Adaptive force vehicle airbag system
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
InventorJerry Provenza
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An adaptive force vehicle airbag (AFVA) system includes airbag(s) stowed in a compressed state within an interior of a vehicle. An impact sensor detects a change in motion of the vehicle indicative of a collision. Selectable force gas generator(s) (SFGGs) gas-generating propellant cells that are individually fired. The SFGGs have conduit(s) that receive gas from fired gas-generating propellant cells and direct the gas to inflate at least one of the airbag(s). A controller is communicatively coupled to the inflation initiating component and the gas-generating propellant cells of the SFGGs. The controller enables the AFVA system to: (i) receive an inflation signal from the impact sensor; and (ii) fire a selected number of the gas-generating propellant cells to at least partially inflate the at least one airbag.
Claims20
An adaptive force vehicle airbag (AFVA) system comprising:
- at least one airbag stowed in a compressed state within an interior of a vehicle near at least one vehicle seat;
- an impact sensor that detects a change in motion of the vehicle indicative of a collision;
- at least one selectable force gas generator (SFGG) separated from the at least one airbag and comprising a housing containing a gas collection chamber and more than one gas-generating propellant cells that are individually fired to produce a selected amount of gas within the gas collection chamber;
- at least one gas conduit connecting the gas collection chamber of the at least one SFGG to the at least one airbag that receives gas from fired gas-generating propellant cells within the gas collection chamber and directs the gas to inflate the at least one airbag;
- and
- a controller communicatively coupled to the impact sensor and the more than one gas-generating propellant cells of the at least one SFGG, the controller enabling the AFVA system to:
- receive an inflation signal from the impact sensor;
- and
- fire a selected number of the more than one gas-generating propellant cells to at least partially inflate the one or more airbags.
A vehicle comprising:
- a vehicle body having an interior;
- and
- one or more vehicle seats attached to the vehicle body within the interior;
- an adaptive force vehicle airbag (AFVA) system comprising:
- at least one air bag stowed in a compressed state within the interior of the vehicle near at least one of the vehicle seats;
- an impact sensor that detects a change in motion of the vehicle indicative of a collision;
- at least one selectable force gas generator (SFGG) separated from the at least one airbag and comprising a housing containing a gas collection chamber, and more than one gas-generating propellant cells that are individually fired to produce a selected amount of gas within the gas collection chamber;
- at least one gas conduit connecting the gas collection chamber of the at least one SFGG to the at least one airbag that receives gas from fired gas-generating propellant cells within the gas collection chamber and directs the gas to inflate the at least one airbag;
- and
- a controller communicatively coupled to the impact sensor and the more than one gas-generating propellant cells of the one or more SFGGs, the controller enabling the AFVA system to:
- receive an inflation signal from the impact sensor;
- and
- fire a selected number of the more than one gas-generating propellant cells to at least partially inflate the one or more airbags.
A method comprising:
- monitoring an impact sensor that detects a change in motion of a vehicle indicative of a collision;
- receiving an inflation signal from the impact sensor;
- in response to receiving the inflation signal:
- selecting a number of more than one gas-generating propellant cells of at least one selectable force gas generator (SFGG) that is pneumatically coupled to at least one air bag that is stowed in a compressed state within an interior of the vehicle near at least one vehicle seat;
- wherein the at least one selectable force gas generator (SFGG) is separated from the at least one airbag and comprises:
- a housing containing a gas collection chamber;
- and
- the more than one gas-generating propellant cells that are individually fired;
- and
- wherein at least one gas conduit connects the gas collection chamber of the at least one SFGG to the at least one airbag that receives gas from fired gas-generating propellant cells within the gas collection chamber and directs the gas to inflate the at least one airbag;
- and
- firing a selected number of the more than one gas-generating propellant cells to at least partially inflate at least one of the at least one airbag.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.