With Source Of Inflation Fluid And Flow Control Means Thereof Patents (Class 280/736)
  • Patent number: 7681916
    Abstract: A filter for use in absorbing heat from gases generated in a gas generating system is disclosed. The filter includes a plurality of discrete, continuous gas flow passages extending therethrough. In one embodiment, the filter is incorporated into an inflator used for inflating an inflatable element of a vehicle occupant protection system. A gas generator incorporating the filter and a vehicle occupant protection system incorporating the filter are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Krupp, Donald B. Patterson
  • Patent number: 7681913
    Abstract: An air bag system includes an inflator operable to release inflation fluid, a cushion inflatable upon release of inflation fluid, and an air bag housing having a vent substantially surrounding the cushion. A first plate includes a first portion defining a first opening and a second portion defining a second opening. The first plate is movable from a first position, wherein the first opening is aligned with the vent, to a second position, wherein the second opening is aligned with the vent. A second plate including a first portion defining a first opening and a second portion defining a second opening may also be provided. The second plate is preferably movable from a first position, wherein the first opening is aligned with the vent, to a second position, wherein the second opening is aligned with the vent. The first and second plates preferably interact to define four distinct vent areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott D. Thomas
  • Patent number: 7673900
    Abstract: An airbag device includes an airbag, first and second inflators, a gas-supply mechanism and a release member for connecting between a holding structure and the airbag. Gas generated by the second inflator is supplied into the airbag when the release member is pulled by the airbag while gas generated by the first inflator inflates the airbag. According to the airbag device, a gas amount supplied into an airbag can be switched according to an occupant's seating position without equipping a sensor for measuring a distance between an occupant and the airbag or a control device for computing the gas amount supplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Aki Yokoyama, Tomoko Ninomiya
  • Publication number: 20100052298
    Abstract: An airbag assembly comprising a housing with an inflatable airbag cushion disposed therein and at least one vent aperture attached to the inflatable airbag cushion, wherein during inflatable airbag cushion deployment with an obstruction, the at least one vent aperture remains open, and during inflatable airbag cushion deployment without an obstruction, the at least one vent aperture at least partially closes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: David W. Schneider, ChangSoo Choi
  • Patent number: 7669894
    Abstract: An airbag system is disclosed comprising a gas generator and an airbag having at least two inflatable airbag regions. The airbag regions are attached to the gas generator by an interconnecting a T-shaped connecting piece having symmetrically opposed outlet stubs with differently sized outlet cross-sections for inflating the airbag regions. In order to neutralize the thrust of the system in case of accidental fire, several means for controlling the outlet cross-section on at least one of the outlet stubs are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Josephine Leo, Peter Axelsson, Jan Mazanek, Niclas Johannson, Ken Lindberg, Per Hellberg
  • Patent number: 7669893
    Abstract: A method of producing a gas generator includes arranging an igniter in an inner chamber surrounded by a housing of the gas generator. The igniter is supported in a first direction on a part of the gas generator and in the first direction opposite a mounting orifice of the housing. The method includes arranging a sealing element in the mounting orifice to seal the mounting orifice. The sealing element presses over a bearing area deformable in the first direction with a force acting in the first direction against a first bearing area of the igniter and forms a gas-tight joint between the sealing element and the igniter. A side of the sealing element facing the part of the gas generator in the first direction abuts against a side of the part of the gas generator to limit deformation of the bearing area of the sealing element in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
    Inventors: Stefan Jäger, Thomas Dirnberger, Christophe Dervyn
  • Patent number: 7665762
    Abstract: A gas generator for a vehicle occupant restraint system a rigid outer housing (12), a chamber (14) formed in the outer housing (12), in which a compressed gas is present at least upon activation of the gas generator (10), a component immovable (20; 34; 62) relative to the outer housing (12), at least one outflow opening (22) formed in the immovable component (20; 34; 62), and a least one resilient element (26), which is clamped inside the outer housing (12) and rests against the immovable component (20; 34; 62) at least in its normal position. In its normal position, the resilient element (26) closes a flow path between the chamber (14) and external surroundings of the gas generator (10) and is deformed elastically under the influence of compressed gas, whereby it clears a flow cross-section (30) whose size is increasing with increasing pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Gabler, Karl Englbrecht, Daniel Kraus, Stefan Labitzke, Thomas Nobach, Helmut Pritz, Johann Seidl
  • Patent number: 7665763
    Abstract: An inflator for an air-bag comprises at least one gas bottle (1, 2) containing pressurized gas. The gas bottle is sealed by a rupturable foil (9). There is a support member (15) engaging the rupturable foil to maintain it in an unruptured state. The support member (15) is retained in an initial position by a part (23) of a piston element (20) which directly engages the support member (15). The piston element (20) is associated with a squib (11) to drive the piston element from an initial position to a release position in which the piston element no longer engages the support member (15). This permits the support member (15) to move to a position in which the foil (9) will rupture to permit gas to escape from the bottle. The preferred embodiment has two gas bottles each sealed by a respective foil each maintained by a support member which directly engages a single piston member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Kent-Ake Björklund, Mats Johannson, Peter Qvint
  • Patent number: 7665764
    Abstract: The gas generator includes, a housing having a gas discharge port, a first combustion chamber defined by the housing, a first gas generating agent adapted to generate gas to inflate an air bag, the first gas generating agent having a first combustion temperature and disposed in the first combustion chamber, a second gas generating agent adapted to generate gas to inflate the air bag, the second gas generating agent having a second combustion temperature lower than the first combustion temperature and disposed in the first combustion chamber, and a first ignition unit for directly igniting at least one of the first gas generating agent and the second gas generating agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Matsuda, Masato Hirooka
  • Patent number: 7661707
    Abstract: A gas generating system is provided including a housing and a divider for dividing an interior of the housing into a first interior portion and a second interior portion. The divider defines a fluid flow path therethrough enabling fluid communication from the first interior portion to the second interior portion. A valve mechanism is operatively coupled to the divider for constricting the fluid flow path responsive to a pressure within the first interior portion, thereby enabling the pressure within the first interior portion to be maintained within a predetermined range. A vehicle occupant protection system including the gas generating system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Stevens, Robert M. Krupp, Donald B. Patterson
  • Patent number: 7658405
    Abstract: A variable venting assembly for an inflator, the assembly comprising: a nozzle having an inlet opening and an outlet opening; a valve member movably mounted to the nozzle for movement between an open position and a closed position, the valve member having a shaft member and a head portion secured to the shaft member, the head portion being configured to seal the outlet opening when the valve member is in the closed position; a biasing member located between a portion of the nozzle and a surface of the shaft member, the biasing member providing a biasing force to maintain the valve member in the closed position; and a bleed orifice providing a fluid path through the nozzle, the bleed orifice providing the fluid path regardless of the position of the valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick J Gibbons
  • Patent number: 7658406
    Abstract: A device for supporting a rupturable closure member of a pressure vessel, such as an airbag inflator has a hollow support with a tapered portion and an adjoining cylindrical portion. An exterior surface of the tapered portion has longitudinally extending grooves therein. An igniter is located adjacent the cylindrical portion of the support and a pyrotechnic substance is located in the cylindrical portion of the support between the igniter and the tapered portion of the support. A rupturable closure member being forced against an open first end of the tapered portion of the support by the gas in the pressure vessel such that a chamber is formed within the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Townsend, Alexander Deych
  • Publication number: 20100025971
    Abstract: The disclosed airbag device for a vehicle may comprise an airbag and at least one connection member. The airbag may have first and second side surfaces, wherein the first side surface has upper and lower ends. The at least one connection member may connect the lower end of the first side surface to an intermediate position on the first side surface located between the upper and lower ends of the first side surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Mark Andrew Steinbach, Richard Andrew Wilk
  • Publication number: 20100025975
    Abstract: An occupant protection device includes a plurality of gas generators that actuate respective mechanisms, and a control portion that actuates the gas generators. If a condition for actuating at least one of the gas generators is fulfilled and a condition for actuating the other gas generators are unfulfilled, the other gas generators are controlled by the control portion at a timing that is uninfluential on an actuation state of one of the mechanism actuated by the one of the gas generators and that is different from a preset timing for actuating the other mechanisms actuated by the other gas generators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Fukawatase, Shuji Yamada
  • Patent number: 7654565
    Abstract: A gas generating system for use in an inflatable vehicle occupant protection system is provided wherein an end closure is coupled to an outer housing at a first end, in a metal-to-metal seal. The gas generating system may also include a baffle system having a plurality of flow orifices defining a flow path for generated gases through an interior of the gas generating system, and a plurality of particulate aggregation surfaces positioned along the flow path of the gases for changing a flow direction of gases impinging on the aggregation surfaces. Each aggregation surface of the plurality of aggregation surfaces is oriented such that a difference between a flow direction of the gases prior to impinging on the aggregation surface and a flow direction of the gases after impinging on the aggregation surface is at least approximately 90°, wherein particulates in gases impinging on the aggregation surfaces aggregate on the surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. McCormick, Robert M. Hardenburg, Bernardo V. Vergara
  • Patent number: 7654566
    Abstract: Described is a gas generator unit comprising of a cylindrical gas generator (10), the lateral surface (10a) of which demonstrates emission holes (12) arranged in a thrust-neutral manner within a ring-shaped area (10b), and a deflector element (20), which is rigidly connected to the gas generator (10) and is made of a heat resistant material and at least surrounds the ring-shaped area (10b) at least partially. To make the gas generator harmless in the event of a fire, the deflector element (20) demonstrates, in an inflow area (20a) opposite the ring-shaped area (10b), borings (22), which are sealed by at least one blocking element (24, 32) made of a meltable or combustible material, the borings being arranged in such a manner that the gas generator unit is thrust-neutral in the absence of the blocking element (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Joachim Huber, Ernst Wittmann
  • Patent number: 7654555
    Abstract: The invention relates to a module (1) for an occupant-protection device of a motor vehicle. Said module containing a functional element (2), which can be activated if the motor vehicle is involved in a collision and which comprises an electrically conductive material and a fixing device (3) mechanically fixing the functional element (2) to the bodywork of the motor vehicle. According to the invention, the functional element (2) is electrically insulated in relation to the bodywork of the motor vehicle. According to the invention, the functional element (2) is electrically insulated in relation to the bodywork of the motor vehicle. This guarantees that the functional element, which can be activated in a collision, cannot electrically interact with the bodywork of the motor vehicle, is particular in the form of a voltage surge. The invention permits the reliability of a module for an occupant-protection device of a motor vehicle to be increased and prevents potential malfunctions in a simple manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
    Inventors: Jochen Schaupp, Alexander Aulbach
  • Patent number: 7651125
    Abstract: An air bag for a driver's seat of a vehicle that utilizes an inflator gas of low and high pressures, in which a twofold tether composed of first and second tethers is established inside the air bag for a driver's seat that is unfolded toward the driver when the vehicle collides with a collision object and the sewn portions of the first and second tethers are burst selectively according to the high and low pressures of gas generated from an inflator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jong Young Yoon
  • Publication number: 20100013199
    Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag system comprising an airbag module, which has an opening mechanism for the airbag tear seam of a seat cover for the airbag accommodated underneath the cover in a non-visible manner, wherein the opening mechanism is configured such that the deploying force of the airbag tears a hole or holes into the tear seam, which bring(s) about a slight opening of the seam according to the physics of a ‘run,’ wherein a strip, or plurality of strips, or strip ends sewn into the airbag tear seam of the seat cover in more than one locations is/are torn from the seam driven by the deploying force of the airbag. The invention further relates to a vehicle seat comprising such an airbag system, and to a deployment method for such an airbag system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: INNOVA GMBH TECHNISCHE ENTWICKLUNGEN
    Inventor: Helmut Müller
  • Patent number: 7648164
    Abstract: Method for controlling flow of gas into an airbag includes generating gas, directing the gas into the airbag, and controlling the flow of gas into the airbag based on conditions at the time of deployment such that the airbag is variably deployed dependent on ambient conditions. A related arrangement for controlling flow of gas into an airbag includes a system for generating gas, a system for directing the gas into the airbag and a system for controlling the flow of gas into the airbag based on conditions at the time of deployment such that the airbag is variably deployed dependent on ambient conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Automotive Technologies International, Inc.
    Inventor: David S. Breed
  • Patent number: 7648163
    Abstract: The air bag gas generator comprises a housing having a gas discharge port, an ignition unit chamber in which ignition units are accommodated, and a combustion chamber in which a gas generating agent is accommodated, a cylindrical coolant/filter disposed between the combustion chamber and the gas discharge port, so that combustion gas passes through the coolant/filter prior to discharge through the gas discharge port, and the air bag gas generator meeting the following requirements (a), (b), and (c): (a) that the gas generating agent has an amount of heat generation of 10 to 30 kcal/mol; (b) that the mass (g) of the coolant/filter in relation to 1 mol of gas generated during combustion of the gas generating agent be 20 to 65 g/mol; and (c) that the coolant/filter has a thickness of not less than 4.0 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Teppei Hanano, Naoki Matsuda, Takashi Okuyama
  • Patent number: 7644739
    Abstract: A pressurized actuator system for independent deployment of at least two inflatable structures having a first primary section adapted for deployment of a primary inflatable structure and second section for deployment of a secondary inflatable structure and an auxiliary source of pressurized fluid for operating said device. A control assembly for controlling a flow of pressurized fluid from the auxiliary source of pressurized into the second system is provided. Thus, the system assures independent deployment of the primary and secondary inflatable structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Air Cruisers Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Vezzosi, Thomas W. Swierkocki
  • Publication number: 20100001497
    Abstract: An inflator employing a pressurized gas and used for a restraining system of a vehicle, including an adsorbent and a gas charged into a gas charging chamber of the inflator, the gas being adsorbed to the adsorbent and also charged into a space in which the adsorbent does not exist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: Masayuki YAMAZAKI, Shingo Oda
  • Patent number: 7641232
    Abstract: A gas generator (10) is provided including a housing (12). A gas generating composition (16) produces expanded gases upon activation of the inflator (10), thereby increasing the internal pressure and compressing the spring (50) operably coupled to the gas release member (40). As the spring (50) is compressed, at least one gas exit aperture (44), sealed prior to gas generator (10) activation, is opened as the gas release member (40) slidably engages an inner wall (11) of the housing (12). After gas generator (10) activation, the spring energy of the spring (50) gradually equalizes and then exceeds the gas pressure of the system gases, thereby once again attenuating the gas exit opening to maintain an optimum average system pressure as the gas is released from the housing (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald B. Patterson
  • Patent number: 7641230
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, and apparatus for inflating airbags. In one embodiment, an initiator is deployed to open an exit gas port, through which the airbag is inflated. The airbag is primarily inflated via gas from a first gas chamber and is substantially maintained in an inflated state for a predetermined period of time primarily via gas from a second gas chamber. In one embodiment, an airbag inflator is provided which comprises a first gas chamber, a second gas chamber, and an intermediate chamber assembly. The intermediate chamber assembly comprises a first gas port positioned adjacent to and in fluid communication with the first gas chamber and a second gas port positioned adjacent to and in fluid communication with the second gas chamber. The inflator is configured to allow a greater flow rate of gas through the first gas port upon deployment than through the second gas port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Schramm, David J. Green
  • Patent number: 7641231
    Abstract: A gas generator has a first chamber containing a first amount of substance of a solid propellant providing filling gas and a second chamber containing a second amount of substance providing filling gas. An igniter is associated with the first chamber only. The first chamber has outflow openings providing a flow connection with an environment of the gas generator. After activation of the gas generator, the second chamber is connected with the environment of the gas generator with regard to flow exclusively via the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Anh-Dung Tiêu
  • Patent number: 7637533
    Abstract: A gas generator includes: a housing having a gas discharge port; a molded article of gas generating composition disposed within the housing and generating gas on combustion, the molded article of the gas generating composition having a single or plural combustion starting end surfaces where ignition and combustion is started by the ignition means; ignition means provided within the housing and igniting and burning the molded article of the gas generating composition; and the ignition means being a surface heating element which is in contact with the combustion starting end surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Yamazaki, Shogo Tomiyama
  • Patent number: 7637535
    Abstract: An air bag inflator has a cylindrical housing defining an internal space therein and having a convex portion protruding towards the internal space, and a cup member provided inside the cylindrical housing and having a cylindrical wall, provided with a vent hole that communicates inside the cup member with a space defined by the cup member and an inner surface of the cylindrical housing, and an end wall closing a first end of the cylindrical wall. The cup member is supported inside the cylindrical housing by making contact with the convex portion. An inflator assembly method includes, forming the convex portion, providing the cup member, and inserting the cup member inside the internal space of the cylindrical housing, such that the cup member abuts the convex portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuzo Gotoh, Yasunori Iwai, Masayuki Nakayasu
  • Patent number: 7631888
    Abstract: A gas generator has a cylindrical gas generator housing (22) and a connecting piece (14) which is welded to the gas generator housing (22). The connecting piece (14) has extensions (28) spaced apart in peripheral direction on the side facing the gas generator housing (22) and has a recess (31) between the extensions (28). The connecting piece (14) is welded to the gas generator housing (22) at the extensions (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Seidl, Karl Englbrecht
  • Publication number: 20090295132
    Abstract: An airbag inflator that includes a pyrotechnic material capable of producing a quantity of gas during deployment. The inflator also includes a filter. The filter may be an expanded metal filter that is wrapped about the pyrotechnic material. When this filter is wrapped about the pyrotechnic material, the filter forms a plurality of layers having holes that are a different size. This filter also includes a first set of barriers and a second set of barriers that are positioned exterior of the first set of barriers, the second set of barriers being offset from the first set of barriers. Gas passing through the filter will encounter the first set of barriers, be re-directed, encounter the second set of barriers, be re-directed, and then flow out of the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Scott Jackson, Robert E. Lewis, Kevin Smith, Gary Smith, Gregory J. Lang
  • Publication number: 20090289444
    Abstract: An inflatable passenger restraint airbag having an inflatable and transferable gas vent is disclosed. A system and method is provided whereby the force of airbag deployment may be reduced in real time if the airbag strikes an out of position seat occupant. This force reduction is made possible by release of inflation gas at an early stage of deployment through an adjustable gas vent. This gas vent is operable between an open venting position and a closed non-venting position. Whether or not the transfer of the vent occurs in a given deployment situation is determined by the presence or absence of an out of position obstruction in the pathway of the airbag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventor: Ramesh Keshavaraj
  • Publication number: 20090283991
    Abstract: A side airbag apparatus includes an airbag 30 and an inflator assembly 20 incorporated in the airbag 30. The airbag 30 is formed by first and second inflation sections 31, 42. An insertion portion 49 in an upper portion of the second inflation section 42 is located in a lower portion of a receptacle portion 38 of the first inflation section 31. The gas discharge passages 57 for discharging inflation gas G in the first inflation section 31 to the outside of the airbag 30 are formed between the overlapped insertion portion 49 and receptacle portion 38. In this state, the first and second inflation sections 31, 42 are connected to each other. When the first inflation section 31 is not restraining the occupant, the inflation gas G in each inflation section 31, 42 causes the insertion portion 49 to closely contact the receptacle portion 38, so that the gas discharge passages 57 are closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: TOYODA GOSEI CO. , LTD.
    Inventor: Kensaku HONDA
  • Patent number: 7618059
    Abstract: A system and method for venting an airbag is provided. The system includes a set of vent doors, thereby reducing the overall package spaced that would otherwise be required to allow the doors to swing open. The vent doors are connected by a single tether or by multiple tethers to the primary surface of the airbag cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ian Hall, Sean Ryan, Jeff Vinton, Nial Wykes
  • Publication number: 20090273168
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection system includes a plurality of inflatable devices, at least one fluid source for supplying a pressurized fluid for the vehicle occupant protection system, and at least one gas-tight manifold coupled to the at least one fluid source for receiving pressurized fluid from the at least one fluid source. The at least one manifold is also coupled to the plurality of inflatable devices such that, upon activation of the vehicle occupant protection system, the plurality of inflatable devices receive from the at least one manifold sufficient pressurized fluid to inflate the plurality of inflatable devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventor: David M. McCormick
  • Patent number: 7611164
    Abstract: An airbag apparatus comprising an airbag that expands between a vehicle occupant and a side wall of a vehicle body. The airbag is divided into a plurality of expanding chambers that are connected by a plurality of gas flow channels. Among the expanding chambers, the cross-sectional area of the gas flow channel leading to the expanding chamber that expands first is the largest, the cross-sectional area of the gas flow channel leading to the expanding chamber that expands last is the smallest, and the expanding chambers expand in stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kai, Takashi Aoki, Kazuhiro Onda, Rei Sakamoto, Nobuko Hashikawa
  • Publication number: 20090267334
    Abstract: An adaptive valve for an airbag inflator having a manifold with an exhaust opening for fluid communication with an airbag. The adaptive valve is constructed for connection to a manifold so that it is in fluid communication therewith. The adaptive valve has an exhaust orifice and is constructed to selectively open the exhaust orifice to divert inflation gas away from an inflator manifold when it is connected thereto to lower the rate of inflation of an airbag in fluid communication with the exhaust opening of the manifold. The adaptive valve may have a valve member movably mounted therein for movement between a first position wherein it closes the exhaust orifice and a second position wherein it opens the exhaust orifice. An initiator is provided in the adaptive valve to generate sufficient gas pressure to move the valve member to the first or second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: ARC Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: James Michael Rose, Cornelia Jane Quimby, Todd Steven Carlson, Stephan C. Gold
  • Publication number: 20090267333
    Abstract: An air-bag (1) is provided with a vent aperture (2). A membrane (3) extends across the vent aperture, the membrane defining a smaller aperture (4) than the vent aperture (2). The periphery of the aperture is defined by a thickened part of the membrane. The membrane is formed of an elastic material such as a silicone rubber material. When a very high pressure exists in the air-bag the vent becomes deformed, thus increasing the size of the aperture defined by the membrane, permitting a relatively large flow of air from the air-bag to reduce the pressure within the air-bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: Antonella Pittiglio, Alan Bradburn, Hugh Finn, Jack Johannson, Marc Phillips
  • Patent number: 7600780
    Abstract: To provide a passenger protective device and method that can achieve a stable protective performance even when deploying the airbag from the seat belt, thus allowing for appropriate restraint of the passenger's head. Passenger protective device 1 makes the timing in which the internal pressure of thigh airbag 12 peaks slower than the timing in which the internal pressure of head airbag 11 peaks. In addition, it also makes the timing in which the capacity of thigh airbag 12 reaches the maximum slower than the timing in which the capacity of head airbag 11 reaches the maximum. In this manner, the passenger's head, which moves due to inertial force, is caught by head airbag 11 and head airbag 11 is supported by thigh airbag 12, which is softer than said airbag 11. Therefore, the passenger's head can be caught softly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Tobata, Kouichi Oota, Daisuke Masuda
  • Patent number: 7600778
    Abstract: An airbag module comprising a planar airbag and an elongate gas generator including discharge ports at least partially extending into the airbag. The airbag includes two side walls connected together by an edge region and made of fabric. An opening is disposed in the edge region of the airbag. The gas generator extends through the opening such that an elongate first section of the gas generator is arranged inside the gas bag. A gas-conducting element protects the fabric and is located in the airbag adjacent the opening. The gas-conducting element is made of plastic and includes a forward section having an arcuate cross section including an opening formed between at least two substantially parallel legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Benoit Schang, Anders Palo
  • Patent number: 7600781
    Abstract: An inflator includes: a pressurized gas filled with a pressurized gas and having a first end and a second end; a gas generator being connected to the first end, and including therein an ignition device and a molded article of a gas generating; a diffuser portion connected to the second end, and being provided with a gas discharge port; a communication path provided between the pressurized gas chamber and the gas generator and closed by a rupturable plate; a cap provided to cover the rupturable plate from the pressurized gas chamber side and having a plurality of gas holes formed at a circumference thereof, the minimum diameter (d min) of the gas hole being equal to or smaller than the larger one of the minimum diameter (D min) and the length (L) of the molded article of the gas generating composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Haruhiko Yamashita, Shinichiro Ukita, Atsushi Hatomoto, Akihisa Ogawa
  • Patent number: 7600783
    Abstract: A gas generator that can prevent erroneous operation in which the combustion of a gas generating agent inside one combustion chamber is caused by the combustion of a gas generating agent in the other combustion chamber. Two combustion chambers 30, 50 are separated by a partition wall 35. The partition wall 35 is fixed by discontinuous protrusions 61, 62 formed in a housing 11. Air tightness between two combustion chambers 30, 50 is ensured by two retainers 80, 90.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Numoto, Eiichi Ryobo, Masayuki Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7597356
    Abstract: An airbag cushion is disclosed for use in automotive protective systems. The airbag cushion includes at least one gas deflector which directs gas to a closeable vent to allow gas to be vented out of the cushion when an obstruction is encountered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Williams
  • Patent number: 7597348
    Abstract: An airbag is formed from fabric layers joined at a seam, and gas generator inflates the airbag by means of gas expelled from the gas generator's insertion end which has been inserted into the airbag. A gas guide is formed in the airbag in order to direct gas from the gas generator into the airbag and includes a pouch-shaped gas guide member in which are formed gas injection nozzles and an attachment orifice. The insertion end of the gas generator is inserted into the attachment orifice with the gas injection nozzles facing an interior of the airbag. A convex-shaped seam is included where the fabric layers are joined, and is disposed in opposition to the gas guide member. The gas guide member comes into contact with the convex-shaped seam as a result of the pressure of the flow of gas from the gas generator through the gas guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Masataka Fukuda, Yuichiro Yoshida, Makoto Higano, Mitsuo Nogami, Taro Shimizu
  • Patent number: 7597353
    Abstract: An inflator device for inflating an inflatable cushion of an inflatable cushion restraint system. The inflator device includes a reaction housing defining a reaction chamber containing a supply of gas generant material. An initiator device is connected to the reaction housing and is in reaction initiating communication with the supply of gas generant material. A filter housing is disposed around at least a portion of the reaction housing and at least in part defines a filter chamber. The filter housing includes an annular discharge opening. The produced inflation gas discharges from the filter housing to the inflatable cushion through the annular discharge opening. A filter is disposed in the filter chamber and external of the reaction housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley W. Smith, Matthew A. Cox
  • Patent number: 7597351
    Abstract: A side airbag apparatus includes a side airbag having a plurality of partitioned chambers therein to be inflated and deployed in a space between a side wall portion of a body of a motor vehicle and an occupant seated on a seat disposed inside the body. An inflator has an approximately cylindrical shape and blows gas out for inflating and deploying the side airbag from one side in a longitudinal direction of the inflator. A cylindrical member is disposed in a manner so as to cover the one side in the longitudinal direction of the inflator and has a squeezing portion for restricting a flow path of the gas blown out from the inflator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Daisuke Kashiwagi
  • Publication number: 20090236834
    Abstract: An enhanced head-and-neck restraint system is provided for use with a vehicle having a passenger compartment with a seat assembly and a safety belt assembly mounted therein. The restraint system includes first and second collar straps each having an inflatable cushion integrated thereto. A first end of each collar strap is attached to a headrest portion of the seat assembly to transition between a retracted position, in which the collar straps are substantially inside the headrest portion, and a use position, in which each collar strap attaches to a belt webbing of the safety belt system. A fluid dispensing apparatus is in fluid communication with the inflatable cushions, and operable to selectively transition the inflatable cushions from a non-expanded state to an expanded state when the collar straps are in the use position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip M. Turner, Kon-Mei Ewing, Yueh-Se J. Huang, Pei-Chung Wang
  • Patent number: 7591481
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection system includes a plurality of inflatable devices, at least one fluid source for supplying a pressurized fluid for the vehicle occupant protection system, and at least one gas-tight manifold coupled to the at least one fluid source for receiving pressurized fluid from the at least one fluid source. The at least one manifold is also coupled to the plurality of inflatable devices such that, upon activation of the vehicle occupant protection system, the plurality of inflatable devices receive from the at least one manifold sufficient pressurized fluid to inflate the plurality of inflatable devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Authomotive Systems Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventor: David M. McCormick
  • Patent number: 7591483
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generator for a restraining device for a vehicle, including: an igniter attached via an igniter collar to an opening in a housing bottom portion; the igniter collar including a main body portion that supports the igniter and an attachment portion that is fixed to the housing bottom portion; at least part of the attachment portion absorbing strains caused by deformation of the housing, sealing between the housing and the igniter collar, by deforming itself correspondingly to deformation of the housing when the housing deforms during the actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Nakayasu, Noriaki Noma
  • Publication number: 20090224519
    Abstract: A vehicle airbag device includes: an airbag which is housed in a folded state when a gas generation portion is not activated, and which inflates and deploys by receiving gas when the gas generation portion is activated, and whose two side portions are provided with gas outlet vent holes; and a tether that includes pair of left and right side portions extending along internal side surfaces of the two side portions of the airbag, and an intermediate portion interconnecting occupant-side end portions of the pair of left and right side portions. The airbag devices closes the vent holes by moving the pair of left and right side portions relative to the internal side surfaces of the two side portions of the airbag when the pressing force on the intermediate portion of the tether is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Fukawatase, Shuji Yamada, Akiyoshi Sanada
  • Patent number: 7584992
    Abstract: An occupant protection device for protecting a vehicle occupant in the event of a vehicle accident, with a gas generator and an airbag which is connected to the gas generator and is inflated by the gas generator in the event of an accident. The gas generator includes a combustion chamber with propellant material which is ignited by a releasable igniting charge, and both the gas formed during combustion of the igniting charge and the gas formed during combustion of the propellant material being used for filling the airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
    Inventors: Andreas Riedel, Georg Rasch, Hans-Peter Sendelbach, Christian Weyrich