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:
Jun. 20, 2006
Filed:
May. 16, 2003
Jenne-tai Wang, Troy, MI (US);
Jenne-Tai Wang, Troy, MI (US);
General Motors Corporation, Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
A method for coordinating the restraint forces provided by a seat belt load limiter and a vehicle airbag is provided. The method includes determining a desired total restraint force profile, determining the airbag force profile, and determining a desired seat belt force profile from the desired total restraint force profile and the airbag profile. The method preferably includes determining a load-limiting force profile sufficient to substantially achieve the desired seat belt force profile, and determining the profile of a load limiter system variable sufficient to substantially achieve the load-limiting force profile. A load limiter is also provided that is characterized by a variable load-limiting force. The load-limiter includes a tube characterized by a tube wall thickness, and a deformation apparatus slidably engaged in the tube for linear translation therein. The deformation apparatus is configured to plastically deform the tube during linear translation to generate a load-limiting force. The tube wall thickness varies over the length of the tube such that the load-limiting force varies during linear translation of the piston.