Inflatable side curtain with fill tube
First Claim
1. Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a side structure and a roof, said apparatus comprising:
- an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device that is inflatable away from the vehicle roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant, said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device defining an inflatable volume and having a length extending along the side structure of the vehicle, said inflatable volume including a forward portion for location forwardly in the vehicle and a rearward portion for location rearwardly in the vehicle;
an inflation fluid source that provides inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said inflation fluid consisting essentially of helium stored under pressure, said inflation fluid source being free from pyrotechnic material for heating said inflation fluid; and
a fill tube having a portion located in said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device extending into said forward portion and said rearward portion of said inflatable volume, said fill tube being in fluid communication with said inflation fluid source, said inflation fluid source, when actuated, providing said inflation fluid to said fill tube, said fill tube including outlet apertures positioned along said portion of said fill tube for directing said inflation fluid into said inflatable volume to pressurize said forward and rearward portions evenly along the length of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device and to inflate said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device initially to a first desired pressure and maintain said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflated above a second desired pressure, less than said first pressure, for at least the initial 5–
7 seconds of inflation;
said inflation fluid being directed through said outlet apertures into said forward portion and said rearward portion of said inflatable volume to inflate said forward and rearward portions, said inflation fluid directed into said forward portion and said inflation fluid directed into said rearward portion having generally the same temperature and generally the same pressure during initial inflation of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said inflation fluid in said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having a temperature about equal to an ambient temperature in which said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device is inflated for at least 95% of at least the initial 5–
7 seconds of inflation.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) inflatable between the vehicle side structure (16) and a vehicle occupant. The device (14) defines an inflatable volume (58) that includes a forward portion (64) and a rearward portion (66). An inflation fluid source (24) is in fluid communication with a fill tube (22) and provides helium inflation fluid for inflating the device (14). The fill tube (22) includes outlet apertures (100) that direct the inflation fluid into the inflatable volume to inflate the device (14) initially to a first pressure and maintain the device inflated above a second pressure for a predetermined time. The inflation fluid directed into the inflatable volume (58) has a temperature and a pressure that are generally the same in the forward and rearward portions (64 and 66) during initial inflation of the device. The temperature is about equal to an ambient temperature in which the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device is inflated for at least 95% of the predetermined time.
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Citations
57 Claims
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1. Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a side structure and a roof, said apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device that is inflatable away from the vehicle roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant, said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device defining an inflatable volume and having a length extending along the side structure of the vehicle, said inflatable volume including a forward portion for location forwardly in the vehicle and a rearward portion for location rearwardly in the vehicle; an inflation fluid source that provides inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said inflation fluid consisting essentially of helium stored under pressure, said inflation fluid source being free from pyrotechnic material for heating said inflation fluid; and a fill tube having a portion located in said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device extending into said forward portion and said rearward portion of said inflatable volume, said fill tube being in fluid communication with said inflation fluid source, said inflation fluid source, when actuated, providing said inflation fluid to said fill tube, said fill tube including outlet apertures positioned along said portion of said fill tube for directing said inflation fluid into said inflatable volume to pressurize said forward and rearward portions evenly along the length of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device and to inflate said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device initially to a first desired pressure and maintain said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflated above a second desired pressure, less than said first pressure, for at least the initial 5–
7 seconds of inflation;said inflation fluid being directed through said outlet apertures into said forward portion and said rearward portion of said inflatable volume to inflate said forward and rearward portions, said inflation fluid directed into said forward portion and said inflation fluid directed into said rearward portion having generally the same temperature and generally the same pressure during initial inflation of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said inflation fluid in said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having a temperature about equal to an ambient temperature in which said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device is inflated for at least 95% of at least the initial 5–
7 seconds of inflation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 57)
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35. Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a side structure and a roof, said apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device that is inflatable away from the vehicle roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant, said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device defining an inflatable volume and having a length extending along the side structure of the vehicle; an inflation fluid source that provides inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said inflation fluid consisting essentially of helium stored under pressure, said inflation fluid source being free from pyrotechnic material for heating said inflation fluid; and a fill tube having a portion located in said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device extending into said inflatable volume, said fill tube being in fluid communication with said inflation fluid source, said inflation fluid source, when actuated, providing said inflation fluid to said fill tube, said fill tube including outlet apertures positioned along said portion of said fill tube for directing said inflation fluid into said inflatable volume to pressurize said inflatable volume evenly along the length of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device and to inflate said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device initially to a first desired pressure and maintain said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflated above a second desired pressure, less than said first desired pressure, for at least the initial 5–
7 seconds of inflation;said inflation fluid being directed through said outlet apertures into said inflatable volume to inflate said inflatable volume, said inflation fluid directed into said inflatable volume having a temperature that is generally the same and a pressure that is generally the same throughout the length of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device during initial inflation of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said inflation fluid in said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having a temperature about equal to an ambient temperature in which said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device is inflated for at least 95% of at least the initial 5–
7 seconds of inflation. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A method for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a side structure and a roof, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device that is inflatable away from the vehicle roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant, said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device defining an inflatable volume and having a length extending along the side structure of the vehicle, said inflatable volume including a forward portion for location forwardly in the vehicle and a rearward portion for location rearwardly in the vehicle; providing an inflation fluid source that provides inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said inflation fluid source, when actuated, providing said inflation fluid to inflate said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device initially to a first desired pressure and maintain said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflated above a second desired pressure, less than said first pressure, for at least the initial 5–
7 seconds of inflation, said inflation fluid consisting essentially of helium stored under pressure, said inflation fluid source being free from pyrotechnic material for heating said inflation fluid; andproviding a fill tube for directing said inflation fluid into said forward portion and said rearward portion of said inflatable volume to pressurize said forward and rearward portions evenly along the length of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said inflation fluid directed into said forward portion and said inflation fluid directed into said rearward portion having a temperature that is generally the same and a pressure that is generally the same during initial inflation of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device to cause said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device to inflate evenly throughout the length of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said inflation fluid directed into said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having a temperature about equal to an ambient temperature in which said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device is inflated for at least 95% of at least the initial 5–
7 seconds of inflation. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a side structure and a roof, said apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device that is inflatable away from the vehicle roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant, said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device defining an inflatable volume and having a length extending along the side structure of the vehicle; an inflation fluid source for providing inflation fluid to inflate said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said inflation fluid consisting essentially of helium stored under pressure, said inflation fluid source being free from pyrotechnic material for heating said inflation fluid; and a fill tube having a portion located in said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said fill tube being in fluid communication with said inflation fluid source, said inflation fluid source, when actuated, providing said inflation fluid to said fill tube, said fill tube directing said inflation fluid into said inflatable volume to pressurize said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device evenly along its length and to inflate said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device initially to a first desired pressure and maintain said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflated above a second desired pressure, less than said first pressure, for at least the initial 5–
7 seconds of inflation, said fill tube being adapted to deliver said inflation fluid into said inflatable volume such that said inflation fluid directed into said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device has a temperature about just above an ambient temperature in which said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device is inflated. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49)
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50. Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a side structure and a roof, said apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device that is inflatable away from the vehicle roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant, said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device defining an inflatable volume and having a length extending along the side structure of the vehicle, said inflatable volume including a forward portion for location forwardly in the vehicle and a rearward portion for location rearwardly in the vehicle; an inflation fluid source that provides inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said inflation fluid consisting essentially of helium stored under pressure; and means for directing said inflation fluid into said inflatable volume to inflate said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device initially to a first desired pressure and maintain said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflated above a second desired pressure, less than said first desired pressure, for at least the initial 5–
7 seconds of inflation, said means being for directing said inflation fluid into said forward portion and said rearward portion of said inflatable volume to inflate said forward and rearward portions, said means also being for directing said inflation fluid into said forward portion and into said rearward portion at generally the same temperature and generally the same pressure during initial inflation of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said inflation fluid in said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having a temperature about equal to an ambient temperature in which said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device is inflated for at least 95% of the at least 5–
7 seconds of inflation;said means for directing comprising a fill tube having a portion located in said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device extending into said forward portion and said rearward portion of said inflatable volume, said fill tube being in fluid communication with said inflation fluid source, said inflation fluid source, when actuated, providing said inflation fluid to said fill tube, said fill tube including outlet apertures positioned along said portion of said fill tube through which said inflation fluid is directed into said forward and rearward portions of said inflatable volume to pressurize said forward and rearward portions evenly along the length of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device and.
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51. Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a side structure, said apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable side curtain having a length extending along the vehicle side structure; a stored helium inflator for providing helium inflation fluid for inflating said side curtain, said inflator being free from pyrotechnic material for heating said helium inflation fluid; and a fill tube for directing said helium inflation fluid into said side curtain to inflate said side curtain, said fill tube being for distributing said helium inflation fluid evenly along the length of said side curtain to cause pressurization of said side curtain evenly along its length and maintain said pressurization for at least 5 seconds, said fill tube also being for heating said helium inflation fluid so that the helium in said side curtain has a temperature about equal to an ambient temperature in which said side curtain is deployed for at least 95% of said at least 5 seconds.
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52. Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a side structure and a roof, said apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device that is inflatable away from the vehicle roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant, said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device defining an inflatable volume and having a length extending along the side structure of the vehicle, said inflatable volume including a forward portion for location forwardly in the vehicle and a rearward portion for location rearwardly in the vehicle; an inflation fluid source that provides inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said inflation fluid consisting essentially of helium stored under pressure, said inflation fluid source being free from pyrotechnic material for heating said inflation fluid; and a fill tube having a portion located in said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device extending into said forward portion and said rearward portion of said inflatable volume, said fill tube being in fluid communication with said inflation fluid source, said inflation fluid source, when actuated, providing said inflation fluid to said fill tube, said fill tube including outlet apertures arranged in groups that are spaced apart from each other along said portion of said fill tube, the number of said outlet apertures in each of said groups and the spacing of said groups along said fill tube being selected to direct said inflation fluid into said inflatable volume to inflate said forward and rearward portions to generally the same pressure during initial inflation of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device and to inflate said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device initially to a first desired pressure and maintain said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflated above a second desired pressure, less than said first pressure, for at least the initial 5–
7 seconds of inflation;said inflation fluid being directed through said outlet apertures into said forward portion and said rearward portion of said inflatable volume to inflate said forward and rearward portions at generally the same temperature during initial inflation of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device for at least 95% of at least the initial 5–
7 seconds of inflation, said temperature about equal to an ambient temperature in which said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device is inflated.
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53. Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a side structure and a roof, said apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device that is inflatable away from the vehicle roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant, said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device defining an inflatable volume and having a length extending along the side structure of the vehicle, said inflatable volume including a forward portion for location forwardly in the vehicle, a rearward portion for location rearwardly in the vehicle, and a non-inflatable portion located between said forward portion and said rearward portion; an inflation fluid source that provides inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said inflation fluid consisting essentially of helium stored under pressure, said inflation fluid source being free from pyrotechnic material for heating said inflation fluid; and a fill tube having a portion located in said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device extending into said forward portion and said rearward portion of said inflatable volume, said fill tube being in fluid communication with said inflation fluid source, said inflation fluid source, when actuated, providing said inflation fluid to said fill tube, said fill tube including outlet apertures positioned along said portion of said fill tube for directing said inflation fluid into said inflatable volume to inflate said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device initially to a first desired pressure and maintain said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflated above a second desired pressure, less than said first pressure, for at least the initial 5–
7 seconds of inflation;said inflation fluid being directed through said outlet apertures into said forward portion and said rearward portion of said inflatable volume to inflate said forward and rearward portions, said inflation fluid directed into said forward portion and said inflation fluid directed into said rearward portion having generally the same temperature and generally the same pressure during initial inflation of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said inflation fluid in said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having a temperature about equal to an ambient temperature in which said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device is inflated for at least 95% of at least the initial 5–
7 seconds of inflation.
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54. A method for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a side structure and a roof, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device that is inflatable away from the vehicle roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant, said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device defining an inflatable volume and having a length extending along the side structure of the vehicle, said inflatable volume including a forward portion for location forwardly in the vehicle and a rearward portion for location rearwardly in the vehicle; providing an inflation fluid source that provides inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said inflation fluid consisting essentially of helium stored under pressure, said inflation fluid source being free from pyrotechnic material for heating said inflation fluid; providing a fill tube for directing said inflation fluid from said inflation fluid source into said forward portion and said rearward portion of said inflatable volume; and providing in said fill tube a predetermined number of outlet apertures arranged in groups, the number of said apertures in each of said groups and the spacing of said groups along the length of said fill tube being selected to inflate said forward and rearward portions initially to a first desired pressure and maintain said front and rear portions inflated above a second desired pressure, less than said first pressure, for at least the initial 5–
7 seconds of inflation, said outlet apertures directing said inflation fluid into said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device at a temperature about equal to an ambient temperature in which said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device is inflated for at least 95% of at least the initial 5–
7 seconds of inflation.
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55. Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a side structure, said apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable side curtain having a length extending along the vehicle side structure; a stored helium inflator for providing helium inflation fluid for inflating said side curtain, said inflator being free from pyrotechnic material for heating said helium inflation fluid; and a fill tube for directing said helium inflation fluid into said side curtain to inflate said side curtain, said fill tube including outlet apertures arranged in groups that are spaced apart from each other along said portion of said fill tube, the number of said outlet apertures in each of said groups and the spacing of said groups along said fill tube being selected to distribute said helium inflation fluid evenly along the length of said side curtain to cause pressurization of said side curtain evenly along its length and maintain said pressurization for at least 5 seconds, said fill tube heating said helium inflation fluid so that the helium in said side curtain has a temperature about equal to an ambient temperature in which said side curtain is deployed for at least 95% of said at least 5 seconds.
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56. Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a side structure, said apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable side curtain having a length extending along the vehicle side structure, said side curtain including a forward portion for location forwardly in the vehicle, a rearward portion for location rearwardly in the vehicle, and a non-inflatable portion located between said forward portion and said rearward portion; a stored helium inflator for providing helium inflation fluid for inflating said side curtain, said inflator being free from pyrotechnic material for heating said helium inflation fluid; and a fill tube for directing said helium inflation fluid into said side curtain to inflate said side curtain, said fill tube being for distributing said helium inflation fluid evenly along the length of said side curtain to cause pressurization of said side curtain evenly along its length and maintain said pressurization for at least 5 seconds, said fill tube also being for heating said helium inflation fluid so that the helium in said side curtain has a temperature about equal to an ambient temperature in which said side curtain is deployed for at least 95% of said at least 5 seconds.
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Specification