Active venting apparatus and method for airbag systems
First Claim
1. A closure mechanism for controlling venting from an inflatable protection zone of an airbag module via a flexible venting tube in gaseous communication with the inflatable protection zone, the closure mechanism comprising:
- an anchoring member; and
a fastener coupled to the anchoring member to compress the flexible venting tube, thereby restricting gas flow through an exit port of the flexible venting tube, wherein the fastener is configured to unfasten in response to receipt of an activation signal to decrease restriction of gas flow through the exit port, wherein the fastener comprises a bolt having a head and a shank, wherein the head separates from the shank in response to ignition of a pyrotechnic, wherein ignition occurs after an activation signal has been provided via ignition wires that pass through the shank, wherein the bolt further comprises a neck disposed between the head and the shank, wherein the bolt further comprises one or more fracture lines, wherein the bolt fractures along the fracture lines proximate the neck.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Enhanced airbag modules and associated methods are provided. An airbag module according to the invention may have a cushion with an inflatable protection zone and a flexible venting tube coupled to the inflatable protection zone. A closure mechanism may be used to compress the flexible venting tube against an anchoring member, such as a housing of the airbag module or a vehicle feature, until venting through the flexible venting tube is needed. The closure mechanism may then be actuated, for example, by igniting a pyrotechnic within a specially designed bolt of the closure mechanism. The bolt may, for example, have a bore with a pyrotechnic initiator molded-in-place within the bore. The bolt may fracture to open the closure mechanism, thereby permitting inflation gas to flow out of the inflatable protection zone via the flexible venting tube.
34 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A closure mechanism for controlling venting from an inflatable protection zone of an airbag module via a flexible venting tube in gaseous communication with the inflatable protection zone, the closure mechanism comprising:
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an anchoring member; and a fastener coupled to the anchoring member to compress the flexible venting tube, thereby restricting gas flow through an exit port of the flexible venting tube, wherein the fastener is configured to unfasten in response to receipt of an activation signal to decrease restriction of gas flow through the exit port, wherein the fastener comprises a bolt having a head and a shank, wherein the head separates from the shank in response to ignition of a pyrotechnic, wherein ignition occurs after an activation signal has been provided via ignition wires that pass through the shank, wherein the bolt further comprises a neck disposed between the head and the shank, wherein the bolt further comprises one or more fracture lines, wherein the bolt fractures along the fracture lines proximate the neck. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A fastener configured to permit separation of fastened objects in response to receipt of an activation signal, the fastener comprising:
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an initiator configured to fracture in response to receipt of the activation signal; and an integrally formed casing having a bore with an initiator portion containing the initiator, wherein the initiator portion is shaped to keep the initiator within the bore, wherein the fastener is configured to fracture in response to receipt of the activation signal, wherein the integrally formed casing is shaped to form a bolt comprising a head and a shank, wherein ignition wires pass through the shank, wherein the bolt further comprises a neck disposed between the head and the shank, wherein the bolt further comprises one or more fracture lines. wherein the bolt fractures alone the fractures lines proximate the neck. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for manufacturing a pyrotechnically releasable fastener, the method comprising:
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providing an initiator configured to fracture in response to receipt of an activation signal; inserting the initiator into a mold; inserting flowable plastic into the mold; and solidifying the plastic to form a casing having a bore with an initiator portion containing the initiator, wherein the initiator portion is shaped to keep the initiator within the bore, wherein the casing comprises a bolt having a head and a shank, wherein the head separates from the shank in response to ignition of the pyrotechnic, wherein ignition occurs after an activation signal has been provided via ignition wires that pass through the shank, wherein the bolt further comprises a neck disposed between the head and the shank, wherein the bolt further comprises one or more fracture lines, wherein the bolt fractures along the fracture lines proximate the neck. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification