DEVICE FOR THE ABSORPTION OF IMPACT ENERGY ESPECIALLY FOR AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES

• US 3,761,111 A
• Filed: 09/15/1970
• Issued: 09/25/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: BASF Corporation (BASF SE)
• Original Assignee: Gustav-Wilhelm Kemper
• Inventors: Kemper, Gustav-Wilhelm
• Primary Examiner(s): Betts, Kenneth H.
• Application Number:
  US05/072,312
• Time in Patent Office: 1,106 Days
• Field of Search: 280/15AB 206/DIG.30 244/31,138 55/380,DIG.2 150/1R 161/89
• US Class Current: 280/729
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23332 using independent bags, one within the other
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23523 Composite
• 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

Abstract

A device for absorbing impact energy, especially for motor vehicles in the case of collisions, having a folding and collapsible bag which is sealed all around and made of a gastight material. A second foldable and collapsible bag which is smaller than the first-mentioned bag is disposed in the first bag so that the smaller bag is first inflated by a high-pressure generator such as a compressed air tank. The second bag can be made of porous material so that the gas pressure is controlled, whereby neither the inner nor the outer bag is subjected to excessive stress.

Claims

1. Device for absorption of impact energy especially for automotive vehicles, comprising foldable and collapsible first bag means made of a gas-tight materiAl sealed completely around, foldable and collapsible second bag means made of a gas-porous material, said second bag means being of smaller dimensions than said first bag means and being arranged inside of said first bag means, and high-pressure generator means for producing an explosive inflating effect, said generator means being operatively connected with said first bag means by way of said second bag means whereby said second bag means is inflated prior to inflation of said first bag means upon actuation of said generator means, said second bag means being shaped similarly to said first bag means, the walls of said second bag means being approximately equally closely spaced from corresponding walls of said first bag means over substantially the entire circumference of said second bag means when said device is in the fully inflated condition, said first and second bag means having a congruent inlet opening, a plurality of flange rings being provided for connecting said bag means together in a gas-tight manner in the zone of the inlet opening by connecting means interconnecting said flange rings.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein said connecting means includes threaded means.

3. Device according to claim 1, wherein portions of said first and second bag means are flattened against one another in the zone of the inlet opening by said flange rings.

4. Device according to claim 1, wherein said first bag means is made of a film having high tensile strength.

5. Device according to claim 1, wherein said first bag means is made of a fabric coated with PVC.

6. Device according to claim 1, wherein said high-pressure generator means is a gas cartridge.

7. Device according to claim 1, wherein said high-pressure generator means is a compressed-air tank.

8. Device according to claim 1, wherein said second bag means is made of textile material.

9. Device according to claim 1, wherein said second bag means is made of synthetic material.

10. Device according to claim 1, wherein said gas-porous material is selected from the group consisting of nettle, canvas, and linen.

11. Device according to claim 10, wherein the distance between the walls of said first and second bag means is approximately 30mm when said device is in the fully inflated position.

12. Device according to claim 1, wherein said first and second bag means are connected with each other in the zone of the inlet opening by cementing or welding along at least a portion thereof.

13. Device according to claim 1, wherein said first bag means is made of a film having high tensile strength.

14. Device according to claim 13, wherein said porous material is made from the group consisting of nettle, canvas and linen.

15. Device according to claim 14, wherein said first and second bag means are connected with each other in the zone of the inlet opening by cementing or welding along at least a portion thereof.

16. Device according to claim 1, wherein said first bag means is in communication with said generator means exclusively by way of said second bag means.

17. Device according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the walls of said first and second bag means is approximately 30mm when said device is in the fully inflated position.

18. Device according to claim 2, wherein the distance between the walls of said first and second bag means is approximately 30mm when said device is in the fully inflated position.