Air bag tether release assembly

• US 6,454,300 B1
• Filed: 02/12/2002
• Issued: 09/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Autoliv Development AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Schatz, Patrick W., Winters, Mark Thomas, Kneisly, Ann L., Pinsenschaum, Ryan Todd, Hawthorn, Laura Adelle, Dunkle, Stephanie L, Ryan, Shawn Gregory
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FLEMING, FAYE M
• Application Number:
  US10/074,421
• Publication Number:
  US 20020117840A1
• Time in Patent Office: 224 Days
• Field of Search: 280/743.2, 280/743.1, 280/741, 280/742, 280/740, 280/739
• US Class Current: 280/742
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23382 Internal tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26094 characterised by fluid flow controlling valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2633 with a plurality of inflation levels
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2765 comprising means to control the venting
• 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 21/231 characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration
• 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 21/261 with means other than bag structure to diffuse or guide inflation fluid
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/272 with means for increasing the pressure of the gas just before or during liberation, e.g. hybrid inflators
• 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

A release mechanism of efficient construction and operation is provided to hold profile restraining air bag tethers in a shortened operative condition under a first set of predetermined conditions and to extend such tethers under a second set of predetermined conditions. The extension of the restraining tethers may be carried out in conjunction with the delivery of an increased volume of inflating gas to the air bag cushion utilizing a gas emitting inflator in conjunction with a dynamic variable inflation device to effect delivery of a proper volume of inflation gas while releasing the tethers from a restrained length condition.

Claims

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

a housing having an interior and an exterior and including at least one vent opening disposed between the interior and the exterior;

an inflator disposed within the housing, the inflator including at least one gas outlet opening and being activatable to discharge inflation gas upon the occurrence of predetermined vehicle conditions;

an inflatable air bag cushion 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 tethering element operatively connected to the air bag cushion, the tethering element further being releasably anchored at a first anchor location within the housing and fixedly anchored at least at a second anchor location; and

a displaceable vent blocking element selectively moveable in response to predetermined occupant conditions to establish a gas blocking barrier between said at least one gas outlet opening in the inflator and said at least one vent opening in the housing, the vent blocking element being adapted to translate at least one of a dynamic pushing or pulling displacement force to said at least one profile restraining tethering element upon movement of the vent blocking element such that said at least one profile restraining tethering element is forcibly displaced from said first anchor location by said dynamic pushing or pulling force substantially in conjunction with the establishment of a gas blocking barrier between said at least one gas outlet opening in the inflator and said at least one vent opening in the housing such that an increased volume of inflation gas is directed into the air bag cushion when said at least one profile restraining tethering element is displaced from said first anchor location and such that said at least one profile restraining tethering element is extended to an increased operative length extending away from said second anchor location.

2. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the displaceable vent blocking element is moveable in substantially axial relation to the inflator.

3. The invention according to claim 2, wherein the displaceable vent blocking element is of a substantially curved geometry including a concave surface disposed in opposing relation to the inflator.

8. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the displaceable vent blocking element is moveable in substantially transverse relation to the inflator.

9. The invention according to claim 8, wherein said at least one profile restraining tethering element is affixed to a locking tab element held in place by a stationary clip element and wherein the displaceable vent blocking element is adapted to impact the locking tab element upon being moved by a pressure applying driving element such that the displaceable vent blocking element pushes the locking tab element out of engagement with the stationary clip element.

10. The invention according to claim 8, wherein said at least one profile restraining tethering element is affixed to a break-away ring frangibly attached to a base element secured in place within the housing and wherein the displaceable vent blocking element is configured to impact the break-away ring upon being moved by a driving element such that the break-away ring is broken away from the base element and said at least one profile restraining tethering element is correspondingly extended to an enhanced operative length.

11. The invention according claim 10, wherein the break-away ring includes an internal bridge member to prevent disengagement of the break-away ring from said at least one profile restraining tethering element.

12. The invention according to claim 8, wherein said at least one profile restraining tethering element is affixed to a pin element secured within a mating sleeve, the pin element being held in place within the mating sleeve by at least one breakable shear tab such that a distal end of the pin element projects outwardly from the mating sleeve and towards the displaceable vent blocking element and wherein the displaceable vent blocking element is adapted to impact the distal end of the pin element upon being moved by a driving element such that upon impact the displaceable vent blocking element breaks the shear tab and the pin element is released from the mating sleeve.

13. The invention according to claim 8, wherein said at least one profile restraining tethering element is affixed over an anchoring hitch element and wherein the displaceable vent blocking element includes a bordered key opening normally disposed over the anchoring hitch such that said at least one profile restraining tethering element extends away from the anchoring hitch and through the key opening and such that upon movement of the displaceable vent blocking element by a driving element, the vent blocking element pushes said at least one profile restraining tethering element away from said anchoring hitch and said at least one profile restraining tethering element is pulled through the key opening as tension is applied during inflation of the air bag cushion.

25. The invention according to claim 1, wherein said housing includes a segmented channel structure adapted to slidingly contain therein a rod element moveable in conjunction with the displaceable vent blocking element, the rod element being further operatively attached to a moveable tether attachment element normally contained at a fixed position within the channel structure, the rod element and tether attachment element being moveable in the direction of a gap within the channel structure upon movement of the displaceable vent blocking element, such that upon movement of the displaceable vent blocking element the moveable tether attachment element passes at least partially into the gap and said at least one profile restraining tethering element is released from the moveable tether attachment element.

26. The invention according to claim 25, wherein the moveable tether attachment element comprises a containment structure of a substantially clamshell configuration including a mouth opening projecting in the direction of the gap within the channel such that upon being pushed into the gap the moveable tether attachment element undergoes progressive opening as tension is applied to said at least one profile restraining tethering element.

27. The invention according to claim 26, wherein said at least one profile restraining tethering element is held in sliding relation over a detent element within the containment structure.

28. The invention according to claim 26, wherein said at least one profile restraining tethering element is held within the containment structure by a hook and loop fabric.

29. The invention according to claim 25, wherein the moveable tether attachment element comprises a rotatable plug element, the plug element being normally restricted against rotation while disposed within the channel structure but being freely rotatable within the gap, the plug element being further adapted to disengage from said at least one profile restraining tethering element upon the occurrence of rotation induced by the application of tension to said at least one profile restraining tethering element.

30. The invention according to claim 29, wherein the plug element includes an integral hook structure to engage said at least one profile restraining tethering element.

31. The invention according to claim 30, wherein the plug element includes an integral detent element to engage said at least one profile restraining tethering element.

32. The invention according to claim 25, wherein the moveable tether attachment element comprises a sliding ball element riding within the channel.

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

a housing having an interior and an exterior and including at least one vent opening disposed between the interior and the exterior;

an inflator disposed within the housing, the inflator including at least one gas outlet opening and being activatable to discharge inflation gas upon the occurrence of predetermined vehicle conditions;

an inflatable air bag cushion 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 tethering element operatively connected to the air bag cushion, the tethering element further being releasably anchored at a first anchor location within the housing and fixedly anchored at least at a second anchor location; and

a displaceable vent blocking element selectively moveable in response to predetermined occupant conditions to establish a gas blocking barrier between said at least one gas outlet opening in the inflator and said at least one vent opening in the housing, the vent blocking element comprising a leading edge projecting in the direction of movement along the inflator and a wall portion normally disposed adjacent to an end wall of the housing, the wall portion of the displaceable vent blocking element including at least one slotted opening therein for acceptance of a stationary pin element extending inwardly into the housing, the stationary pin element being adapted to extend through a loop element operatively connected to said at least one profile restraining tethering element such that the loop element is normally held over the stationary pin element between the wall portion of the displaceable vent blocking element and said end wall of the housing such that upon movement of the displaceable vent blocking element away from said end wall the stationary pin element is disengaged from said at least one slotted opening within the wall portion of the displaceable vent blocking element whereby the loop element may be pulled away from the stationary pin element as tension is applied to said at least one profile restraining tethering element.

5. The invention as recited in claim 4, wherein a leaf spring element is disposed at the stationary pin element for disposition between the loop element and the end wall of the housing such that upon movement of the displaceable vent blocking element away from said end wall, the leaf spring element pushes the loop element away from the end wall.

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

a housing having an interior and an exterior and including at least one vent opening disposed between the interior and the exterior;

an inflator disposed within the housing, the inflator including at least one gas outlet opening and being activatable to discharge inflation gas upon the occurrence of predetermined vehicle conditions;

an inflatable air bag cushion 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 tethering element operatively connected to the air bag cushion, the tethering element further being releasably anchored at a first anchor location within the housing and fixedly anchored at a second anchor location; and

a displaceable vent blocking element selectively moveable in response to predetermined occupant conditions to establish a gas blocking barrier between said at least one gas outlet opening in the inflator and said at least one vent opening in the housing, wherein the vent blocking element blocking element is operatively connected to a pin element including a leg portion projecting towards an end wall of the housing, a stationary box channel element being affixed at the end wall of the housing and extending inwardly into the housing in the direction of movement of the displaceable vent blocking element, an expansible clip element being operatively connected to said at least one profile restraining tethering element and adapted to be inserted into the stationary box channel element such that upon insertion of the expansible clip element into the stationary box channel element a pin accepting opening within the expansible clip element is disposed in alignment with an aperture within the stationary box channel element in substantial alignment with the leg portion of the pin element projecting towards the end wall of the housing, the leg portion of the pin element being normally disposed through the aligned aperture within the stationary box channel element and the pin accepting opening within the expansible clip element such that a pair of hooked legs extending away from the pin accepting opening are normally spread in locking relation beneath the stationary box channel element such that the expansible clip element is normally held within the stationary box channel element and such that upon movement of the displaceable vent blocking element away from said end wall, the leg portion of the pin element is disengaged from the expansible clip element and the expansible clip element may be pulled away from the stationary box channel element as tension is applied to said at least one profile restraining tethering element.

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

a housing having an interior and an exterior and including at least one vent opening disposed between the interior and the exterior;

an inflator disposed within the housing, the inflator including at least one gas outlet opening and being activatable to discharge inflation gas upon the occurrence of predetermined vehicle conditions;

an inflatable air bag cushion 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 tethering element operatively connected to the air bag cushion, the tethering element further being releasably anchored at a first anchor location within the housing and fixedly anchored at a second anchor location; and

a displaceable vent blocking element selectively moveable in response to predetermined occupant conditions to establish a gas blocking barrier between said at least one gas outlet opening in the inflator and said at least one vent opening in the housing, the vent blocking element being operatively connected to an upwardly extending forked extension including a first upright bar, a cross bar projecting away from the first upright bar towards an end wall of the housing and away from the direction of movement of the displaceable vent blocking element and a second upright bar extending away from the cross bar at a location closer to the end wall than the first upright bar, the end wall including a pair of stationary pin elements extending inwardly away from the end wall in outboard relation to the forked extension, the stationary pin elements being adapted to extend through a loop element operatively connected to said at least one profile restraining tethering element such that the loop element is normally held around the stationary pin elements and over the cross bar between the first upright bar and the second upright bar such that upon movement of the displaceable vent blocking element away from said end wall the second upright bar pulls the loop element away from the stationary pin elements.

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

a housing having an interior and an exterior and including at least one vent opening disposed between the interior and the exterior;

an inflator disposed within the housing, the inflator including at least one gas outlet opening and being activatable to discharge inflation gas upon the occurrence of predetermined vehicle conditions;

an inflatable air bag cushion 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 tethering element operatively connected to the air bag cushion, the tethering element further being releasably anchored at a first anchor location within the housing; and

a displaceable vent blocking element selectively moveable in response to predetermined occupant conditions to establish a gas blocking barrier between said at least one gas outlet opening in the inflator and said at least one vent opening in the housing, wherein the displaceable vent blocking element is moveable in sliding relation along a side wall of the housing adjacent to said inflator.

15. The invention according to claim 14, wherein the displaceable vent blocking element comprises an elongate plate structure carried within a support channel extending along said side wall, the displaceable vent blocking element including a proximal end operatively connected to a force generating driving element activatable to move the displaceable vent blocking element within the support channel, the displaceable vent blocking element further including a distal end projecting in the direction of movement and lateral edges extending between the proximal and distal ends, wherein a key slot extends inwardly from a first one of the lateral edges, said key slot including a nose portion projecting towards the distal end of the displaceable vent blocking element, and wherein a tether retaining pin element projects away from said side wall and into the interior of the housing, the tether retaining pin element normally extending through the nose portion of said key slot, said at least one profile restraining tethering element including a loop element normally disposed in sliding relation over the tether retaining pin element such that a portion of said at least one profile restraining tethering element normally extends between said side wall and a portion of the displaceable vent blocking element adjacent to the nose portion of said key slot, the key slot further including an open portion extending away from said first one of the lateral edges such that upon activated movement of the displaceable vent blocking element in the direction of the distal end, the open portion of the key slot is shifted over the tether retaining pin element, whereby said at least one profile restraining tethering element is released from constriction between said side wall and the displaceable vent blocking element such that said at least one profile restraining tethering element is slideable away from the tether retaining pin element upon application of a tensioning force.

16. The invention as recited in claim 15, wherein the tether retaining pin element is angled upwardly.

17. The invention according to claim 14, wherein the displaceable vent blocking element comprises an elongate plate structure carried within a support channel extending along said side wall, the displaceable vent blocking element including a proximal end operatively connected to a force generating driving element activatable to move the displaceable vent blocking element within the support channel, the displaceable vent blocking element further including a distal end projecting in the direction of movement, wherein a stationary clip element is affixed to said side wall in overlying relation to the displaceable vent blocking element, the stationary clip element including a finger projection projecting in the direction of movement of the displaceable vent blocking element, said at least one profile restraining tethering element including a loop element normally disposed in sliding relation over the finger projection, said at least one profile restraining tethering element further being connected by a frangible attachment element to a portion of the displaceable vent blocking element such that upon activated movement of the displaceable vent blocking element in the direction of the distal end, the frangible attachment element carries said at least one profile restraining tethering element away from the finger projection and is thereafter held in place by the frangible attachment element until released by the application of a tensioning force.

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

a housing having an interior and an exterior and including at least one vent opening disposed between the interior and the exterior;

an inflator disposed within the housing, the inflator including at least one gas outlet opening and being activatable to discharge inflation gas upon the occurrence of predetermined vehicle conditions;

an inflatable air bag cushion 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 tethering element operatively connected to the air bag cushion, the tethering element further being releasably anchored at a first anchor location within the housing; and

a displaceable vent blocking element selectively moveable in response to predetermined occupant conditions to establish a gas blocking barrier between said at least one gas outlet opening in the inflator and said at least one vent opening in the housing, wherein the displaceable vent blocking element is moveable in rotating relation at least partially around said inflator in overlying relation to said at least one gas outlet opening and wherein the tethering element is concurrently released from said first anchor location within the housing and extended to an increased operative length.

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

a housing having an interior and an exterior, the housing comprising at least one vent opening disposed between the interior and the exterior;

at least one retaining stud projecting inwardly from a wall of the housing;

an inflator disposed within the housing, the inflator including at least one gas outlet opening and being activatable to discharge inflation gas upon the occurrence of predetermined vehicle conditions;

an inflatable air bag cushion 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 tethering element operatively connected to the air bag cushion, said at least one profile restraining tethering element further being releasably anchored in sliding relation over said at least one retaining stud; and

a displaceable vent blocking element selectively moveable in response to predetermined occupant conditions to establish a gas blocking barrier between said at least one gas outlet opening in the inflator and said at least one vent opening in the housing, the vent blocking element being operatively connected to a carrier element, said carrier element comprising a first wall and at least a second wall in substantially opposing relation to the first wall such that a gap is disposed between the first wall and the second wall, the carrier element including an acceptance opening for acceptance of said at least one retaining stud such that said at least one retaining stud normally extends across the gap between the first wall and the second wall and wherein said at least one profile restraining tethering element is normally held over said at least one retaining stud between the first wall and the second wall so as to extend outwardly away from the carrier element through the gap, the carrier element being displaceable away from said at least one retaining stud in conjunction with displacement of the vent blocking element such that said at least one profile restraining tethering element is forcibly carried away from said at least one retaining stud substantially in conjunction with the establishment of a gas blocking barrier between said at least one gas outlet opening in the inflator and said at least one vent opening in the housing such that an increased volume of inflation gas is directed into the air bag cushion when said at least one profile restraining tethering element is displaced from said at least one retaining stud and such that said at least one profile restraining tethering element is extended to an increased operative length.

20. The invention as recited in claim 19, comprising a plurality of retaining studs projecting inwardly from an end wall of the housing.

21. The invention as recited in claim 19, wherein said at least one retaining stud is held in swaged relation within an end wall of the housing at a location of enhanced thickness.

22. The invention as recited in claim 19 wherein said carrier is releasably attached in snap-in relation at an end wall of the housing.

23. The invention as recited in claim 19, wherein the air bag assembly includes a pressure generating squib in substantial alignment with a displaceable sleeve element operatively attached to said vent blocking element such that upon activation of said squib, said sleeve element is displaced from its normal position so as to move said vent blocking element at least partially over said at least one vent opening while simultaneously displacing the carrier element away from said at least one retaining stud.

24. The invention as recited in claim 23, wherein said displaceable sleeve is of an insert molded construction comprising a metal substrate overmolded with plastic.