US20010013696A1 - Air bag deployment system and method for monitoring same - Google Patents
Air bag deployment system and method for monitoring same Download PDFInfo
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- US20010013696A1 US20010013696A1 US09/106,160 US10616098A US2001013696A1 US 20010013696 A1 US20010013696 A1 US 20010013696A1 US 10616098 A US10616098 A US 10616098A US 2001013696 A1 US2001013696 A1 US 2001013696A1
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- Prior art keywords
- inflator
- air bag
- sensor
- deployment system
- bag deployment
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- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 title claims description 20
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 19
- 238000010304 firing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 80
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 32
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 claims description 18
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 11
- 239000003999 initiator Substances 0.000 description 6
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 231100000252 nontoxic Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 230000003000 nontoxic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000013307 optical fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 1
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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
- B60R21/01—Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents
- B60R21/017—Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents including arrangements for providing electric power to safety arrangements or their actuating means, e.g. to pyrotechnic fuses or electro-mechanic valves
-
- 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
-
- 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
- B60R2021/0104—Communication circuits for data transmission
- B60R2021/01081—Transmission medium
- B60R2021/01095—Transmission medium optical
-
- 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
- B60R21/26—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags characterised by the inflation fluid source or means to control inflation fluid flow
Definitions
- the present invention relates, in general, to automobile safety systems and, more particularly, to air bag deployment systems.
- Air bag deployment systems for automotive vehicles generally employ an inflator to inflate and deploy the air bag.
- Conventional inflators typically include a pyrotechnic material. When burned, the pyrotechnic material produces a nontoxic gas which is used to inflate the air bag.
- Some inflators utilize a pressurized gas to inflate the air bag.
- Inflators are activated by initiators. Initiators are also referred to as squibs or ignitors. Initiators are devices which, when activated, ignite the inflator's pyrotechnic material so as to produce a gas. In the case of a pressure inflator, when its initiator is activated, a projectile is propelled through a membrane to release the inflator's pressurized gas.
- inflator firing is confirmed by observing the condition of the inflator control circuitry connected to the squib of the inflator.
- Previous methods for indirectly determining if an inflator is activated include determining if a control switch of the control circuitry is closed, measuring the current provided to the squib, or measuring the resistivity of the squib. These indirect methods assume that a dud or misfire did not occur in the squib and do not directly determine if an inflator failure occurred.
- Inadvertent firing of the inflator is a potential problem in some air bag systems which can result in an air bag being unintentionally deployed. This can be caused by electrostatic discharge energy or Radio Frequency (RF) signals such as signals from a radar or high powered radio transmitters. This type of energy can be transmitted to the squib and inadvertently heat the pyrotechnic material of the squib to its flame temperature.
- RF Radio Frequency
- FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a portion of an air bag deployment system in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 illustrates in partial block form and partial schematic form, a portion of an air bag deployment system in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 3 illustrates in partial block form and partial schematic form, a portion of an air bag deployment system in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.
- the present invention provides an air bag deployment system and a method for monitoring the air bag deployment system.
- the air bag deployment system includes an inflator for inflating and deploying an air bag.
- the air bag deployment system includes an inflator sensor for monitoring the inflator to determine if the air bag deployed.
- the inflator sensor monitors the activation of an initiator of the inflator to directly determine if the inflator is activated or fired. This is accomplished by monitoring either the ignition area of the inflator or the surface of the initiator. If the inflator failed to activate, then an alternate safety device such as, for example, a backup inflator, can be fired in order to deploy the air bag.
- FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a portion of an air bag deployment system 10 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.
- system 10 includes a control circuit 11 , a crash sensor 12 connected to control circuit 11 , an inflator 13 connected to control circuit 11 , and an inflator sensor 14 connected to inflator 13 and to control circuit 11 .
- control circuit 11 has a crash input connected to an output of crash sensor 12 , a sensor input connected to an output of inflator sensor 14 , and an output connected to a firing input of inflator 13 .
- Inflator 13 has an activation output connected to a sensing input of inflator sensor 14 .
- air bag deployment system 10 is used in, for example, an automotive vehicle to deploy an air bag in the event of a crash.
- Suitable types of sensors for crash sensor 12 include proximity sensors, accelerometers, pressure sensors, optical sensors, or the like.
- Crash sensor 12 detects a crash by sensing or measuring the deceleration of the vehicle and transmits a crash signal to control circuit 11 .
- Control circuit 11 transmits a firing signal to inflator 13 in response to the crash signal received from crash sensor 12 .
- Inflator 13 is activated or fired when it receives the firing signal from control circuit 11 .
- inflator 13 is activated by burning a pyrotechnic material (not shown) so as to produce a gas for inflating an air bag (not shown).
- Inflator sensor 14 monitors inflator 13 . Specifically, inflator sensor 14 monitors the activation of inflator 13 to directly determine if inflator 13 is activated or fired. This is accomplished by monitoring either the ignition chamber (not shown) of the inflator or the surface (not shown) of inflator 13 . Inflator sensor 14 generates a firing sensing signal when it senses the activation of inflator 13 . In this example, inflator sensor 14 transmits the firing sensing signal to control circuit 11 . In the absence of the firing sensing signal from inflator sensor 14 , i.e., when the firing sensing signal is not received, control circuit 11 transmits a backup firing signal to inflator 13 to activate inflator 13 .
- Suitable devices for control circuit 11 include a microcontroller, a microprocessor, or the like.
- Suitable devices for inflator sensor 14 include a microphone, a thermal sensor, a light or optical sensor, a pressure sensor, an accelerometer, a transducer, or the like. These types of devices can be used to monitor inflator 13 and to detect whether inflator 13 has been activated. For example, when a pyrotechnic material is burned, heat is generated and can be sensed by a thermal sensor coupled to the surface of inflator 13 . Alternatively, a light sensor can be used to sense the light generated by the burning of the pyrotechnic material.
- inflator 13 when inflator 13 is activated, a sound wave is generated from the ignition chamber of inflator 13 and is sensed by a microphone. If inflator 13 uses pressurized gas to inflate the air bag, a pressure sensor is used to measure the change in atmospheric pressure of the ignition chamber of inflator 13 or gaseous output of inflator 13 .
- inflator sensor 14 is illustrated as being connected to control circuit 11 , this is not a limitation of the present invention.
- the output of inflator sensor 14 can be connected to inflator 13 for activating inflator 13 or the output can be coupled to an alternate safety device such as, for example, a backup inflator, in the event of a misfire by inflator 13 .
- FIG. 2 illustrates in partial block form and partial schematic form, a portion of an air bag deployment system 20 in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
- System 20 includes a microcontroller 21 , a crash sensor 22 connected to microcontroller 21 , an inflator 23 connected to microcontroller 21 , and an inflator sensor 24 adjacent to inflator 23 and connected to microcontroller 21 .
- FIG. 2 A cross-sectional view of inflator 23 is shown in FIG. 2.
- Inflator 23 has a surface 26 , a plurality of walls 31 , 32 , 33 , and 34 , a squib 36 connected to wall 34 , a squib 37 connected to wall 32 , and a vent 38 located in wall 31 .
- Walls 31 , 32 , 33 , and 34 cooperate to form an ignition area 41 .
- area 41 is filled with a secondary pyrotechnic material.
- Squib 36 has sidewalls 46 , a rupturable hermetic seal 47 at one end of sidewalls 46 , and a primary pyrotechnic material 48 within sidewalls 46 .
- squib 36 has terminals 51 and 52 and a low resistive wire 53 with a first terminal connected to terminal 51 and a second terminal connected to terminal 52 .
- squib 37 has sidewalls 56 , a rupturable hermetic seal 57 at one end of sidewalls 56 , and a primary pyrotechnic material 58 within sidewalls 56 .
- squib 37 has terminals 61 and 62 and a low resistive wire 63 with a first terminal connected to terminal 61 and a second terminal connected to terminal 62 .
- Terminals 52 and 62 are coupled for receiving a power supply voltage or source of operating potential such as, for example, ground potential.
- inflator sensor 24 which maybe, for example, a microphone, which is coupled to surface 26 of inflator 23 .
- Microphone 24 converts acoustic energy into electrical energy.
- Microphone 24 has an input surface 66 acoustically coupled to surface 26 and an output connected to microcontroller 21 .
- microphone 24 is coupled to surface 26 of inflator 23 for sensing acoustic energy at surface 26 .
- Microcontroller 21 has a crash input connected to an output of crash sensor 22 , an inflator sensor input connected to the output of microphone 24 , a first firing output connected to terminal 51 of squib 36 , and a second firing output connected to terminal 61 of squib 37 .
- Crash sensor 22 detects a crash and transmits a crash signal to the crash input of microcontroller 21 .
- Microcontroller 21 transmits a first firing signal to terminal 51 of squib 36 in response to the crash signal received from crash sensor 12 .
- squib 36 is fired when it receives the first firing signal from microcontroller 21 .
- heat is generated and causes the ignition and burning of pyrotechnic material 48 .
- seal 47 is ruptured and ignites the secondary pyrotechnic material (not shown) which in turn produces a gas that flows through area 41 and through vent 38 for inflating an air bag (not shown).
- Microphone 24 acoustically monitors surface 26 and senses the acoustic energy produced by the firing of squib 36 .
- microphone 24 senses the sound waves generated by the gases formed when inflator 23 is fired.
- Microphone 24 generates a firing sensing signal when inflator 23 is fired.
- the firing sensing signal generated by microphone 24 is also referred to as the inflator firing signal or the squib firing signal.
- the firing sensing signal is transmitted from the output of microphone 24 to the inflator sensor input of microcontroller 21 and indicates that squib 36 fired properly.
- squib 36 During a failure of squib 36 , i.e., when squib 36 does not fire upon receiving the first firing signal from microcontroller 21 , microphone 24 does not sense acoustic energy and does not generate a firing sensing signal. The absence of the firing sensing signal from microphone 24 , i.e., when the firing sensing signal is not received by microcontroller 21 , indicates that squib 36 misfired or failed. Microcontroller 21 generates a second firing signal when the firing sensing signal is not received and transmits the second firing signal to terminal 61 of squib 37 . Squib 37 is fired when it receives and conducts the second firing signal from microcontroller 21 .
- microcontroller 21 can attempt to activate squib 36 by transmitting the second firing signal to terminal 51 of squib 36 .
- microcontroller 21 can attempt to fire an alternative safety device such as, for example, a backup inflator (not shown).
- a backup inflator not shown
- the second firing signal can also be referred to as a backup firing signal
- squib 37 can also be referred to as a backup squib.
- inflator sensor 24 is described as a microphone, this is not a limitation of the present invention.
- inflator sensor 24 can be a thermal sensor which is thermally coupled to surface 26 of inflator 23 .
- inflator sensor 24 is coupled to surface 26 of inflator 23 for sensing thermal energy at surface 26 .
- squib 36 when squib 36 is fired, the burning of pyrotechnic material 48 and the secondary pyrotechnic material (not shown) generates heat which is transferred to surface 26 of inflator 23 .
- FIG. 3 illustrates in partial block form and partial schematic form, a portion of an air bag deployment system 90 in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.
- system 90 includes a control circuit 91 , a crash sensor 92 , lasers 93 and 94 , and an inflator sensor 96 , wherein crash sensor 92 , lasers 93 and 94 , and inflator sensor 96 are each connected to control circuit 91 .
- system 90 includes an inflator 97 , wherein lasers 93 and 94 and inflator sensor 96 are each adjacent to inflator 97 .
- control circuit 91 has a crash input connected to an output of crash sensor 92 , an inflator sensor input connected to an output of inflator sensor 96 , a first firing output connected to an input of laser 93 , and a second firing output connected to an input of laser 94 .
- FIG. 3 A cross-sectional view of inflator 97 is shown in FIG. 3.
- Inflator 97 has a plurality of walls 101 , 102 , 103 , and 104 , a squib 106 connected to wall 104 , a squib 107 connected to wall 102 , and a vent 108 located in wall 101 .
- inflator 97 has an optical window 111 located in wall 104 and an optical window 112 located in wall 102 .
- Walls 101 , 102 , 103 , and 104 cooperate to form an ignition chamber 113 .
- chamber 113 is filled with a secondary pyrotechnic material.
- Squib 106 has a squib flag 116 and a primary pyrotechnic material 117 connected to a portion of squib flag 116 .
- squib 107 has a squib flag 118 and a primary pyrotechnic material 119 connected to a portion of squib flag 118 .
- inflator sensor 96 which may be, for example, a light sensor having a sensor input (denoted by an arrow 126 ), an output connected to the inflator sensor input of control circuit 91 , and a bias input coupled for receiving a source of operating potential such as, for example, Vcc.
- Light sensor 96 can be comprised of photo diodes, photo transistors, photo cells, or the like. In this example, light sensor 96 is illustrated as a photo diode.
- Light sensor 96 converts light energy into electrical energy and is optically coupled to optical window 111 . In other words, light sensor 96 is adjacent and aligned to optical window 111 so that radiation is conducted from ignition chamber 113 to light sensor 96 .
- light sensor 96 can be contacting optical window 111 or light sensor 96 can be spaced apart from optical window 111 .
- light sensor 96 can be optically coupled to optical window 111 via an optical fiber (not shown).
- photo diode 96 is spaced apart from optical window 111 .
- Photo diode 96 modulates its current based on the amount of incident light received at its sensor input 126 .
- Photo diode 96 generates a firing sensing signal when it senses light from ignition chamber 113 .
- Lasers 93 and 94 generate light beams (respectively denoted by arrows 136 and 137 ).
- Optical window 111 is transparent at the frequency of light for igniting pyrotechnic material 117 , which is the frequency of light beam 136 .
- optical window 112 is transparent at the frequency of light for igniting pyrotechnic material 119 , which is the frequency of light beam 142 .
- crash sensor 92 detects a crash and transmits a crash signal to the crash input of control circuit 91 .
- Control circuit 91 transmits a first firing signal to laser 93 in response to the crash signal received from crash sensor 92 .
- Laser 93 generates light beam 136 in response to the first firing signal from control circuit 91 .
- Light beam 136 is transmitted from the output (denoted by arrow 141 ) of laser 93 to pyrotechnic material 117 through optical window 111 .
- squib 106 is fired when light beam 136 contacts and ignites pyrotechnic material 117 .
- the secondary pyrotechnic material (not shown) in chamber 113 ignites which in turn produces a gas that flows from ignition chamber 113 and through vent 108 for inflating an air bag (not shown).
- Light sensor 96 optically monitors ignition chamber 113 and senses the light energy produced by the firing of squib 106 .
- light sensor 96 generates a firing sensing signal which is transmitted from the output of light sensor 96 to the inflator sensor input of control circuit 91 . The firing sensing signal indicates that squib 106 fired properly.
- light sensor 96 does not sense light energy and does not generate a firing sensing signal.
- the absence of the firing sensing signal from light sensor 96 i.e., when the firing sensing signal is not received by control circuit 91 , indicates that squib 106 misfired or failed.
- Control circuit 91 generates a second firing signal when the firing sensing signal is not received and transmits a firing signal to the input of laser 94 .
- Laser 94 generates light beam 137 in response to the second firing signal from control circuit 91 .
- Light beam 137 is transmitted from the output (denoted by an arrow 142 ) of laser 94 to pyrotechnic material 119 through optical window 112 .
- Squib 107 is fired when light beam 137 contacts and ignites pyrotechnic material 119 .
- the secondary pyrotechnic material (not shown) in chamber 113 ignites which in turn produces a gas that flows from ignition chamber 113 and through vent 108 for inflating the air bag.
- Light sensor 96 senses the light energy produced by the firing of squib 107 and generates a firing sensing signal.
- This signal is transmitted from the output of light sensor 96 to the inflator sensor input of control circuit 91 and indicates that squib 107 fired properly. Alternatively, if squib 106 does not fire in response to the first firing signal, then control circuit 91 can attempt to activate squib 106 by transmitting the second firing signal to laser 93 .
- laser 93 can be a semiconductor laser and can be integrated with light sensor 96 to form an integrated semiconductor device.
- Squibs 106 and 107 are electrically isolated from external electrostatic discharge energy and Radio Frequency (RF) signals, thereby preventing inadvertent firing of squibs 106 and 107 .
- RF Radio Frequency
- optical windows 111 and 112 can be made to be transparent to light having predetermined frequencies and to block out all other light. Further, optical window 111 can be replaced with two optical windows, wherein one window is transparent at the frequency of the light energy produced by the firing of squibs 106 and 107 and the other window is transparent at the frequency of light beams 136 and 137 .
- an air bag deployment system and a method for monitoring the air bag deployment system have been provided.
- An advantage of an optically based system is that it prevents inadvertent inflator firings caused by electrostatic discharge energy.
- Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a system and method for directly monitoring the inflator and detecting inflator failure.
- the present invention provides a system and method for activating alternate safety devices in the event of inflator failure.
- the present invention is compatible with multi-level air bag deployment systems that have inflators with multiple squibs.
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates, in general, to automobile safety systems and, more particularly, to air bag deployment systems.
- Air bag deployment systems for automotive vehicles generally employ an inflator to inflate and deploy the air bag. Conventional inflators typically include a pyrotechnic material. When burned, the pyrotechnic material produces a nontoxic gas which is used to inflate the air bag. Some inflators utilize a pressurized gas to inflate the air bag.
- Inflators are activated by initiators. Initiators are also referred to as squibs or ignitors. Initiators are devices which, when activated, ignite the inflator's pyrotechnic material so as to produce a gas. In the case of a pressure inflator, when its initiator is activated, a projectile is propelled through a membrane to release the inflator's pressurized gas.
- In today's air bag systems, inflator firing is confirmed by observing the condition of the inflator control circuitry connected to the squib of the inflator. Previous methods for indirectly determining if an inflator is activated include determining if a control switch of the control circuitry is closed, measuring the current provided to the squib, or measuring the resistivity of the squib. These indirect methods assume that a dud or misfire did not occur in the squib and do not directly determine if an inflator failure occurred.
- Inadvertent firing of the inflator is a potential problem in some air bag systems which can result in an air bag being unintentionally deployed. This can be caused by electrostatic discharge energy or Radio Frequency (RF) signals such as signals from a radar or high powered radio transmitters. This type of energy can be transmitted to the squib and inadvertently heat the pyrotechnic material of the squib to its flame temperature.
- Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have an air bag deployment system and method that prevents inadvertent air bag deployment. It would be of further advantage to have a system and method for directly detecting inflator failure and that activates alternate safety devices in the event of inflator failure.
- FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a portion of an air bag deployment system in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 2 illustrates in partial block form and partial schematic form, a portion of an air bag deployment system in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; and
- FIG. 3 illustrates in partial block form and partial schematic form, a portion of an air bag deployment system in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.
- Generally, the present invention provides an air bag deployment system and a method for monitoring the air bag deployment system. The air bag deployment system includes an inflator for inflating and deploying an air bag. In addition, the air bag deployment system includes an inflator sensor for monitoring the inflator to determine if the air bag deployed. In particular, the inflator sensor monitors the activation of an initiator of the inflator to directly determine if the inflator is activated or fired. This is accomplished by monitoring either the ignition area of the inflator or the surface of the initiator. If the inflator failed to activate, then an alternate safety device such as, for example, a backup inflator, can be fired in order to deploy the air bag.
- FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a portion of an air
bag deployment system 10 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. Generally,system 10 includes acontrol circuit 11, acrash sensor 12 connected tocontrol circuit 11, an inflator 13 connected tocontrol circuit 11, and aninflator sensor 14 connected to inflator 13 and to controlcircuit 11. More particularly,control circuit 11 has a crash input connected to an output ofcrash sensor 12, a sensor input connected to an output ofinflator sensor 14, and an output connected to a firing input of inflator 13. Inflator 13 has an activation output connected to a sensing input ofinflator sensor 14. - In operation, air
bag deployment system 10 is used in, for example, an automotive vehicle to deploy an air bag in the event of a crash. Suitable types of sensors forcrash sensor 12 include proximity sensors, accelerometers, pressure sensors, optical sensors, or the like.Crash sensor 12 detects a crash by sensing or measuring the deceleration of the vehicle and transmits a crash signal to controlcircuit 11.Control circuit 11 transmits a firing signal to inflator 13 in response to the crash signal received fromcrash sensor 12. Inflator 13 is activated or fired when it receives the firing signal fromcontrol circuit 11. In one example, inflator 13 is activated by burning a pyrotechnic material (not shown) so as to produce a gas for inflating an air bag (not shown).Inflator sensor 14 monitors inflator 13. Specifically,inflator sensor 14 monitors the activation of inflator 13 to directly determine if inflator 13 is activated or fired. This is accomplished by monitoring either the ignition chamber (not shown) of the inflator or the surface (not shown) of inflator 13.Inflator sensor 14 generates a firing sensing signal when it senses the activation of inflator 13. In this example,inflator sensor 14 transmits the firing sensing signal to controlcircuit 11. In the absence of the firing sensing signal frominflator sensor 14, i.e., when the firing sensing signal is not received,control circuit 11 transmits a backup firing signal to inflator 13 to activate inflator 13. - Suitable devices for
control circuit 11 include a microcontroller, a microprocessor, or the like. Suitable devices forinflator sensor 14 include a microphone, a thermal sensor, a light or optical sensor, a pressure sensor, an accelerometer, a transducer, or the like. These types of devices can be used to monitor inflator 13 and to detect whether inflator 13 has been activated. For example, when a pyrotechnic material is burned, heat is generated and can be sensed by a thermal sensor coupled to the surface of inflator 13. Alternatively, a light sensor can be used to sense the light generated by the burning of the pyrotechnic material. In another example, when inflator 13 is activated, a sound wave is generated from the ignition chamber of inflator 13 and is sensed by a microphone. If inflator 13 uses pressurized gas to inflate the air bag, a pressure sensor is used to measure the change in atmospheric pressure of the ignition chamber of inflator 13 or gaseous output of inflator 13. - Although the output of
inflator sensor 14 is illustrated as being connected tocontrol circuit 11, this is not a limitation of the present invention. The output ofinflator sensor 14 can be connected to inflator 13 for activating inflator 13 or the output can be coupled to an alternate safety device such as, for example, a backup inflator, in the event of a misfire by inflator 13. - FIG. 2 illustrates in partial block form and partial schematic form, a portion of an air
bag deployment system 20 in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.System 20 includes amicrocontroller 21, acrash sensor 22 connected tomicrocontroller 21, aninflator 23 connected tomicrocontroller 21, and aninflator sensor 24 adjacent toinflator 23 and connected tomicrocontroller 21. - A cross-sectional view of
inflator 23 is shown in FIG. 2.Inflator 23 has asurface 26, a plurality ofwalls squib 36 connected towall 34, asquib 37 connected towall 32, and avent 38 located inwall 31. Walls 31, 32, 33, and 34 cooperate to form anignition area 41. Although not shown, those skilled in the art aware thatarea 41 is filled with a secondary pyrotechnic material.Squib 36 hassidewalls 46, a rupturablehermetic seal 47 at one end ofsidewalls 46, and a primarypyrotechnic material 48 withinsidewalls 46. In addition,squib 36 hasterminals resistive wire 53 with a first terminal connected toterminal 51 and a second terminal connected toterminal 52. Similarly,squib 37 hassidewalls 56, a rupturablehermetic seal 57 at one end ofsidewalls 56, and a primarypyrotechnic material 58 withinsidewalls 56. In addition,squib 37 hasterminals resistive wire 63 with a first terminal connected toterminal 61 and a second terminal connected toterminal 62.Terminals - Now referring to,
inflator sensor 24 which maybe, for example, a microphone, which is coupled to surface 26 ofinflator 23.Microphone 24 converts acoustic energy into electrical energy.Microphone 24 has aninput surface 66 acoustically coupled to surface 26 and an output connected tomicrocontroller 21. In other words,microphone 24 is coupled to surface 26 ofinflator 23 for sensing acoustic energy atsurface 26.Microcontroller 21 has a crash input connected to an output ofcrash sensor 22, an inflator sensor input connected to the output ofmicrophone 24, a first firing output connected toterminal 51 ofsquib 36, and a second firing output connected toterminal 61 ofsquib 37. -
Crash sensor 22 detects a crash and transmits a crash signal to the crash input ofmicrocontroller 21.Microcontroller 21 transmits a first firing signal toterminal 51 ofsquib 36 in response to the crash signal received fromcrash sensor 12. During normal operation,squib 36 is fired when it receives the first firing signal frommicrocontroller 21. As the first firing signal is conducted throughwire 53, heat is generated and causes the ignition and burning ofpyrotechnic material 48. During the burning ofpyrotechnic material 48,seal 47 is ruptured and ignites the secondary pyrotechnic material (not shown) which in turn produces a gas that flows througharea 41 and throughvent 38 for inflating an air bag (not shown).Microphone 24 acoustically monitors surface 26 and senses the acoustic energy produced by the firing ofsquib 36. For example,microphone 24 senses the sound waves generated by the gases formed wheninflator 23 is fired.Microphone 24 generates a firing sensing signal wheninflator 23 is fired. It should be noted that the firing sensing signal generated bymicrophone 24 is also referred to as the inflator firing signal or the squib firing signal. The firing sensing signal is transmitted from the output ofmicrophone 24 to the inflator sensor input ofmicrocontroller 21 and indicates thatsquib 36 fired properly. - During a failure of
squib 36, i.e., whensquib 36 does not fire upon receiving the first firing signal frommicrocontroller 21,microphone 24 does not sense acoustic energy and does not generate a firing sensing signal. The absence of the firing sensing signal frommicrophone 24, i.e., when the firing sensing signal is not received bymicrocontroller 21, indicates thatsquib 36 misfired or failed.Microcontroller 21 generates a second firing signal when the firing sensing signal is not received and transmits the second firing signal toterminal 61 ofsquib 37.Squib 37 is fired when it receives and conducts the second firing signal frommicrocontroller 21. As the second firing signal is conducted throughwire 63, heat is generated and causes the ignition and burning ofpyrotechnic material 58. During the burning ofpyrotechnic material 58,seal 57 is ruptured and ignites the secondary pyrotechnic material (not shown) which in turn produces a gas that flows througharea 41 and throughvent 38 for inflating the air bag.Microphone 24 senses the acoustic energy produced by the firing ofsquib 37 and generates a firing sensing signal which is transmitted from the output ofmicrophone 24 to the inflator sensor input ofmicrocontroller 21. Alternatively, ifsquib 36 does not fire in response to the first firing signal,microcontroller 21 can attempt to activatesquib 36 by transmitting the second firing signal toterminal 51 ofsquib 36. In addition,microcontroller 21 can attempt to fire an alternative safety device such as, for example, a backup inflator (not shown). It should be noted that the second firing signal can also be referred to as a backup firing signal and thatsquib 37 can also be referred to as a backup squib. - Although
inflator sensor 24 is described as a microphone, this is not a limitation of the present invention. Alternatively,inflator sensor 24 can be a thermal sensor which is thermally coupled to surface 26 ofinflator 23. In other words,inflator sensor 24 is coupled to surface 26 ofinflator 23 for sensing thermal energy atsurface 26. For example, whensquib 36 is fired, the burning ofpyrotechnic material 48 and the secondary pyrotechnic material (not shown) generates heat which is transferred to surface 26 ofinflator 23. - FIG. 3 illustrates in partial block form and partial schematic form, a portion of an air
bag deployment system 90 in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. Generally,system 90 includes acontrol circuit 91, acrash sensor 92,lasers inflator sensor 96, whereincrash sensor 92,lasers inflator sensor 96 are each connected to controlcircuit 91. In addition,system 90 includes an inflator 97, whereinlasers inflator sensor 96 are each adjacent toinflator 97. In particular,control circuit 91 has a crash input connected to an output ofcrash sensor 92, an inflator sensor input connected to an output ofinflator sensor 96, a first firing output connected to an input oflaser 93, and a second firing output connected to an input oflaser 94. - A cross-sectional view of
inflator 97 is shown in FIG. 3.Inflator 97 has a plurality ofwalls squib 106 connected to wall 104, asquib 107 connected to wall 102, and avent 108 located inwall 101. In addition,inflator 97 has anoptical window 111 located inwall 104 and anoptical window 112 located inwall 102.Walls ignition chamber 113. Although not shown, those skilled in the art aware thatchamber 113 is filled with a secondary pyrotechnic material.Squib 106 has asquib flag 116 and a primarypyrotechnic material 117 connected to a portion ofsquib flag 116. Likewise,squib 107 has asquib flag 118 and a primarypyrotechnic material 119 connected to a portion ofsquib flag 118. - Now referring to
inflator sensor 96, which may be, for example, a light sensor having a sensor input (denoted by an arrow 126), an output connected to the inflator sensor input ofcontrol circuit 91, and a bias input coupled for receiving a source of operating potential such as, for example, Vcc.Light sensor 96 can be comprised of photo diodes, photo transistors, photo cells, or the like. In this example,light sensor 96 is illustrated as a photo diode.Light sensor 96 converts light energy into electrical energy and is optically coupled tooptical window 111. In other words,light sensor 96 is adjacent and aligned tooptical window 111 so that radiation is conducted fromignition chamber 113 tolight sensor 96. Thus, for sensing light (denoted by an arrow 129) transmitted fromignition chamber 113,light sensor 96 can be contactingoptical window 111 orlight sensor 96 can be spaced apart fromoptical window 111. In addition,light sensor 96 can be optically coupled tooptical window 111 via an optical fiber (not shown). In this embodiment,photo diode 96 is spaced apart fromoptical window 111.Photo diode 96 modulates its current based on the amount of incident light received at itssensor input 126.Photo diode 96 generates a firing sensing signal when it senses light fromignition chamber 113. -
Lasers arrows 136 and 137).Optical window 111 is transparent at the frequency of light for ignitingpyrotechnic material 117, which is the frequency oflight beam 136. Similarly,optical window 112 is transparent at the frequency of light for ignitingpyrotechnic material 119, which is the frequency oflight beam 142. - In operation,
crash sensor 92 detects a crash and transmits a crash signal to the crash input ofcontrol circuit 91.Control circuit 91 transmits a first firing signal tolaser 93 in response to the crash signal received fromcrash sensor 92.Laser 93 generateslight beam 136 in response to the first firing signal fromcontrol circuit 91.Light beam 136 is transmitted from the output (denoted by arrow 141) oflaser 93 topyrotechnic material 117 throughoptical window 111. During normal operation,squib 106 is fired whenlight beam 136 contacts and ignitespyrotechnic material 117. During the burning ofpyrotechnic material 117, the secondary pyrotechnic material (not shown) inchamber 113 ignites which in turn produces a gas that flows fromignition chamber 113 and throughvent 108 for inflating an air bag (not shown).Light sensor 96 optically monitorsignition chamber 113 and senses the light energy produced by the firing ofsquib 106. In addition,light sensor 96 generates a firing sensing signal which is transmitted from the output oflight sensor 96 to the inflator sensor input ofcontrol circuit 91. The firing sensing signal indicates thatsquib 106 fired properly. - In the event of a failure such as, for example, when
squib 106 does not fire in response to controlcircuit 91 transmitting a first firing signal tolaser 93,light sensor 96 does not sense light energy and does not generate a firing sensing signal. The absence of the firing sensing signal fromlight sensor 96, i.e., when the firing sensing signal is not received bycontrol circuit 91, indicates thatsquib 106 misfired or failed.Control circuit 91 generates a second firing signal when the firing sensing signal is not received and transmits a firing signal to the input oflaser 94.Laser 94 generateslight beam 137 in response to the second firing signal fromcontrol circuit 91.Light beam 137 is transmitted from the output (denoted by an arrow 142) oflaser 94 topyrotechnic material 119 throughoptical window 112.Squib 107 is fired whenlight beam 137 contacts and ignitespyrotechnic material 119. During the burning ofpyrotechnic material 119, the secondary pyrotechnic material (not shown) inchamber 113 ignites which in turn produces a gas that flows fromignition chamber 113 and throughvent 108 for inflating the air bag.Light sensor 96 senses the light energy produced by the firing ofsquib 107 and generates a firing sensing signal. This signal is transmitted from the output oflight sensor 96 to the inflator sensor input ofcontrol circuit 91 and indicates thatsquib 107 fired properly. Alternatively, ifsquib 106 does not fire in response to the first firing signal, then controlcircuit 91 can attempt to activatesquib 106 by transmitting the second firing signal tolaser 93. - Although not shown,
laser 93 can be a semiconductor laser and can be integrated withlight sensor 96 to form an integrated semiconductor device.Squibs squibs - In order to prevent inadvertent squib firings from light other than
light beams optical windows optical window 111 can be replaced with two optical windows, wherein one window is transparent at the frequency of the light energy produced by the firing ofsquibs light beams - By now it should be appreciated that an air bag deployment system and a method for monitoring the air bag deployment system have been provided. An advantage of an optically based system is that it prevents inadvertent inflator firings caused by electrostatic discharge energy. Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a system and method for directly monitoring the inflator and detecting inflator failure. Further, the present invention provides a system and method for activating alternate safety devices in the event of inflator failure. In addition, the present invention is compatible with multi-level air bag deployment systems that have inflators with multiple squibs.
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/106,160 US6305708B2 (en) | 1998-06-29 | 1998-06-29 | Air bag deployment system and method for monitoring same |
DE19928691A DE19928691B4 (en) | 1998-06-29 | 1999-06-23 | An airbag deployment system and method of monitoring same |
JP17621699A JP4463346B2 (en) | 1998-06-29 | 1999-06-23 | Airbag deployment system and activation detection method for inflator |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/106,160 US6305708B2 (en) | 1998-06-29 | 1998-06-29 | Air bag deployment system and method for monitoring same |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20010013696A1 true US20010013696A1 (en) | 2001-08-16 |
US6305708B2 US6305708B2 (en) | 2001-10-23 |
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Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US09/106,160 Expired - Lifetime US6305708B2 (en) | 1998-06-29 | 1998-06-29 | Air bag deployment system and method for monitoring same |
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US (1) | US6305708B2 (en) |
JP (1) | JP4463346B2 (en) |
DE (1) | DE19928691B4 (en) |
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US20120282885A1 (en) * | 2011-05-04 | 2012-11-08 | Continental Automotive Systems Us, Inc. | System and method for airbag deployment detection |
US8610567B2 (en) * | 2011-05-04 | 2013-12-17 | Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. | System and method for airbag deployment detection |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP4463346B2 (en) | 2010-05-19 |
US6305708B2 (en) | 2001-10-23 |
DE19928691A1 (en) | 1999-12-30 |
JP2000025561A (en) | 2000-01-25 |
DE19928691B4 (en) | 2013-11-28 |
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