System for venting an air bag module

• US 6,736,425 B2
• Filed: 01/28/2002
• Issued: 05/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Ryan, Sean Timothy, Lemon, Robert David
• Primary Examiner(s): Ilan, Ruth
• Application Number:
  US09/683,630
• Publication Number:
  US 20030141706A1
• Time in Patent Office: 841 Days
• Field of Search: 280/736, 280/739, 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 21/217 Inflation fluid source retainers, e.g. reaction canisters; Connection of bags, covers, diffusers or inflation fluid sources therewith or together
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/276 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 system for venting an air bag module having an air bag cushion retainer ring, an air bag cushion, an inflator, at least one spring positioned and compressed between the inflator and the air bag cushion retainer ring, a pyrotechnic rivet, sensors, and a restraint control module. If variable venting is required, the restraint control module signals the pyrotechnic rivet to release and the spring to urge one of the inflator or air bag cushion retainer ring away from the other of the inflator or air bag cushion retainer ring to create an opening between the retainer ring and the inflator to allow venting of the gas from inside the air bag cushion.

Claims

1. A system for venting an air bag module comprising:

a single-piece air bag cushion retainer ring having an opening;

an air bag cushion secured to the air bag cushion retainer ring;

an inflator for generating gas to inflate the air bag cushion;

at least one spring positioned and compressed between the inflator and the air bag cushion retainer ring such that the spring biases the inflator and the air bag cushion retainer ring away from each other, wherein the inflator is urged away from the air bag cushion retainer ring;

a quick-release device securing the air bag cushion retainer ring to the inflator and maintaining the spring in a compressed position;

sensors to sense occupant and crash information; and

a restraint control module electrically connected to the quick-release device, the restraint control module capable of receiving information from the sensors and computing if venting is required;

wherein if venting is required, the restraint control module signals the quick-release device to release the air bag cushion retainer ring from the inflator to allow the spring to urge the inflator away from the air bag cushion retainer ring to create a passageway between the retainer ring and the inflator to allow venting of the gas from inside the air bag cushion.

2. A system for venting an air bag module comprising:

a single-piece air bag cushion retainer ring having an opening;

an air bag cushion secured to the air bag cushion retainer ring;

an inflator for generating gas to inflate the air bag cushion;

at least one vent post having a vent post stop, the vent post connected to the air bag cushion retainer ring and passing through a bore in the inflator such that the vent post stop mechanically stops the travel of the inflator;

at least one spring positioned and compressed between the inflator and the air bag cushion retainer ring such that the spring biases the inflator and the air bag cushion retainer ring away from each other;

a quick-release device securing the air bag cushion retainer ring to the inflator and maintaining the spring in a compressed position;

sensors to sense occupant and crash information; and

a restraint control module electrically connected to the quick-release device, the restraint control module capable of receiving information from the sensors and computing if venting is required;

wherein if venting is required, the restraint control module signals the quick-release device to release the air bag cushion retainer ring from the inflator to allow the spring to urge one of the inflator or air bag cushion retainer ring away from the other of the inflator or air bag cushion retainer ring to create a passageway between the retainer ring and the inflator to allow venting of the gas from inside the air bag cushion.

3. The system for venting an air bag module of claim 2 wherein the height of the vent post stop is adjustable in response to signals from the restraint control module.

4. A system for venting an air bag module comprising:

a single-piece air bag cushion retainer ring having an opening;

an air bag cushion secured to the air bag cushion retainer ring;

an inflator for generating gas to inflate the air bag cushion;

at least one vent post having a vent post stop, the vent post connected to the inflator and passing passing through a bore in the air bag cushion retainer ring such that the vent post stop mechanically stops the travel of the air bag cushion retainer ring;

at least one spring positioned and compressed between the inflator and the air bag cushion retainer ring such that the spring biases the inflator and the air bag cushion retainer ring away from each other;

a quick-release device securing the air bag cushion retainer ring to the inflator and maintaining the spring in a compressed position;

sensors to sense occupant and crash information; and

a restraint control module electrically connected to the quick-release device, the restraint control module capable of receiving information from the sensors and computing if venting is required;

wherein if venting is required, the restraint control module signals the quick-release device to release the air bag cushion retainer ring from the inflator to allow the spring to urge one of the inflator or air bag cushion retainer ring away from the other of the inflator or air bag cushion retainer ring to create a passageway between the retainer ring and the inflator to allow venting of the gas from inside the air bag cushion.

5. The system for venting an air bag module of claim 4 wherein the height of the vent post stop is adjustable in response to signals from the restraint control module.

6. A system for venting an air bag module comprising:

a single-piece air bag cushion retainer ring having an opening;

an air bag cushion secured to the air bag cushion retainer ring;

an inflator for generating gas to inflate the air bag cushion;

at least one spring positioned and compressed between the inflator and the air bag cushion retainer ring such that the spring biases the inflator and the air bag cushion retainer ring away from each other;

a quick-release device securing the air bag cushion retainer ring to the inflator and maintaining the spring in a compressed position;

sensors to sense occupant and crash information; and

a restraint control module electrically connected to the quick-release device, the restraint control module capable of receiving information from the sensors and computing if venting is required;

a plurality of slots and larger openings on one of the air bag cushion retainer ring or the inflator;

a plurality of bolts attached to the other of the air bag cushion retainer ring or inflator through the slots;

a powder charge electrically connected to the restraint control module; and

a piston connected to the other of the air bag cushion retainer ring or the inflator;

wherein if venting is required, the restraint control module signals the quick-release device to release the air bag cushion retainer ring from the inflator to allow the spring to urge one of the inflator or air bag cushion retainer ring away from the other of the inflator or air bag cushion retainer ring to create a passageway between the retainer ring and the inflator to allow venting of the gas from inside the air bag cushion, and wherein the restraint control module sends a signal to the powder charge causing it to detonate and move the piston which in turn causes one of the air bag cushion retainer ring or the inflator to rotate such that the bolts are in the larger openings thereby releasing one of the air bag cushion retainer ring or inflator from the other of the air bag cushion retainer ring or the inflator.

7. A variable vent air bag module comprising:

an air bag cushion retainer ring having an opening;

an air bag cushion secured to the air bag cushion retainer ring;

an inflator for generating gas to inflate the air bag cushion;

at least one spring positioned and compressed between the inflator and the air bag cushion retainer ring such that the air bag cushion retainer and the inflator are urged away from each other; and

a quick-release device for securing the inflator proximate the air bag cushion retainer ring and the spring compressed;

the quick-release device being releasable to allow the at least one spring to decompress and urge the inflator away from the air bag cushion retainer ring to create a passageway between the air bag cushion retainer ring and inflator to allow venting of the gas from inside the air bag cushion through the opening in the air bag cushion retainer ring.

8. A variable vent air bag module comprising:

an air bag cushion retainer ring having an opening;

an air bag cushion secured to the air bag cushion retainer ring;

an inflator for generating gas to inflate the air bag cushion;

at least one spring positioned and compressed between the inflator and the air bag cushion retainer ring such that the air bag cushion retainer and the inflator are urged away from each other;

a quick-release device for securing the inflator proximate the air bag cushion retainer ring and the spring compressed;

the quick-release device being releasable to allow the at least one spring to decompress and urge one of the inflator or air bag cushion retainer ring away from the other of the inflator or air bag cushion retainer ring to create a passageway between the air bag cushion retainer ring and inflator to allow venting of the gas from inside the air bag cushion through the opening in the air bag cushion retainer ring; and

at least one vent post having a vent post stop, the vent post connected to the air bag cushion retainer ring and passing through a bore in the inflator such that the vent post stop mechanically stops the travel of the inflator.

9. The variable vent air bag module of 8 wherein the height of the vent post stop is adjustable in response to signals from a restraint control module.

10. A variable vent air bag module comprising:

an air bag cushion retainer ring having an opening;

an air bag cushion secured to the air bag cushion retainer ring;

an inflator for generating gas to inflate the air bag cushion;

at least one spring positioned and compressed between the inflator and the air bag cushion retainer ring such that the air bag cushion retainer and the inflator are urged away from each other;

a quick-release device for securing the inflator proximate the air bag cushion retainer ring and the spring compressed;

the quick-release device being releasable to allow the at least one spring to decompress and urge one of the inflator or air bag cushion retainer ring away from the other of the inflator or air bag cushion retainer ring to create a passageway between the air bag cushion retainer ring and inflator to allow venting of the gas from inside the air bag cushion through the opening in the air bag cushion retainer ring; and

at least one vent post having a vent post stop, the vent post connected to the inflator and passing through a bore in the air bag cushion retainer ring such that the vent post stop mechanically stops the travel of the air bag cushion retainer ring.

11. The variable vent air bag module of claim 10 wherein the height of the vent post stop is adjustable in response to signals from the restraint control module.

12. A variable vent air bag module comprising:

an air bag cushion retainer ring having an opening;

an air bag cushion secured to the air bag cushion retainer ring;

an inflator for generating gas to inflate the air bag cushion;

at least one spring positioned and compressed between the inflator and the air bag cushion retainer ring such that the air bag cushion retainer and the inflator are urged away from each other;

a quick-release device for securing the inflator proximate the air bag cushion retainer ring and the spring compressed, the quick-release device comprising a plurality of slots and larger openings in one of the air bag cushion retainer ring or the inflator, bolts attached to the other of the air bag cushion retainer ring or inflator through the slots, a piston on the other of the air bag cushion retainer ring or inflator, and a powder charge;

wherein when the powder charge is detonated, it moves the piston which in turn rotates one of the air bag cushion retainer ring or the inflator such that the bolts are in the larger openings and releases one of the air bag cushion retainer rings ring or inflator away from the other of the air bag retainer ring or inflator to allow the at least one spring to decompress and urge one of the inflator or air bag cushion retainer ring away from the other of the inflator or air bag cushion retainer ring to create a passageway between the air bag cushion retainer ring and inflator to allow venting of the gas from inside the air bag cushion through the opening in the air bag cushion retainer ring.

13. A variable vent air bag module comprising:

an air bag cushion retainer ring having an opening therein;

an air bag cushion attached to the air bag cushion retainer ring;

an air bag inflator to inflate the air bag cushion with gas, the inflator sized to fit within the opening in the air bag cushion retainer ring;

a plurality of springs between the air bag cushion retainer ring and the inflator;

a quick-release device securing the air bag cushion retainer ring proximate the inflator;

wherein the air bag cushion retainer ring is movable from a first position wherein the springs are compressed and the inflator and air bag cushion retainer seal the opening in the air bag cushion retainer ring to a second position wherein the springs decompress and the inflator and air bag cushion retainer ring are separated thereby allowing gas inside the air bag to vent through the opening in the air bag cushion retainer ring; and

at least one vent post having a vent post stop, the vent post connected to the inflator ring and passing through a bore in the air bag cushion retainer ring such that the vent post stop mechanically stops the travel of the inflator.

14. The variable vent air bag module of claim 13 further comprising a motor to adjust the height of the vent post stop.