25 JP JP2010531431A patent/JP5070343B2/en active Active
- 2008-10-30 JP JP2010531457A patent/JP5091326B2/en active Active
- 2008-10-30 WO PCT/EP2008/009159 patent/WO2009056309A2/en active Application Filing
- 2008-10-30 US US12/740,864 patent/US8403362B2/en active Active
- 2008-10-30 WO PCT/EP2008/009155 patent/WO2009056307A1/en active Application Filing
- 2008-10-30 JP JP2010531458A patent/JP2011502849A/en active Pending
- 2008-10-30 WO PCT/EP2008/009158 patent/WO2009056308A1/en active Application Filing
- 2008-10-30 JP JP2010531456A patent/JP5070344B2/en active Active
- 2008-10-30 US US12/740,656 patent/US8505965B2/en active Active
- 2008-10-30 US US12/740,897 patent/US20100264632A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (21)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5197759A (en) * | 1990-04-09 | 1993-03-30 | Alfred Kroiss | Air bag collision safety device |
US5400487A (en) * | 1994-01-14 | 1995-03-28 | Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. | Variable inflation system for vehicle safety restraint |
US6219605B1 (en) * | 1995-12-12 | 2001-04-17 | Trw Airbag Systems Gmbh & Co. Kg | Air bag system with variable activation time point |
US5959552A (en) * | 1996-05-20 | 1999-09-28 | Cho; Myungeun | System for minimizing automobile collision damage and personal injury |
US6276716B1 (en) * | 1997-12-10 | 2001-08-21 | Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Air bag system for motor vehicle, and method of controlling the same |
US6290257B1 (en) * | 1998-07-27 | 2001-09-18 | Nihon Plast Co., Ltd. | Safety system for automobile |
US6554313B2 (en) * | 1998-08-10 | 2003-04-29 | Toshiki Uchida | Air bag system |
US6533317B2 (en) * | 1999-03-10 | 2003-03-18 | Volkswagen Ag | Restraining device with dynamic “danger” zone |
US6419267B1 (en) * | 1999-04-13 | 2002-07-16 | Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha | Air bag device |
US6315323B1 (en) * | 1999-12-21 | 2001-11-13 | Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. | Apparatus for positioning an inflated air bag |
US6918611B1 (en) * | 2000-09-28 | 2005-07-19 | Delphi Technologies, Inc. | System and method for controlling an inflatable cushion |
US6616184B2 (en) * | 2001-04-25 | 2003-09-09 | Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. | Vehicle occupant protection apparatus with inflation volume and shape control |
US20030127839A1 (en) * | 2002-01-09 | 2003-07-10 | Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. | Air bag with vent |
US6918614B2 (en) * | 2002-09-05 | 2005-07-19 | Delphi Technologies, Inc. | Inflation assembly for variable profile air bag |
US20060022439A1 (en) * | 2004-07-30 | 2006-02-02 | Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. | Inflatable vehicle occupant protection device with differentially pressurized chambers |
US7431333B2 (en) * | 2004-10-13 | 2008-10-07 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Occupant safety-restraint system and method for fully deploying an airbag prior to occupant contact |
US20060267322A1 (en) * | 2005-05-26 | 2006-11-30 | Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. | Apparatus for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint |
US20060290117A1 (en) * | 2005-06-23 | 2006-12-28 | Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. | Vehicle occupant protection apparatus having vent member that is controlled by a releasable tether |
US20070228710A1 (en) * | 2006-03-28 | 2007-10-04 | Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. | Airbag apparatus |
US20070246924A1 (en) * | 2006-04-25 | 2007-10-25 | Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. | Air bag module with releasable tether |
US7819421B2 (en) * | 2007-03-20 | 2010-10-26 | Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. | Side airbag apparatus |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
Merriam-Webster's Definition of "Possibly." * |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20120086190A1 (en) * | 2010-10-06 | 2012-04-12 | Slaats Paul M | Method and system for multi-stage inflation of a curtain airbag for ejection mitigation |
US8333406B2 (en) * | 2010-10-06 | 2012-12-18 | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. | Method and system for multi-stage inflation of a curtain airbag for ejection mitigation |
CN103616184A (en) * | 2013-11-26 | 2014-03-05 | 重庆长安汽车股份有限公司 | Testing device for whiplash-harming resistance |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2009056309A3 (en) | 2009-08-20 |
JP2011502849A (en) | 2011-01-27 |
US20100327568A1 (en) | 2010-12-30 |
WO2009056307A1 (en) | 2009-05-07 |
DE102008037811A1 (en) | 2009-05-07 |
DE102008037811B4 (en) | 2020-04-16 |
US8342572B2 (en) | 2013-01-01 |
US20100237594A1 (en) | 2010-09-23 |
JP2011502069A (en) | 2011-01-20 |
JP2011502848A (en) | 2011-01-27 |
JP5070343B2 (en) | 2012-11-14 |
WO2009056309A2 (en) | 2009-05-07 |
JP5070344B2 (en) | 2012-11-14 |
WO2009056308A1 (en) | 2009-05-07 |
WO2009056201A1 (en) | 2009-05-07 |
DE102008037812A1 (en) | 2009-06-04 |
DE112008002575A5 (en) | 2010-09-09 |
DE102008037810A1 (en) | 2009-05-07 |
US20100276918A1 (en) | 2010-11-04 |
JP2011502071A (en) | 2011-01-20 |
US8403362B2 (en) | 2013-03-26 |
DE102008037810B4 (en) | 2020-03-26 |
US8505965B2 (en) | 2013-08-13 |
JP5091326B2 (en) | 2012-12-05 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20100264632A1 (en) | Vehicle Occupant Safety System with Variable Support and Method of Operating the Same | |
US8820830B2 (en) | Vehicle seat | |
KR102614143B1 (en) | Frontal airbag for vehicle and airbag deployment system using same | |
US8308190B2 (en) | Buckle airbag | |
US7600780B2 (en) | Passenger protective device and method | |
US9908496B2 (en) | Front airbag for vehicle and method of controlling the same | |
JPH1111250A (en) | Vent device for air bag | |
RU150672U1 (en) | INTEGRATED VEHICLE PASSENGER AIRBAG | |
EP3400152B1 (en) | Side airbag with internal diffuser | |
JP2004521014A (en) | Occupant restraint system with belt tightening force limiter | |
WO2013009821A2 (en) | Airbag | |
US8851515B2 (en) | Method and device for protecting a vehicle occupant in a vehicle seat of a vehicle | |
US9352720B2 (en) | Airbag for vehicle | |
KR101241159B1 (en) | Integrated air bag device of automible | |
CN105857133A (en) | Method for presetting seat before collision | |
US7125045B2 (en) | Active knee bolster with adaptive force response system and method | |
GB2268713A (en) | Vehicle air bags | |
US8469396B2 (en) | Restraint system with belt tensioner and airbag | |
US20080164680A1 (en) | Airbag arrangement | |
KR102565345B1 (en) | Front airbag for vehicle | |
US11590923B2 (en) | Roof mounted airbag | |
CN116056958A (en) | Side airbag device for a motor vehicle and method for operating a side airbag device | |
US8478488B2 (en) | Impact event countermeasure control method and system for automotive vehicle | |
JP4134857B2 (en) | Protective device for passenger seat of vehicle | |
KR0171344B1 (en) | Trunk safety device using an airbag |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: DAIMLER AG, GERMANY Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:BACHER, WERNER;RUEDEBUSCH, CLARK;SIGNING DATES FROM 20100413 TO 20100421;REEL/FRAME:024731/0300 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |