Air-bag system
First Claim
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1. An air-bag system in a motor vehicle, comprising:
- a container;
an expandable air-bag proper contained in said container, said container being broken upon inflation of said air-bag proper;
inflator means for inflating said air-bag proper upon electric energization thereof in response to an application of an abnormal shock to the vehicle, wherein upon inflation of said air-bag proper by said inflator means, the pressure in said air-bag proper being immediately reduced due to the force of inertia of the expanding air-bag proper; and
pressure control means for controlling the pressure in said air-bag proper after the sudden pressure reduction to retain the pressure in said air-bag proper at a predetermined level to control the pressure in the air-bag proper after sudden increase of the pressure in the air-bag proper caused by an occupant colliding said air-bag proper to reduce impact to said occupant,wherein said pressure control means includes;
a first relief valve for communicating the interior of said air-bag proper with the atmosphere when the internal pressure of said air-bag proper reaches a first given pressure;
a second relief valve for communicating the interior of said air-bag proper with the atmosphere when the internal pressure of said air-bag proper reaches a second given pressure, said second given pressure being higher than said first given pressure;
sensor means for issuing information signals representative of the condition of the vehicle at the time when a vehicle collision occurs; and
a control unit for controlling the characteristics of said first and second relief valves in accordance with the information signal from said sensor means.
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Abstract
An inflator is connected to an air-bag proper for inflating the same upon electric energization thereof. The inflator and the air-bag proper are so connected and designed as to make a rapid pressure reduction in the air-bag proper just after a rapid increase of the pressure, due to the force of inertia of the expanding air-bag proper. A control device is used for controlling, after the rapid increase of the pressure in the air-bag proper, the pressure in a manner to reduce a shock which is produced when a passenger collides against the inflated air-bag proper.
65 Citations
10 Claims
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1. An air-bag system in a motor vehicle, comprising:
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a container; an expandable air-bag proper contained in said container, said container being broken upon inflation of said air-bag proper; inflator means for inflating said air-bag proper upon electric energization thereof in response to an application of an abnormal shock to the vehicle, wherein upon inflation of said air-bag proper by said inflator means, the pressure in said air-bag proper being immediately reduced due to the force of inertia of the expanding air-bag proper; and pressure control means for controlling the pressure in said air-bag proper after the sudden pressure reduction to retain the pressure in said air-bag proper at a predetermined level to control the pressure in the air-bag proper after sudden increase of the pressure in the air-bag proper caused by an occupant colliding said air-bag proper to reduce impact to said occupant, wherein said pressure control means includes; a first relief valve for communicating the interior of said air-bag proper with the atmosphere when the internal pressure of said air-bag proper reaches a first given pressure; a second relief valve for communicating the interior of said air-bag proper with the atmosphere when the internal pressure of said air-bag proper reaches a second given pressure, said second given pressure being higher than said first given pressure; sensor means for issuing information signals representative of the condition of the vehicle at the time when a vehicle collision occurs; and a control unit for controlling the characteristics of said first and second relief valves in accordance with the information signal from said sensor means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An air-bag system in a vehicle, comprising:
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a breakable container; an expandable air-bag proper contained in said container; inflator means for inflating said air-bag proper upon electric energization thereof in response to a vehicle collision; and pressure control means for relieving pressure in said air-bag proper just after a sudden increase in the pressure caused by said inflator means and for relieving pressure in the air-bag proper after further sudden increase of the pressure in the air-bag proper caused by an occupant colliding said air-bag proper to reduce impact to said occupant, said pressure control means comprising; a first relief valve for releasing pressure in said air-bag proper to the atmosphere when the internal pressure of said air-bag proper reaches a first given pressure; a second relief valve for further releasing pressure in said air-bag proper to the atmosphere when the internal pressure of said air-bag proper reaches a second given pressure, said second given pressure being higher than said first given pressure; sensor means for issuing information signals representative of the condition of the vehicle at the time of a vehicle collision; and a control unit for controlling said first and second relief valves in accordance with said information signals from said sensor means. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification