Gas generator, gas bag module and method for the detection thereof

• US 20050156741A1
• Filed: 01/03/2005
• Published: 07/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Seidl, Johann, Kapfelsperger, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US11/028,086
• Publication Number:
  US 20050156741A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.600
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01177 Misdeployment, e.g. during assembly, disassembly, accident salvage or recycling
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2633 with a plurality of inflation levels
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2648 comprising a plurality of combustion chambers or sub-chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01 Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents electrical circuits for transmission of signals between steering wheel and the vehicle itself B60R16/027; for electrically actuating belt retractor locking means B60R22/343
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01566 Devices for warning or indicating mode of inhibition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/215 characterised by the covers for the inflatable member B60R21/2176 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2644 using only solid reacting substances, e.g. pellets, powder

Abstract

A gas generator or a gas bag module for a vehicle safety system has a signal emitter which is able to be stimulated by an electromagnetic exciter field applied from the exterior or by a magnetic field impulse applied from the exterior, for the emission of a signal. Such signal is detected by means of a manually movable detector (30).

Claims

1. A gas generator for a vehicle safety system, in particular an occupant restraint system,

said gas generator comprising a signal emitter (22, 24) able to be stimulated by one of an electromagnetic exciter field applied from the exterior and a magnetic field impulse applied from the exterior, for emission of a signal.

2. The gas generator according to claim 1, wherein said signal emitter is constructed such that it emits an electromagnetic signal.

3. The gas generator according to claim 1, wherein said signal emitter (22, 24) has an amorphous metal part (32).

4. The gas generator according to claim 1, wherein said signal emitter (22, 24) is one of a harmonic and acoustomagnetic system.

5. The gas generator according to claim 1, wherein said signal emitter (22, 24) can be set in oscillation as a result of an external radio frequency stimulation, in order to emit said signal.

6. The gas generator according to claim 1, wherein said signal emitter (22, 24) is a separate part.

7. The gas generator according to claim 1, wherein said signal emitter (22, 24) is arranged on an outer housing (20) of said gas generator (4).

8. The gas generator according to claim 1, wherein a wall section (36) of said gas generator (4) is constructed as a signal emitter (22, 24).

9. The gas generator according to claim 8, wherein said wall section (36) is magnetized.

10. The gas generator according to claim 1, wherein said signal emitter (22, 24) is constructed such that it is deactivated on activation of said gas generator (4).

11. A gas bag module for a vehicle safety system,

said gas bag module comprising a signal emitter (22, 24) able to be stimulated by one of an electromagnetic exciter field applied from the exterior and a magnetic field impulse applied from the exterior, for an emission of a signal.

12. The gas bag module according to claim 11, including a covering (2) which is provided with said signal emitter (22, 24).

13. The gas bag module according to claim 11, wherein said signal emitter is constructed such that it emits an electromagnetic signal.

14. The gas bag module according to claim 11, wherein said signal emitter (22, 24) has an amorphous metal part (32).

15. The gas bag module according to claim 14, wherein said signal emitter (22, 24) is one of a harmonic and acoustomagnetic system.

16. The gas bag module according to claim 11, wherein said signal emitter (22, 24) can be set in oscillation as a result of an external radio frequency stimulation, in order to emit said signal.

17. The gas bag module according to claim 11, wherein said signal emitter (22, 24) is a separate part.

18. A method of detecting one of a gas bag module and a gas generator (4) in a vehicle, wherein a manually movable detector (30) is moved over a vehicle part, which detector emits one of a magnetic exciter field, an electromagnetic exciter field and a magnetic field impulse and which detects signals of a signal emitter (22, 24) incorporated in one of said gas generator and said gas bag module, which signals are generated by one of said exciter fields and said field impulse.