Airbag system
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsJennifer P. Lawall, Diane K. McQueen, Steven E. Morris, Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Scott D. Thomas, Kenneth A. Strom
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An embodiment of an airbag system includes a cavity configured to store an airbag, wherein the cavity has an aperture that provides an outlet for the airbag during deployment. The embodiment also includes a cover releasably attached over the aperture via an attachment mechanism having an initial attachment strength. The initial attachment strength is configured to reduce to a release attachment strength in response to receipt of a release signal at the attachment mechanism.
Claims17
An airbag system, comprising:
- an airbag housing having a cavity configured to store an airbag, the cavity having an aperture providing an outlet for the airbag during deployment;
- and
- a cover releasably attached over the aperture via an attachment mechanism having an initial attachment strength, wherein the attachment mechanism is at least partially formed from at least one of a shape memory alloy, a shape memory polymer, an electro active polymer, a piezo electric, a magnetorheological elastomer, or an electrorheological elastomer;
- wherein the initial attachment strength is configured to reduce to a release attachment strength in response to receipt of a release signal at the attachment mechanism;
- wherein the release signal is provided in response to one of a preliminary impact condition, an impact condition, an occupant environment condition, or a manual input;
- and
- wherein the attachment mechanism is configured to increase substantially from the release attachment strength to the initial attachment strength in response to a triggering event.
A method of activating an airbag system having an airbag housing with a cavity configured to store an airbag deployable by an airbag inflator, the cavity having an aperture providing an outlet for the airbag during deployment, and a cover releasably attached over the aperture via an attachment mechanism having an initial attachment strength, the method comprising:
- providing a release signal to the attachment mechanism in response to one of a preliminary impact condition, an impact condition, an occupant environment condition, or a manual input;
- receiving the release signal at the attachment mechanism, wherein the attachment mechanism is at least partially formed from at least one of a shape memory alloy, a shape memory polymer, an electro active polymer, a piezo electric, a magnetorheological elastomer, or an electrorheological elastomer;
- reducing the initial attachment strength to a release attachment strength in response to the receipt of the release signal at the attachment mechanism, wherein reducing the initial attachment strength to the release attachment strength includes activating at least one of the shape memory alloy, the shape memory polymer, the electro active polymer, the piezo electric, the magnetorheological elastomer, or the electrorheological elastomer;
- and
- either receiving a deployment signal at the airbag inflator and deploying the airbag via the aperture, or increasing the release attachment strength substantially to the initial attachment strength in response to a triggering event.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.