Driver side hybrid inflator and air bag module
First Claim
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1. A device for inflating an air bad adapted to be mounted to a steering wheel comprising:
- a pressure vessel formed of a length of narrow tubing for storing a quantity of inert gas under pressure and seal means for enclosing a first end of the tubing;
activation means responsive to a control signal indicative of a vehicular crash situation for causing the seal means to open to permit the pressurized gas to inflate an air bag andmanifold means for communicating released gas to an air bag wherein the tubing is formed as a coil and wherein the coil and activation means are disposed within a central hub portion of the steering wheel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device (60) for inflating an air bag (36) adapted within a steering wheel comprising: a pressure vessel (66; 166; 210) formed of a length of narrow tubing for storing a quantity of inert gas under pressure and a rupturable disk (80) for enclosing a first end of the tubing; an activator or initiator such as a squib (120) responsive to a control signal indicative of a vehicular crash situation for opening the seal means to permit the pressurized gas to inflate the air bag and a manifold (50) for communicating released gas to an air bag.
22 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A device for inflating an air bad adapted to be mounted to a steering wheel comprising:
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a pressure vessel formed of a length of narrow tubing for storing a quantity of inert gas under pressure and seal means for enclosing a first end of the tubing; activation means responsive to a control signal indicative of a vehicular crash situation for causing the seal means to open to permit the pressurized gas to inflate an air bag and manifold means for communicating released gas to an air bag wherein the tubing is formed as a coil and wherein the coil and activation means are disposed within a central hub portion of the steering wheel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A device for inflating an air bad adapted to be mounted to a steering wheel comprising:
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a pressure vessel formed of a length of narrow tubing for storing a quantity of inert gas under pressure and seal means for enclosing a first end of the tubing; activation means responsive to a control signal indicative of a vehicular crash situation for causing the seal means to open to permit the pressurized gas to inflate an air bag and wherein the steering wheel comprises a rim, a central hub and a central spoke joining generally opposite sides of the rim and wherein the activation means is disposed within the hub and wherein the pressure vessel extends from the activation means and is formed in at least a singular coil within the central spoke.
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5. A device for inflating an air bad adapted to be mounted to a steering wheel comprising:
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a pressure vessel formed of a length of narrow tubing for storing a quantity of inert gas under pressure and seal means for enclosing a first end of the tubing; activation means responsive to a control signal indicative of a vehicular crash situation for causing the seal means to open to permit the pressurized gas to inflate an air bag and manifold means for communicating released gas to an air bag wherein the activation means is joined to a second end of the tubing in a manner to effect a fluid seal therebetween, the first end of the tubing supporting the seal means being remotely positioned from the activation means. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification