Patent ID: 6168197
Filing Date: 2001-01-02
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
In a vehicle having an impact sensor, a seatbelt restraint sensor, an airbag module and a control module having a memory and a timer, said impact sensor operable for generating an impact signal in response to a collision involving said vehicle, said seatbelt restraint sensor operable for generating a restraint signal indicating that a vehicle occupant is restrained by a seatbelt restraint, said airbag module including an inflator having first and second charges, first and second squib circuits and an airbag, said first squib circuit including a first squib coupled to said first charge and operable for igniting said first charge, said second squib circuit including a second squib coupled to said second charge and operable for igniting said second charge, said control module coupled to said impact sensor, said seatbelt restraint sensor and said first and second squib circuits, said control module receiving said impact signal and said restraint signal, said control module operable for selectively generating first and second squib pulses to cause said first and second squibs, respectively, to ignite said first and second charges, respectively, a method for controlling deployment of said airbag comprising the steps of: determining whether a collision having an impact magnitude exceeding a predetermined initial impact magnitude value has occurred; setting said timer to zero and starting said timer; determining whether said impact magnitude continues to exceed said initial impact magnitude; determining whether said impact magnitude exceeds a predetermined LOW impact magnitude value if said impact magnitude continues to exceed said initial impact magnitude; determining whether a value in said timer is less than predetermined high timer value if said impact magnitude exceeds said LOW impact magnitude value; determining whether said impact magnitude exceeds a HIGH impact magnitude value if said timer value does not exceed said high timer value; generating said first and second squib pulses if said impact magnitude exceeds said HIGH impact magnitude value and said timer value is less than said high timer value, said first and second squib pulses thereby causing said first and second squibs, respectively, to ignite said first and second charges, respectively, and inflating said airbag at a predetermined high inflation rate; and generating at least one of said first and second squib pulses if said impact magnitude exceeds said LOW impact magnitude value, said at least one of said first and second squib pulses thereby causing at least one of said first and second charges to ignite and inflate said airbag at an inflation rate less than said predetermined high inflation rate.