Method of filling an empty, flexible container, and a container device

• US 6,186,540 B1
• Filed: 06/11/1999
• Issued: 02/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AGA AB (Linde Plc)
• Original Assignee: AGA AB (Linde Plc)
• Inventors: Edgren, Hans
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fleming, Faye M.
• Application Number:
  US09/319,847
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• Field of Search: 280/740, 280/741, 280/742, 280/735, 280/736, 280/739, 280/734, 280/743.1, 280/743.2
• US Class Current: 280/735
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23382 Internal tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2633 with a plurality of inflation levels
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01504 detecting bag displacement
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01508 detecting forces or pressure in bags or modules
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2338 Tethers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/264 using instantaneous generation of gas, e.g. pyrotechnic B60R21/268 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/268 using instantaneous release of stored pressurised gas B60R21/26005 takes precedence

Abstract

The present invention relates to apparatus for filling an empty, flexible container (8) with gas essentially instantaneously when subjected to powerful retardation forces, wherein the gas-filled container (8) functions as a force-absorbing cushion which protects against injuries, wherein the apparatus includes pressure receptacles (1, 2) which is filled with gas under high pressure, a conduit (5) which connects the receptacles (1, 2) with the container (8), means for opening the connection between the receptacles (1, 2) and the flexible container (8) when subjected to retardation forces that exceed a smallest value, a container-holding device (7), and a retardation meter. The vessel is comprised of two pressure receptacles (1, 2) which are each sealed by means of a closure means and each of which has a respective connection conduit (3 and 4) which joins pressure receptacles (1, 2) to the flexible container (8). One pressure receptacle (1) contains oxygen and an inert gas while the other receptacle (2) contains inert gas and hydrogen, wherein the inert gas is helium, argon and/or nitrogen.

Claims

1. A method of filling an empty, flexible container to be provided in a vehicle with a gas when the container is subjected to a powerful retardation, wherein the gas-filled container functions as a force absorbing cushion which protects against injuries, said method comprising the following steps of operation:

partly filling the container during a first filling step,

sensing a value of a parameter reflecting the size of the container as a result of an object or a person being positioned in the expansion zone of the container, and

continuing filling of the container during a second filling step if said value indicates that no object or person is positioned within the expansion zone of the container and not performing said second filling step if said value indicates that an object or person is positioned within the expansion zone of the container.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said parameter includes a length of the container along one direction and that said second filling step is performed if said length exceeds a predetermined level after the first filling step.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein said one direction is substantially opposite to a travel direction of said vehicle.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said parameter includes a pressure within the container and that said second filling step is performed if said pressure is below a predetermined pressure level after the first filling step.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first filling step comprises partly filling the container by supplying at least one gas to said container.

6. A method according to any of claims 1-4, wherein said first filling step comprises partly filling the container by supplying at least two gases to said container and the second filling step comprises filling the container by igniting said at least two gases.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein said at least two gases include oxygen and hydrogen.

8. A method according to claim 6, wherein said at least two gases comprise an inert component including at least one of argon, helium and nitrogen.

9. A method according to claim 7, wherein said at least two gases comprise an inert component including at least one of argon, helium and nitrogen.

10. A container device for a vehicle, comprising a flexible container (1) provided to be filled with gas when the container device is subjected to a powerful retardation and thereby to function as a force absorbing cushion which protects against injuries, said container device comprising:

first filling means (3, 4) for partly filling the container during a first filling step,

means (11, 12, 14) for sensing a parameter reflecting a size of the container (1) as a result of an object or person being positioned within an expansion zone of the container, and

control means for activating a second filling means (10) for continuing filling of the container (1) during a second filling step if said parameter indicates that no object or person is positioned within the expansion zone of the container (1) and for not initiating the second filling step if said parameter indicates that the object or person is positioned within the expansion zone of the container (1).

11. A device according to claim 10, wherein said sensing means (11, 12, 14) is adapted to detect a length of the container (1) along one direction.

12. A device according to claim 11, wherein said sensing means comprises control means (7,10) arranged to initiate said second filling step if the detected length exceeds a predetermined level after the first filling step.

13. A device according to claim 12, wherein said sensing means comprises a distance measuring device (14) provided to detect a substantially outermost position of the container (1) along said one direction.

14. A device according to claim 13, wherein said sensing means comprises at least one flexible wire (11) mounted in the container (1) and having a length substantially corresponding to said predetermined length.

15. A device according to claim 14, wherein the flexible container (1) is supported by a base member (2), said control means comprises an actuating device (12) mounted to the base member (2), and said at least one flexible wire (12) is attached to an inner wall of the container (1) and to the actuating device (12), said actuating device (12) being arranged to initiate said second filling step if said at least one flexible wire (11) is extended to its full length during the first filling step.

16. A device according to claim 11, wherein said sensing means comprises a pressure sensor (14) for sensing pressure within the container (1) and control means (7, 10) arranged to initiate said second filling step if the pressure sensed by said sensor (14) after the first filling step is below a predetermined pressure level.

17. A device according to any one of claims 11-16, wherein said first filling means comprises a first pressure receptacle (3) which is filled with a first gas mixture under high pressure, a second pressure receptacle (4) which is filled with second gas mixture under high pressure, and conduit means (5, 6, 16) connecting the first and second receptacles (3, 4) to an interior of the flexible container.

18. A device according to claim 17, wherein said second filling means comprises ignition means (10) provided in the flexible container (1) to ignite a mixture of the first gas mixture and the second gas mixture within the flexible container (1).