TEAR SEAM SENSOR AND DEPLOYMENT RATE SENSOR

摘要

An airbag assembly employs at least one airbag deployment rate sensor (34) to monitor the rate at which an airbag (24) is deployed. the airbag (24) is part of an airbag module (22) that has a vent (30) that can be actuated if it is determined by logic associated with the airbag (24) that the airbag has prematurely collided with an object. To better determine the dynamics of the airbag deployment, a sensor (46) is positioned across a tear seam (44) in the cover (42) through which the airbag (24) breaks. The sensor provides an indication that the tear seam (44) has opened, which is used as the starting time for monitoring the rate of airbag deployment. The tear seam sensor could also be used in conjunction with a controller (40) to control the deployment of an airbag (24).