Apparatus for controlling flow of inflation fluid into an air bag
First Claim
1. A vehicle occupant restraint system comprising:
- an inflatable air bag;
a source of inflation fluid for inflating said air bag, said source of inflation fluid including (i) an inflator body having opposite ends and (ii) a nozzle opening disposed at one end of said inflator body;
deflector panel means attached to said air bag for (i) defining a single deflector opening through which inflation fluid is directed to flow into a predetermined region of said air bag to inflate said air bag along a predetermined trajectory and (ii) deflecting a portion of the inflation fluid flow from said nozzle opening disposed at said one end of said inflator body to flow through said deflector opening;
said deflector panel means comprising a first deflecting surface located on one side of said deflector opening and a second deflecting surface located on an opposite side of said deflector opening, said second deflecting surface having an area which is less than the area of said first deflecting surface.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle occupant restraint system comprises an inflatable air bag (12), an air bag canister (24) having walls defining an interior chamber (25) in which the air bag is stored, and a source of inflation fluid (20) for inflating the air bag. The source of inflation fluid includes (i) an inflator body (21) having opposite ends and (ii) a nozzle opening (23) disposed at one end of the inflator body. A deflector panel (50) is attached to the air bag. The deflector panel defines an opening (45) through which inflation fluid flows to inflate the air bag. The deflector panel has surfaces (71, 72) that deflect inflation fluid flow from the nozzle opening (23) and through the opening (45).
19 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A vehicle occupant restraint system comprising:
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an inflatable air bag; a source of inflation fluid for inflating said air bag, said source of inflation fluid including (i) an inflator body having opposite ends and (ii) a nozzle opening disposed at one end of said inflator body; deflector panel means attached to said air bag for (i) defining a single deflector opening through which inflation fluid is directed to flow into a predetermined region of said air bag to inflate said air bag along a predetermined trajectory and (ii) deflecting a portion of the inflation fluid flow from said nozzle opening disposed at said one end of said inflator body to flow through said deflector opening; said deflector panel means comprising a first deflecting surface located on one side of said deflector opening and a second deflecting surface located on an opposite side of said deflector opening, said second deflecting surface having an area which is less than the area of said first deflecting surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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5. A vehicle occupant restraint system comprising:
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an inflatable air bag; a source of inflation fluid for inflating said air bag, said source of inflation fluid including an inflator body having a nozzle opening; deflector panel means attached to said air bag for (i) defining a single deflector opening through which inflation fluid is directed to flow into a predetermined region of said air bag to inflate said air bag along a predetermined trajectory and (ii) deflecting a portion of the inflation fluid flow from said nozzle opening to flow through said deflector opening, said deflector panel means comprising a first deflecting surface located on one side of said opening and a second deflecting surface located on an opposite side of said opening, said second deflecting surface having an area which is less than the area of said first deflecting surface, said first deflecting surface being located adjacent an outboard side of a passenger seat, said second deflecting surface being located adjacent an inboard side of the passenger seat.
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12. A vehicle occupant restraint system comprising:
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an inflatable air bag; a source of inflation fluid for inflating said air bag, said source of inflation fluid including (i) an inflator body having opposite ends and (ii) nozzle openings in said inflator body; deflector panel means attached to said air bag for (i) defining a single deflector opening through which all of the inflation fluid from said source of inflation fluid is directed to flow into a predetermined region of said air bag to inflate said air bag along a predetermined trajectory and (ii) deflecting a portion of the inflation fluid flow from said nozzle openings in said inflator body to flow through said deflector opening.
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Specification