Air bag system and method

• US 20060290118A1
• Filed: 06/24/2005
• Published: 12/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Thomas, Scott D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,490,854 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/739
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23384 having ends which are movable or detachable during deployment
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2395 comprising means to control the venting
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2765 comprising means to control the venting
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2338 Tethers
• 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 air bag system includes an inflator, an inflatable air bag, an air bag housing substantially surrounding the air bag, and a vent-modifying mechanism operatively connected to the housing. The housing defines a vent. The vent-modifying mechanism includes a vent blocker movable from a first position to a second position to adjust inflation fluid flow through the vent, and a retention member retaining the vent blocker in the first position. A sensing tether extending between the air bag and the retention member is operable to selectively release the retention member. An inflation fluid responsive member movable between a restricting position and an unrestricting position may also be included. The inflation fluid responsive member at least partially blocks the housing vent in the restricting position, and is movable to an unrestricting position in response to pressure of inflation fluid.

Claims

1. An air bag system comprising:

an inflator operable to release inflation fluid;

an inflatable air bag, said air bag being inflatable upon release of inflation fluid from said inflator;

an air bag housing substantially surrounding said air bag, said housing having a vent for venting inflation fluid released by said inflator;

a vent-modifying mechanism operatively connected to said housing, said mechanism comprising;

a vent blocker movable from a first position to a second position to adjust inflation fluid flow through said vent; and

a retention member operable to retain said vent blocker in said first position; and

a flexible sensing tether extending between said air bag and said retention member, said sensing tether operable to release said retention member to permit movement of said vent blocker from said first position to said second position.

2. The air bag system of claim 1, wherein said vent-modifying mechanism further comprises:

a movable member at least partially defining a pressurizable chamber; and

an actuator operable to selectively release actuation fluid into said pressurizable chamber, thereby pressurizing said pressurizable chamber to move said movable member from an undeployed state to a deployed state.

3. The air bag system of claim 2, wherein said movable member attaches to said vent blocker, such that movement of said movable member moves said vent blocker when said retention member is released.

4. The air bag system of claim 2, wherein said vent blocker includes a weakened portion, and wherein said movable member breaks through said weakened portion of said vent blocker during movement of said movable member from said undeployed state to said deployed state when said retention member retains said vent blocker in said first position.

5. The air bag system of claim 1, wherein said vent blocker substantially blocks said vent in said second position, and wherein said vent is substantially unblocked when said vent blocker is in said first position.

6. The air bag system of claim 1, wherein said vent blocker substantially blocks said vent in said first position, and wherein said vent is substantially unblocked when said vent blocker is in said second position.

7. The air bag system of claim 1, wherein said sensing tether includes a proximal portion attached to said retention member and a distal portion attached to said air bag, such that said sensing tether releases said retention member when said air bag passes a predetermined plane.

8. The air bag system of claim 1, wherein said vent blocker is movable from said first position to a third position, said third position being intermediate to said first and second positions.

9. A vent-modifying mechanism for a vehicle air bag system comprising:

an actuator operable to release actuation fluid;

a vent blocker movable from a first position to a second position;

a retention member operable to retain said vent blocker in said first position, said retention member being releasable by tether elements attached to an inflatable air bag, thereby allowing said vent blocker to move from said first position to said second position in response to release of actuation fluid by said actuator.

10. The vent-modifying mechanism of claim 9, further comprising:

a movable member at least partially defining a pressurizable chamber, said actuator extending into said pressurizable chamber and operable to selectively release actuation fluid into said pressurizable chamber.

11. The vent-modifying mechanism of claim 10, wherein release of actuation fluid by said actuator increases fluid pressure within said pressurizable chamber to move said movable member from an undeployed state to a deployed state.

12. The vent-modifying mechanism of claim 11, wherein said movable member attaches to said vent blocker, such that movement of said movable member from said undeployed state to said deployed state moves said vent blocker from said first position to said second position when said retention member is released.

13. The air bag system of claim 11, wherein said vent blocker includes a weakened portion, and wherein said movable member breaks through said weakened portion of said vent blocker during movement of said movable member from said undeployed state to said deployed state while said retention member retains said vent blocker in said first position.

14. The air bag system of claim 11, wherein said vent blocker prevents movement of said movable member from said undeployed state to said deployed state when said retention member retains said vent blocker in said first position.

15. An air bag system comprising:

an inflator operable to release inflation fluid;

an inflatable air bag, said air bag being inflatable upon release of inflation fluid from said inflator;

an air bag housing substantially surrounding said air bag, said housing having a housing vent for venting inflation fluid from said air bag; and

an inflation fluid responsive member movable between a restricting position and an unrestricting position, whereby said inflation fluid responsive member at least partially blocks said housing vent in said restricting position to restrict venting of inflation fluid therethrough;

said inflation fluid responsive member being movable from said restricting position to said unrestricting position in response to pressure of inflation fluid to thereby increase venting of inflation fluid from said air bag.

16. The air bag system of claim 15, wherein said inflation fluid responsive member pivots with respect to said housing vent to increase venting of inflation fluid.

17. The air bag system of claim 15, wherein said inflation fluid responsive member bends with respect to said housing vent to increase venting of inflation fluid.

18. The air bag system of claim 15, wherein said inflation fluid responsive member includes at least one arm extendable in response to pressure of inflation fluid to move said inflation fluid responsive member from said restricting position to said unrestricting position.

19. The air bag system of claim 15, wherein said inflation fluid responsive member translates in response to pressure of inflation fluid.