Inflator for an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device

Land vehicles – Wheeled – Attachment

Utility Patent

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Details

C280S742000

Utility Patent

active

06168199

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an inflator, and particularly relates to an inflator for an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device such as an air bag.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, such as an air bag, is deployed upon the occurrence of a vehicle crash. The air bag is part of an apparatus which further includes a crash sensor and an inflator. The crash sensor senses vehicle conditions that indicate the occurrence of a crash. When the crash sensor senses a crash-indicating condition of at least a predetermined threshold level, the inflator is actuated. The inflator then emits inflation fluid which inflates the air bag into the vehicle occupant compartment. When the air bag is deployed in this manner, it engages an occupant of the vehicle to help protect the occupant from a forceful impact with parts of the vehicle as a result of the crash. The manner in which the inflating air bag engages the occupant can be influenced by the pressure of the inflation fluid in the air bag.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, an inflator comprises a tank, an outlet manifold, and an initiator. The tank stores inflation fluid under pressure. The initiator, when actuated, initiates a flow of the inflation fluid from the tank to the exterior of the inflator along an outlet flow path extending through the manifold. The inflator further comprises a pressure controlling structure which partially obstructs the outlet flow path through the manifold. The pressure controlling structure is rupturable under the influence of a predetermined inflation fluid pressure force.
An inflator constructed in accordance with the present invention is especially effective for inflating a vehicle occupant protection device. The inflator initially provides a “soft” stage of inflation in which the fluid pressure in the inflatable device increases relatively slowly. The soft stage of inflation is maintained while the outlet flow path through the manifold is partially obstructed by the pressure controlling structure. However, by partially obstructing the outlet flow path, the pressure controlling structure causes the fluid pressure in the manifold to increase to the predetermined elevated level. The pressure controlling structure is then ruptured, and the outlet flow path is no longer obstructed. As a result, the soft stage of inflation is followed by a subsequent stage in which the fluid pressure in the inflatable device is increased more rapidly by the inflation fluid emerging from the manifold along the unobstructed flow path.


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U.S. Patent Appln. Serial No. —, filed Aug. 5, 1997, entitled “Vehicle Occupant Protection Apparatus”, Attorney Docket No. TRW(AP)3557.

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