Method and apparatus for air bag venting

• US 6,945,559 B2
• Filed: 09/19/2002
• Issued: 09/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ashtiani, Mansour, Vendely, Michael J., Shah, Suresh D., Kassman, Mark E., Abu-Isa, Ismat A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FREEDMAN, LAURA
• Application Number:
  US10/247,387
• Publication Number:
  US 20040056459A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,097 Days
• Field of Search: 280/734, 280/735, 280/736, 280/737, 280/739, 280/742, 701 45- 47
• US Class Current: 280/735
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2765 comprising means to control the venting
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/239 characterised by their venting means

Abstract

An apparatus and method for customizing the pressure within an inflatable cushion of an air bag module is provided. The method comprises determining whether additional venting of an air bag is required. A sensing and diagnostic module will receive its relative inputs from a plurality of sensors and will determine whether vents in an inflatable cushion should be opened to allow diffusion of an inflation gas. The apparatus allowing vents to open at specified times to allow for diffusion of the inflation gas.

Claims

1. A venting mechanism disposed on an inflatable cushion for use in an air bag module, comprising:

a membrane being sealed to the inflatable cushion to cover a vent opening in the cushion; and

a plurality of shape memory alloy springs or wires disposed in a pre-arranged pattern on said membrane, said plurality of shape memory alloy springs or wires being secured to an elastic member disposed about an opening in said inflatable cushion and being adapted to receive an electrical charge wherein said electrical charge causes said plurality of shape memory alloy springs or wires to enlarge said elastic member and said opening.

2. A venting mechanism disposed on an inflatable cushion for use in an air bag module, comprising:

a membrane being sealed to the inflatable cushion to cover a vent opening in the cushion;

a plurality of electrodes or high resistive heating elements being disposed in a pre-arranged pattern on said membrane, said plurality of electrodes or high resistive heating elements being adapted to receive an electrical charge wherein said electrical charge causes an area of said membrane to weaken causing a vent aperture to be formed in the inflatable cushion; and

a plurality of shape memory alloy springs disposed in a pre-arranged pattern on said membrane, said plurality of shape memory alloy springs being secured to said membrane and being adapted to receive an electrical charge wherein said electrical charge causes said plurality of shape memory alloy springs to enlarge said area.

3. The venting mechanism as in claim 2, wherein said plurality of electrodes or high resistive heating elements are arranged to overlap each other creating an arcing point.

4. The venting mechanism as in claim 2, wherein said plurality of electrodes or high resistive heating elements increase the temperature of said membrane when said electrical charge is received.

5. The venting mechanism as in claim 4, wherein said plurality of electrodes or high resistive heating elements are arranged to overlap each other creating an arcing point.

6. The venting mechanism as in claim 5, wherein said arcing point increases the temperature of said membrane at a higher rate than other areas of said membrane.

7. A method for providing active venting in an inflatable cushion of an airbag module, comprising:

determining is an additional vent opening is required;

providing a vent member slidably received in a vent housing attached to the inflatable cushion and overlying an opening in the inflatable cushion; and

activating an actuator attached to the vent member to slide said vent member within said vent housing and thereby open said opening, said actuator being formed of a shape memory alloy.

8. A method for providing active venting in an inflatable cushion of an airbag module, comprising:

determining if an additional vent opening is required;

manipulating a membrane being sealed to the inflatable cushion to cover a vent opening in the cushion, said membrane comprising a plurality of shape memory alloy springs or wires disposed in a pre-arranged pattern on said membrane, said plurality of shape memory alloy springs or wires being secured to an elastic member disposed about an opening in said inflatable cushion and being configured to receive an electrical charge wherein said electrical charge causes said plurality of shape memory alloy springs or wires to enlarge said elastic member and said opening.

9. A method for providing active venting in an inflatable cushion of an airbag module, comprising:

determining if an additional vent opening is required;

manipulating a membrane being sealed to the inflatable cushion to cover a vent opening in the cushion by supplying a current to a plurality of electrodes or high resistive heating elements being disposed in a pre-arranged pattern on said membrane, wherein said current causes an area of said membrane to weaken causing a vent aperture to be formed in the inflatable cushion; and

supplying current to a plurality of shape memory alloy springs disposed in a pre-arranged pattern on said membrane, said plurality of shape memory alloy springs being secured to said membrane wherein said current causes said plurality of shape memory alloy springs to enlarge said area.

10. An inflatable cushion for use in an air bag module, comprising:

a membrane being secured to the inflatable cushion to cover a vent opening in the cushion; and

a thin layer of electrically conductive coating disposed on a surface of said membrane covering said vent opening, wherein said thin layer of electrically conductive coating is configured to provide resistance heating to a portion of said membrane when a current is supplied to said thin layer of electrically conductive coating, wherein the resistance heating weakens a portion of said membrane causing said vent opening to become uncovered.

11. The inflatable cushion as in claim 10, wherein another thin layer of electrically conductive coating is disposed on another surface of said membrane covering said vent opening.

12. The inflatable cushion as in claim 10, wherein a plurality of thin layers of electrically conductive coatings are disposed on said membrane.

13. The inflatable cushion as in claim 12, wherein at least two of said plurality of thin layers of electrically conductive coatings overlap each other.

14. The inflatable cushion as in claim 12, wherein a copper filament is in electrical contact with said plurality of thin electrically conductive coatings in order to provide the current.