Stiffening system for structural member of motor vehicle frame

• US 5,908,204 A
• Filed: 12/12/1997
• Issued: 06/01/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Morton International Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Morton International Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Smith, Bradley W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Application Number:
  US08/989,580
• Time in Patent Office: 536 Days
• Field of Search: 180/274, 280/735, 280/731, 280/741, 280/743.1, 280/734, 280/784, 280/785, 296/188, 296/189
• US Class Current: 280/741
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/45 Other types, e.g. external jets for stability with particular characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/00 Wheel guards; Radiator guards, e.g. grilles; Obstruction removers; Fittings damping bouncing force in collisions reinforcement elements for side doors B60J5/0412; mudguards B62D
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2019/007 Means for adjusting or regulating the crash absorption capacity of the vehicle, e.g. when detecting an impending collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2615 for diverting the gas into a plurality of bags
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2032 the inflator or inflatable member not being rotatable with the steering wheel; Arrangements using the steering column or steering wheel rim for storing, supplying or evacuating the inflation gas or for storing the inflatable member
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/33 Arrangements for non-electric triggering of inflation electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements B60R21/01
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 21/152 Front or rear frames
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 21/16 having fluid storage compartment

Abstract

A collision- or rapid deceleration-initiated stiffening system for a structural member of a motor vehicle frame. The system includes a structural member that defines a hollow, substantially gas-tight interior. The system also includes an inflator for pressurizing the interior of the structural member to increase the stiffness and the axial or buckle strength of the structural member upon collision or rapid deceleration of the motor vehicle. The inflator may produce inflation gas for pressurizing the structural member from different sources including the burning of solid pyrotechnic gas generant or the release of a stored gas, for example. In addition, the inflator may be initiated by different initiators including an electrical initiator squib connected to a remote deceleration sensor or a depressible initiator plunger in alignment with a bumper strut, for example. The inflator also may be used to inflate an airbag cushion of an airbag module in addition to pressurizing the structural member.

Claims

1. A collision- or rapid deceleration-initiated system for increasing rigidity and axial buckle strength of an elongated structural frame member of a motor vehicle frame, the system comprising:

at least one elongated structural frame member of a motor vehicle, the structural member containing a hollow, substantially gas-tight interior;

at least one airbag module having an inflatable airbag cushion;

pressurizing means for introducing pressurized fluid into the gas-tight interior of the at least one structural frame member to pressurize the gas-tight interior of the structural frame member to a predetermined level whereby rigidity and axial buckle strength of the elongated structural frame member is increased and for essentially simultaneously introducing pressurized fluid into the inflatable airbag cushion of the at least one airbag module to inflate the inflatable airbag cushion upon rapid deceleration or collision of the motor vehicle.

2. The stiffening system of claim 1 wherein the pressurizing means comprises:

an inflator in fluid communication with the gas-tight interior of the at least one structural frame member and the inflatable airbag cushion of the at least one airbag module for providing pressurized fluid in the form of inflation gas upon initiation of the inflator;

initiating means for initiating the inflator; and

triggering means connected to or positioned with respect to the initiating means for triggering the initiating means upon rapid deceleration or collision of the motor vehicle.

3. The stiffening system of claim 2 wherein:

the at least one structural frame member defines an opening communicating with the gas-tight interior;

the inflator defines at least one gas exhaust port for releasing the inflation gas;

a conduit connecting the at least one gas exhaust port of the inflator with the opening defined by the at least one structural frame member, whereby the at least one gas exhaust port communicates with the gas-tight interior of the at least one structural frame member establishing the fluid communication between the inflator and the gas-tight interior of the at least one structural frame member; and

a conduit connecting the at least one gas exhaust port of the inflator with the inflatable airbag cushion of the at least one airbag module, whereby the at least one gas exhaust port communicates with the inflatable airbag cushion of the at least one airbag module establishing the fluid communication between the inflator and the inflatable airbag cushion of the at least one airbag module.