摘要:
A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) which is folded so as to be deployed from a reaction structure (24) in a first direction to restrain movement of a vehicle occupant in a second, opposite direction. The folded protection device (14) has a cross-section with a configuration defined by pleats (110). Each pleat (110) has an open end (112) and a closed end (114) spaced from the open end (112) in a direction substantially parallel to the first and second directions. An inflator (12) is received within one of the pleats (110′) and has inflation fluid outlet openings (124) adjacent to the closed end (114) of the pleat (110′). A retainer ring (56) engages and supports a peripheral edge portion (72) of the folded protection device (14) in an open configuration. The bag retainer ring (56) and the edge portion (72) of the folded protection device (14) are spaced fully from the inflator (12) on opposite sides of the pleated cross-section of the folded protection device (14).
摘要:
Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) inflatable away from the vehicle roof (18) into a position between the side structure (16) of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The protection device (14), when inflated, has an upper edge (50) positioned adjacent the roof (18) and a lower edge (52) spaced from the roof. The protection device (14) also includes a guide (72, 74) and a flexible elongated member (70, 80) that extends through the guide and is slidable through the guide when the protection device is inflated. The member (70, 80) has two leg portions (110, 112) extending from the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) to the protection device (14) when the protection device is inflated.
摘要:
An inflatable vehicle occupant restraint system comprises a source of inflation fluid (20) and an air bag reaction canister (24) having a vent opening (16) through which inflation fluid from the source of inflation fluid (20) may be vented away from the air bag canister (24). An air bag (12) is located in the air bag reaction canister (24) and is inflatable by inflation fluid from the source of inflation fluid (20). A valve member (30) is located on the air bag reaction canister (24). The valve member (30) is movable relative to the vent opening (16) in response to ambient temperature variations in the vicinity of the source of inflation fluid (20) to control venting of inflation fluid from the source of inflation fluid (20) through the vent opening (16). Inflation of the air bag (12) is thereby controlled in response to ambient temperature variations in the vicinity of the source of inflation fluid (20).
摘要:
Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) and a roof (18) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) is inflatable from a stored position into a position between the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant. An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The apparatus (10) includes a guide (90) connected to the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) and a flexible elongated member (70) that extends through the guide. The flexible elongated member (70) has a first end (72) connected to the vehicle (12) at a first location (76) and an opposite second end (74) connected to the vehicle at a second location (82). The guide (90) is movable over the flexible elongated member (70) in a first direction (122) when the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device is inflated and the guide resists movement over the flexible elongated member in a second direction (124), opposite the first direction.
摘要:
An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device module (10) for a vehicle includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (20) having a first panel portion (24) which inflates in a first direction (A), a second panel portion (26) which, when the vehicle occupant protection device (20) is inflated, is deployed in a second direction (B) transverse to the first direction (A). A cover (60) for the vehicle occupant protection device (20) has a tear seam (66) which tears during inflation of the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device. The tear seam (66) defines a first door (82) in the cover (60). The first door (82) swings open in the second direction (B) during inflation of the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (20). A connection (90) connects the second panel portion (26) to the first door (82) to cause the first door to pull the second panel portion in the second direction (B) as the first door swings open.
摘要:
An apparatus for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint includes containing means for receiving gases to provide a combustible mixture of the gases. An igniter is activated to effect ignition of the mixture of gases in response to sudden vehicle deceleration. A directing means directs a flow of gas from containing means into the inflatable occupant restraint. In the preferred embodiment the gases are an inert gas, a fuel gas, and an oxidizer gas. Also, a lean mixture of a fuel gas and oxidizer gas could be used. An improved igniter transmits energy through an imperforate portion of a wall of the containing means to ignite a charge in the containing means. The igniter may include an elongate core disposed in a frangible sheath which is shattered as the core is burned.
摘要:
An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable device (8) includes a container (12) defining a chamber (14) containing gas. The container (12) includes a rupturable wall (24) which is rupturable when the pressure in the container reaches a predetermined level. An igniter (46) spaced from the rupturable wall (24) produces a shock wave in the gas which ruptures the rupturable wall (24) prior to the gas pressure in the container (12) reaching the predetermined level.
摘要:
An apparatus (10a) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device and a container (16a) which contains inflation fluid. A valve (30a) is located outside the container in an inflation fluid flow path extending from the container to the protection device. An initiator (20a) is actuatable to initiate a flow of the inflation fluid from the container (16a) to the valve (30a) along the flow path. The valve (30a) includes a metering member (70a) and a thermostatic metal element (72a) engaging the metering member to move the metering member in the flow path under the influence of changes in the ambient temperature prior to initiation of the flow. Preferably, the metering member (70a) normally has an initial position defining an initial outlet flow area. The valve (30a) preferably further includes pyrotechnic material (140a) which, when ignited, produces combustion products that develop a thrust that moves the metering member (70a) to a subsequent position defining a subsequent outlet flow area greater than the initial outlet flow area.
摘要:
An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device system (10, 110) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant in a crash event includes a module (12, 112), which may be mounted in a vehicle and includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (24, 124). A mechanism controls flow of inflation fluid from an inflator (26, 126) to the protection device (24, 124). The mechanism also includes a first igniter (30, 130) and a second igniter (32, 132), which provide for inflation fluid flow from the inflator (26, 126) to the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (24, 124). The system (10, 110) also includes a crash sensor (14, 114) for sensing a vehicle crash event and providing an activation signal. The igniters (30, 130 and 32, 132) are responsive to the crash sensor (14, 114) over a shared signal path (16, 116 and 18, 118) between the module (12, 112) and the crash sensor (14, 114). A delay device (46, 146) delays actuation of the second igniter (32, 132) for a predetermined time period after actuation of the first igniter (30, 130).
摘要:
An air bag module (10) includes a container (12) and an air bag (16) connected with the container. An inflator (14) is also connected with the container (12). Means, such as, mounting flanges (42, 46), support the container (12) on a vehicle portion (18) for movement relative to the vehicle portion in a first direction ("I") opposite the direction of the inflation of the air bag (16) in response to actuation of the inflator (14). Damping means (102) connected between the container (12) and the vehicle portion (18) damps movement of the container in the first direction ("I") relative to the vehicle portion.