Air bag collision safety device

• US 5,197,759 A
• Filed: 04/08/1991
• Issued: 03/30/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alfred Kroiss, Heinz Methfessel
• Original Assignee: Alfred Kroiss, Heinz Methfessel
• Inventors: Methfessel, Heinz, Kroiss, Alfred
• Primary Examiner(s): Valenza, Joseph E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): REICHARD, DEAN ALAN
• Application Number:
  US07/682,184
• Time in Patent Office: 722 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728, 280/736, 280/737, 280/739, 280/734, 280/735, 280/741, 280/742, 137/68.2, 137/541
• US Class Current: 280/736
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26058 using a combination of inflators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2612 Gas guiding means, e.g. ducts
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2765 comprising means to control the venting
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2032 the inflator or inflatable member not being rotatable with the steering wheel; Arrangements using the steering column or steering wheel rim for storing, supplying or evacuating the inflation gas or for storing the inflatable member
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/26 characterised by the inflation fluid source or means to control inflation fluid flow arrangement or mounting thereof to the vehicle B60R21/20; blasting cartridges for producing gas under pressure in general F42B3/04; initiators or igniters therefor F42B3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/261 with means other than bag structure to diffuse or guide inflation fluid
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/268 using instantaneous release of stored pressurised gas B60R21/26005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/276 with means to vent the inflation fluid source, e.g. in case of overpressure B60R21/30 takes precedence; venting means on inflatable member walls B60R21/239

Abstract

An air bag collision safety device (air bag) for the occupants of a vehicle has an air bag (3) being inflatable by means of a compressed gas source (1, 2). In order to render possible a soft immersion of the body in the air bag (3), between the air bag interior (51) and the ambiance (52) an outlet valve (53) is arranged which is opened when a predetermined pressure difference between the air bag interior (51) and the ambiance (52) is exceeded (FIG. 1).

Claims

1. Collision safety device for a vehicle, which comprises:

a) an air bag inflatable by means of compressed gas;

b) means for inflating said air bag including at least one compressed gas source, and

c) outlet valve means communicating the interior of said air bag with the outside atmosphere, said outlet valve means being adapted to be opened and to be closed, said outlet valve means being initially closed and further being adapted to be opened at a predetermined time after said means for inflating said air bag is actuated and if the pressure difference between the interior of said air bag and the outside atmosphere exceeds a predetermined value, said outlet valve means adapted to be closed when said pressure difference between the interior of said air bag and the outside atmosphere no longer exceeds said predetermined value.

2. Collision safety device according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined value is at least about 1 bar.

3. Collision safety device according to claim 2, wherein said predetermined time is at least about 30 milliseconds.

4. Collision safety device according to claim 1, wherein predetermined time is at least about 10 to 15 milliseconds.

5. Collision safety device according to claim 2 wherein said means for inflating said air bag comprises first and second compressed gas sources, said second gas source adapted to be actuated at least about 15 milliseconds after said first compressed gas source is actuated.

6. Collision safety device according to claim 5, wherein said outlet valve means is activated at least about 10 to 15 milliseconds after said second compressed gas source is actuated.

7. Collision safety device according to claim 5, wherein said outlet valve means is activated at least about 30 milliseconds after said first compressed gas source is actuated.

8. Collision safety device according to claim 5, wherein said outlet valve means is activated through a pyrotechnical triggering mechanism.

9. Collision safety device according to claim 8, wherein the outlet valve means comprises a casing in which a valve rocker carrying a valve plate is guided by a valve spring for longitudinal movement thereof.

10. Collision safety device according to claim 9, wherein said outlet valve means is provided with a closing plate at a side facing the interior of said air bag, said closing plate being destructible by a pin which is drivable by a propellant.

11. Collision safety device according to claim 10, wherein said valve rocker is connected to an aperture plate which is guided in said casing for longitudinal movement thereof.

12. Collision safety device according to claim 11, wherein said valve plate is sealingly supported on a lower end of said casing.

13. Collision safety device according to claim 12, wherein said valve spring is arranged between a heel of said casing and said aperture plate as a pressure spring.

14. Collision safety device according to claim 13, wherein each of said first and second compressed gas sources comprises a casing with an annulus.

15. Collision safety device according to claim 14, wherein said annulus is annularly connected on two sides thereof.

16. Collision safety device according to claim 15, wherein a center insert being welded is connected to said casing.

17. Collision safety device according to claim 16, wherein said closing plate is connected to said center insert.

18. Collision safety device according to claim 17, wherein said casing has a disk shaped configuration.

19. Collision safety device according to claim 18, wherein a cross-section of said annulus is smaller in a radial direction than in an axial direction.

20. Collision safety device according to claim 19, wherein said cross-section of said annulus is substantially elliptical in configuration.

21. Collision safety device for a vehicle, which comprises:

a) an air bag inflatable by means of compressed gas;

b) means for inflating said air bag including first and second compressed gas sources, said second gas source adapted to be actuated at least about 15 milliseconds after said first compressed gas source is actuated;

c) outlet valve means communicating the interior of said air bag with the outside atmosphere, said outlet valve means adapted to be opened when said air bag is inflated and the pressure different between the interior of said air bag and the outside atmosphere exceeds a predetermined value, said outlet valve means further being adapted to be activated at least about 10 to 15 milliseconds after said second compressed gas source is actuated.

22. Collision safety device according to claim 21, wherein said outlet valve is activated at least about 15 milliseconds after said second compressed gas source is actuated.

23. Collision safety device according to claim 21, wherein said outlet valve means is activated at least about 30 milliseconds after said first compressed gas source is actuated.