United States Patent [19]
`United States Patent [19]
`Blackburn et al.
`Blackburn et a1.
`
`[54] OCCUPANT SENSING APPARATUS
`[54]
`OCCUPANT SENSING APPARATUS
`[75] Inventors: Brian K. Blackburn, Rochester;
`[75]
`Inventors: Brian K. Blackburn, Rochester;
`Joseph F. Mazur, Washington; Scott
`Joseph F. Mazur, Washington; Scott
`B. Gentry, Shelby Township,
`B. Gentry, Shelby Township,
`Macomb County, all of Mich.
`Macomb County, all of Mich.
`Assignee:
`[73]
`TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.,
`[73] Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.,
`Lyndhurst, Ohio
`Lyndhurst, Ohio
`[21]
`Appl. No.: 682,908
`[21] Appl. No.: 682,908
`[22]
`Filed:
`Apr. 9, 1991
`[22] Filed:
`Apr. 9,1991
`[51]
`Int. Cl.5 ............................................ .. B60R 21/32
`B60R 21/32
`[51] Int. CI.*
`[52]
`[52] U.S. a.
`US. Cl. .................................. .. 280/732; 230/ 735;
`280/732; 280/735;
`180/273
`180/273
`[58]
`Field of Search ............. .. 280/728, 730, 731, 732,
`[58] Field of Search
`280/728, 730, 731, 732,
`280/735; 180/273
`280/735; 180/273
`[56]
`References Cited
`References Cited
`[56]
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3,172,684 3/1965 Isaac ............................. .. 280/735 X
`3,340,523 9/1967 Whitman .
`3,172,684 3/1965 Isaac
`280/735 X
`3,672,699 6/1972 DeWindt .
`3,340,523 9/1967 Whitman .
`3,746,844 7/1973 Azum et a1. .
`3,672,699 6/1972 DeWindt .
`3,992,028 11/1976 Abe et a1. .
`3,746,844 7/1973 Azum et al. .
`4,700,180 10/1987 Vance .
`3,992,028 11/1976 Abe et al. .
`4,796,013 l/l989 Yasuda et a1. .
`4,700,180 10/1987 Vance .
`4,804,859 2/1989 Swart .
`4,796,013 1/1989 Yasuda et al. .
`4,810,005 3/1989 Fohl .
`4,804,859 2/1989 Swart .
`4,833,457 5/1989 Graebe, Jr. .
`4,810,005 3/1989 Fohl .
`4,876,419 10/1989 Lodini .
`4,833,457 5/1989 Graebe, Jr. .
`4,876,420 10/1989 Lodini .
`4.876.419 10/1989 Lodini .
`5,071,160 12/1991 White ................................ .. 280/735
`4.876.420 10/1989 Lodini .
`5,071,160 12/1991 White et a1. .
`5,071,160 12/1991 White
`280/735
`5,074,583 12/1991 Fujita ................................ .. 280/735
`5,079,949 1/ 1992 Tamori .
`5,071,160 12/1991 White et al. .
`5,074,583 12/1991 Fujita
`5,079,949 1/1992 Tamori .
`
`280/735
`
`IlllllllllllllIllIllllIlllllllllllllllllllIIIIIlllllIllllllllllllllllllllll
`5,232,243
`5,232,243
`Aug. 3,1993
`Aug. 3, 1993
`
`US005232243A
`US005232243A
`[ii] Patent Number:
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`0357225 3/1990 European Pat. Off. .
`0357225 3/ 1990 European Pat. Off. .
`3839134C1 2/1990 Fed. Rep. of Germany .
`3839134C1 2/1990 Fed. Rep. of Germany .
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Interlink Electronics "Force and Position Sensing Re­
`Interlink Electronics “Force and Position Sensing Re
`sistors: An Emerging Technology”.
`sistors: An Emerging Technology".
`Tekscan Corporate Capabillities.
`Tekscan Corporate Capabillities.
`Kynar Piezo Film Technical Manual.
`Kynar Piezo Film Technical Manual.
`Primary Examiner-Richard A. Schacher
`Primary Examiner—Richard A. Schacher
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Tarolli, Sundheim & Covell
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Tarolli, Sundheim & Covell
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`An occupant sensing apparatus for use in an occupant
`An occupant sensing apparatus for use in an occupant
`restraint system comprises a ?lm having an electrical
`restraint system comprises a film having an electrical
`characteristic with changeable states and a contact
`characteristic with changeable states and a contact
`member. When an occupant sits in a vehicle seat, the
`member. When an occupant sits in a vehicle seat, the
`contact member pushes on the ?lm and changes the
`contact member pushes on the film and changes the
`state of the electrical characteristic. An electric circuit
`state of the electrical characteristic. An electric circuit
`is connected to the ?lm for providing a ?rst signal when
`is connected to the film for providing a first signal when
`the ?lm indicates an occupant is not present, a second
`signal when an occupant is present, and a third signal if
`the film indicates an occupant is not present, a second
`the ?lm and the circuit become disconnected. The occu
`signal when an occupant is present, and a third signal if
`pant restraint system is enabled when either an occu
`the film and the circuit become disconnected. The occu­
`pant is present or an electrical fault condition occurs. In
`pant restraint system is enabled when either an occu­
`accordance with another embodiment of the invention,
`pant is present or an electrical fault condition occurs. In
`an'array of sensors located in the seat determines the
`accordance with another embodiment of the invention,
`occupant’s position and weight and controls deploy
`an array of sensors located in the seat determines the
`ment of the occupant restraint system in response to the
`occupant's position and weight and controls deploy­
`determined position and weight.
`ment of the occupant restraint system in response to the
`determined position and weight.
`9 Claims, 14 Drawing Sheets
`
`9 Claims, 14 Drawing Sheets
`
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`U.S. Patent
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`Aug. 3, 1993
`Aug. a, 1993
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Aug. 3, 1993
`Aug. 3, 1993
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`Aug. 3, 1993
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`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
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`Aug. 3, 1993
`Aug. a, 1993
`
`Sheet 9 of 14
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`5,232,243
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`Aisin Seiki Exhibit 1005
` Page 10
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 3, 1993
`Aug. 3, 1993
`
`Sheet 10 of 14
`Sheet 10 of 14
`
`5,232,243
`5,232,243
`
`VSTEPUP 1
`
`+
`
`BACK SENSOR
`R
`
`HUMANISTIC
`SENSOR
`
`.r
`
`_
`
`266
`
`^264
`
`•300
`£
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`250
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`N X M
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`PIEZ0F1LM
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`POSITION
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`
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`SENSING
`CONDUCTIVE
`POLYMORE
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`
`Aisin Seiki Exhibit 1005
` Page 11
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 3, 1993
`Aug‘ 3, 1993
`
`Sheet 11 of 14
`Sheet 11 of 14
`
`5,232,243
`
`T
`3 YEAR 5% 30% 50% 80%
`3 YEAR 5% 30% 50%
`80%
`WE|GHT(%)
`WEIGHT(%)
`
`T
`99%
`99%
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
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`<I——I- DISTIAINCE '
`T
`T
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`
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`
`WHGHT
`WEIGHT
`
`(£ <
`
`Fig.15
`
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`to to N
`199%-
`3
`Q
`
`73 OF GAS DUMPED u m u m N N
`^66%--
`
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`Fig.16
`K
`Fig.16
`
`+45
`+45* -
`0'
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`-45'
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`.
`
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`H917 FURT'HEST
`Fig.17
`LEI-‘I’ POSITION
`I
`FURTHEST
`LEFT POSITION
`
`PERII‘ECT
`POSITION
`PERFECT
`POSITION
`
`+45' -
`
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`RIGHT POSITION
`T
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`Fig.18
`
`I
`
`FRONT
`OF SEAT
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`
`BACK
`OF SEAT
`T
`BACK
`OF SEAT
`
`Aisin Seiki Exhibit 1005
` Page 12
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 3, 1993
`Aug. 3, 1993
`
`Sheet 12 of 14
`Sheet 12 of 14
`
`5,232,243
`5,232,243
`
`406
`
`SET
`N=N+1
`
`N
`N
`
`408
`408
`
`N/ DOES
`N = 10
`?
`Y
`DISABLE
`DISABLE
`AIR BAG \
`
`AIR BAG I
`
`410
`410
`
`B
`
`A
`
`N
`
`( START } -400
`I
`START ) ‘400
`SCAN 7
`
`402
`402
`
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`SENSOR
`SENSOR
`ARRAY
`ARRAY
`
`______
`
`44
`404
`
`412
`412
`
`N
`N
`
`’
`
`IS
`IS
`OBJECT
`OBJECT
`PRESENT
`PRESENT
`?
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`Y
`IS
`IS
`OBJECT
`OBJECT
`IN SEAT
`HUMAN
`IN SEAT
`HUMAN
`?
`Y
`Y
`KEEP
`AIRBAG
`KEEP
`ENAB LED
`AIR BAG
`ENABLED
`
`WHICH ARRAY .
`ELEMENTS ARE
`WHICH ARRAY
`ON
`ELEMENTS ARE
`ON
`
`414
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`DISABLE
`AIR BAG
`AIR BAG
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`416
`
`418
`
`DETERMINE
`POSITION OF _ ___/42o
`OCCUPANT
`DETERMINE
`POSITION OF
`OCCUPANT
`
`420
`
`IS
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`POSITION
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`
`422
`
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`
`424
`
`424
`
`DISABLE
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`
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`
`Fig.2O
`Fig.20
`
`Aisin Seiki Exhibit 1005
` Page 13
`
`

`
`v# bJ
`bJ
`
`cn
`
`5,232,243
`
`o
`OJ
`h"*
`
`sr
`C/5
`
`Sheet 13 of 14
`
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`
`Aug. 3, 1993
`
`9
`P
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`d
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`
`US. Patent
`
`]
`
`UP &
`AIRBAG >
`ROTATE
`
`TO RIGHT
`
`I
`
`TO LEFT
`UP &
`AIRBAG
`ROTATE
`
`TO RIGHT
`DOWN &
`AIRBAG
`ROTATE -
`
`Fig.21
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`
`TO LEFT
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`AIRBAG
`ROTATE
`
`TOWARDS
`
`DOWN
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`
`FLOOR
`
`I
`
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`
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`
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`GO TO
`
`Aisin Seiki Exhibit 1005
` Page 14
`
`472
`
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`
`468
`
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`
`464
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`
`460
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`ON BACK X
`OCCUPANTXN
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`SEAT
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`OCCUPANTXN
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`OCCUPANTXN
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`OCCUPANT\N
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`
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`GO TO
`
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`1
`
`INFLATORS
`FIRE BOTH
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`OF 2ND
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`SIZE OF
`OCCUPANT
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`
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`
`Aisin Seiki Exhibit 1005
` Page 15
`
`

`
`5,232,243
`1
`5,232,243
`2
`1
`2
`ence of an occupant effects physical contact between
`ence of an occupant effects physical contact between
`OCCUPANT SENSING APPARATUS
`the contact member and the film. The electrical charac­
`OCCUPANT SENSING APPARATUS
`the contact member and the ?lm. The electrical charac
`teristic of the film has a first state when there is no
`teristic of the ?lm has a ?rst state when there is no
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`contact between the film and contact member and a
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`contact between the ?lm and contact member and a
`5 second state when there is contact between the film and
`The present invention is directed to a vehicle occu­
`5
`second state when there is contact between the ?lm and
`The present invention is directed to a vehicle occu
`the contact member. Electric circuit means are con­
`pant restraint system and is particularly directed to an
`the contact member. Electric circuit means are con
`pant restraint system and is particularly directed to an
`nected to the film for providing a first signal when the
`occupant sensing apparatus in an occupant restraint
`nected to the ?lm for providing a ?rst signal when the
`occupant sensing apparatus in an occupant restraint
`film has the first state indicative of an occupant not
`system.
`system.
`?lm has the ?rst state indicative of an occupant not
`being present, a second signal when the film has the
`being present, a second signal when the ?lm has the
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`10 second state indicative of an occupant being present,
`second state indicative of an occupant being present,
`and a third signal when the film does not have the first
`Occupant restraint systems for use in vehicles are
`Occupant restraint systems for use in vehicles are
`and a third signal when’ the ?lm does not have the ?rst
`or second state, thereby indicating that an electrical
`well known in the art. One such restraint system in
`well known in the art. One such restraint system in­
`or second state, thereby indicating that an electrical
`fault condition exits. The sensor further includes means
`cludes a crash sensor, an in?atable airbag, and an actua
`fault condition exits. The sensor further includes means
`cludes a crash sensor, an inflatable airbag, and an actua­
`tion circuit that controls deployment of the airbag in
`for enabling the occupant restraint system when either
`tion circuit that controls deployment of the airbag in
`for enabling the occupant restraint system when either
`the second signal or the third signal is provided by the
`response to an output from the crash sensor. The crash
`response to an output from the crash sensor. The crash 15 the second signal or the third signal is provided by the
`sensor can be an accelerometer that provides an electri
`sensor can be an accelerometer that provides an electri­
`electric circuit means.
`I
`electric circuit means.
`cal signal having a value functionally related to the
`In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the ?lm
`cal signal having a value functionally related to the
`In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the film
`vehicle’s deceleration. The actuation circuit includes a
`is a piezoelectric ?lm. The electric circuit means pro
`vehicle's deceleration. The actuation circuit includes a
`is a piezoelectric film. The electric circuit means pro-
`squib operatively connected to a source of inert gas.
`vides an unstable feedback loop around the piezoelec
`squib operatively connected to a source of inert gas.
`vides an unstable feedback loop around the piezoelec-
`During a crash condition of a vehicle, the vehicle’s
`tric ?lm so that the ?lm provides an electric output
`During a crash condition of a vehicle, the vehicle's 20 trie film so that the film provides an electric output
`accelerometer provides a signal indicative of such crash
`signal that oscillates. Contact between the contact
`accelerometer provides a signal indicative of such crash
`signal that oscillates. Contact between the contact
`condition. The actuation circuit thereby applies a cur
`member and the ?lm effects a change in the output
`condition. The actuation circuit thereby applies a cur-
`member and the film effects a change in the output
`rent through the squib which causes the squib to ignite.
`signal from the ?lm. The electric circuit means provides
`When the squib ignites, the source of inert gas dis
`rent through the squib which causes the squib to ignite.
`signal from the film. The electric circuit means provides
`the ?rst, second, and third signals in response to the
`25
`charges gas into the airbag, which results in in?ation of
`When the squib ignites, the source of inert gas dis-
`the first, second, and third signals in response to the
`output signal from the ?lm. Contact between the
`the airbag.
`charges gas into the airbag, which results in inflation of 25 output signal from the fllm Contact between the
`contact member and the ?lm attenuates the oscillations.
`Certain vehicles have both a driver side airbag and a
`the airbag.
`contact member and the film attenuates the oscillations.
`The oscillations are preferably within a predetermined
`passenger side airbag (“dual airbags”). If such a vehicle
`Certain vehicles have both a driver side airbag and a
`frequency band and the electric circuit means includes a
`The oscillations are preferably within a predetermined
`is occupied only by the driver and is involved a crash,
`passenger side airbag ("dual airbags"). If such a vehicle
`band pass ?lter designed to respond to the predeter
`frequency band and the electric circuit means includes a
`deployment of the passenger side airbag is unnecessary.
`is occupied only by the driver and is involved a crash,
`mined frequency band. The predetermined frequency is
`band pass filter designed to respond to the predeter­
`Unnecessary deployment of the passenger side airbag
`deployment of the passenger side airbag is unnecessary. 30
`2 kilohertz. Preferably, a plurality of such piezoelectric
`mined frequency band. The predetermined frequency is
`can increase the cost of repairing the vehicle. Since a
`Unnecessary deployment of the passenger side airbag
`?lms are mounted in a checker-board pattern with a
`2 kilohertz. Preferably, a plurality of such piezoelectric
`large percentage of vehicles on the highway are occu
`can increase the cost of repairing the vehicle. Since a
`plurality of individual force sensing resistor ?lms so as
`pied by only the driver, it is desirable to (i) be able to
`films are mounted in a checker-board pattern with a
`large percentage of vehicles on the highway are occu­
`to monitor weight and position of the occupant.
`detect if a passenger is present in the vehicle and (ii)
`plurality of individual force sensing resistor films so as
`pied by only the driver, it is desirable to (i) be able to
`.
`„ ,
`deploy the passenger side airbag during a crash only if
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`detect if a passenger is present in the vehicle and (ii) 35 t0 monltor wel8ht and Pos'tlon of the occupant,
`the passenger is, in fact, present.
`Further features of the present invention will become
`deploy the passenger side airbag during a crash only if
`The prior art has recognized the problem of unneces
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present
`the passenger is, in fact, present.
`sary deployment of a passenger side airbag during a
`Further features of the present invention will become
`invention relates from reading the following speci?ca
`The prior art has recognized the problem of unneces­
`crash when no passenger is present. Prior art occupant
`apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present
`tion with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
`restraint systems having dual airbags have provided
`sary deployment of a passenger side airbag during a
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`which:
`crash when no passenger is present. Prior art occupant 40 invention relates from reading the following specifica-
`various forms of occupant sensors and have enabled the
`FIG. 1 is a schematic of an occupant restraint system
`passenger side airbag only when an occupant is present
`restraint systems having dual airbags have provided
`*'on
`reference to the accompanying drawings, in
`made in accordance with one embodiment of the pres
`in the passenger seat.
`various forms of occupant sensors and have enabled the
`which:
`ent invention;
`FIG. 1 is a schematic of an occupant restraint system
`passenger side airbag only when an occupant is present
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`FIG. 2 is top plan view of a ?lm sensor made in ac
`made in accordance with one embodiment of the pres-
`in the passenger seat.
`cordance with the present invention with certain parts
`The present invention is directed to a new and useful
`45 ent invention;
`removed for clarity;
`occupant sensing apparatus. An occupant sensing appa
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`FIG. 2 is top plan view of a film sensor made in ac-
`FIG. 3 is a sectional view along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
`ratus, accordance with the present invention, permits
`The present invention is directed to a new and useful
`cordance with the present invention with certain parts
`FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the ?lm sensor shown
`detection of (i) whether a vehicle seat is occupied, (ii)
`occupant sensing apparatus. An occupant sensing appa-
`removed for clarity;
`in FIG. 2;
`whether an object in the seat is animate or inanimate,
`ratus, accordance with the present invention, permits
`FIG. 3 is a sectional view along line 3—3 of FIG. 2;
`FIG. 5 is a circuit schematic of an occupant restraint
`(iii) the weight of an occupant, (iv) the position of an
`detection of (i) whether a vehicle seat is occupied, (ii) 50
`FIG- 4 is an exploded view of the film sensor shown
`system made in accordance with one embodiment of the
`occupant in the seat, and (v) whether there is an electri
`in FIG. 2;
`present invention;
`whether an object in the seat is animate or inanimate,
`cal fault condition such as an electric open or short
`FIG. 5 is a circuit schematic of an occupant restraint
`FIG. 6 is a circuit schematic showing the ?lm drive
`(iii) the weight of an occupant, (iv) the position of an
`circuit in the occupant sensor. An occupant restraint
`circuit shown in FIG. 5;
`system, having the occupant sensing apparatus of the
`system made in accordance with one embodiment of the
`occupant in the seat, and (v) whether there is an electri­
`FIG. 7 is a circuit schematic showing the band pass
`present invention, is enabled if either an occupant is
`present invention;
`cal fault condition such as an electric open or short
`?lter circuit shown in FIG. 6;
`present or an electrical fault condition exists in the oc
`FIG. 6 is a circuit schematic showing the film drive
`circuit in the occupant sensor. An occupant restraint 55
`FIG. 8 is a graphical representation of the output of
`cupant sensor. The passenger side airbag is positioned,
`circuit shown in FIG. 5;
`system, having the occupant sensing apparatus of the
`the drive circuit shown in FIG. 6;
`i.e., aimed, in response to the detected position of the
`60
`FIG. 7 is a circuit schematic showing the band pass
`present invention, is enabled if either an occupant is
`occupant. The deployment of the airbag is controlled in
`FIG. 9 is a schematic of an occupant restraint system
`filter circuit shown in FIG. 6;
`present or an electrical fault condition exists in the oc­
`response to the weight and position of the occupant.
`made in accordance with another embodiment of the
`FIG. 8 is a graphical representation of the output of
`cupant sensor. The passenger side airbag is positioned,
`present invention;
`In accordance with one embodiment of the present
`i.e., aimed, in response to the detected position of the 60 the drive circuit shown in FIG. 6;
`FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the occupant position
`invention, an occupant sensing apparatus for an occu
`FIG. 9 is a schematic of an occupant restraint system
`occupant. The deployment of the airbag is controlled in
`pant restraint system comprises (a) a ?lm having an
`and weight sensor shown in FIG. 9;
`65
`made in accordance with another embodiment of the
`response to the weight and position of the occupant.
`electric characteristic with changeable states, and (b) a
`FIG. 11 is a side sectional view of the occupant posi
`present invention;
`In accordance with one embodiment of the present
`contact member. Means are provided for mounting the
`tion and weight sensor taken along line 11—-11 of FIG.
`FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the occupant position
`invention, an occupant sensing apparatus for an occu­
`10;
`?lm and the contact member in a vehicle so that pres
`pant restraint system comprises (a) a film having an 65 and weight sensor shown in FIG. 9;
`FIG. 11 is a side sectional view of the occupant posi­
`electric characteristic with changeable states, and (b) a
`tion and weight sensor taken along line 11—11 of FIG.
`contact member. Means are provided for mounting the
`10;
`film and the contact member in a vehicle so that pres-
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`40
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`35
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`45
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`Aisin Seiki Exhibit 1005
` Page 16
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`

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`5,232,243
`3
`4
`5,232,243
`3
`4
`bottom plate 92 is rigidly mounted to a substantially
`FIG. 12 is a circuit schematic of a portion of the
`FIG. 12 is a circuit schematic of a portion of the
`bottom plate 92 is rigidly mounted to a substantially
`occupant restraint system of FIG. 9;
`inflexible bottom portion of the seat 42.
`occupant restraint system of FIG. 9;
`in?exible bottom portion of the seat 42.
`FIG. 13 is a circuit schematic of a portion of the
`The bottom plate 92 and the top plate 94 include
`The bottom plate 92 and the top plate 94 include
`FIG. 13 is a circuit schematic of a portion of the
`occupant restraint system of FIG. 9;
`interior surfaces 96, 98, respectively, which are spaced
`occupant restraint system of FIG. 9;
`interior surfaces 96, 98, respectively, which are spaced
`FIG. 14 is a graph of resistance of the weight sensor 5 apart. An annular sealing member or gasket 100 is
`FIG. 14 is a graph of resistance of the weight sensor
`apart. An annular sealing member or gasket 100 is
`shown in FIG. 9;
`mounted between the support plate 92 and the upper
`shown in FIG. 9;
`mounted between the support plate 92 and the upper
`FIG. 15 is a graph of the change of resistance of the
`plate 94. The sealing member 100 includes a central
`FIG. 15 is a graph of the change of resistance of the
`plate 94. The sealing member 100 includes a central
`weight sensor as a function of the weight of the occu­
`opening 106. The plates 92, 94 are secured together by
`opening 106. The plates 92, 94 are secured together by
`weight sensor as a function of the weight of the occu
`means of a plurality of spaced apart screws 102. Specifi-
`pant;
`pant;
`means of a plurality of spaced apart screws 102. Speci?
`FIG. 16 is a graph of the percentage of gas dis- 10 cally, the top plate 94 has holes 103 and the bottom plate
`cally, the top plate 94 has holes 103 and the bottom plate
`FIG. 16 is a graph of the percentage of gas dis
`charged from the airbag shown in FIG. 9 as a function
`92 has threaded holes 104. The gasket 100 has corre-
`charged from the airbag shown in FIG. 9 as a function
`92 has threaded holes 104. The gasket 100 has corre
`of distance between the occupant and the dashboard or
`spending holes 105. The screws 102 extend through the
`of distance between the occupant and the dashboard or
`sponding holes 105. The screws 102 extend through the
`as a function of the weight of the occupant;
`as a function of the weight of the occupant;
`holes 103 and 105 and are screwed into the holes 104.
`holes 103 and 105 and are screwed into the holes 104.
`FIG. 17 is a graph depicting the angular position of
`The bottom plate 92, the upper plate 94, and the sealing
`FIG. 17 is a graph depicting the angular position of
`The bottom plate 92, the upper plate 94, and the sealing
`the airbag shown in FIG. 9 as a function the occupant
`member 100 form a chamber 107 in which a piezoelec
`the airbag shown in FIG. 9 as a function the occupant 15 member 100 form a chamber 107 in which a piezoelec-
`leftward and rightward position in the vehicle seat;
`tric ?lm sensor 110 is mounted.
`leftward and rightward position in the vehicle seat;
`trie film sensor 110 is mounted.
`FIG. 18 is a graph depicting the angular position of
`The bottom plate 92 includes a recessed portion 112.
`FIG. 18 is a graph depicting the angular position of
`The bottom plate 92 includes a recessed portion 112.
`the airbag shown in FIG. 9 as a functions the occupant
`The piezoelectric ?lm sensor 110 spans the recess 112
`the airbag shown in FIG. 9 as a functions the occupant
`The piezoelectric film sensor 110 spans the recess 112
`forward or rearward position in the vehicle seat;
`and is secured