INTEGRATED PASSENGER AIRBAG

摘要

An integrated airbag in the inflated condition has a main airbag portion defining an upper chamber and a lower extended portion defining a chamber depending from the main airbag portion. The main airbag portion in the inflated condition acts against the head and torso of the occupant so as to generate a restraining force against the occupant, and the lower extended portion in the inflated condition acts against the pair of knees of the occupant so as to mitigate the femur forces on the knees of the motor vehicle occupant generated by contact with the lower portion of the instrument panel during the impact.

主权项

1. An airbag system for mitigating motor vehicle occupant injuries in the event of a high speed impact of a motor vehicle with a frontal rigid barrier or other structure disposed in front of the motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle includes an occupant compartment having a forward facing seat upon which an occupant is supported and a panel disposed in front of and facing the forward facing seat, wherein the panel has an upper portion and a lower portion, the airbag system comprising:
an integrated airbag mounted on the panel, the airbag having a stowed condition and an inflated condition, wherein the integrated airbag has a main airbag portion defining an upper chamber in the inflated condition and a lower extended portion defining a chamber depending from the main airbag portion in the inflated condition in fluid communication with the main airbag portion; an inflator operationally coupled with the integrated airbag responsive to electrical actuation for inflating the airbag with a gas; an impact detection sensor for generating a signal upon an impact; and a controller for processing the signal generated by the detection sensor and electrically actuating the inflator upon computing a predetermined impact severity to the motor vehicle, wherein the main airbag portion in the inflated condition acts against a head and a torso of the motor vehicle occupant so as to generate a restraining force against the motor vehicle occupant and the lower extended portion in the inflated condition acts against a pair of knees of the motor vehicle occupant so as to mitigate the femur forces on the knees of the motor vehicle occupant during the impact.