Method and apparatus for air bag venting
First Claim
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1. A venting mechanism disposed on an inflatable cushion for use in an air bag module, comprising:
- a membrane being attached to the inflatable cushion to cover a vent opening in the cushion; and
a plurality of electrodes or high resistive heating elements disposed in a pre-arranged pattern on said membrane, said plurality of electrodes being adapted to receive an electrical charge wherein said electrical charge causes an area of said membrane to weaken causing a vent aperture to be formed in the inflatable cushion.
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for customizing the pressure within an inflatable cushion of an air bag module is provided. The method comprises determining whether additional venting of an air bag is required. A sensing and diagnostic module will receive its relative inputs from a plurality of sensors and will determine whether vents in an inflatable cushion should be opened to allow diffusion of an inflation gas. The apparatus allowing vents to open at specified times to allow for diffusion of the inflation gas.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A venting mechanism disposed on an inflatable cushion for use in an air bag module, comprising:
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a membrane being attached to the inflatable cushion to cover a vent opening in the cushion; and
a plurality of electrodes or high resistive heating elements disposed in a pre-arranged pattern on said membrane, said plurality of electrodes being adapted to receive an electrical charge wherein said electrical charge causes an area of said membrane to weaken causing a vent aperture to be formed in the inflatable cushion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8)
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5. The venting mechanism as in claim 5, wherein said arcing point increases the temperature of said membrane at a higher rate than other areas of said membrane.
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9. A venting mechanism disposed on an inflatable cushion for use in an air bag module, comprising:
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a membrane being sealed to the inflatable cushion to cover a vent opening in the cushion; and
a plurality of shape memory alloy springs or wires disposed in a pre-arranged pattern on said membrane, said plurality of shape memory alloy springs or wires being secured to an elastic member disposed about an opening in said inflatable cushion and being adapted to receive an electrical charge wherein said electrical charge causes said plurality of shape memory alloy springs or wires to enlarge said elastic member and said opening. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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10. A venting mechanism disposed on an inflatable cushion for use in an air bag module, comprising:
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a membrane being sealed to the inflatable cushion to cover a vent opening in the cushion;
a plurality of electrodes or high resistive heating elements being disposed in a pre-arranged pattern on said membrane, said plurality of electrodes or high resistive heating elements being adapted to receive an electrical charge wherein said electrical charge causes an area of said membrane to weaken causing a vent aperture to be formed in the inflatable cushion; and
a plurality of shape memory alloy springs disposed in a pre-arranged pattern on said membrane, said plurality of shape memory alloy springs being secured to said membrane and being adapted to receive an electrical charge wherein said electrical charge causes said plurality of shape memory alloy springs to enlarge said area.
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15. A method for providing active venting in an inflatable air bag cushion of an airbag module comprising:
supplying an electrical current to a plurality of high resistive heating elements disposed on a surface of a membrane positioned over an opening in the air bag cushion, said electrical current causing said plurality of high resistive heating elements to weaken an area of said membrane causing a vent aperture to be formed in the inflatable cushion.
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16. A method for providing active venting in an inflatable air bag cushion of an airbag module comprising:
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determining if an additional vent opening is required; and
supplying an electrical current to a plurality of high resistive heating elements disposed on a surface of a membrane positioned over an opening in the air bag cushion, said electrical current causing said plurality of high resistive heating elements to weaken an area of said membrane causing a vent aperture to be formed in the inflatable cushion.
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17. A method for providing active venting in an inflatable air bag cushion of an airbag module comprising:
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determining if an additional vent opening is required; and
manipulating a means for proving an opening in the inflatable air bag cushion. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification