FORM 2
The Patent Act 1970
(39 of 1970)
AND
THE PATENT RULES, 2005
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (SEE SECTION 10 AND RULE 13)
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
CONTROL APPARATUS AND METHOD THEREOF FOR
CONTROLLING DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG
AVAILABLE IN A VEHICLE
APPLICANT(S)
TATA MOTORS LIMITED
An Indian Company
Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street,
Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai - 400 001,
Maharashtra, India.
PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure relates to an airbag system for a vehicle, and more particularly relates a control apparatus and method thereof for controlling deployment of airbags available in the in vehicle/ignition off condition.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Airbag deployment system has been used since many years for safety of the passengers during crash incidents. The vehicles have been increasingly equipped with both driver and passenger side airbag systems. Such airbag systems need to properly inflate during crash or accident of the vehicle to prevent the driver/passengers from hitting steering wheel, dashboard, windshield or other places of the vehicle. Currently, the airbags are deployed when the vehicle is in ignition on condition and does not deploys in cases where the ignition is off or the vehicle is in stopped/off condition. There are cases of accidents in which the vehicle engine/ignition is in off condition and the passenger or driver is sitting within the vehicle. In such situations, the accident may become fatal as the airbag will not be deployed.
[0003] Therefore, there remains a need of an efficient an airbag deployment system for the vehicles in order to assure higher safety.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The principal object of the embodiments herein is to provide a control apparatus and method thereof for controlling deployment of airbags available in the in vehicle/ignition off condition.
[0005] Another object of the embodiments herein is to detect a presence of occupants in the vehicle event of accident or collision when an ignition of

the vehicle is in off condition and automatically inflate the at least one air bag available in the vehicle based on a position of the occupants in the vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In one aspect object is satisfied by providing a control apparatus for controlling deployment of at least one airbag available in a vehicle. The control apparatus comprising a collision detection sensor, an occupant detection system, and an airbag controller communicatively coupled to the crash detection sensor and the occupant detection system. The collision detection sensor configured to detect a collision of the vehicle when an ignition of the vehicle is in off condition and determine whether the collision meets a collision threshold. The occupant detection system configured to detect a presence of at least one occupant in the vehicle in response to determining that the collision meets the collision threshold and determine a position of the at least one occupant in the vehicle based on the presence of the at least one occupant. The airbag controller is configured to automatically turn the ignition of the vehicle in on condition and inflate the at least one air bag available in the vehicle based on the position of the at least one occupant in the vehicle.
[0007] In an embodiment, detect the presence of at least one occupant in the vehicle comprising detect a weight of the vehicle, determine whether the weight of the vehicle meets a weight threshold, and detect the presence of at least one occupant in the vehicle in response to determining that the weight of the vehicle meets the weight threshold.
[0008] In an embodiment, determine the position of the at least one occupant in the vehicle based on the presence of the at least one occupant comprising determine at least one of a height, a weight, and a posture of the at least one occupant in the vehicle, and determine the position of the at least one

occupant in the vehicle based on at least one of the height, the weight, and the posture of the at least one occupant in the vehicle.
[0009] In an embodiment, inflate the at least one air bag available in the vehicle based on the position of the at least one occupant in the vehicle comprising determine whether a seat belt of the vehicle is engaged, determine a type of the detected collision in response to determining that the seat belt of the vehicle is engaged, and inflate the at least one air bag available in the vehicle based on the position of the at least one occupant in the vehicle and the type of the detected collision.
[0010] In another aspect the object is satisfied by providing method implemented by a control apparatus for controlling deployment of at least one airbag available in a vehicle. The method comprising detecting a collision of the vehicle when an ignition of the vehicle is in off condition; detecting whether the collision meets a collision threshold; detecting a presence of at least one occupant in the vehicle in response to determining that the collision meets the collision threshold; detecting a position of the at least one occupant in the vehicle based on the presence of the at least one occupant; automatically turning the ignition of the vehicle in on condition, and inflating the at least one air bag available in the vehicle based on the position of the at least one occupant in the vehicle.
[0011] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of

the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012] This connector is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a control apparatus for controlling deployment of at least one airbag available in a vehicle, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0014] FIGS. 2a-2b is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling deployment of at least one airbag available in a vehicle, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein; and
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates input vs output table for deployment of the airbag, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. Also, the various embodiments described herein are not necessarily mutually exclusive, as some embodiments can be combined with one or more other embodiments to form new embodiments. The term “or” as used herein, refers to a non-exclusive or, unless otherwise indicated. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways

in which the embodiments herein can be practiced and to further enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0017] The accompanying drawings are used to help easily understand various technical features and it should be understood that the embodiments presented herein are not limited by the accompanying drawings. As such, the present disclosure should be construed to extend to any alterations, equivalents and substitutes in addition to those which are particularly set out in the accompanying drawings. Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are generally only used to distinguish one element from another.
[0018] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1-3, there are shown preferred embodiments.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a control apparatus (100) for controlling deployment of at least one airbag available in a vehicle, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. The control apparatus (100) comprises a collision detection sensor (10), an occupant detection system (20), and an airbag controller (30) communicatively coupled to the collision detection sensor (10) and the occupant detection system (20).
[0020] The collision detection sensor (10) comprises a forward impact sensor (11) to detect an impact on the vehicle form front side, a driver-side impact sensor (12) to detect an impact on the vehicle form driver-side, and a passenger-side impact sensor (13) to detect an impact on the vehicle form passenger-side. An airbag cushion is connected to the forward impact sensor (11), the driver-side impact sensor (12) and the passenger-side impact sensor

(13) that help determine whether it must deploy or not. The collision detection sensor (10) evaluate a type of collision, a deceleration time and a number of passengers to be protected based on the input form the forward impact sensor (11), the driver-side impact sensor (12) and the passenger-side impact sensor (13).
[0021] The collision detection sensor (10) detects a collision of the vehicle when an ignition of the vehicle is in off condition, and determine whether the collision meets a collision threshold.
[0022] The occupant detection system (20) comprises an X-Y Gravity (G) sensor (21) and a mechanical G sensor (22). The X-Y G sensor (21) to determine longitudinal or lateral acceleration in X,Y, Z directions and the mechanical G sensor (22) to determine changes in mechanical properties of the vehicle. The mechanical G sensor (22) determines a large number of different measurands such as mass, force, pressure, strain, velocity, acceleration and weight, among others.
[0023] The occupant detection system (20) detects a presence of at least one occupant in the vehicle in response to determining that the collision meets the collision threshold. In an embodiment, a weight of the vehicle the vehicle is determined and is determined whether the weight of the vehicle meets a weight threshold. In response to determining that the weight of the vehicle meets the weight threshold, the airbag controller (30) detect the presence of at least one occupant in the vehicle.
[0024] Further, the occupant detection system (20) determine a position of the at least one occupant in the vehicle based on the presence of the at least one occupant. In an embodiment, occupant detection system (20) determines a height, a weight, and a posture of the at least one occupant in the vehicle, and

determine the position of the at least one occupant in the vehicle based on at least one of the height, the weight, and the posture of the at least one occupant in the vehicle.
[0025] For example, the occupant detection system (20) detects the position of an occupant (i.e. whether the occupant is a child or how many passengers are there in the vehicle). The occupant detection system (20) also detects the posture of the occupant in a particular seat to ensure that the deployment of the airbag should not further adverse the condition, as in certain cases deployment of airbag may even result in fatal situation. Further, the occupant detection system (20) is configured to calculate the position of the occupant when a crash is detected, based on detecting the weight, number of passengers, non-human object, a child or an adult.
[0026] The airbag controller (30) automatically turn the ignition of the vehicle in on condition and inflate the at least one air bag available in the vehicle based on the position of the at least one occupant in the vehicle. In an embodiment, the airbag controller (30) determine whether a seat belt of the vehicle is engaged, determine a type of the detected collision in response to determining that the seat belt of the vehicle is engaged, and inflate the at least one air bag available in the vehicle based on the position of the at least one occupant in the vehicle and the type of the detected collision.
[0027] FIGS. 2a-2b is a flow chart (200) illustrating a method for controlling deployment of at least one airbag available in a vehicle, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. At step (202), the method includes detecting, by the control apparatus (100), a collision of the vehicle when an ignition of the vehicle is in off condition or the vehicle is in off condition. At step (204), the method includes detecting, by the control apparatus (100), whether the collision meets a collision threshold. In response to determining

that the collision meets the collision threshold, at step (206) the method includes detecting a weight of the vehicle and determining whether the weight of the vehicle meets a weight threshold.
[0028] In response to determining that the weight of the vehicle meets the weight threshold, at step (208) the method includes detecting, by the control apparatus (100), a presence of at least one occupant in the vehicle. At step (210), the method includes determining a height, a weight, and a posture of the at least one occupant in the vehicle. At step (212), the method includes determining a position of the at least one occupant in the vehicle based on the height, the weight, and the posture of the at least one occupant in the vehicle.
[0029] Further, at step (214), the method includes determining whether a seat belt of the vehicle is engaged. The detected signal is received to deploy the particular airbags and to activate a seat belt pretension. At step (216), the method includes automatically turning, by the control apparatus (100), the ignition of the vehicle in on condition in response to determining that the seat belt of the vehicle is engaged. At step (218), the method includes determine a type of the detected collision in response to determining that the seat belt of the vehicle is engaged and at step (220) the method includes inflating the at least one air bag available in the vehicle based on the position of the at least one occupant in the vehicle and the type of the detected collision.
[0030] The deployment of airbags within an automobile to protect the driver or passenger during a crash has continuously become more sophisticated. Unlike the conventional airbag deployment system, multiple airbags or airbags with adjustable inflation parameters have been used in combination with the sensors that determine the presence, the weight, and the position of the occupant opposite an airbag. By knowing the occupant's weight and position, the proposed control apparatus can be used to tailor the deployment of an airbag

either in time or intensity to the particular circumstances of a particular automobile crash and a particular occupant and that occupant's position.
[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates input vs output table for deployment of the airbag, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. At column 1, inputs to the control apparatus (100) are discloses whereas at the row 1 output from the control apparatus (100) are disclosed. When a crash is detected by the collision detection sensor (10) at the air bag circuit, a vehicle CPU receives the occupant detected signal and the signal from the sensors to deploy the air bag and to activate a driver seat belt pre-tensioner. The control apparatus (100) starts when the vehicle ignition is turned off. The control apparatus (100) checks for any occupants inside the vehicle and outputs from the occupant detection system (20). The occupant detection system (20) detects and differentiate child, adult or luggage. Only if any adult is detected on the front seats, it will give go ahead signal using the airbag controller (30). The airbag controller (30) thereafter detects whether the seat belt is engaged or not. In case the seat belt is not engaged, the airbag will not be deployed. The + airbag controller (30) also checks output from the seat belt pretensioner. For secured deployment of the airbags, proper engagement of the seat belt should be present. Then only the logic will get a go ahead signal for the deployment of the air bag. The control apparatus (100) initiate the airbag circuit after getting all the above defined feedback positive. The circuit is powered and stayed in on condition until the driver or passenger vacate the vehicle. Further, if either of one condition yields false response then control apparatus (100) restraint deployment of the airbag.
[0032] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be

comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

We Claim:
1. A control apparatus (100) for controlling deployment of at least one airbag
available in a vehicle, comprising:
a collision detection sensor (10) configured to:
detect a collision of the vehicle when an ignition of the vehicle is in off condition, and
determine whether the collision meets a collision threshold; an occupant detection system (20) configured to:
detect a presence of at least one occupant in the vehicle in response to determining that the collision meets the collision threshold, and
determine a position of the at least one occupant in the vehicle based on the presence of the at least one occupant; and
an airbag controller (30) communicatively coupled to the collision detection sensor (10) and the occupant detection system (20), configured to:
automatically turn the ignition of the vehicle in on condition, and
inflate the at least one air bag available in the vehicle based on the position of the at least one occupant in the vehicle.
2. The control apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein detect the presence
of at least one occupant in the vehicle comprising:
detect a weight of the vehicle;
determine whether the weight of the vehicle meets a weight threshold; and detect the presence of at least one occupant in the vehicle in response to determining that the weight of the vehicle meets the weight threshold.
3. The control apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein determine the
position of the at least one occupant in the vehicle based on the presence of the
at least one occupant comprising:

determine at least one of a height, a weight, and a posture of the at least one occupant in the vehicle, and
determine the position of the at least one occupant in the vehicle based on at least one of the height, the weight, and the posture of the at least one occupant in the vehicle
4. The control apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein inflate the at least
one air bag available in the vehicle based on the position of the at least one
occupant in the vehicle comprising:
determine whether a seat belt of the vehicle is engaged,
determine a type of the detected collision in response to determining that
the seat belt of the vehicle is engaged, and
inflate the at least one air bag available in the vehicle based on the position
of the at least one occupant in the vehicle and the type of the detected collision.
5. A method implemented by a control apparatus (100) for controlling deployment
of at least one airbag available in a vehicle, comprising:
detecting, by the control apparatus (100), a collision of the vehicle when an ignition of the vehicle is in off condition;
detecting, by the control apparatus (100), whether the collision meets a collision threshold;
detecting, by the control apparatus (100), a presence of at least one occupant in the vehicle in response to determining that the collision meets the collision threshold;
determining, by the control apparatus (100), a position of the at least one occupant in the vehicle based on the presence of the at least one occupant;
automatically turning, by the control apparatus (100), the ignition of the vehicle in on condition, and
inflating, by the control apparatus (100), the at least one air bag available in the vehicle based on the position of the at least one occupant in the vehicle.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein detecting the presence of at least one
occupant in the vehicle comprising:
detecting a weight of the vehicle;
determining whether the weight of the vehicle meets a weight threshold; and detecting the presence of at least one occupant in the vehicle in response to determining that the weight of the vehicle meets the weight threshold.
7. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein determine the position of the at least
one occupant in the vehicle based on the presence of the at least one occupant
comprising:
determining at least one of a height, a weight, and a posture of the at least one occupant in the vehicle, and
determining the position of the at least one occupant in the vehicle based on at least one of the height, the weight, and the posture of the at least one occupant in the vehicle
8. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein inflating the at least one air bag
available in the vehicle based on the position of the at least one occupant in the
vehicle comprising:
determining whether a seat belt of the vehicle is engaged,
determine a type of the detected collision in response to determining that
the seat belt of the vehicle is engaged, and
inflate the at least one air bag available in the vehicle based on the position
of the at least one occupant in the vehicle and the type of the detected collision.