Land vehicles – Wheeled – Attachment
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-24
2001-04-10
Dickson, Paul N. (Department: 3618)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Attachment
C280S739000, C280S742000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06213502
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to vehicle supplemental inflatable restraint systems and, more particularly, to an air bag module that provides variable output inflation of an air bag cushion from a single inflator.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Driver side or passenger side supplemental inflatable restraint (SIR) systems typically include an air bag stored in a housing module within the interior of the vehicle in close proximity to either the driver or one or more passengers. SIR systems are designed to actuate upon sudden deceleration to rapidly deploy an air bag to restrain the movement of the driver or passengers. During deployment, gas is emitted rapidly from an inflator, which produces gas to expand the air bag cushion to a fully inflated state.
Known inflators for air bag cushions are generally of three types. One type is the pure gas inflator wherein a pressure vessel contains stored pressurized gas. The pressure vessel communicates with the cushion through various types of rupturable outlets or diaphragms. Another type is the gas generator wherein a propellant is ignited and the resultant gases flow through an outlet to the cushion. A third type is the hybrid or augmented type. This type includes a pressure vessel containing stored pressurized gas and a gas generator. When the generator is ignited, the resultant gas flows with the stored gas to the cushion through the pressure vessel outlet.
It is also known to inflate the cushion at a relatively low rate under low level deployment conditions, such as a sudden low level deceleration, and at a relatively high rate under high level deployment conditions, such as a sudden high level deceleration. This can be accomplished in a pure gas type inflator by providing the pressure vessel with an outlet of variable flow area. In addition, devices are known which provide primary inflation (reduced inflation) and full level inflation using a single gas vessel with two separate gas heaters. Primary inflation is accomplished by actuating the gas vessel and heating the gas at a specified reduced level. Full level inflation is accomplished by actuating a second separate heater located at the bottom of the gas vessel to heat the gas at a greater level. This second heater is deployed at the same time or a delayed time as the primary heater to provide full level inflation.
It is also known in the art to use a system having two discrete inflators to accomplish dual level inflation. In these types of systems, two discrete inflators are deployed at the same time or at a delayed time depending upon the severity of the sudden deceleration.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention offers advantages and alternatives over the prior art by providing an air bag module having a slide assembly for selectively directing the gas flow passing from an inflator away from an air bag cushion to provide different levels of air bag deployment. Advantageously, the air bag module includes a cushion retainer having a vent opening and annular cavity to provide a path directing gas flow away from the air bag cushion to reduce the level of deployment. The slide selectively restricts the gas exiting the air bag module through the vent opening of the cushion retainer and arcuate slots in an adapter plate to provide a simple means of varying the level of deployment of the air bag cushion.
These and other advantages are accomplished in a preferred form of the invention by providing an air bag module that provides variable inflation levels of an air bag cushion in response to rapid deceleration of a vehicle. An inflator releases gas to inflate an air bag cushion in response to one of a first and second deployment condition. The air bag cushion is in fluid communication with the inflator through a discharge port disposed in the inflator. A retainer disposed adjacent the inflator has a cavity in fluid communication with the inflator by a vent opening. The cavity provides fluid communication between the air bag cushion and exterior of the housing. A slide actuator assembly moves a slide from a first position to a second position in response to the first deployment condition. The first position permits a first predetermined level of fluid communication between the air bag cushion and the exterior of the air bag module. The second position permits a second predetermined level of fluid communication between the air bag cushion and the exterior of the air bag module. The first predetermined level of fluid communication is different than the second predetermined level.
Preferably, the cavity of the retainer is substantially annular about the inflator, and the vent opening is in registered relations with the discharge ports of the inflator. The slide actuator assembly includes a pyrotechnic initiator, a line disposed over the initiator and the slide, wherein the liner releasably retains and guides the slide upon firing of the initiator. Preferably, the inflator includes a plurality of discharge ports, wherein a portion of the ports are in registered relation with the vent opening of the retainer.
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Damman Alex Scott
Ryan Shawn Gregory
Starner Allen Richard
Webber James Lloyd
Delphi Technologies Inc.
Dickson Paul N.
Fleming Faye M.
Marra Kathryn A.
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