Airbag module using active venting membrane

• US 20040021307A1
• Filed: 08/01/2002
• Published: 02/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ziolo, Melissa S., DePottey, Timothy A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,752,420 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/739
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2765 comprising means to control the venting
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2171 specially adapted for elongated cylindrical or bottle-like inflators with a symmetry axis perpendicular to the main direction of bag deployment, e.g. extruded reaction canisters B60R21/2176 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/276 with means to vent the inflation fluid source, e.g. in case of overpressure B60R21/30 takes precedence; venting means on inflatable member walls B60R21/239

Abstract

An airbag module capable of providing varying degrees of inflation to an airbag is disclosed. The airbag module has a housing with an interior and an exterior. A number of venting holes are located in the walls of the housing to allow gas to pass between the interior and exterior of the housing. These venting holes are sealed with a thin membrane to which an initiator is attached. The initiator is designed to create a hole in the membrane according to an input from sensors positioned within the automobile. Once the hole is created in the membrane, the gas pressure inside the housing forces the entire membrane to open and allows gas to flow out of the venting holes. The amount of gas emitted from the venting holes thus reduces the inflation of the airbag.

Claims

1. An apparatus for controllably venting gas produced by an airbag inflator comprising:

a housing having a plurality of walls defining an interior and an exterior;

a venting hole located in a housing wall;

a membrane sealing the venting hole, the membrane preventing fluid communication between the interior and exterior of the housing; and

an initiator located at a position relative to the membrane, such that upon an initiation instant, the initiator produces a hole in the membrane.

2. The apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein the membrane is a foil.

3. The apparatus, as recited in claim 2, wherein the foil is aluminum.

4. The apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein the membrane thickness is of a range from about 0.004 inches to about 0.007 inches.

5. The apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein the membrane thickness is of a range from about 0.001 inches to about 0.004 inches.

6. The apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein the membrane is plastic.

7. The apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein the venting hole is generally circular.

8. The apparatus, as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one additional venting hole, wherein the at least one additional hole is sealed by a membrane.

9. The apparatus, as recited in claim 8, wherein the venting holes are of different sizes.

10. The apparatus, as recited in claim 8, further comprising at least one additional initiator corresponding to the number of additional venting holes.

11. The apparatus, as recited in claim 8, wherein a single membrane seals a plurality of venting holes.

12. The apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein the foil is adhered to an internal surface of the housing.

13. The apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein the initiator is attached to the membrane.

14. The apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein the hole in the membrane produced by the initiator is a propagation hole.

15. The apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein the initiator is a small point charge.

16. The apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein the initiator is a rectangular strip.

17. The apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein the initiator is a deflagration device.

18. The apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein the initiator is an electrochemical device.

19. The apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein the initiator is a pyrotechnic device.

20. The apparatus, as recited in claim 1, further comprising an impact management system communicatively coupled to the initiator.

21. An apparatus to controllably vent a gas produced by an airbag inflator comprising:

a housing having a plurality of walls defining an interior and an exterior;

an airbag in fluid communication with the interior of the housing;

a venting hole located in a housing wall;

a membrane attached to the housing to seal the venting hole, the membrane preventing fluid communication between the interior and exterior of the housing; and

an initiator attached to the membrane, such that upon an initiation the initiator produces a propagation hole in the membrane.

22. The apparatus, as recited in claim 21, wherein the initiator is a deflagration device.

23. The apparatus, as recited in claim 21, wherein the initiator is an electrochemical device.

24. The apparatus, as recited in claim 21, wherein the initiator is a pyrotechnic device.

25. The apparatus, as recited in claim 21, wherein the membrane is a foil.

26. The apparatus, as recited in claim 25, wherein the foil is aluminum.

27. The apparatus, as recited in claim 21, wherein the membrane is a plastic material.

28. The apparatus, as recited in claim 21, further comprising an impact management system communicatively coupled to the initiator.

29. The apparatus, as recited in claim 28, further comprising a plurality of sensors located within an automobile, wherein the sensors are communicatively coupled to the impact management system.

30. The apparatus, as recited in claim 21, wherein the area of the propagation hole is smaller than half of the size of the venting hole.

31. A system for controllably deploying an airbag within a vehicle comprising:

a housing having a plurality of walls, wherein the walls define an interior and an exterior;

a venting hole disposed in a housing wall, such that the venting hole provides fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of the housing;

a membrane positioned over the venting holes for preventing fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of the housing;

an inflator fluidly coupled to the housing;

an airbag fluidly coupled to the housing;

an initiator positioned, such that upon intitation the initiator produces a hole in the membrane;

an impact management system communicatively coupled to at least one sensor positioned within the vehicle, wherein in response to an input from the at least one sensor, the impact management system initiates the initiator.

32. The system, as recited in claim 31, wherein the housing has at least one additional venting hole, and wherein at least one additional venting holes is sealed by an additional membrane.

33. The system, as recited in claim 32, wherein individual venting holes are sealed by individual membranes.

34. The system, as recited in claim 32, further comprising additional initiators located adjacent to the additional venting holes.

35. The system, as recited in claim 31, wherein the sensors provide input corresponding to an automobile occupant'"'"'s characteristics.

36. The system, as recited in claim 31, wherein the inflator is positioned within the housing.

37. The system, as recited in claim 31, wherein the initiator is directly attached to the membrane.

38. The system, as recited in claim 31, wherein the impact management system further initiates the inflator.