Adaptive restraint system

• US 6,497,431 B1
• Filed: 03/27/2001
• Issued: 12/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Schramm, Michael R.
• Primary Examiner(s): English, Peter C.
• Application Number:
  US09/819,463
• Time in Patent Office: 637 Days
• Field of Search: 280/739, 280/738, 280/736, 280/742, 280/735
• US Class Current: 280/736
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26094 characterised by fluid flow controlling valves
• 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 21/276 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

The adaptive airbag system is an invention that because of its unique design, will adjust an overload valve opening resistance force such that the airbag is capable of more aggressive deployment in response to a more aggressive requirement indication and such that the airbag is capable of less aggressive deployment in response to a less aggressive requirement indication. Because the adaptive airbag system employs an inflator enclosing adjustable reaction canister rather than a uniquely designed inflator per application, the invention provides for greater economies of scale in inflator production. The invention also provides for readily reprogrammable deployment parameters post airbag to vehicle installation. The invention is principally intended to avoid dangerous overly aggressive deployments such as for children and small statured adults, without sacrificing sufficiently aggressive deployments such as for larger or non seatbelted adults.

Claims

1. An inflatable restraint apparatus comprising:

an inflatable device;

an inflation fluid source within a canister;

at least one first outlet formed in the canister through which inflation fluid flows into the inflatable device;

a second outlet formed in the canister through which inflation fluid is vented away from the inflatable device; and

a valve controlling the flow of inflation fluid through the second outlet, the valve including a spring located between first and second caps, and a linear actuator that is generally coaxial with the spring,

wherein the first cap covers the second outlet when the valve is closed, and extension of the actuator causes compression of the spring such that greater compression