OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM

• US 3,741,580 A
• Filed: 08/27/1971
• Issued: 06/26/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thomas H. Vos
• Original Assignee: Thomas H. Vos
• Inventors: Vos, Thomas H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Friaglia, Leo
• Assistant Examiner(s): Silverstrim, John P.
• Application Number:
  US05/175,661
• Time in Patent Office: 669 Days
• Field of Search: 280/15AB 180/103,91 102/31,37.7,39,38
• US Class Current: 280/735
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23169 specially adapted for knee protection
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23324 Inner walls crating separate compartments, e.g. communicating with vents
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2633 with a plurality of inflation levels
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01558 monitoring crash strength
• 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 21/268 using instantaneous release of stored pressurised gas B60R21/26005 takes precedence

Abstract

A vehicle body occupant restraint system includes a source of pressure fluid, such as a pressure vessel of stored gas or a gas generator, an inflatable occupant restraint cushion, and a passage communicating with the cushion. The passage is communicated with the source by a first plug having an internal cylindrical bore opening at one end to the source and being of at least the same cross sectional area as the passage to provide unrestricted flow from the source to the cushion through the plug bore and passage. A radially inwardly extending web or flange at the other end of the bore and an adjacent rupturable flange join the plug to an internally threaded plug head. An externally threaded head of a second plug is received within the head of the first plug. The second plug head includes an internal cylindrical bore which opens at one end to the passage across an explosively rupturable diaphragm. The other end of the bore opens to a hollow cylindrical extension which extends through the first plug to the source. The second plug bore and extension are of lesser cross sectional area than the first plug bore and passage. A first pair of electrically fired detonators within the second plug head seat against the diaphragm and are located in place by conventional stemming material. The space between the first plug and the extension of the second plug receives a second pair of electrically fired detonators which seat against the radial flange of the first plug and are located by conventional stemming material. The pairs of detonators are connected in parallel with each other and in series across a source of power and respective impact force responsive control systems. When an impact of predetermined low level intensity is sensed, the first pair of detonators are fired to remove the diaphragm and release the pressure fluid for flow through the extension and head of the second plug to the passage and to the cushion to inflate the cushion. The rate of flow of the pressure fluid is reduced since the bore and extension of the second plug are of lesser cross sectional area than that of the passage. This increases the inflation time of the cushion. When an impact of predetermined higher level intensity is sensed, the second pair of detonators are additionally fired to rupture the flange and remove the second plug and plug head from the first plug to permit unrestricted flow of pressure fluid to the cushion at the normal rate. The pairs of detonators may also be sequentially fired at the lower pulse level.

Claims

1. In a vehicle occupant restraint system including sensor means operative to sense the intensity of vehicle impact, a source of pressure fluid, and an inflatable cushion, the combination comprising, first means operable to provide a first flow path between the source and the cushion permitting flow of pressure fluid at a first predetermined rate, second means normally operable to block the first flow path and provide a second flow path between the source and the cushion permitting flow of pressure fluid at a second predetermined lower rate, and control means responsive to a first predetermined level of intensity sensed by the sensor means for selecting the second flow path and responsive to a second greater predetermined level of intensity for removing the second means from the first flow path and thereby select the first flow path.

2. In a vehicle occupant restraint system including sensor means operative to sense the intensity of vehicle impact, a source of pressure fluid, and an inflatable cushion, the combination comprising, first means operable to provide a first flow Path between the source and the cushion permitting flow of pressure fluid at a first predetermined rate, second means normally operable to block the first flow path and provide a second flow path between the source and the cushion permitting flow of pressure fluid at a second predetermined lower rate, means normally blocking the second flow path, and control means responsive to a first predetermined level of intensity sensed by the sensor means for removing the blocking means to thereby select the second flow path and responsive to a second greater predetermined level of intensity for removing the second means from the first flow path to thereby select the first flow path.

3. In a vehicle occupant restraint system including sensor means operative to sense the intensity of vehicle impact, a source of pressure fluid, and an inflatable cushion, the combination comprising, first flow control orifice means operable to provide a first flow path between the source and the cushion permitting flow of pressure fluid at a first predetermined rate, second flow control orifice means closing the first orifice means and providing a second flow path between the source and the cushion permitting flow of pressure fluid at a second predetermined lower rate, means normally blocking the second orifice means, and control means responsive to a first predetermined level of intensity sensed by the sensor means for removing the blocking means to open the second flow path and responsive to a second greater predetermined level of intensity for removing the second orifice means from the first orifice means to open the first flow path.

4. In a vehicle occupant restraint cushion system including a source of pressure fluid and an inflatable occupant restraint cushion, the combination comprising, a passage of predetermined orifice area communicating with the cushion, first means communicating the passage and source and defining an orifice of lesser area than the passage to restrict flow between the source and the passage, second means communicating the passage and source and defining an orifice of at most equal area to that of the passage, means normally blocking flow through the first and second means to seal the passage from the source, means for removing the blocking means from the second means upon receipt by the vehicle of an acceleration pulse of predetermined amplitude and time to permit generally unrestricted flow through the second means to the cushion, and means for removing the blocking means from the first means upon receipt by the vehicle body of an acceleration pulse of predetermined amplitude and time lesser than the amplitude and time of the first pulse to provide restricted flow through the first means to the cushion.