Airbag inflator performance telltale
First Claim
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1. In a motor vehicle occupant restraint system comprising an airbag inflator having at least one gas discharge opening for providing inflation gases to an inflatable airbag, apparatus for determining if a minimum predetermined operating pressure is developed by the inflation gases from said inflator during deployment thereof, said apparatus comprising:
- an inelastically deformable member secured to the inflator and positioned between the at least one gas discharge opening and said inflatable airbag, said deformable member comprising a substantially planar region having an array of radial stiffening ribs defined in said substantially planar region, said deformable member having the property of the substantially planar region deforming by a predetermined amount into a generally hemispheric dome only upon attainment by said inflation gases of a predetermined minimum operating pressure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An inelastically deformable member is positioned in the path of gases leaving an inflator and passing to an airbag. The pressure of the gas causes the member to deform and measurement of the deformation discloses the adequacy of the inflator performance. The same deformable member may also function as a gas diffuser.
16 Citations
15 Claims
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1. In a motor vehicle occupant restraint system comprising an airbag inflator having at least one gas discharge opening for providing inflation gases to an inflatable airbag, apparatus for determining if a minimum predetermined operating pressure is developed by the inflation gases from said inflator during deployment thereof, said apparatus comprising:
an inelastically deformable member secured to the inflator and positioned between the at least one gas discharge opening and said inflatable airbag, said deformable member comprising a substantially planar region having an array of radial stiffening ribs defined in said substantially planar region, said deformable member having the property of the substantially planar region deforming by a predetermined amount into a generally hemispheric dome only upon attainment by said inflation gases of a predetermined minimum operating pressure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. Apparatus for confirming whether minimum predetermined operating pressure is developed during deployment by a motor vehicle airbag inflator having at least one gas discharge opening therein, which apparatus comprises:
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an inelastic substantially cup-shaped diffuser having a substantially planar base and a sidewall for encircling the at least one gas discharge opening of the inflator and being rigidly securable to the inflator, said diffuser defining gas diffusing openings therein; an array of radial stiffening ribs formed in said planar base; and said substantially planar base being deformable into a generally hemispheric dome of predetermined height upon exposure to inflation gas at the minimum predetermined operating pressure from said at least one discharge opening. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for confirming minimum predetermined operating pressure developed during deployment of an inflator of a motor vehicle airbag which comprises:
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providing an inflator having at least one gas discharge opening for supplying inflation gases to an inflatable airbag, said inflator having an inelastically deformable member positioned in the path of inflation gases passing from said at least one gas discharge opening to the airbag, said deformable member having the property of deforming a predetermined amount only upon attainment by said inflation gases of a minimum predetermined operating pressure; actuating the inflator to inflate the airbag and deform the deformable member; and measuring the deformation of the deformable member as an indication of the pressure produced by said inflation gases. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification