The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 30, 2001
Filed:
Oct. 06, 2000
Ruprecht Sinnhuber, Gifhorn, DE;
Volkswagon AG, Wolfburg/Fallersleben, DE;
Abstract
A safety device for a motor vehicle includes a multi-chamber airbag, which is inflatable by at least one gas generator activatable when a vehicle is impacted. The airbag includes at least one feeler, or tactile, airbag, which may be quickly inflated using only a small quantity of energy and which is provided with a touch, or tactile, function. The feeler airbag may be inflated and introduced into an inflation area of at least one second airbag chamber and identifies, by touch, an obstacle in the inflation area, such as an out-of-position occupant. A touch recognition device is connected to the feeler airbag and emits a control signal, which is utilized at least during the inflation phase. The gas generator includes a control device for the inflowing amount of gas, the control device being connected to the touch recognition device and preventing, or at least reducing, a further inflation function of the gas generator when receiving the control signal.