Inflatable metal structure with built-in pyrotechnic charge

• US 6,543,801 B2
• Filed: 07/08/2002
• Issued: 04/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Livbag Snc
• Original Assignee: Livbag Snc
• Inventors: Perotto, Christian, Lebaudy, Franck
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAN, HAU VAN
• Application Number:
  US10/189,397
• Publication Number:
  US 20020180185A1
• Time in Patent Office: 274 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.1, 280/728.2, 280/731, 280/728.3, 280/729, 280/730.1, 280/732, 280/734, 280/738, 280/739, 280/740, 280/742, 280/743.1, 280/743.2
• US Class Current: 280/728.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2019/007 Means for adjusting or regulating the crash absorption capacity of the vehicle, e.g. when detecting an impending collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23528 Metal
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/16 Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags protective garments with automatically inflatable shock-absorbing means A41D13/018; connection of valves to inflatable elastic bodies B60C29/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/207 in vehicle seats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/217 Inflation fluid source retainers, e.g. reaction canisters; Connection of bags, covers, diffusers or inflation fluid sources therewith or together
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2646 the reacting substances being supported by the inflatable member walls, or by a flexible support within it

Abstract

A safety device housed in a motor vehicle and used in the field of automobile safety has an impervious inflatable metal bag fixed to a support, a pyrotechnic charge, and an ignition device intended to be connected to a source of electrical current. The bag includes a first metal sheet which has a central orifice, an intermediate fixing zone attached to the support and a peripheral fixing zone and a solid domed second metal sheet which has a peripheral fixing zone. The two metal sheets are fixed together at their peripheral fixing zones. The pyrotechnic charge is contained in the bag.

Claims

1. A safety device housed in a motor vehicle comprising:

i) an impervious inflatable metal bag fixed to a support;

ii) a pyrotechnic charge;

iii) an ignition device intended to be connected to a source of electrical current, wherein,

iv) the impervious inflatable metal bag includes a first metal sheet which has a central orifice, an intermediate fixing zone attached to the support and a peripheral fixing zone and a solid domed second metal sheet which has a peripheral fixing zone, the two metal sheets being fixed together at their peripheral fixing zones, wherein,

v) the pyrotechnic charge is contained in the impervious inflatable metal bag, wherein,

vi) the support consists of a cylindrical body having a flat top surface to which the first metal sheet is fixed, and wherein,

vii) the body includes a discoid plate which has a side wall, and passing through the discoid plate is a radial channel which starts in the side wall and ends in at least two widened terminations in the flat top surface.

2. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein,

i) the radial channel contains two electrodes which conduct electrical current, and

ii) each of the two widened terminations of the radial channel contains an ignition bead.

3. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein a perforated piece, contained in the bag and fixed into the flat top surface of the body, holds the pyrotechnic charge in place.

4. The safety device according to claim 3, wherein the pyrotechnic charge is produced in the form of a flat sheet, the flat sheet being wedged between the perforated piece and a spring, the spring bearing against the flat top surface of the body.

5. The safety device according to claim 4, wherein the pyrotechnic charge includes a composite pyrotechnic composition comprising a silicone binder and an inorganic oxidizing charge.

6. The safety device according to claim 3, wherein the pyrotechnic charge consists of loose powder.

7. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein the safety device is positioned at the front of the seat part of a passenger seat to raise the passenger in the moments following a collision.

8. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein the safety device is positioned in the bottom part of the dashboard so as to protect the lower limbs of the front-seat passengers of the vehicle in a collision.

9. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein the safety device is positioned to strengthen certain parts of the structure of the vehicle in a collision.