Patent Publication Number: US-2011074135-A1

Title: Airbag identification system

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates, generally, to a vehicle having a supplemental restraint system, and more specifically, to an airbag identification system within the supplemental restraint system. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Advancements in technology and the growing concern for environmentally efficient vehicles have led to the use of alternate fuel and power sources for vehicles. Different fuel and power sources each offer distinct advantages. However, in the event of a vehicular accident respondents must respond in different manners depending on the fuel and power sources for that particular vehicle. If the fuel and power source for that vehicle are not known then this may delay the respondents&#39; ability to take action. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An airbag identification system for a vehicle is provided. A vehicle includes at least one power source and at least fuel source connected to the at least one power source for powering the vehicle. A safety system for the vehicle includes an airbag having an outer material visible when the airbag is in a deployed position. The outer material for the airbag is marked to correspond to the at least one fuel source. 
     The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a vehicle having a supplement restraint system; and 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of the deployed airbag for the vehicle of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the Figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to the same or similar components throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  schematically illustrates a vehicle  10  including at least one power source  12  and at least one fuel source  14 . The power source  12  and the fuel source  14  may be any known combination. For example, the power source  12  may be a combustion engine and the fuel sources may be unleaded gasoline. Other known combinations may also be used, such as an electric motor and battery, or a fuel cell and the corresponding fuel type, such as hydrogen, etc. 
     A safety system  16  for the vehicle  10  includes a supplemental restraint system  18  which includes at least one airbag  20 . The airbag  20  may be any airbag  20  that visibly deploys in the event of an accident. For example, the driver side forward airbag, the passenger side forward airbag, side impact airbags for the driver side or the passenger side of the vehicle. However, as described below, the safety system  16  is preferably applied to all airbags  20  within the vehicle  10 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a passenger compartment  22  for the vehicle  10 . An airbag  20  for the safety system  16  is illustrated in the deployed position. The airbag  20  includes an outer airbag material  24 . The airbag  20  may be a single layer of material. In this instance, the outer airbag material  24  would also form the airbag  20  itself The outer airbag material  24  is visible when the airbag  20  is in the deployed position. The outer airbag material  24  has a marking corresponding to the type of fuel source  14  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) for the vehicle  10 . Each type of fuel source  14  may be assigned a marking  26 . The marking  26  may be a specific color, symbol, pattern, etc. For example, if the vehicle  10  utilizes biofuel as the fuel source  14  then the airbag  20  may be colored green and/or labeled with the word biofuel. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the marking  26  is shown as a cross-hatch, which may identify a particular fuel such as hydrogen, etc. Alternatively, the marking  26  may be used to identify the type of battery used. In this manner, respondents to situations where an airbag  20  has deployed may be informed as to the type of fuel source  14  for the vehicle  10  and may quickly employ the correct safety precautions for that type of material. 
     Vehicles may also have multiple power sources  12  and fuel sources  14  of different types. For example, a hybrid electric vehicle  10  has unleaded gasoline as a first fuel source  14  and an internal combustion engine as a first power source  12  and a battery as a second fuel source  14  and a motor as a second power source  12 . In this manner, the airbag  20  may have the outer airbag material  24  with multiple colors or markings  26 . For example, alternating stripes of blue and yellow representing the battery and the unleaded gasoline respectively. Additionally, different types of fuel cells and batteries may utilize different materials and each of these materials may be assigned different colors or markings  26 . 
     Alternatively, different fuel sources  14  which require the same safety precautions may be assigned similar colors/markings  26 . For example, unleaded fuel and diesel fuel both require the same type of safety precautions, such as fire suppressants, therefore unleaded fuel and diesel may be assigned the same color/marking  26 . 
     In this manner, a safety system  20  for quickly informing people of a fuel source may be employed. A standardized color/marking system assigned for fuel sources may be disseminated to the public and in particular to safety respondents. 
     While the best modes for carrying out the invention have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention within the scope of the appended claims.