Apparatus for directing the flow of inflation fluid into an air bag

• US 6,176,512 B1
• Filed: 10/21/1999
• Issued: 01/23/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• 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: Rodriguez, Alberto
• Primary Examiner(s): CULBRETH, ERIC D
• Application Number:
  US09/422,604
• Time in Patent Office: 460 Days
• Field of Search: 280/742, 280/743.1, 280/743.2, 280/728.2, 280/728.1, 280/736, 280/740
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23123 Heat protection panels
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23382 Internal tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2171 specially adapted for elongated cylindrical or bottle-like inflators with a symmetry axis perpendicular to the main direction of bag deployment, e.g. extruded reaction canisters B60R21/2176 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/233 comprising a plurality of individual compartments; comprising two or more bag-like members, one within the other B60R21/232 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2346 Soft diffusers

Abstract

An apparatus for helping to protect a vehicle occupant in a vehicle collision comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) having a mouth section (18) with a first opening (140) through which inflation fluid flows to inflate the occupant protection device. An inflator (16) provides the inflation fluid. A member (80) is located between the mouth section (18) and the inflator (16). The member (80) has a second opening (82) for directing the inflation fluid from the inflator (16) into the first opening (140). The second opening (82) has first and second portions (170 and 172). The second portion (172) of the second opening (82) overlies the first opening (140) in the mouth section (18). Inflation fluid from the inflator (16) thus enters the occupant protection device by flowing through the second portion (172) and through the first opening (140). The mouth section (18) includes a deflector part (160) blocking inflation fluid flow through the first portion (170) of the second opening (82) in the member (80) into the occupant protection device (12).

Claims

1. An apparatus for helping to protect a vehicle occupant seated in a passenger seat of a vehicle, the passenger seat having an inboard side and an outboard side, said apparatus comprising:

an inflatable air bag having first and second side panels connected by a center panel, each of said panels being made of a fabric material, said first side panel being disposed closer to the inboard side of the passenger seat and said second side panel being disposed closer to the outboard side of the passenger seat;

an inflator for providing inflation fluid to inflate said air bag, said inflator having oppositely disposed first and second ends, said first end of said inflator having a plurality of fluid nozzles;

said center panel of said air bag having first and second openings for directing inflation fluid from said inflator into said air bag, said first opening being located adjacent said first end of said inflator where said fluid nozzles are located, said second opening being located adjacent said second end of said inflator; and

a heat shield interposed between said center panel of said air bag and said inflator, said heat shield having a third opening overlying said first opening in said center panel;

said center panel of said air bag further including a fluid deflecting portion formed from a section of said fabric material, said fluid deflecting portion adjoining said first opening and extending across a portion of said third opening in said heat shield, said fluid deflecting portion blocking inflation fluid flow through a portion of said third opening and directing inflation fluid to flow through said first opening toward said first side panel of said air bag.

2. An apparatus for helping to protect a vehicle occupant in a vehicle collision, said apparatus comprising:

an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having a mouth section with a first opening through which inflation fluid flows to inflate said occupant protection device;

an inflator for providing said inflation fluid; and

a member located between said mouth section of said occupant protection device and said inflator, said member having a second opening for directing said inflation fluid from said inflator into said first opening, said second opening having first and second portions;

said second portion of said second opening in said member overlying said first opening in said mouth section of said occupant protection device so that inflation fluid from said inflator enters said occupant protection device by flowing through said second portion of said second opening in said member and through said first opening in said mouth section;

said mouth section of said occupant protection device including a deflector part blocking inflation fluid flow through said first portion of said second opening in said member into said occupant protection device, said deflector part of said mouth section lying adjacent said first opening in said mouth section,

said inflator having oppositely disposed first and second ends, said first end of said inflator having a plurality of fluid nozzles located adjacent said second opening in said member,

said mouth section of said occupant protection device including a third opening through which a small percentage of the total amount of inflation fluid flows to inflate said occupant protection device, said third opening being spaced from said first opening and being located adjacent said second end of said inflator.

3. An apparatus for helping to protect a vehicle occupant in a vehicle collision, said apparatus comprising:

an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having a mouth section with a first opening through which inflation fluid flows to inflate said occupant protection device;

an inflator for providing said inflation fluid; and

a member located between said mouth section of said occupant protection device and said inflator, said member having a second opening for directing said inflation fluid from said inflator into said first opening, said second opening having first and second portions;

said second portion of said second opening in said member overlying said first opening in said mouth section of said occupant protection device so that inflation fluid from said inflator enters said occupant protection device by flowing through said second portion of said second opening in said member and through said first opening in said mouth section;

said mouth section of said occupant protection device including a deflector part blocking inflation fluid flow through said first portion of said second opening in said member into said occupant protection device, said deflector part of said mouth section lying adjacent said first opening in said mouth section,

said member comprising a heat shield made of metal.

4. An apparatus for helping to protect a vehicle occupant in a vehicle collision, said apparatus comprising:

an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having a mouth section with a first opening through which inflation fluid flows to inflate said occupant protection device;

an inflator for providing said inflation fluid; and

a member located between said mouth section of said occupant protection device and said inflator, said member having a second opening for directing said inflation fluid from said inflator into said first opening, said second opening having first and second portions;

said second portion of said second opening in said member overlying said first opening in said mouth section of said occupant protection device so that inflation fluid from said inflator enters said occupant protection device by flowing through said second portion of said second opening in said member and through said first opening in said mouth section;

said mouth section of said occupant protection device including a deflector part blocking inflation fluid flow through said first portion of said second opening in said member into said occupant protection device, said deflector part of said mouth section lying adjacent said first opening in said mouth section; and

a reaction canister having a chamber in which said inflator is mounted.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a retaining ring located inside said occupant protection device and encircling said first opening, said retaining ring including a plurality of mounting studs projecting though a corresponding plurality of apertures in said occupant protection device surrounding said first opening, said plurality of studs being attached to said reaction canister to secure said occupant protection device to said reaction canister.