Igniter for air bag system

• US 20060225598A1
• Filed: 05/04/2006
• Published: 10/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mitsuyasu Okamoto, Shingo Oda
• Original Assignee: Mitsuyasu Okamoto, Shingo Oda
• Inventors: Oda, Shingo, Okamoto, Mitsuyasu
• Granted Patent: US 7,364,190 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 102/218
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01075 between the airbag control unit and pyrotechnic fuses or equivalent actuators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26029 Ignitors
• 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 21/013 including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/017 including arrangements for providing electric power to safety arrangements or their actuating means, e.g. to pyrotechnic fuses or electro-mechanic valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0173 Diagnostic or recording means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/26 characterised by the inflation fluid source or means to control inflation fluid flow arrangement or mounting thereof to the vehicle B60R21/20; blasting cartridges for producing gas under pressure in general F42B3/04; initiators or igniters therefor F42B3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2644 using only solid reacting substances, e.g. pellets, powder
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 3/04 for producing gas under pressure generators of inflation fluid especially adapted for vehicle air bags B60R21/26
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 3/121 Initiators with incorporated integrated circuit

Abstract

A method of activating at least one electrical igniter incorporated in each of a plurality of gas generators provided in an air bag system is provided. The method includes: connecting an electronic control unit to a power source and an impact detecting sensor; providing a bus line having a plurality of loop wires passing through the electronic control unit to supply and transmit current and required information; connecting each of the at least one electrical igniter to the electronic control unit through the bus line branched from predetermined portions of the bus line; providing each of the at least one electrical igniter with a heat generating portion, a priming ignited by the heat generating portion, a capacitor, and an integrated circuit recorded with information to exhibit required functions; and supplying a current for igniting the priming to the at least one igniter through the capacitor.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a gas generator for an airbag having an igniter, comprising:

providing, in said igniter, an integrated circuit including a memory unit for activating said igniter upon receipt of an external signal;

attaching said igniter to a gas generator housing of said gas generator; and

storing, in said memory unit, information indicative of an identity of said gas generator after said attaching step.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said storing step includes the step of storing information indicative of a position of said gas generator when installed in a vehicle.

3. A method of manufacturing an air bag module that includes a gas generator having an igniter, an air bag, and a module cover, comprising:

providing, in said igniter, an integrated circuit including a memory unit for activating said igniter upon receipt of an external signal;

attaching said igniter to a gas generator housing of said gas generator;

installing said gas generator and said air bag in said module cover; and

storing, in said memory unit, information indicative of an identity of said gas generator after said installing step.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein said storing step includes the step of storing information indicative of a position of said gas generator when installed a vehicle.

5. A method of installing an air bag apparatus in a vehicle, said air bag apparatus including an impact sensor, a control unit, a plurality of gas generators each gas generator including an igniter, and a bus line, the method comprising:

providing, in said igniter, an integrated circuit including a memory unit for activating said igniter upon receipt of an external signal;

installing said impact sensor, said control unit, said plurality of gas generators, and said bus line to said vehicle;

connecting said plurality of gas generators to said control unit by said bus line; and

storing, in said memory unit in each gas generator, information indicative of an identity of said gas generator after said installing step.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein said storing step includes the step of storing information indicative of a position of said gas generator when installed in said vehicle.