CRASH RESTRAINT MATRIX INFLATION SYSTEM

• US 3,778,084 A
• Filed: 06/14/1971
• Issued: 12/11/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: George S. Sutherland, Randel L. Hoskins
• Original Assignee: George S. Sutherland, Randel L. Hoskins
• Inventors: Sutherland, George S., Hoskins, Randel L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Betts, Kenneth H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Silverstrim, John P.
• Application Number:
  US05/152,627
• Time in Patent Office: 911 Days
• Field of Search: 280/15AB 149/2,6,7,19 102/102,104,98,39,40 23/281
• US Class Current: 280/741
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/264 using instantaneous generation of gas, e.g. pyrotechnic B60R21/268 takes precedence

Abstract

A crash restraint device for an automobile comprising an inflatable bag mounted forward of the automobile passenger seat, which inflates upon crash impact. A bag inflating device comprising a matrix of a first composition which produces a higher temperature gas product, interspersed with increments of a second composition which endothermically produce a gas product of a lower temperature, with the resulting gas mixture being used to inflate the bag. In one embodiment coolant gas producing particles are arranged in an interconnected matrix of an exothermically reacting gas producing composition. In a second embodiment there is a plurality of capsules, each having an interior of a vaporizing coolant material and a coating of an exothermically reacting composition. In a third embodiment there is a mixture of coolant particles and exothermically reacting gas producing particles.

Claims

1. In an occupant carrying vehicle having an occupant carrying location and structure spaced from the location, a crash restraint system for protecting an occupant in said location from impact with said structure, said system comprising:

a. a collapsed inflatable so disposed and mounted in said vehicle that upon being inflated the inflatable is positioned between said structure and said occupant carrying location, b. an inflating unit having a gas generating chamber and an outlet to direct inflating gas into said bag; and

c. a gas producing combination in said chamber, said combination comprising;

1. a first composition which reacts exothermically to produce a first higher temperature gas product, 2. a second composition which, upon being heated, endothermically releases a second lower temperature gas product, 3. said first composition being arranged in a matrix, said matrix being made up of increments with the individual increments having a sufficient quantity of the first composition that enough heat is generated at the location of the individual increments to sustain reaction of the individual increments, 4. the individual increments of the first composition being so disposed in sufficient interconnecting proximity to one another that reaction of one proximate increment generates heat to cause reaction of a second proximate increment, whereby reaction of said first composition proceeds progressively through said matrix with relative rapidity to produce said first gas product, 5. the second composition being arranged in increments distributed through the first composition matrix and in sufficient proximity to said first composition increments whereby as the reaction of the first composition proceeds through said matrix, said second composition becomes heated thereby to produce said second gas product to provide a relatively cool gas mixture of saiD first and second gas product, and 6. said first and second compositions being arranged in capsules, each capsule having a center portion made up of the second composition, and an encapsulating film made up of the first composition, whereby the encapsulating film of the capsules being in contact with each other substantially forms said matrix.

2. A gas producing combination adapted to inflate an inflatable such as a crash restraint inflatable, said gas producing combination comprising:

a. a first composition which reacts exothermically to produce a first higher temperature gas product, b. a second composition which, upon being heated, endothermically releases a second lower temperature gas product, c. said first composition being arranged in a matrix, said matrix being made up of increments with the individual increments having a sufficient quantity of the first composition that enough heat is generated at the location of the individual increments to sustain reaction of the individual increment, d. the individual increments of the first composition being so disposed in sufficient interconnecting proximity to one another that reaction of one proximate increment generates heat to cause reaction of a second proximate increment, whereby reaction of said first composition proceeds progressively through said matrix with relative rapidity to produce said first gas product, e. the second composition being arranged in increments distributed through the first composition matrix and in sufficient proximity to said first composition increments whereby as the reaction of the first composition proceeds through said matrix, said second composition becomes heated thereby to produce said second gas product to provide a relatively cool gas mixture of said first and second gas product, and f. said first and second compositions being arranged in capsules, each capsule having a center portion made up of the second composition, and an encapsulating film made up of the first composition, whereby the encapsulating film of the capsules being in contact with each other substantially forms said matrix.

3. said first composition being arranged in a matrix, said matrix being made up of increments with the individual increments having a sufficient quantity of the first composition that enough heat is generated at the location of the individual increments to sustain reaction of the individual increments,

4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said capsule cores comprises a solid second composition coolant.

5. the second composition being arranged in increments distributed through the first composition matrix and in sufficient proximity to said first composition increments whereby as the reaction of the first composition proceeds through said matrix, said second composition becomes heated thereby to produce said second gas product to provide a relatively cool gas mixture of saiD first and second gas product, and

6. said first and second compositions being arranged in capsules, each capsule having a center portion made up of the second composition, and an encapsulating film made up of the first composition, whereby the encapsulating film of the capsules being in contact with each other substantially forms said matrix.