Apparatus for reducing the magnitude of a pressure wave during deployment of an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device
First Claim
1. An apparatus for providing inflation fluid to an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said apparatus comprising:
- an inflator actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating the protection device;
a conduit for directing inflation fluid into the protection device from said inflator; and
a deflector arranged in fluid communication with said conduit and having at least a portion in fluid communication with the protection device, said deflector being configured to direct inflation fluid into the protection device in opposing directions to reduce the magnitude of pressure waves experienced by a vehicle occupant.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus (10) provides inflation fluid to an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The apparatus (10) includes an inflator (24) actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating the protection device (14). A conduit (22) directs inflation fluid into the protection device (14) from the inflator (24). A deflector (50) is arranged in fluid communication with the conduit (22) and has at least a portion in fluid communication with the protection device (14). The deflector (50) is configured to direct inflation fluid into the protection device (14) in opposing directions to reduce the magnitude of pressure waves experienced by a vehicle occupant (28).
-
Citations
16 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for providing inflation fluid to an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said apparatus comprising:
-
an inflator actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating the protection device; a conduit for directing inflation fluid into the protection device from said inflator; and a deflector arranged in fluid communication with said conduit and having at least a portion in fluid communication with the protection device, said deflector being configured to direct inflation fluid into the protection device in opposing directions to reduce the magnitude of pressure waves experienced by a vehicle occupant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:
-
an inflatable curtain inflatable between the side structure and a vehicle occupant; an inflator for providing inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable curtain; a fill tube for delivering inflation fluid from said inflator to said inflatable curtain, said fill tube having a longitudinal axis; and a deflector secured to said fill tube, said deflector comprising apertures for directing inflation fluid from said fill tube into said inflatable curtain in opposing directions substantially along said longitudinal axis. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
-
Specification