초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for controlling the deployment of a passive inflatable restraint system wherein driver and passenger air bags are employed each having two independently actuatable gas generators of the same or different sizes which are activated in a fixed time sequence. The sequence is timed

A method and apparatus for controlling the deployment of a passive inflatable restraint system wherein driver and passenger air bags are employed each having two independently actuatable gas generators of the same or different sizes which are activated in a fixed time sequence. The sequence is timed to provide an initial low inflation rate to just open the airbag container and initially deploy the airbag followed by a higher gas flow rate to complete filling of the cushion. An electronic control unit containing a control algorithm and connected to external sensors monitors vehicle decelerations, detects impacts, and determines if impact severity warrants deployment of an airbag for occupant protection. The external sensors include one or more sensors located in the forward portion of the vehicle to provide early impact detection and crash severity indications; a weight based occupant detection system located in the passenger seat to identify infants and small children and provide airbag suppression; and a seat belt mode or seat belt tension sensor to determine the presence of a cinched child seat and provide additional airbag suppression. The control algorithm monitors the above described sensors and if a deployment is required, a signal for activating the first initiator and a second signal for activating the second initiator are provided, the second signal being delayed a predetermined time after the first signal is generated.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A restraint system for a vehicle, comprising: an airbag module having an inflator with a pair of initiators; an airbag module controller for providing a sequential firing of both said pair of initiators such that there will be no unfired initiator left in said airbag module;a plurality of sensors

1. A restraint system for a vehicle, comprising: an airbag module having an inflator with a pair of initiators; an airbag module controller for providing a sequential firing of both said pair of initiators such that there will be no unfired initiator left in said airbag module;a plurality of sensors for providing input signals to said airbag module controller, said airbag module controller providing activation signals to said pair of initiators; andan airbag module suppression system, said airbag module suppression system instructs said airbag module controller to suppress said airbag module;wherein said airbag module controller is a sensing and diagnostic module, said sensing and diagnostic module generating a first signal and a second signal, said first signal activating one of said pair of initiators and said second signal activating the other one of said pair of initiators, said second signal being delayed a pre-determined time after said first signal; andwherein said airbag module suppression system is a passive occupant detection system comprising a means for detecting a vehicle occupant, said passive occupant detection system instructs said airbag module controller to suppress said airbag module when a predetermined condition has been met;wherein said sensing and diagnostic module receives a third signal indicative of the proper attachment and usage of a seatbelt, a fourth signal indicative of the approximate size by weight of the vehicle occupant, a fifth signal indicative of whether a seatbelt is fully extended or extended above a predetermined length and a sixth signal indicative of a threshold impact. 2. The restraint system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the air bag module includes a passenger air bag and the sensing and diagnostic module includes control logic wherein upon the detection of a threshold event a determination is made as to whether a seatbelt is extended above a predetermined length; when the seatbelt is extended above the predetermined length, deployment of the passenger airbag is suppressed;when the seatbelt is not extended above the predetermined length, a determination is made as to whether an occupant, less than a predetermined weight, is present in a passenger seat;when an occupant, less the predetermined weight, is present in the passenger seat, deployment of the passenger airbag is suppressed;when an occupant, not less than the predetermined weight, is present in the passenger seat, the passenger airbag is deployed. 3. The restraint system as in claim 1, wherein said predetermined time ranges from about 5 milliseconds to about 35 milliseconds. 4. The vehicle restraint system as in claim 1, further comprising: seatbelt switches for providing a signal to said sensing and diagnostic module, said signal indicating whether a seatbelt is properly fastened. 5. The restraint system as in claim 1, further comprising: an indicator means for indicating when said passenger side airbag module is suppressed. 6. The restraint system as in claim 1, further comprising: a seat mounted sensor for detecting a vehicle occupant by weight, said seat mounted sensor provides a first suppression signal to said sensing and diagnostic module to suppress a passenger side airbag module when the weight of same vehicle occupant is below a pre-determined weight; anda seatbelt sensor for determining whether an infant seat is secured to a passenger seat via a seatbelt, said seatbelt sensor provides a second suppression signal to said sensing and diagnostic module to suppress said passenger side airbag module when said infant seat is fastened to said passenger seat. 7. The vehicle restraint system as in claim 6, further comprising an indicator means for indicating when said airbag module is suppressed. 8. The vehicle restraint system as in claim 7, wherein said indicator means is an indicator light. 9. The vehicle restraint system as in claim 6, further comprising a pre-tensioner disposed on said seatbelt, said pre-tensioner being adapted to remove slack from said seatbelt in response to pre-determined conditions sensed by said plurality of sensors, said sensing and diagnostic module being configured to suppress said pre-tensioner in response to either said first suppression signal or said second suppression signal. 10. The vehicle restraint system as in claim 6, wherein said seatbelt sensor is an automatic locking retractor switch or a belt tension sensor. 11. The vehicle restraint system as in claim 2 further comprising a passenger side airbag module having an inflator with a first initiator and a second initiator. 12. The vehicle restraint system as in claim 11, wherein said sensing and diagnostic module employs all received signals to provide for a sequential firing of said first and second initiators such that there will be no unfired initiator left in said passenger airbag module, said first initiator configured to cause said inflatable airbag to break through or open an airbag cover when said first initiator is ignited, and said second initiator configured to inflate said airbag to fully inflate said airbag. 13. The vehicle restraint system as in claim 12, wherein said second initiator is ignited a fixed period of time after said first initiator is ignited. 14. The vehicle restraint system as in claim 13, wherein said inflator produces combustion products which result in said airbag inflating with a first inflating force sufficient to cause said inflatable airbag to break through or open an airbag cover when said first initiator is ignited, and said inflator produces combustion products which result in said airbag inflating with a second inflating force sufficient to deploy said inflatable airbag to a desired deployment configuration when said second initiator is ignited.