Vehicle occupant impact protection device
First Claim
1. A vehicle occupant impact protection device, comprising an air bag and an inflator, said air bag having at least one gas outlet port of adjustable cross-section, means being provided for adjusting said cross-section of said gas outlet port to a predetermined maximum cross-section, wherein said gas outlet port initially is totally closed by means of a valve which upon activation of said air bag is moved into an open position up to said maximum cross-section by means of an actuator, said valve being movable up to a stop in an opening direction by said actuator, said stop in turn being adjustable by means of a second actuator.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An air bag with an adjustable gas outlet port is disclosed. The cross-section of the gas outlet port is limited to a maximum value. The size of the gas outlet port determines a flow cross-section and thus a maximum possible gas outlet rate, which is thus limited to a predeterminable value. The value of the gas outlet cross-section is not altered during the restraint action. The value of the gas outlet cross-section is adjusted optimally to a respective occupant already before the air bag is inflated.
21 Citations
7 Claims
- 1. A vehicle occupant impact protection device, comprising an air bag and an inflator, said air bag having at least one gas outlet port of adjustable cross-section, means being provided for adjusting said cross-section of said gas outlet port to a predetermined maximum cross-section, wherein said gas outlet port initially is totally closed by means of a valve which upon activation of said air bag is moved into an open position up to said maximum cross-section by means of an actuator, said valve being movable up to a stop in an opening direction by said actuator, said stop in turn being adjustable by means of a second actuator.
- 6. A vehicle occupant impact protection device, comprising an air bag and an inflator, said air bag having at least one gas outlet port of adjustable cross-section, means being provided for adjusting said cross-section of said gas outlet port to a predetermined maximum cross-section, wherein said gas outlet port initially is totally closed and is positively opened to said maximum cross-section upon activation of said air bag, said cross-section of said gas outlet port being closed partly by an adjustable cover and partly by a slide valve, a cross-section portion covered by said cover being adjustable by means of a second actuator and remaining closed after activation of said air bag, whilst a cross-section portion covered by said slide valve is exposed after activation of said air bag by moving said valve by means of an actuator.
Specification