Inflation fluid distribution manifold
First Claim
1. Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a side structure and a roof, said apparatus comprising:
- an inflatable curtain that is inflatable away from the roof between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant, said inflatable curtain having an inflatable volume;
an inflator actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable curtain;
a first fill tube having a portion positioned in a first portion of said inflatable volume;
a second fill tube having a portion positioned in a second portion of said inflatable volume; and
an inflation fluid distribution manifold connectable with said inflator, said manifold comprising a first flow orifice that directs inflation fluid to flow into said first fill tube at a first flow rate and a second flow orifice that directs inflation to fluid flow into said second fill tube at a second flow rate different than said first flow rate.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) and a roof (18) includes an inflatable curtain (14) that has an inflatable volume (34). A first fill tube (42) has a portion positioned in a first portion (50) of the inflatable volume (34). A second fill tube (44) has a portion positioned in a second portion (52) of the inflatable volume (34). An inflation fluid distribution manifold (70) is connectable with an inflator (40). The manifold (70) includes a first flow orifice (196) that directs inflation fluid to flow into the first fill tube (42) at a first flow rate. The manifold (70) includes a second flow orifice (198) that directs inflation to fluid flow into the second fill tube (44) at a second flow rate different than the first flow rate.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a side structure and a roof, said apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable curtain that is inflatable away from the roof between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant, said inflatable curtain having an inflatable volume;
an inflator actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable curtain;
a first fill tube having a portion positioned in a first portion of said inflatable volume;
a second fill tube having a portion positioned in a second portion of said inflatable volume; and
an inflation fluid distribution manifold connectable with said inflator, said manifold comprising a first flow orifice that directs inflation fluid to flow into said first fill tube at a first flow rate and a second flow orifice that directs inflation to fluid flow into said second fill tube at a second flow rate different than said first flow rate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An inflation fluid distribution manifold for directing inflation fluid from an inflator to an inflatable curtain inflatable away from a vehicle roof between a side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant, said manifold comprising:
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a collar portion comprising first and second collar parts each having an inner surface, said first and second collar parts being connectable with each other such that said inner surfaces encircle and engage an outlet portion of the inflator to clamp said collar portion onto the outlet portion of the inflator;
a main fluid passage in fluid communication with an inflation fluid outlet of the outlet portion while said collar portion is clamped onto the outlet portion of the inflator;
a first distribution passage in fluid communication with said main fluid passage, said first distribution passage comprising a first flow orifice that helps direct inflation fluid to flow into the inflatable curtain at a first flow rate; and
a second distribution passage in fluid communication with said main fluid passage, said second distribution passage comprising a second flow orifice that helps direct inflation fluid to flow into the inflatable curtain at a second flow rate different than said first flow rate. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification