GAS GENERATOR FOR MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY AIRBAG

• US 20120038139A1
• Filed: 03/26/2010
• Published: 02/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Herakles
• Original Assignee: SME Co.
• Inventors: Borg, Evrard, Laspesa, Eric, Nadeau, Jean-Paul
• Granted Patent: US 8,393,640 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/741
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01231 control of expansion timing or sequence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26094 characterised by fluid flow controlling valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2633 with a plurality of inflation levels
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0134 responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle , e.g. using radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0136 responsive to actual contact with an obstacle , e.g. to vehicle deformation, bumper displacement or bumper velocity relative to the vehicle monitoring crash strength in combination with passenger seat detection B60R21/01558
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2644 using only solid reacting substances, e.g. pellets, powder

Abstract

The invention relates to a pyrotechnic gas generator (10) for a car airbag (12), the generator including a pyrotechnic charge and a pyrotechnic initiator (28) situated in a combustion chamber (14) and suitable for being actuated by a first detection system (30) for detecting an imminent collision state and/or by a second detection system (32) for detecting an actual collision state. The pyrotechnic gas generator of the invention further includes a gas flow passage (16, 18) between said combustion chamber (14) and said airbag (12), and at least one valve (34) suitable for being moved from a first position in which it defines a first flow section to a second position in which it defines a second flow section greater than said first flow section, or vice versa. In particular, the valve (34) is arranged in such a manner as to define a greater flow section when the pyrotechnic initiator (28) is actuated by the first detection system (30).

Claims

1. A pyrotechnic gas generator for a car airbag the generator including a pyrotechnic charge and being characterized in that it further comprises:

a pyrotechnic initiator situated in a combustion chamber and suitable for being actuated by a first detection system for detecting an imminent collision state, and/or by a second detection system for detecting an actual collision state;

a gas flow passage between said combustion chamber and said airbag; and

at least one valve suitable for being moved from a first position in which it defines a first flow section to a second position in which it defines a second flow section greater than said first flow section, or vice versa, said valve being arranged in such a manner as to define the greater flow section if the pyrotechnic initiator is actuated by the first detection system.

2. A pyrotechnic gas generator according to claim 1, wherein the gas flow passage is constituted by at least two orifices formed in the combustion chamber said valve being suitable for closing at least one of said orifices.

3. A pyrotechnic gas generator according to claim 1, wherein said valve is suitable for being moved under the effect of the gas released by a pyrotechnic charge ignited by a pyrotechnic actuation initiator.

4. A pyrotechnic gas generator according to claim 1, wherein said valve is a slider suitable for being moved along a rectilinear path.

5. A pyrotechnic gas generator according to claim 1, wherein the valve is a turnable slider having at least one opening suitable for being positioned in register with at least one orifice of the combustion chamber and at least one guide ramp, said turnable slider being suitable for being moved under the effect of a piston actuated by the gas released by a pyrotechnic charge ignited by the pyrotechnic actuation initiator and co-operating with said guide ramp.

6. A pyrotechnic gas generator according to claims 1, wherein said valve is in the form of a valve needle.

7. A pyrotechnic gas generator according to claim 1, wherein said valve is biased by a spring that is initially stressed and that is released by an inertial device that is activated as from a detection threshold.

8. A pyrotechnic gas generator according to claim 1, wherein said valve is biased by a spring that is initially stressed and that is released by a thermal fuse connected to an electric circuit.

9. A pyrotechnic gas generator according to claim 1, wherein said valve is biased by a spring that is initially stressed and that is released by an electromagnetic trigger.

10. The combination of a car airbag and a pyrotechnic gas generator according to claim 1, having said airbag attached thereto.

11. A safety system for inflating a car airbag, the system being characterized in that it comprises:

a pyrotechnic gas generator according to claim 1;

a first detection system for detecting an imminent collision state; and

a second detection system for detecting an actual collision state.