Air bag cushion having variable volume
First Claim
1. An air bag inflation assembly, comprising:
- gas generating means for producing an inflation gas; and
a bag operatively associated with said means for filling said bag with said inflation gas, said bag including;
a front wall formed of flexible material and having a peripheral edge;
intermediate gas restriction means formed of a flexible material, said front wall and said intermediate gas restriction means together defining a first volume which is inflated by said gas and being suitable for functioning as a passive restraint for collisions, said intermediate gas restriction means being frangible upon said inflation gas within said volume reaching a predetermined pressure; and
a rear wall formed of flexible material and having a peripheral edge connected to said front wall, said front wall and said rear wall together defining a second volume only upon rupture of said intermediate gas restriction means, said second volume being greater than said first, and is suitable for functioning as a passive restraint for collisions, said rupture of said intermediate gas restriction means being due to said inflation gas within said first volume reaching said predetermined pressure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An air bag cushion having variable volume. The air bag includes a front wall having a central region for contacting the passenger, and a periphery. This periphery is connected to a periphery of both an intermediate rear wall and an outer rear wall. Both of these rear walls are operatively connected to the gas generator, but the outer rear wall has a larger area than the intermediate rear wall. The generator provides gas to initially inflate the volume defined between the front wall and intermediate wall. The intermediate wall, however, is connected to the gas generator in a manner which permits its release upon exceeding a predetermined pressure within the bag. Above this pressure the intermediate wall is released and the gas inflates the larger volume defined between the front wall and the outer rear wall. As such, if a small amount of gas is produced, such as for a minor collision or due to reduced ambient temperature, the smaller volume is inflated to the proper pressure. If a greater amount of gas is generated, such as for a major collision or due to increased ambient temperature, the larger volume is inflated to provide the proper pressure.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An air bag inflation assembly, comprising:
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gas generating means for producing an inflation gas; and a bag operatively associated with said means for filling said bag with said inflation gas, said bag including; a front wall formed of flexible material and having a peripheral edge; intermediate gas restriction means formed of a flexible material, said front wall and said intermediate gas restriction means together defining a first volume which is inflated by said gas and being suitable for functioning as a passive restraint for collisions, said intermediate gas restriction means being frangible upon said inflation gas within said volume reaching a predetermined pressure; and a rear wall formed of flexible material and having a peripheral edge connected to said front wall, said front wall and said rear wall together defining a second volume only upon rupture of said intermediate gas restriction means, said second volume being greater than said first, and is suitable for functioning as a passive restraint for collisions, said rupture of said intermediate gas restriction means being due to said inflation gas within said first volume reaching said predetermined pressure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An air bag for use with a gas generator, comprising:
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a front wall formed of flexible material and having a peripheral edge; an intermediate wall formed of a flexible material and including an opening constructed and arranged for operative association with the gas generator, said front wall and said intermediate wall together defining a first volume inflatable by gas from the generator and which is suitable as a passive restraint for a collision, said intermediate wall including a line of weakened strength rupturable upon said inflation gas within said first volume reaching a predetermined pressure; a rear wall formed of flexible material and having a peripheral edge connected to said front wall and an opening constructed and arranged for operative association with the gas generator, said front wall and said rear wall together defining a second volume only upon rupture of said intermediate wall, said second volume being greater than said first, said rupture of said intermediate wall being due to the gas within said first volume reaching said predetermined pressure. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification