Land vehicles – Wheeled – Attachment
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-28
2001-06-19
Olszewski, Robert P. (Department: 3619)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Attachment
C280S742000, C280S738000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06247726
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention generally relates to vehicle supplemental inflatable restraint systems and more particularly, to an air bag module that provides variable output inflation and includes a gas impingement surface for directing inflator gas to an air bag under selective deployment conditions.
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 so as to rapidly deploy an air bag to restrain the movement of the driver or passengers. During deployment, gas is emitted rapidly from an inflator into the air bag to expand it to a fully inflated state.
Air bag passive restraint systems include an inflator, which produces gas to inflate the air bag cushion. Known inflators for air bag modules 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 gas created flows 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 and heats the stored gas going 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. 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.
It has also been suggested in the prior art to provide an air bag module including a reaction canister which houses the inflator and air bag and which includes a valve member which is continually repositioned for opening, closing, or partially opening the vent openings on the reaction canister primarily in response to changes in ambient temperature by the use of a bimetallic spring, servo motor or solenoid valve. Thus, the amount of the discharging inflator gas expelled from the housing is controlled solely by the exact position of the valve member which must be carefully positioned for providing partial opening of the vent openings. In addition, the prior art teaches that the position of the valve member and the amount of venting is continually adjusted during vehicle use prior to activation of the inflator rather than only specifically at the time of air bag deployment. In addition, the use of a bimetallic spring, servomotor, or solenoid takes time to move the valve member between the various positions and thus is continually being adjusted prior to activation of the inflator. This arrangement is also complex and adds mass to the module.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides advantages and alternatives over the prior art by providing a variable inflation device that provides a wide range of levels of inflator gas into the air bag. In the present device, an inflator having a single output level for discharging inflator gas is preferably used.
The present invention provides an air bag module for restraint of an occupant in a vehicle. The module includes an air bag and an inflator being activatable to discharge inflator gas for inflating the air bag. The inflator has at least one discharge port through which inflator gas is discharged. A housing includes at least one inflator vent opening aligned with the discharge port. A variable inflation device is mounted on the inflator and includes a movable member alignable with the vent opening. The movable member moves relative to the vent opening for opening and closing the vent opening at a predetermined time during inflator activation to control the amount of inflator gas expelled out through the vent opening of the housing. Preferably, the variable inflation device includes an initiator device being activatable during activation of the inflator to move the movable member relative to the vent opening at the predetermined time during the inflator activation.
In the present invention, the movable member includes a gas impingement surface which serves to direct the flow of the inflator gas in such away that the movable member is maintained, after actuation thereof, in a position in which the vent opening is closed by the movable member. The gas impingement surface uses the velocity and flow of the inflator gas as a method of ensuring that the movable member is maintained in the desired closed position after activation thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the gas impingement surface comprises a lip formed on the movable member, wherein the lip extends upwardly from a surface of the movable member towards the body of the inflator. By controlling the location and shape of the gas impingement surface, a force is generated as the inflator gas flows from the discharge ports of the inflator and contacts the surface of the movable member, including the gas impingement surface. This force causes the movable member to be maintained in the desired position in which the vent opening is closed.
The above-described and other features and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, drawings, and appended claims.
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Delphi Technologies Inc.
Jasmin Lynda
Marra Kathryn A.
Olszewski Robert P.
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