Inflator system

• US 20070228703A1
• Filed: 05/18/2005
• Published: 10/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/1991
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Automotive Technologies International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Automotive Technologies International Incorporated
• Inventors: Breed, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,481,453 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/735
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0272 using sensors or detectors for detecting the position of seat parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0276 reaction to emergency situations, e.g. crash
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2863 backward facing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0004 Frontal collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0006 Lateral collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23107 the bag being integrated in a multi-bag system
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23153 specially adapted for rear seat passengers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23161 specially adapted for protecting at least two passengers, e.g. preventing them from hitting each other
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23169 specially adapted for knee protection
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23192 Roof bags, i.e. protecting the occupant in a roll-over situation
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23308 the individual compartments defining the external shape of the bag
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23316 Inner seams, e.g. creating separate compartments or used as tethering means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23504 characterised by material
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23514 coated fabric
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23519 Resin
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23523 Composite
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23557 Molding
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2358 Bonding
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2359 Welding
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2636 : The volume of gas being continuously adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/20 : Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2032 : the inflator or inflatable member not being rotatable with the steering wheel; Arrangements using the steering column or steering wheel rim for storing, supplying or evacuating the inflation gas or for storing the inflatable member
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/206 : in the lower part of dashboards, e.g. for protecting the knees
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/214 : in roof panels
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 : Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/233 : comprising a plurality of individual compartments; comprising two or more bag-like members, one within the other B60R21/232 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/235 : characterised by their material
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/239 : characterised by their venting means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/264 : using instantaneous generation of gas, e.g. pyrotechnic B60R21/268 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/30 : with means to draw ambient air into the flow line and mix such air with the inflation fluid
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 : communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 : Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005

Abstract

Method for inflating an airbag in a vehicle to protect an occupant in the event of a crash involving the vehicle in which an inflator having a propellant is arranged in the vehicle, the propellant is ignited after determination of a crash involving the vehicle to generate gas therefrom, the gas is directed into an airbag and pressure in the airbag is controlled based on the occupant by varying the flow of gas into the airbag. Variation in the flow of gas into the airbag may be obtained by varying a flow of aspirating gas into a mixing chamber in which the aspirating gas mixes with gas generated from the propellant.

Claims

1. A method for inflating an airbag in a vehicle to protect an occupant in the event of a crash involving the vehicle, comprising:

arranging an inflator having a propellant in the vehicle;

igniting the propellant after determination of a crash involving the vehicle to generate gas therefrom;

directing the gas into an airbag; and

controlling pressure in the airbag based on the occupant by varying the flow of gas into the airbag.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the variation in the flow of gas into the airbag is obtained by varying a flow of aspirating gas into a mixing chamber in which the aspirating gas mixes with gas generated from the propellant.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the inflator has at least one variable passage through which the gas flows in a path toward the airbag, the cross-sectional area of the at least one passage being controlled based on the pressure in the mixing chamber.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising arranging the inflator in a housing having a cover exposed to a passenger compartment of the vehicle, the pressure in the airbag being controlled based on the occupant'"'"'s position relative to the cover.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein pressure in the airbag is controlled to prevent injury to the occupant when the occupant is leaning on the cover.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of controlling pressure in the airbag based on the occupant comprises forming variable gas flow ports, the size of the ports being dependent on pressure exerted by the occupant against the airbag.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of controlling pressure in the airbag based on the occupant comprises opening aspirating ports when the occupant is leaning on the cover such that gas generated from the propellant flows out through the aspirating ports and not into the airbag when the occupant is leaning on the cover.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of controlling pressure in the airbag based on the occupant comprises forming variable gas flow ports between the inflator and the airbag, the size of the gas flow ports being dependent on pressure exerted by the occupant against the airbag.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein pressure in the airbag is controlled based on the occupant'"'"'s position relative to the airbag.

10. A method for controlling combustion of a propellant which produces gas when burning, the gas being used to inflate an airbag on a vehicle, comprising:

housing the propellant in a chamber on the vehicle;

providing at least one exit conduit in flow communication with the chamber; and

adjusting the cross-sectional area of the at least one exit conduit during combustion of the propellant to thereby continuously control the pressure in the chamber and thus the rate of combustion of the propellant.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the chamber is defined by a gas generator, further comprising mounting the gas generator to a base to thereby define a nozzle between the gas generator and the base which constitutes an exit conduit.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the cross-sectional area of the nozzle is adjusted by mounting the gas generator to the base via an elastic or flexible supporting structure which holds the gas generator against the base.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the gas generator moves apart from the base to thereby increase the cross-sectional area of the nozzle when pressure in the chamber exerts a force greater than the force provided by the supporting structure.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising maintaining a minimum cross-sectional area of the nozzle by arranging supports between a surface of the gas generator facing the base and the base.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the cross-sectional area of the nozzle is adjusted by mounting the gas generator to the base via a deformable supporting structure.

16. A system for controlling combustion of a propellant which produces gas when burning, the gas being used to inflate an airbag on a vehicle, comprising:

a housing; and

an inflator including a chamber having a propellant which generates gas upon burning, said inflator being mounted to said housing to define at least part of at least one exit conduit therebetween in flow communication with said chamber and through which gas generated from said propellant flows into the airbag and such that said at least one exit conduit is capable of having an adjustable cross-sectional area during combustion of said propellant to thereby continuously control the pressure in said chamber and thus the rate of combustion of said propellant.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the cross-sectional area of said at least one exit conduit is controlled based on the pressure in said chamber.

18. The system of claim 16, further comprising an elastic or flexible supporting structure for mounting said inflator to said housing and loading said inflator toward said housing, the cross-sectional area of said at least one exit conduit being adjustable based on pressure differences between a pressure in said chamber and a pressure provided by said supporting structure.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising support structure arranged between a surface of said inflator facing said housing and said housing for maintaining a minimum cross-sectional area of said at least one exit conduit.

20. The system of claim 16, further comprising a deformable supporting structure for mounting said inflator to said housing, the cross-sectional area of said at least one exit conduit being adjusted upon deformation of said supporting structure.

21. The system of claim 16, wherein said housing defines at least one variable gas flow port which enables gas flow from an interior of said housing to an exterior of said housing, said at least one gas flow port enabling gas to flow into a mixing chamber defined by said housing and combine with gas from outside of said housing and gas generated from said propellant and flowing through said at least one exit conduit which then flows out of said housing into the airbag.

22. The system of claim 21, further comprising a cover releasably mounted to said housing, said at least one gas flow port being defined between said cover and a remaining part of said housing.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein the cross-sectional area of said at least one exit conduit is controlled based on the pressure in said mixing chamber.

24. An occupant protection system for protecting an occupant in a vehicle in the event of an accident involving the vehicle, comprising:

at least one airbag arranged to deploy into a passenger compartment of the vehicle;

an inflator system for inflating said at least one airbag, said inflator system comprising a housing, and an inflator including a chamber having a propellant which generates gas upon burning, said inflator being mounted to said housing to define at least one exit conduit in flow communication with said chamber and through which gas generated from said propellant flows to inflate said at least one airbag, said at least one exit conduit having an adjustable cross-sectional area; and

an initiation device arranged to initiate burning of said propellant in response to an accident involving the vehicle such that upon burning of said propellant, gas is generated and flows through said at least one exit conduit into said at least one airbag to inflate said at least one airbag.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein said housing defines at least one variable gas flow port which enables gas flow from an interior of said housing to an exterior of said housing, said at least one gas flow port enabling gas to flow into a mixing chamber defined by said housing and combine with gas from outside of said housing and gas generated from said propellant and flowing through said at least one exit conduit which then flows out of said housing.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the cross-sectional area of said at least one exit conduit is controlled based on the pressure in said mixing chamber.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein said inflator system further comprises a cover releasably mounted to said housing and covering said at least one airbag prior to inflation of said at least one airbag, said at least one gas flow port being defined between said cover and a remaining part of said housing.

28. The system of claim 24, wherein the cross-sectional area of said at least one exit conduit is controlled based on the pressure in said propellant-containing chamber.

29. The system of claim 24, wherein said inflator system further comprises an elastic or flexible supporting structure for mounting said inflator to said housing and loading said inflator toward said housing, the cross-sectional area of said at least one exit conduit being adjustable based on a pressure difference between a pressure in said chamber and a pressure provided by said supporting structure.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein said inflator system further comprises support structure arranged between a surface of said inflator facing said housing and said housing for maintaining a minimum cross-sectional area of said at least one exit conduit.