Variable profile air bag restraint

• US 6,422,597 B1
• Filed: 09/28/2000
• Issued: 07/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Autoliv Development AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Winters, Mark Thomas, Pinsenschaum, Ryan Todd, Hawthorn, Laura Adelle, Dunkle, Stephanie L, Ryan, Shawn Gregory, Greib, Gary R
• Primary Examiner(s): CULBRETH, ERIC D
• Application Number:
  US09/672,474
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• Field of Search: 280/743.2, 280/743.1, 280/735, 280/728.1, 280/728.2, 280/741
• US Class Current: 280/735
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/161 characterised by additional means for controlling deployment trajectory
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23382 Internal tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23386 External tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2765 comprising means to control the venting
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01538 for image processing, e.g. cameras or sensor arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01554 Seat position sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/205 in dashboards
• 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 21/2338 Tethers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/276 with means to vent the inflation fluid source, e.g. in case of overpressure B60R21/30 takes precedence; venting means on inflatable member walls B60R21/239

Abstract

An air bag assembly for cushioning restraint of an occupant in a vehicle during an impact event. The air bag assembly includes an inflator activatable to discharge inflation gas upon the occurrence of predetermined vehicle conditions and an air bag cushion including an interior surface in fluid communication with the inflator such that upon discharge of inflation gas from the inflator the air bag cushion is inflated to a deployed state. At least one profile restraining tether element is operatively connected to the air bag cushion such that the profile restraining tether element restrains the expansion of the air bag cushion upon introduction of the inflation gas to the air bag cushion. The profile restraining tether element is also releasably anchored to a substantially stationary retaining member so as to shorten the operative length of the profile restraining tether element such that the air bag cushion is inflatable to a first restrained depth when the profile restraining tether element is anchored to the retaining member. The profile restraining tether element is releasable from the retaining member upon the occurrence of predetermined occupant conditions at the time the air bag cushion is deployed such that the air bag cushion is inflatable to a second depth which is greater than the first restrained depth.

Claims

1. An air bag assembly for cushioning restraint of an occupant in a vehicle during an impact events the air bag assembly comprising:

an inflator activatable to discharge inflation gas upon the occurrence of predetermined vehicle conditions;

an air bag cushion including an interior surface in fluid communication with the inflator such that upon discharge of inflation gas from the inflator the air bag cushion is inflated to a deployed state from a location of deployment in substantially opposing relation to the occupant;

at least one profile restraining tether element operatively connected to the air bag cushion such that the profile restraining tether element restrains the expansion of the air bag cushion upon introduction of the inflation gas to the air bag cushion, the profile restraining tether element further being releasably anchored to a substantially stationary retaining member so as to shorten the operative length of the profile restraining tether element such that the air bag cushion is inflatable to a first restrained depth when the profile restraining tether element is anchored to the retaining member, the profile restraining tether element being releasable from the retaining member upon the occurrence of predetermined occupant conditions at the time the air bag cushion is deployed such that the air bag cushion is inflatable to a second depth which is greater than said first restrained depth when said predetermined occupant conditions occur, wherein the profile restraining tether element extends from fixed points of connection on the air bag cushion through one or more loop elements at the interior surface of the air bag cushion.

2. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the profile restraining tether element is releasably anchored to the retaining member by a female element extending in sliding relation over the retaining member.

3. An air bag assembly liar cushioning restraint of an occupant in a vehicle during an impact event, the air bag assembly comprising:

an inflator activatable to discharge inflation gas upon the occurrence of predetermined vehicle conditions;

an air bag cushion including an interior surface in fluid communication with the inflator such that upon discharge of inflation gas from the inflator the air bag cushion is inflated to a deployed state from a location of deployment in substantially opposing relation to the occupant;

at least one profile restraining tether element operatively connected lo the air bag cushion such that the profile restraining tether element restrains the expansion of the air bag cushion upon introduction of the inflation gas to the air bag cushion, the profile restraining tether element further being releasably anchored to a substantially stationary retaining member so as to shorten the operative length of the profile restraining tether element such that the air bag cushion is inflatable to a first restrained depth when the profile restraining tether clement is anchored lo the retaining members the profile restraining tether element being releasable from the retaining member upon the occurrence of predetermined occupant conditions at the time the air bag cushion is deployed such that the air bag cushion is inflatable to a second depth which is greater than said first restrained depth when said predetermined occupant conditions occur, wherein a moveable barrier element is disposed adjacent to the retaining member such that an anchoring relation is maintained between the retaining member and the profile restraining tether element until the moveable barrier element is moved away from the retaking member.

4. The invention according to claim 3, wherein the profile restraining tether element extends in angled relation away from the retaining member such upon movement of the moveable barrier element away from the retaining member the application of tension to the profile restraining tether element causes the profile restraining tether element to slidingly disengage from the retaining member.

5. An air bag assembly for cushioning restraint of an occupant in a vehicle during an impact event, the air bag assembly comprising:

an inflator activatable to discharge inflation gas upon the occurrence of predetermined vehicle conditions;

an air bag cushion including an interior surface in fluid communication with the inflator such that upon discharge of inflation gas from the inflator the air bag cushion is inflated to a deployed state from a location of deployment in substantially opposing relation to the occupant;

at least one profile restraining tether element operatively connected to the air bag cushion such that the profile restraining tether element restrains the expansion of the air bag cushion upon introduction of the inflation gas to the air bag cushion, the profile restraining tether element further being releasably anchored to a substantially stationary retaining member so as to shorten the operative length of the profile restraining tether element such that the air bag cushion is inflatable to a first restrained depth when the profile restraining tether element is anchored to the retaining member, the profile restraining tether element being releasable from the retaining member upon the occurrence of predetermined occupant conditions at the time the air bag cushion is deployed such that the air bag cushion is inflatable to a second depth which is greater than said first restrained depth when said predetermined occupant conditions occur, wherein the air bag assembly further comprises an actuatable variable inflation device to control the amount of inflation gas discharged into the air bag cushion and wherein the variable inflation device is actuated in conjunction with the release of the profile restraining tether element utilizing a single initiator to both actuate the variable inflation device and release the profile restraining tether element thereby directing additional inflation gas into the air bag cushion upon release of the profile restraining tether element.

6. An air bag assembly for cushioning restraint of an occupant in a vehicle during an impact event, the air bag assembly comprising;

an inflator having an initiator activatable to discharge inflation gas upon the occurrence of predetermined vehicle conditions;

an air bag cushion having an interior surface in fluid communication with the inflator such that upon discharge of inflation gas from the inflator the air bag cushion is inflated to a deployed state from a location of deployment in substantially opposing relation to the occupant,

at least one profile restraining tether element releasably anchored to a substantially stationary retaining member thereby shortening the operative length of the profile restraining tether element;

an actuatable inflation control device; and

an actuation mechanism including an initiator activatable in response to a signal based upon input data from one or more sensors measuring conditions of the occupant such that the actuation mechanism releases the profile restraining tether element from the retaining member and conjunctively directs additional inflation gas into the air bag upon the occurrence of predetermined occupant conditions at the time the air bag cushion is deployed such that the inflatable profile of the air bag is increased in instances when said predetermined occupant conditions occur, wherein the profile restraining tether element extends from fixed points of connection on the air bag cushion through one or more loop elements at the interior surface of the air bag cushion.

7. An air bag assembly for cushioning restraint of an occupant in a vehicle during an impact event, the air bag assembly comprising:

an inflator having an initiator activatable to discharge inflation gas upon the occurrence of predetermined vehicle conditions;

an air bag cushion having an interior surface in fluid communication with the inflator such that upon discharge of inflation gas from the inflator the air bag cushion is inflated to a deployed state from a location of deployment in substantially opposing relation to the occupant,

at least one profile restraining tether element releasably anchored to a substantially station retaining member thereby shortening the operative length of the profile restraining tether element;

an actuatable inflation control device; and

an actuation mechanism including an initiator activatable in response to a signal based upon input data from one or more sensors measuring conditions of the occupant such that the actuation mechanism releases the profile restraining tether element from the retaining member and conjunctively directs additional inflation gas into the air bag upon the occurrence of predetermined occupant conditions at the time the air bag cushion is deployed such that the inflatable profile of the air bag is increased in instances when said predetermined occupant conditions occur, wherein the profile restraining tether element is releasably anchored to the retaining member by a female element extending in sliding relation over the retaining member.

8. An air bag assembly for cushioning restraint of an occupant in a vehicle during an impact event, the air bag assembly comprising:

an inflator having an initiator activatable to discharge inflation gas upon the occurrence of predetermined vehicle conditions,

an air bag cushion having an interior surface in fluid communication with the inflator such that upon discharge of inflation gas from the inflator the air bag cushion is inflated to a deployed state from a location of deployment in substantially opposing relation to the occupant,

at least one profile restraining tether element releasably anchored to a substantially stationary retaining member thereby shortening the operative length of the profile restraining tether element;

an actuatable inflation control device; and

an actuation mechanism including an initiator activatable in response to a signal based upon input data from one or more sensors measuring conditions of the occupant such that the actuation mechanism releases the profile restraining tether element from the retaining member and conjunctively directs additional inflation gas into the air bag upon the occurrence of predetermined occupant conditions at the time the air bag cushion is deployed such that the inflatable profile of the air bag is increased in instances when said predetermined occupant conditions occur, wherein a moveable barrier element is disposed adjacent to the retaining member such that an anchoring relation is maintained between the retaining member and the profile restraining tether element until the moveable barrier element is moved away from the retaining member.

9. The invention according to claim 8, wherein the profile restraining tether element extends in angled relation away from the retaining member such that upon movement of the moveable barrier element away from the retaining member the application of tension to the profile restraining tether element causes the profile restraining tether element to slidingly disengage from the retaining member.

10. The invention according to claim 9, wherein the profile restraining tether element is releasably anchored to the retaining member by a ring element operatively connected to a strap element attached to the profile restraining tether element.

11. The invention according to claim 9, wherein the profile restraining tether element is releasably anchored to the retaining member by a loop formed on a strap attached to the profile restraining tether element.

12. An air bag assembly for cushioning restraint of an occupant in a vehicle during an impact event the air bag assembly comprising:

an inflator having an initiator activatable to discharge inflation gas upon the occurrence of predetermined vehicle conditions;

an air bag cushion having an interior surface in fluid communication with the inflator such that upon discharge of inflation gas from the inflator the air bag cushion is inflated to a deployed state from a location of deployment in substantially opposing relation to the occupant,

at least one profile restraining tether element releasably anchored to a substantially stationary retaining member thereby shortening the operative length of the profile restraining tether element;

an actuatable inflation control device; and

an actuation mechanism including an initiator activatable in response to a signal based upon input data from one or more sensors measuring conditions of the occupant such that the actuation mechanism releases the profile restraining tether element from the retaining member and conjunctively directs additional inflation gas into the air bag upon the occurrence of predetermined occupant conditions at the time the air bag cushion is deployed such that the inflatable profile of the air bag is increased in instances when said predetermined occupant conditions occur, wherein the actuation mechanism comprises a pyrotechnic initiator device activatable during operation of the inflator and a moveable plunger having a reaction surface, wherein a moveable barrier element is attached to the plunger adjacent to the retaining member, and wherein the initiator device is capable of generating pressure against the reaction surface of the plunger to move the plunger such that the moveable barrier element is carried away from the retaining member thereby permitting the tether element to disengage from the retaining member upon the application of tension to the tether element as the air bag cushion is inflated.

13. An air bag assembly for cushioning restraint of an occupant in a vehicle during an impact event, the air bag assembly comprising:

an inflator having an initiator activatable to discharge inflation gas upon the occurrence of predetermined vehicle conditions;

an air bag cushion having an interior surface in fluid communication with the inflator such that upon discharge of inflation gas from the inflator the air bag cushion is inflated to a deployed state from a location of deployment in substantially opposing relation to the occupants,

at least one profile restraining tether element releasably anchored to a substantially stationary retaining member thereby shortening the operative length of the profile retraining tether element;

an actuatable inflation control device; and

an actuation mechanism including an initiator activatable in response to a signal based upon input data from one or more sensors measuring conditions of the occupant such that the actuation mechanism releases the profile restraining tether element from the retaining member and conjunctively directs additional inflation gas into the air bag upon the occurrence of predetermined occupant conditions at the time the air bag cushion is deployed such that the inflatable profile of the air bag is increased in instances when said predetermined occupant conditions occur, wherein the actuatable inflation control device comprises a moveable member alignable with a vent opening within a housing containing the inflator, the moveable member being moveable relative to the vent opening upon activation of the actuation mechanism thereby at least partially blocking the vent opening in conjunction with release of the tether element from the retaining member to increase the amount of inflation gas discharged into the air bag as the inflatable volume of the air bag is increased.

14. An air bag assembly for cushioning restraint of an occupant in a vehicle during an impact event, the air bag assembly comprising:

an inflator having an initiator activatable to discharge inflation gas upon the occurrence of predetermined vehicle conditions;

an air bag cushion having an interior surface in fluid communication with the inflator such that upon discharge of inflation gas from the inflator the air bag cushion is inflated to a deployed state from a location of deployment in substantially opposing relation to the occupant,

at last one profile restraining tether element releasably anchored to a substantially stationary retaining member thereby shortening the operative length of the profile restraining tether element;

an actuatable inflation control device; and

an actuation mechanism comprising a single initiator activatable during operation of the inflator in response to a signal based upon input data from one or more sensors measuring characteristics of the occupant such that upon activation of said single initiator, the actuation mechanism releases the profile restraining tether element from the retaining member and conjunctively directs additional inflation gas into the air bag upon the occurrence of predetermined occupant characteristics at the time the air bag cushion is deployed such that the inflatable profile of the air bag is increased in instances when said predetermined occupant characteristics occur.

15. The invention according to claim 14, wherein the actuation mechanism comprises a moveable plunger having a reaction surface, wherein a moveable barrier element is attached to the plunger adjacent to the retaining member, and wherein the single initiator generates pressure against the reaction surface of the plunger to move the plunger such that the moveable barrier element is carried away from the retaining member thereby permitting the profile restraining tether element to slidingly disengage from the retaining member upon the application of tension to the profile restraining tether element as the air bag cushion is inflated.

16. The invention according to claim 15, wherein the actuatable inflation control device comprises a moveable member alignable with a vent opening within a housing containing the inflator, the moveable member being moveable relative to the vent opening upon activation of the actuation mechanism thereby closing the vent opening in conjunction with release of the tether element from the retaining member to increase the amount of inflation gas discharged into the air bag as the inflatable volume of the air bag is increased.