Land vehicles – Wheeled – Attachment
Reexamination Certificate
2006-06-20
2006-06-20
Dickson, Paul N. (Department: 3616)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Attachment
C280S806000, C701S045000
Reexamination Certificate
active
07063353
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.
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Dickson Paul N.
General Motors Corporation
Marra Kathryn A.
To Toan C.
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