Fused multiple stage inflation system

• US 3,980,318 A
• Filed: 04/15/1974
• Issued: 09/14/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Incorporated (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: Eaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Balban, Morton S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wood, Jr., M. H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Silverstrim, John P.
• Application Number:
  US05/460,768
• Time in Patent Office: 883 Days
• Field of Search: 280/150 AB, 180/103, 340/52 H, 340/248 Y, 222/3
• US Class Current: 280/735
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/017 including arrangements for providing electric power to safety arrangements or their actuating means, e.g. to pyrotechnic fuses or electro-mechanic valves

Abstract

A vehicle safety system of the kind incorporating a crash activated safety device, such as an inflatable passive passenger restraint, and electro-explosive devices responsive to an electric current of preselected minimum amplitude and duration from an electrical supply for activating a corresponding safety device. Deceleration sensing means energize such an electro-explosive device from such power supply in the event of a crash. Redundant power supply means are preenergizable for enabling such energizing of the electro-explosive means in the event of disabling of the electrical power supply. A power supply protective fuse in series with a corresponding electro-explosive device protects the redundant power supply from inadvertent shorting and discharge by conductive members and fragments released in explosive energization of the electro-explosive device.

Claims

1. A vehicle safety system comprising:

a. an electrical power supply;

b. a redundant power supply pre-energizable by said electrical power supply;

c. a first safety device;

d. deceleration sensing means in series with each of said power supplies;

e. a first electrical loop for actuating said first safety device, said first loop comprising a first electroexplosive means in series with said deceleration sensing means for actuating said safey device in response to actuation of said sensing means and a first power supply protective device in series with said first electroexplosive means for protecting said redundant power supply;

f. a second safety device; and

,

g. a second electrical loop in parallel with said first loop for actuating said second device, said second loop comprising a second electroexplosive means in series with said sensing means for actuating said second device in response to actuation of said sensing means and a second power supply protective means in series with said second electroexplosive means for protecting said redundant power supply means for inadvertent shortings and discharge by conductive members and fragments released by explosive energization of said second electroexplosive means.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensing means comprises a first sensor in series with said first loop and a second sensor in series with said second loop.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said first power supply protective means is in series with said first sensor and said second power supply protective device is in series with said second sensor.

4. The device defined in claim 3, wherein said first electroexplosive means comprises a plurality of electroexplosive devices.

5. The system defined in claim 2, wherein said first electroexplosive means comprises a plurality of electroexplosive devices in series with said first power supply protective means and said second electroexplosive means comprises a plurality of electroexplosive devices each in series with said second power supply protective means.

6. The system defined in claim 1, wherein said first electroexplosive means comprises a plurality of electroexplosive devices each in series with said first power supply protective device.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said first power supply protective means comprises fuse means.

8. The system of claim 1 in which each of said electro-explosive means are energizable in response to application thereto of a predetermined minimum current for a predetermined minimum time interval, said electrical power supply and redundant power supply means are both capable of at least supplying a greater current for a greater time, and said power supply protective means comprises fuse means responsive to a preselected current therethrough for a preselected time for opening, said preselected current flow and preselected time being respectively intermediate said minimum and greater current flows and times.

9. The system of claim 1 in which said minimum current for a given electro-explosive means is about 0.5 ampere and said minimum time is about 1 to 2 milliseconds.