Apparatus for rapidly changing the temperature of a device in an inflatable restraint system

• US 5,257,818 A
• Filed: 09/08/1992
• Issued: 11/02/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Incorporated (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Incorporated (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Steffens, Charles E. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Focarino, Margaret A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DICKSON, PAUL N
• Application Number:
  US07/941,976
• Time in Patent Office: 420 Days
• Field of Search: 280/741, 280/728, 280/742, 280/735, 280/736, 280/728 R
• US Class Current: 280/736
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2171 specially adapted for elongated cylindrical or bottle-like inflators with a symmetry axis perpendicular to the main direction of bag deployment, e.g. extruded reaction canisters B60R21/2176 takes precedence
• 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

Abstract

An inflatable occupant restraint system is located in a vehicle having a mechanism, such as a heater or an air conditioner, for controlling the temperature in the occupant compartment of the vehicle. The system comprises an inflatable air bag and an actuatable inflator for providing gas to inflate the air bag. The inflatable air bag, when inflated, protects an occupant of the vehicle. A duct directs air from the temperature controlling mechanism to the inflator to change the temperature of the inflator rapidly.

Claims

1. An inflatable occupant restraint system for mounting in a vehicle having a mechanism for controlling the temperature in the occupant compartment of the vehicle, said system comprising:

an inflatable air bag for, when inflated, protecting an occupant of the vehicle;

an actuatable inflator for, when actuated, providing gas to inflate said air bag;

means for directing air from the mechanism to said inflator to change the temperature of said inflator rapidly;

a sensing means for sensing temperature of the air directed to said inflator and for providing a signal indicative of said temperature of the air directed to said inflator, said sensing means being located in said means for directing air;

a blocking means including a blocking member movable between a nonblocking position in which the air directed from said mechanism by said means for directing is allowed to reach said inflator and a blocking position in which the air directed from said mechanism by said means for directing is prevented from reaching said inflator; and

wherein said sensing means includes a bimetallic spring which acts (i) to move said blocking member to the blocking position when said signal of said sensing means indicates that the temperature of the air directed to said inflator is between a first predetermined temperature and a second predetermined temperature higher than said first predetermined temperature, and (ii) to move said blocking member to the nonblocking position when said signal of said sensing means indicates that the temperature of the air directed to said inflator is either below said first predetermined temperature or above said second predetermined temperature.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a module assembly in which said inflator is located, said module assembly having an opening through which the air directed from the mechanism flows to said inflator.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said means for directing air includes a duct connected between said mechanism and the opening in said module assembly.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said mechanism for controlling the temperature in the occupant compartment of the vehicle is a heating and air conditioning mechanism, said mechanism directs cool air from said mechanism to said inflator when said air conditioner of said mechanism is turned on and said mechanism directs warm air from said mechanism to said inflator when said heater of said mechanism is turned on.

5. An inflatable occupant restraint system for mounting in a vehicle having a heating and air conditioning mechanism for controlling the temperature in the occupant compartment of the vehicle, said system comprising:

an inflatable air bag for, when inflated, protecting an occupant of the vehicle;

an actuatable inflator for, when actuated, providing gas to inflate said air bag; and

means for directing air from the heating and air conditioning mechanism to said inflator to change the temperature of said inflator rapidly, said means directs cool air from said mechanism to said inflator when said air conditioner of said mechanism is turned on and said means directs warm air from said mechanism to said inflator when said heater of said mechanism is turned on.

6. The system of claim 5 further comprising

a sensing means for sensing temperature of the air directed to said inflator and for providing a signal indicative of said temperature of the air directed to said inflator, said sensing means being located in said means for directing air,

a blocking means including a blocking member movable between a nonblocking position in which the air directed from said mechanism by said means for directing is allowed to reach said inflator and a blocking position in which the air directed from said mechanism by said means for directing is prevented from reaching said inflator;

and

wherein said sensing means includes a bimetallic spring which acts (i) to move said blocking member to the blocking position when said signal of said sensing means indicates that the temperature of the air directed to said inflator is between a first predetermined temperature and a second predetermined temperature higher than said first predetermined temperature, and (ii) to move said blocking member to the nonblocking position when said signal of said sensing means indicates that the temperature of the air directed to said inflator is either below said first predetermined temperature or above said second predetermined temperature.