Adaptive variable load limited for primary occupant safety restraint

Abstract

A system and device for managing the restraints available for vehicle occupants that uses fluidic torque conversion to provide an adaptive variable load limiting for the primary occupant safety restraint. The fluidic torque conversion of this invention can be variably controlled through the use of an electro/mechanical flow control device. The flow control is preferably coupled to one or more sensors, including occupant weight, occupant position, seat position, low “g”, high “g”, and belt displacement/latching sensors. This invention is adapted to be responsive to the vehicles interior safety devices, including front air bags, side air bags, seat back pivots, head rests, collapsible steering wheel, and positioning of the dash board and/or vehicle instrumentation. This invention is a re-usable system. This invention can be applied to any rotational, pivotal or telescoping safety mechanism or device and by using hydro load limiting and energy absorbing management contributes to reduced occupant chest, back, neck or leg injuries as a result of a vehicle impact event.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.