Abstract: An air bag module is provided for inflating an air bag cushion at variable rates in response to rapid deceleration of a motor vehicle. The air bag module includes an inflator for generating inflator gas to inflate an air bag cushion upon the sensing rapid deceleration of a vehicle. An annular cushion retainer is disposed about the inflator for directing gases from the inflator to the air bag cushion. The cushion retainer includes an annular cavity in fluid communication with the air bag cushion by a vent opening to selectively direct gas away from the air bag cushion during a reduced level of deployment. A controller generates an ignition signal to the inflator in response to velocity responsive sensors. In response to the ignition signals, the inflator releases an appropriate predetermined volume of gas into the air bag cushion.

Abstract: The present invention provides variable deployment performance by controlling the heat content of the inflator gas which exits an air bag sub-module, disposed in a module, into an air bag cushion. The air bag sub-module includes a sub-module housing which receives an inflator in a central cavity formed therein. The module housing includes low output module ports formed in the module housing and high output module ports. Heat sinking material is disposed within the sub-module housing between an outer wall of the sub-module housing and the inflator such that the heat sinking material surrounds the low output module ports. The air bag sub-module provides a first fluid flow path for the heated inflator gas to flow under high level deployment conditions and a second fluid flow path for the inflator gas to flow under reduced level deployment conditions. The first fluid flow path comprises a low resistance fluid flow path in which the heated inflator gas exits the inflator through the high output module ports.

Abstract: The present invention presents an inflator providing variable output inflation of an air bag cushion in response to full or reduced level deployment conditions. The inflator of the present invention includes a first chamber for storing an inert gas, a second chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber, and a third chamber in selective fluid communication with the second chamber, the third chamber for storing a heat modifier for varying a heat value of the inert gas. The inflator also includes a pyrotechnic device having a combustible material for heating the inert gas and a first initiator for actuating the pyrotechnic device upon first and second deployment conditions. A second initiator for opening the third chamber to the second chamber is provided wherein actuation of the second initiator causing the heat modifier to fluidly communicate with the combustible material and vary the heat value of the inert gas during a combustion process.

Abstract: An air bag module includes an air bag and an inflator being activatable to discharge inflator gas for inflating the air bag. The inflator has at least one discharge port through which inflator gas is discharged. A housing has a wall adjacent the discharge port of the inflator and includes at least one vent opening. The module also includes a movable member alignable with the vent opening. The movable member is movable relative to the vent opening for opening and closing the vent opening at a predetermined time during inflator activation to control the amount of inflator gas discharged into the air bag and the amount of inflator gas expelled out through the vent opening of the housing. A device is activatable during activation of the inflator to move the movable member relative to the vent opening at the predetermined time during inflator. activation.

Abstract: An air bag module includes an air bag and an inflator being activatable to discharge inflator gas for inflating the air bag. The inflator has at least one discharge port through which inflator gas is discharged. A housing has a wall adjacent the discharge port of the inflator and includes at least one vent opening. The module also includes a movable member alignable with the vent opening. The movable member is movable relative to the vent opening for opening and closing the vent opening at a predetermined time during inflator activation to control the amount of inflator gas discharged into the air bag and the amount of inflator gas expelled out through the vent opening of the housing. A device is activatable during activation of the inflator to move the movable member relative to the vent opening at the predetermined time during inflator activation.

Abstract: An air bag module includes an air bag and an inflator being activatable to discharge inflator gas for inflating the air bag. The inflator has at least one discharge port through which inflator gas is discharged. A housing includes at least one inflator vent opening aligned with the discharge port. A variable inflation device is mounted on the inflator and includes a movable member alignable with the vent opening. The movable member is movable relative to the vent opening for opening and closing the vent opening at a predetermined time during inflator activation to control the amount of inflator gas discharged into the air bag and the amount of inflator gas expelled out through the vent opening of the housing. Preferably, the variable inflation device includes an initiator device being activatable during activation of the inflator to move the movable member relative to the vent opening at the predetermined time during inflator activation.

Abstract: An air bag module in a vehicle includes an air bag having a thickened mouth portion. The air bag module further includes a housing for housing the air bag and including a tapered neck portion. The module further includes a self-locking retainer having outwardly tapered retainer walls that are sized and shaped for engagement with the tapered neck portion of the housing. The thickened mouth portion of the air bag is trapped below the retainer such that upon air bag deployment, the air bag forces the tapered retainer walls into increasing engagement with the tapered neck walls such that the retainer and air bag are securely locked onto the housing.

Abstract: An air bag module includes an air bag and an inflator being activatable to discharge inflator gas for inflating the air bag. The inflator has at least one discharge port through which inflator gas is discharged. A housing has a wall adjacent the discharge port of the inflator and includes at least one vent opening. The module also includes a movable member alignable with the vent opening. The movable member is movable relative to the vent opening for opening and closing the vent opening at a predetermined time during inflator activation to control the amount of inflator gas discharged into the air bag and the amount of inflator gas expelled out through the vent opening of the housing. A device is activatable during activation of the inflator to move the movable member relative to the vent opening at the predetermined time during inflator activation.

Abstract: A variable output air bag inflator is presented wherein in one embodiment the inflator offers variable output and may be implemented with either pyrotechnic or hybrid inflators. The inflator offers full level deployment at a first end of the inflator unit and reduced level deployment at a second end. This is accomplished by providing two discrete paths for the inflator gas to flow during deployment of the air bag cushion. One path communicates with a first filter material or permits the hot inflation gas to directly exit the inflator without passing through a filter material. The other path communicates with a second filter material which absorbs heat from the inflator gas as it passes through the second filter material before exiting the inflator, wherein the second filter material has a heat sink capacity greater than the first filter material. The energy content and pressure of the inflator gas is therefore regulated by directing the inflator gas through the second filter material.