Inflator for inflating an air bag having magnetically coupled internal ignition

• US 5,799,972 A
• Filed: 04/19/1996
• Issued: 09/01/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Incorporated (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Incorporated (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Handman, Daniel F., Rahl, Kenneth E.
• Primary Examiner(s): English, Peter C.
• Application Number:
  US08/635,364
• Time in Patent Office: 865 Days
• Field of Search: 280/737, 280/736, 280/741, 280/742, 280/740, 280/735, 102/209, 102/206, 102/530, 102/531, 222/3, 137/68.13
• US Class Current: 280/735
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2633 with a plurality of inflation levels
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/017 including arrangements for providing electric power to safety arrangements or their actuating means, e.g. to pyrotechnic fuses or electro-mechanic valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/264 using instantaneous generation of gas, e.g. pyrotechnic B60R21/268 takes precedence

Abstract

A pressure vessel (12) contains a source of inflation fluid for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (11). The pressure vessel (12) includes a surface (52) which defines a passage (54) for inflation fluid to flow from the pressure vessel (12) into the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device. A device (68 and/or 96) inside the pressure vessel (12) sends or receives electrical signals. An energy transmitting device (70) transmits energy into or out of the pressure vessel (12) through a wall portion (24) of the pressure vessel (12). The energy transmitting device (70) includes a first portion (72) outside the pressure vessel (12) and a second portion (74) inside the pressure vessel (12). One of the first and second portions (72, 74) of the energy transmitting device (70) converts the energy into electrical current. The second portion (74) of the energy transmitting device (70) is electrically connected with the device inside the pressure vessel (12). In one embodiment, the device inside the pressure vessel (12) is a squib (68) which is actuated by electrical current to cause inflation fluid to flow from the pressure vessel (12).

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device;

a pressure vessel containing a source of inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said pressure vessel including surface means for defining a passage for inflation fluid to flow from said pressure vessel into said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device and having a wall portion;

a device inside said pressure vessel which sends or receives signals;

energy transmitting means for transmitting energy into said pressure vessel, said energy transmitting means including a first portion outside said pressure vessel and a second portion inside said pressure vessel, said first and second portions transmitting energy through said wall portion of said pressure vessel without electrical leads extending through said wall portion, one of said first and second portions of said energy transmitting means converting said energy into electrical current;

said second portion of said energy transmitting means being operatively coupled with said device inside said pressure vessel; and

a microprocessor inside said pressure vessel, said microprocessor being operatively coupled to said device and to said second portion of said energy transmitting means.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said device further includes at least one sensor operatively coupled to said microprocessor, said microprocessor monitoring said sensor and controlling the transmission of data from said sensor out of said pressure vessel.

3. An apparatus comprising:

an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device;

a pressure vessel containing a source of inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said pressure vessel including surface means for defining a passage for inflation fluid to flow from said pressure vessel into said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device and having a wall portion;

a device inside said pressure vessel which sends or receives signals;

energy transmitting means for transmitting energy into said pressure vessel, said energy transmitting means including a first portion outside said pressure vessel and a second portion inside said pressure vessel, said first and second portions transmitting energy through said wall portion of said pressure vessel without electrical leads extending through said wall portion, one of said first and second portions of said energy transmitting means converting said energy into electrical current;

said second portion of said energy transmitting means being operatively coupled with said device inside said pressure vessel,

said device inside said pressure vessel comprising an initiator means which is actuated by electrical current for causing inflation fluid to flow from said pressure vessel; and

a microprocessor inside said pressure vessel;

said initiator means being one of a plurality of initiator means which actuate to release the inflation fluid, said plurality of initiator means being controlled by, and operatively coupled to, said microprocessor.

4. An apparatus for use in inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said apparatus comprising:

a pressure vessel containing a source of inflation fluid for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said pressure vessel including surface means for defining a passage for said inflation fluid to flow from said pressure vessel into said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device;

said pressure vessel being made of a non-ferrous material and having a wall portion;

at least one initiator means inside said pressure vessel which is actuated by electrical current for causing inflation fluid to flow from said pressure vessel;

a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, said primary winding being located outside said pressure vessel and said secondary winding being located inside said pressure vessel;

said secondary winding being operatively coupled with said at least one initiator means; and

a microprocessor inside said pressure vessel operatively coupled to said secondary winding.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 4 further including a sensor inside said pressure vessel, said microprocessor monitoring said sensor and controlling the transmission of data from said sensor out of said pressure vessel.

6. An apparatus for use in inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said apparatus comprising:

a pressure vessel containing a source of inflation fluid for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said pressure vessel including surface means for defining a passage for said inflation fluid to flow from said pressure vessel into said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device;

said pressure vessel being made of a non-ferrous material and having a wall portion;

at least one initiator means inside said pressure vessel which is actuated by electrical current for causing inflation fluid to flow from said pressure vessel;

a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, said primary winding being located outside said pressure vessel and said secondary winding being located inside said pressure vessel;

said secondary winding being operatively coupled with said at least one initiator means;

said at least one initiator means comprising a plurality of initiator means which actuate to release the inflation fluid; and

a microprocessor inside said pressure vessel, said plurality of initiator means being controlled by, and operatively coupled to, said microprocessor.