Gas supply device for an air-bag
First Claim
1. A gas supply device for supplying gas to an airbag, the gas supply device comprising a bottle containing compressed gas and a valve mechanism operable to permit the compressed gas to flow from the bottle to inflate the airbag, the valve mechanism comprising a valve member which is movable in response to a change in pressure in a specific region within the bottle to increase, in a controlled manner, the flow passage area for gas flowing from the bottle, retaining means being provided to retain the valve member in a first position until the change in pressure reaches a predetermined limit, the retaining means then releasing the valve member to permit the valve member to move wherein the bottle containing compressed gas defines at least two regions separated by a partition wall, the partition wall being movable in response to a fall in pressure in one of the two regions, the valve member moving in response to movement of the partition wall.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A gas supply device for supplying gas to an air-bag comprises a bottle containing compressed gas. The bottle is provided with a valve mechanism which operates to pen in a controlled way a flow passage for the compressed gas. The valve mechanism operates in response to a change in pressure in a region within the bottle. The valve mechanism comprises two valve members each with a tubular portion terminating with an inwardly turned lip directed towards a tubular member. The valve members are initially retained by frangible solder sports until a predetermined change of pressure has occurred in the region. The flow passage is defined between the free end of the lip and the exterior of the tubular member. Various grooves or depressions are provided in the outer surface of the tubular member so that the flow passage area for gas increases gradually as the valve is opened. Each tubular portion carries a portion extending across the interior of the bottle to define the region.
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Citations
18 Claims
- 1. A gas supply device for supplying gas to an airbag, the gas supply device comprising a bottle containing compressed gas and a valve mechanism operable to permit the compressed gas to flow from the bottle to inflate the airbag, the valve mechanism comprising a valve member which is movable in response to a change in pressure in a specific region within the bottle to increase, in a controlled manner, the flow passage area for gas flowing from the bottle, retaining means being provided to retain the valve member in a first position until the change in pressure reaches a predetermined limit, the retaining means then releasing the valve member to permit the valve member to move wherein the bottle containing compressed gas defines at least two regions separated by a partition wall, the partition wall being movable in response to a fall in pressure in one of the two regions, the valve member moving in response to movement of the partition wall.
Specification