Abstract: An apparatus (10) for actuating a braking system of a vehicle (12) comprises a brake pedal (30) and an actuating member (36) movable to actuate the braking system. A release mechanism (40) is connected between the brake pedal (30) and the actuating member. The release mechanism (40) has a first condition connecting the actuating member (36) for movement with the brake pedal (30). The release mechanism (40) has a second condition releasing the brake pedal (30) for movement relative to the actuating member (36) under load applied to the brake pedal by the vehicle occupant. The release mechanism (40) when in the second condition resists movement of the brake pedal (30) relative to the actuating member (36). The apparatus (10) further comprises at least one sensor (14, 16) operative to sense a vehicle condition or an occupant condition and to provide a first output signal.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) and an inflation fluid source (18). The apparatus (10) includes a structure (14) having a vent opening (50) for directing inflation fluid away from the inflatable device (12). The apparatus (10) also includes a member (60) movable between a closed condition closing the vent opening (50) and an open condition enabling flow of inflation fluid (14) through the vent opening. The apparatus (10) includes an electrically energizable mechanism (70) to move the member (60) from the closed condition to the open condition to vent inflation fluid through the vent opening (50). The mechanism (70) can also move the member (60) from the open condition to the closed condition to inhibit venting of inflation fluid through the vent opening (50).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) and an actuatable inflator (14). A retainer (40) is connected with the protection device (12). The retainer (40) has a fixed portion (46) and a movable portion (48). The movable portion (48) is movable between a first condition and a second condition to vent inflation fluid from the protection device (12). The apparatus (10) includes an electrically energizable mechanism (80) to release the movable portion (48) of the retainer (40) for movement from the first condition to the second condition. The apparatus (10) also includes vehicle electric circuitry (120) including a sensor (132) for sensing at least one occupant condition or vehicle condition and a controller (130) responsive to the sensor for controlling the electrically energizable mechanism (80).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a member (14) that has a first slot (30) extending through the member within the periphery (32) of the member. The first slot (30) has opposed spaced surfaces (34) that define a gap (40) that has a width measured from one of the opposed surfaces to the other of the opposed surfaces. The member (14) includes first and second portions (42 and 44) positioned on opposite sides of the first slot (30). The apparatus (10) also includes a sensor (16) that has a first end (100) connected to the first portion (42) on one side of the first slot (30) and an opposite second end (102) connected to the second portion (44) on an opposite side of the first slot such that the sensor extends across the first slot. The apparatus (10) further includes a fastener (20) for fixedly connecting the second portion (44) to inhibit movement of the second portion of the member relative to the first portion (42).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a member (14) that has a first slot (30) extending through the member within the periphery (32) of the member. The first slot (30) has opposed spaced surfaces (34) that define a gap (40) that has a width measured from one of the opposed surfaces to the other of the opposed surfaces. The member (14) includes first and second portions (42 and 44) positioned on opposite sides of the first slot (30). The apparatus (10) also includes a sensor (16) that has a first end (100) connected to the first portion (42) on one side of the first slot (30) and an opposite second end (102) connected to the second portion (44) on an opposite side of the first slot such that the sensor extends across the first slot. The apparatus (10) further includes means (20) for fixedly connecting the second portion (44) to inhibit movement of the second portion of the member relative to the first portion (42).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable device (8) includes a container (12) defining a chamber (14) containing gas. The container (12) includes a rupturable wall (24) which is rupturable when the pressure in the container reaches a predetermined level. An igniter (46) spaced from the rupturable wall (24) produces a shock wave in the gas which ruptures the rupturable wall (24) prior to the gas pressure in the container (12) reaching the predetermined level.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device includes a container (12) having a chamber (14), and inflation fluid (16) under pressure in the chamber for inflating the inflatable device. The apparatus (10) includes an outlet opening (70) in the container (12) for directing inflation fluid (16) from the chamber (14) to the inflatable device. The apparatus (10) also includes an initiator (110) for, when ignited, producing combustion products (130). The apparatus (10) further includes a support member (30) for supporting the initiator means (110) adjacent to the chamber (14). An inlet opening (58) in the container (12) spaced apart from the outlet opening (70) directs combustion products (130) from the initiator (110) into the chamber (14). The apparatus (10) includes a single, one-piece burst disc (80) having a first portion (82) blocking the inlet opening (58) and a second portion (90) blocking the outlet opening (70).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14), a source (16) of inflation fluid, and a valve (20) in an inflation fluid flow path extending from the source (16) to the protection device (14) through the valve (20). The valve (20) is actuatable to regulate a flow of inflation fluid through the valve (20) so as to vary rates at which inflation fluid pressure increases in the protection device (14). A controller (22) has a memory location (29) storing predetermined modes of actuation for the valve (20). The predetermined modes of actuation include modes that correspond to predetermined curves (A-E) of inflation fluid pressure versus time. The controller (22) responds to one or more crash conditions by selecting one of the predetermined modes of actuation and by actuating the valve (20) in the selected mode.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a pressure vessel with a closure structure (14) including a part (62) consisting of a single, continuous body of homogeneous metal material. The part (62) has a plurality of fluid outlet openings (22), a fluid outlet conduit (88) communicating with the outlet openings (22), and a pocket (100) separate from the outlet conduit (88). The pocket (100) has a closed inner end (116) defined by a thin wall portion (120) of the part (62). An initiator (40) is received in the pocket (100), and is actuatable to rupture the thin wall portion (120) of the part (62). In a preferred embodiment, a retainer structure (102) holds the initiator (40) in the pocket (100). The retainer structure (102) and the part (62) have adjoining, unthreaded surfaces (160, 108) engaging each other in an interference fit which is tight enough to hold the retainer structure (102) and the initiator (40) in the pocket (100) when the initiator (40) is actuated.

Abstract: An air bag module (10) includes a container (12) and an air bag (16) connected with the container. An inflator (14) is also connected with the container (12). Means, such as, mounting flanges (42, 46), support the container (12) on a vehicle portion (18) for movement relative to the vehicle portion in a first direction ("I") opposite the direction of the inflation of the air bag (16) in response to actuation of the inflator (14). Damping means (102) connected between the container (12) and the vehicle portion (18) damps movement of the container in the first direction ("I") relative to the vehicle portion.

Abstract: An apparatus (20, 220) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device comprises a first container (22, 222) defining a first chamber (24, 224) for inflation fluid. The first container (22, 222) has an opening (26, 226) through which inflation fluid may flow to inflate the protection device. A rupturable closure (28, 228) extends across the opening (26, 226) in the first container (22, 222) to block fluid flow through the opening. A second container (68, 268) defines a second chamber (70, 270). A plate (82, 282) is located between the first chamber (24, 224) and the second chamber (70, 270) and has a passage (84, 84a, 284 or 284a) which allows fluid communication between the first and second chambers.

Abstract: An apparatus (14) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant device (12) includes a container (20) defining a chamber (22) containing a source of inflation fluid. The container (20) includes an opening (26) through which the inflation fluid flows outward from the chamber (22). A rupturable disk (36) closes the opening (26) in the chamber (22) and engages a shoulder (30) on the container (20). An annular eloping ring (44) engages the rupturable disk (36). A manifold (54) clamps the clamping ring (44) and the rupturable disk (36) to the shoulder (30) of the container (20).

Abstract: An air bag module (12) includes an inflator (18) that is actuatable to supply inflation fluid to inflate an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (16). A housing (14) directs the inflation fluid from the inflator (18) toward the inflatable device (16). At least one vent opening (40) is formed in the housing (14) for selectively venting inflation fluid from the housing. A door panel (70) is movable between a closed position blocking venting of inflation fluid from the housing (14) and an open position enabling venting of inflation fluid from the housing. The door panel (70), when in the closed position, is biased toward the open position. In one embodiment, the door panel (70) is resiliently deformable. In another embodiment, a spring (71a) is connected with a door (70a) and biases the door toward the open position.

Abstract: An airbag assembly (10) includes a reaction device (15), an inflator (20), and an airbag (25). The reaction device (15) includes a first housing member (27) and a second housing member (28). In the completed airbag assembly, the housing members (27) and (28) form a receptacle with a cavity (29) and a deployment opening (30). The housing members (27) and (28) are configured to capture and orient the inflator (20) and/or the airbag (25) in the cavity (29) of the reaction device (15) as the housing members are being coupled together.

Abstract: An air bag inflator (10) includes inflation fluid stored in a chamber (18). The inflator (10) includes a combustible sheet member (100) which comprises an oxidizable substrate, such as a polytetrafluoroethylene film, and a layer of a fuel material, such as magnesium, on the substrate. The combustible sheet member (100) is disposed in a perforated tube (90) in the chamber (18). The combustible sheet member (100), when ignited by an igniter (70), emits combustion products through openings (98) in the perforated tube (90) to warm and increase the pressure of the inflation fluid in the chamber (18). The inflation fluid includes 5% to 20% oxygen to support the combustion of the combustible sheet member (100).

Abstract: An inflator (12) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (36) includes a vessel (14) having a chamber (16) which holds fluid under pressure. An opening (20) to the chamber (16) is defined by an inner side surface (66, 76) of the vessel (14). A plug (18) is disposed in the opening (20) to the chamber (16) to block the opening. A passage (42) is formed in the plug (18) to direct fluid from the chamber (16) to the inflatable device (36). The plug (18) is welded to the inner side surface (66, 76) of the vessel (14) to retain the plug (18) in the vessel (14) and form a fluid tight seal between the plug (18) and the vessel (14). Preferably, a rim portion (84) of the vessel (14) is disposed outward of the weld and extends over a portion (104) of the plug (18) to help in retaining the plug (18) in the vessel. Also the side surface (66, 76) of the vessel (14) preferably tapers radially inward in a direction towards the chamber in the vessel.

Abstract: An air bag inflator (10) includes an ignitable gas generating material (50), an initiator (36) for igniting the gas generating material (50), and a tubular wall (100) defining a combustion chamber (54) containing the gas generating material (50). A plurality of gas flow openings (150) extend radially outward from the combustion chamber (54) through the tubular wall (100). A filter (102) extends circumferentially and axially over the tubular wall (100). The tubular wall (100) includes a structure (160) defining a space which provides plenum (170) extending radially outward from the gas flow openings (150) to the filter (102).

Abstract: An apparatus (14) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (12) comprises means (22) defining an elongated combustion chamber (30) having opposed ends (24, 26). The combustion cheer (30) contains a mass (32) of gas generating material. An igniter (92) is positioned at one end of the combustion chamber (30) for igniting the mass (32) of gas generating material. The mass of gas generating material provides a substantially continuous burn path for the full length of the combustion chamber (30). The mass of gas generating material comprises at least one expansion area (124) between the combustion chamber opposed ends (24, 26), which expansion area is essentially free of gas generating material. The expansion area (124) has a free volume which is effective to attenuate pressure waves within the combustion chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (12) includes a cylindrical inflator (800) containing an ignitable gas generating material (816) which, when ignited, generates gas for inflating the restraint (12). The inflator (800) has a tubular part (802) with a longitudinal central axis (808) and axially opposite ends (856) and (858). The tubular part (802) defines a combustion chamber (812) containing the gas generating material (816), and includes a cylindrical filter (842) for filtering the gas radially outward of the combustion chamber (812). The inflator (800) is free of a tubular outer body wall. The inflator (800) further includes a pair of end caps (804, 806) extending across the ends (856, 858) of the tubular part (802).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (12) and an inflator (14) for providing gas for inflating the restraint (12). The inflator (14) contains an ignitable gas generating material (70) which, when ignited, generates the gas. The inflator has a structure (72) which defines a combustion chamber (78) containing the gas generating material (70). The inflator (14) further has an axis (66), and directs the gas to flow from the combustion chamber (78) outward through the inflator (14) and outward from the inflator (14) in a direction transverse to the axis (66). The inflator (14) is free of a tubular body wall defining gas flow openings at a location outward of the structure (72) defining the combustion chamber (78).