Mounting of a thrust neutral inflator for air bag modules
First Claim
1. An air bag module (50) comprising:
- an inflator (40);
an air bag (12) communicatively disposed relative to the inflator to receive inflation gas exiting the inflator;
a structure (52) for supporting at least the inflator;
the inflator comprising;
a pressure vessel (42) and a plurality of exit ports (16) through which inflation gas exits the inflator, the exit ports arranged to render the inflator in a thrust neutral condition when the inflator is not attached to the structure, the module comprising first means (60) for mounting the pressure vessel to the structure and for closing a designated set of exit ports, preventing gas flow therethrough, to render the inflator in a non-thrust neutral condition when supported by the structure.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An air bag module (50) comprising an inflator (40) for generating inflation gas; an air bag (12) disposed about the inflator to receive the inflation gas exiting the inflator; a structure (52) for supporting at least the inflator. The inflator comprises: a pressure vessel (42) and a plurality of exit ports (16). The exit ports are arranged to render the inflator in a thrust neutral condition when the inflator is not attached to the structure. A plug (60) or plugs is provided for closing a designated set of exit ports to render the inflator in a non-thrust neutral condition when supported by the structure. Each plug is received in each of the designated exit ports and is preferably received though a portion of the structure such that if the inflator is removed from the structure each plug must also be removed, thereby opening all of previously closed exit ports and rendering the inflator in its thrust neutral condition once again.
27 Citations
9 Claims
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1. An air bag module (50) comprising:
-
an inflator (40);
an air bag (12) communicatively disposed relative to the inflator to receive inflation gas exiting the inflator;
a structure (52) for supporting at least the inflator;
the inflator comprising;a pressure vessel (42) and a plurality of exit ports (16) through which inflation gas exits the inflator, the exit ports arranged to render the inflator in a thrust neutral condition when the inflator is not attached to the structure, the module comprising first means (60) for mounting the pressure vessel to the structure and for closing a designated set of exit ports, preventing gas flow therethrough, to render the inflator in a non-thrust neutral condition when supported by the structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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- 7. A hybrid inflator (40) for inflating an air bag, the inflator comprising a plurality of exit ports arranged thereon such that the inflation gas may exit all such exit ports rendering the inflator thrust neutral first means for mounting the inflator to a support structure and for closing selected ones of the exit ports, prohibiting gas flow through, such at when the inflator is mounted proximate the support structure it is rendered to be non-thrust neutral.
Specification