Air bag module with electronically modulated vent

• US 6,550,807 B1
• Filed: 11/21/2000
• Issued: 04/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Incorporated (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Incorporated (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Faigle, Ernst M., Sparks, Tracy S.
• Primary Examiner(s): CULBRETH, ERIC D
• Application Number:
  US09/717,918
• Time in Patent Office: 882 Days
• Field of Search: 280/739, 280/736, 280/741, 280/742, 280/728.2
• US Class Current: 280/739
• 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

A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) and an inflation fluid source (18). The apparatus (10) includes a structure (14) having a vent opening (50) for directing inflation fluid away from the inflatable device (12). The apparatus (10) also includes a member (60) movable between a closed condition closing the vent opening (50) and an open condition enabling flow of inflation fluid (14) through the vent opening. The apparatus (10) includes an electrically energizable mechanism (70) to move the member (60) from the closed condition to the open condition to vent inflation fluid through the vent opening (50). The mechanism (70) can also move the member (60) from the open condition to the closed condition to inhibit venting of inflation fluid through the vent opening (50).

Claims

1. A vehicle occupant protection apparatus comprising:

a housing having a plurality of walls defining a chamber;

an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device located in said chamber and having a deflated condition and an inflated condition for helping to protect a vehicle occupant;

an inflation fluid source located in said chamber and actuatable to provide inflation fluid to inflate said inflatable device;

said inflation fluid source including a main body portion and a fluid outlet assembly, said fluid outlet assembly comprising;

an inflation fluid outlet and a neck portion located between said main body portion and said inflation fluid outlet;

a vent tube extending transversely from said neck portion, said vent tube being connected with and extending through said housing wall, said vent tube having a vent opening for directing inflation fluid away from said inflatable device;

a member located in said vent tube and movable between a closed condition closing said vent opening and an open condition enabling flow of inflation fluid through said vent opening; and

an electrically energizable mechanism to move said member from the closed condition to the open condition to vent inflation fluid through said vent opening and to move said member from the open condition to the closed condition to inhibit venting of inflation fluid through said vent opening.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said vent tube supports said inflation fluid source in said housing.