Airbag system with controlled inflation

• US 6,322,102 B1
• Filed: 01/16/2001
• Issued: 11/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated), BMW AG (Bayerische Motoren Werke AG)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated), BMW AG (Bayerische Motoren Werke AG)
• Inventors: Pantke, Siegfried, Rau, Sven
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fleming, Faye M.
• Application Number:
  US09/700,607
• Time in Patent Office: 315 Days
• Field of Search: 280/736, 280/737, 280/739, 280/740, 280/741, 280/742
• US Class Current: 280/736
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26094 characterised by fluid flow controlling valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2615 for diverting the gas into a plurality of bags
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/23138 specially adapted for side protection B60R21/23184, B60R21/232 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/26 characterised by the inflation fluid source or means to control inflation fluid flow arrangement or mounting thereof to the vehicle B60R21/20; blasting cartridges for producing gas under pressure in general F42B3/04; initiators or igniters therefor F42B3/10

Abstract

The invention relates to an airbag system in a safety system, especially in motor vehicles, including a gas generator arranged in a gas guide housing (10), and at least one airbag connected to an assigned connection opening (11). The inventive airbag system also has a sliding element (16) which can be relatively displaced in the gas guide housing. The sliding element is provided as a valve element for controlling the inflation process of the airbag. An additional opening for connecting an additional airbag is configured in the airbag system. The sliding element is also configured as a sliding sleeve (16) which encompasses the tubular gas generator in a concentric manner and which can be displaced between an opened position and a closed position for the connection opening (11), the opening being radially configured in the wall of the gas guide housing (10).

Claims

1. An airbag arrangement in a safety system, comprising:

a gas guide housing having radially formed in a wall thereof a first connection opening for connection of at least one inflatable airbag;

a tubular gas generator disposed in said housing so as to form an annular gap between said generator and said housing;

a sliding sleeve, as a valve member, disposed in said housing and extending concentrically around said gas generator, wherein said sliding sleeve is translationally displaceable in said annular gap relative to said first connection opening between an open position and a closed position of said first connection opening for controlling an inflation process of said at least one airbag; and

a cover for closing off one side of said housing, wherein said cover acts as a stop for said sliding sleeve, wherein in a first position said sliding sleeve is disposed at a distance from said cover, which distance constitutes a possible displacement path for said sliding sleeve, such that gas released by said gas generator acts on one side of said sliding sleeve to establish different pressure levels on opposite sides of said sliding sleeve as viewed in a direction of movement thereof, and to cause said sliding sleeve to move to a second position, and wherein a second connection opening is formed on a side of said housing opposite said cover for connection of an additional airbag.

2. An airbag arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said sliding sleeve is provided with at least one U-shaped open section that extends in a longitudinal direction of said sliding sleeve and is closed in the direction of said closed position of said sliding sleeve, wherein said open section exposes gas discharge openings of said gas generator.

3. An airbag arrangement according to claim 2, wherein anti-rotation means is provided for guiding said sliding sleeve relative to said housing during displacement of said sliding sleeve.

4. An airbag arrangement according to claim 3, wherein said anti-rotation means is a pin that is disposed on said housing and engages in a linearly extending longitudinal slot of said sliding sleeve.

5. An airbag arrangement according to claim 2, which includes means for guiding said sliding element on said housing with a rotational movement that overlaps said translational movement thereof.

6. An airbag arrangement according to claim 5, wherein said housing is provided with a pin that engages a guide slot of said sliding sleeve, wherein said guide slot is helical in a longitudinal direction and extends circumferentially.

7. An airbag arrangement according to claim 2, which includes a releaseable fastening means for fixing said sliding sleeve in said open position thereof.

8. An airbag arrangement according to claim 7, wherein a separate drive is provided for said sliding sleeve for moving said fastening means into its release position thereof.

9. An airbag arrangement according to claim 7, wherein said fastening means is a shear pin.

10. An airbag arrangement according to claim 7, wherein said fastening means is a locking connection that is releaseable under pressure.

11. An airbag arrangement according to claim 2, wherein retaining means are provided for fixing said sliding sleeve in its closed position on said housing.

12. An airbag arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said cover for closing off one side of said housing is provided with relief bores.

13. An airbag arrangement according to claim 12, wherein said relief bores are closed off by said sliding sleeve when said sleeve is in its closed position.

14. An airbag arrangement according to claim 2, wherein a spring is disposed between said cover and said sliding sleeve for controlling displacement of said sliding sleeve.

15. An airbag arrangement according to claim 2, wherein a spring is supported on said housing and biases said sliding sleeve in its closed position.

16. An airbag arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said sliding sleeve is provided with a magnetic section, and wherein an outer surface of said housing is provided with a magnet that assists movement of said sliding sleeve into its closed position.

17. An airbag arrangement according to claim 2, wherein a sliding seal is provided for sealing said sliding sleeve against a wall of said housing.

18. An airbag arrangement according to claim 2, wherein a single housing is provided with a plurality of first connection openings, with a respective sliding sleeve being associated with each of said first connection openings.