Device for controlled deflation of a gas bag

• US 6,705,642 B1
• Filed: 02/20/2002
• Issued: 03/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering SARL, DaimlerChrysler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: IEE - International Electronics & Engineering S.A., DaimlerChrysler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Meyer, Michael, Rudolf, Harald, Petri, Volker, Hauer, Ernst Johann, Serban, Bogdan, Witte, Michel
• Primary Examiner(s): Dunn, David R.
• Application Number:
  US10/049,929
• Time in Patent Office: 755 Days
• Field of Search: 280/739, 280/734, 280/743.1, 280/731, 280/732, 280/735
• US Class Current: 280/739
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23576 Sewing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01528 mounted on the bag
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/239 characterised by their venting means

Abstract

A device for deflating a gas bag includes a gas bag having a deflation opening which is closed along a breakable, predetermined line. The predetermined breaking line includes a closure element and is breakable by melting or sublimating the closure element.

Claims

1. A device for deflating a gas bag said gas bag comprising at least one deflation opening which is closed at a breakable, predetermined breaking line, wherein said predetermined breaking line comprises a closure element and wherein said breaking line is breakable by actively and selectively melting or sublimating said closure element at any stage of inflation of said gas bag.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined breaking line comprises a closure seam manufactured according to an appropriate manufacturing technique in the material of said gas bag and wherein said closure element comprises a seam fiber manufactured of said material of said gas bag.

3. The device according to claim 2 wherein an electrical heating element, in particular an electrically conductive heating fiber, is associated with said seam fiber, said heating element heating said seam fiber to a temperature above the melting temperature of said material of said gas bag at at least one position when an electrical current is passed through said heating element.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined breaking line comprises a closure seam and wherein said closure element comprises a seam fiber made from an electrically conductive material.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined breaking line comprises a first and a second row of closure members, said closure members of said first row being arranged on a first edge of said deflation opening of said gas bag, and said closure members of said second row being arranged in such a manner on a second edge of said deflation opening of said gas bag that said closure members of said first row and said closure members of said second row are offset relative to one another in the direction of said predetermined breaking line, wherein said closure members of said first row and said closure members of said second row interlockingly engage in a closed condition of said gas bag and wherein said closure element comprises an electrically conductive fiber, which holds together said first and said second row of closure members at at least one position.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein said predetermined breaking line is designed as a slide-less zip fastener, which is worked into said deflation opening of a gas bag.

7. The device according to claim 5, wherein at least one of said rows of closure members comprises a gap in such a manner that a chain formed in said closed condition of said gas bag by said interlocking closure members is interrupted at one position and comprises an opening, and wherein said electrically conductive fiber is arranged for holding together said first and second row of closure members in the region of this opening.

8. The device according to claim 5, wherein said closure members of said first row and said closure members of said second row do not interlock at one position, in such a manner that a chain formed in said closed condition of said gas bag by said interlocking closure members is interrupted at this position and comprises an opening, and wherein said electrically conductive fiber is arranged for holding together said first and second row of closure members in the region of this opening.

9. The device according to claim 5, wherein said closure element encloses said first and second row of closure members.

10. The device according to claim 5, wherein at least some of said closure members of said first and second row are designed in a loop shape in such a manner that a chain formed in said closed condition of said gas bag by said interlocking closure members comprises a longitudinal channel at one position in the interior of said loop-shaped closure members running in the direction of said predetermined breaking line, and wherein said closure element is inserted at least partially in said longitudinal channel.

11. The device according to claim 5, wherein said melting or sublimation of said closure element is caused by an electrical current passing through said closure element.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein said gas bag is an airbag.

13. A passenger safety system for a vehicle comprising at least one airbag, said airbag comprising at least one deflation opening which is closed at a breakable, predetermined breaking line, wherein said predetermined breaking line comprises a closure element and wherein said breaking line is breakable by actively and selectively melting or sublimating said closure element at any stage of inflation of said gas bag, a sensor device for detecting the relative position of said passenger relative to said airbag, and

a control device, said control device controlling the melting or sublimation of said breaking line on the basis of a position signal determined by said sensor device at a given position of said passenger relative to said airbag.

14. The passenger safety system according to claim 13, wherein said control device comprises means for evaluating said position signal from said sensor device with reference to pressure.

15. The passenger safety system according to claim 13, wherein said sensor device comprises at least one sensor, which is arranged on said airbag in a region which is facing said passenger when said airbag is released.

16. The passenger safety system according to claim 15, wherein said sensor is a force sensor arranged on said airbag.

17. The passenger safety system according to claim 16, wherein said force sensor comprises at least two electrode structures, which are arranged at a given distance relative to one another on a textile carrier material and a layer made from a semiconductor material, which is arranged on said electrode structures in an active region of said sensor in direct contact with said electrode structures, wherein said layer of semiconductor material comprises an internal resistance, which varies in dependence upon the deformation of said layer.

18. The passenger safety system according to claim 17, wherein said textile carrier material comprises said airbag material, wherein said electrode structures are attached directly to said airbag.

19. The passenger safety system according to claim 13, wherein said control device comprises means for evaluating said position signal from said sensor device with reference to time.

20. The passenger safety system according to claim 13, wherein said control device comprises means for evaluating said position signal from said sensor device with reference to pressure and time.