Flow Control Means Patents (Class 280/742)
  • Publication number: 20100032931
    Abstract: An airbag to be inflated by gas for a vehicle includes a base member for the airbag, an opening and closing vent provided in the base member, and a discharging gas control member for restraining gas from discharging from the opening and closing vent. The discharging gas control member closes or slightly opens the opening and closing vent when an occupant does not contact a front surface of the airbag facing the occupant when the airbag is inflated. The discharging gas control member opens or widely opens the opening and closing vent so as to allow the gas to be discharged from the opening and closing vent when the occupant contacts the front surface of the airbag, and the front surface is pushed in a direction opposite to the occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: TAKATA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayoshi Kumagai, Yasuhito Miyata, Kazuhiro Abe, Christoph Knappe
  • 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20100019476
    Abstract: An airbag includes a vent and a gas discharge limitation member to limit gas discharged from the vent. The limitation member includes at least one invertible portion on a surface on a side opposite the occupant-facing surface of the airbag and capable everting toward the outside of the airbag. The limitation member includes an interlocking member for interlocking movement of the occupant-facing surface in an occupant direction and an opposite direction and for interlocking movement of the invertible portion inward of the airbag and outward of the airbag when expanded. The limitation member includes a lid covering the vent and being pulled by the invertible portion when the invertible portion everts towards the outside of the airbag. The lid closes the vent or opens the vent by a small amount until the lid member is pulled by the invertible portion and opens the vent by at least a large amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventor: Tobias Pausch
  • 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
  • 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: 7648165
    Abstract: A gas bag module for a vehicle occupant restraint system includes a housing and a gas bag (12) accommodated in the housing. The gas bag has a gas bag wall (16). The gas bag module further includes a discharge arrangement (18) having an energetic element (22) for the selective provision of a discharge opening. The energetic element (22) is able to be activated by a control unit (20). The discharge opening is provided by material conversion of the energetic element (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Keutz, Michael Deckenhoff, Matthias Helmstetter
  • Patent number: 7644950
    Abstract: A gas deflector (24) is disclosed for use with a cylindrical gas generator (20). The gas deflector (24) comprises a generally tubular housing to accommodate the cylindrical gas generator (20). The housing has two terminal portions (25, 26) of generally circular cross-section and has an intermediate region provided with an outwardly-extending formation (28). The outwardly-extending formation (28) defines, at either end thereof, an opening (31, 34) through which gas may flow in the direction substantially parallel to the axis of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Markus Kloss, Andreas Haberzettl
  • 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: 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: 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: 7635147
    Abstract: An airbag module for a motor vehicle, including a cover. The airbag may be deployed through an openable region of the cover into the outside space of the airbag module. When the airbag is inflated, the outflow orifice is arranged in the inside space of the airbag module such that gas emerging from the first outflow orifice passes through the openable region of the cover. The gas generator includes at least one gas outlet orifice fluidly connected to the airbag. The airbag module further includes a second openable outflow orifice, which is formed on a chamber surrounding the gas generator and is in fluid communication with the gas outlet orifice of the gas generator so that the gas flowing out through the gas outlet orifice is conducted at least partially into the outside space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
    Inventors: Thomas Lube, Dirk Meissner, Heiko Hofmann, Andreas Winkler
  • 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
  • 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20090250915
    Abstract: This invention is in the field of safety devices to lessen injuries arising from impact in vehicles, particularly automobiles. A bolster which may be employed to reduce impact severity to passengers from either frontal or side impacts is activated by impact sensing devices. The housing of the bolster has a lateral length L. Upon activation, the bolster is inflated with an activating fluid and extends the lateral length L of the bolster upon activation. A bolster is also provided having portions which inflate at differing rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: SALFLEX POLYMERS LTD.
    Inventors: Michael James Best, Ray S. Roychoudhury, Rimas Ciplijauskas
  • 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
  • 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: 7588265
    Abstract: A gas generating system including a mechanism (10) for releasing a pressurized fluid from a storage container (12). The mechanism (10) includes an enclosure (39) for receiving a gas from a gas source therein. An actuator (66) is slidably mounted in fluid communication with an interior of the enclosure (39) for initiating release of the fluid by a sliding motion of the actuator (66). The actuator (66) is slidable in response to a force exerted by a gas from the gas source received in the enclosure (39). A stop portion is coupled to the enclosure (39) for restricting sliding motion of the actuator (66). A seal (86) is provided for sealing the container (12). A penetrator portion is formed on the actuator (66) for opening the seal (86) to release the fluid from the container (12). A diffuser (34) is provided for receiving pressurized fluid from the container (12) upon opening of the seal (86). The diffuser (34) includes gas exit apertures (36) formed therealong to enable distribution of the pressurized fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffery S. Blackburn
  • Patent number: 7584987
    Abstract: A housing structure of an airbag includes: an airbag housing body having an airbag therein and vent holes formed therein; a partitioning plate installed to the airbag housing body and rotatable in an inward or an outward direction of the vent hole; a cover plate provided inside a slot hole formed along the width of the airbag housing body, and has a size large enough to be able to cover perforated regions of the vent holes and; a diffuser in which the first end is fixed to an outer end portion of the airbag housing body and extends along the inner surface of the airbag housing body and the second end of the diffuser being connected to the cover plate, thereby allowing gas to be generated in an inflator to push the cover plate forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hyeong Ho Choi
  • Publication number: 20090218798
    Abstract: An inflatable curtain cushion assembly for side deployment in a vehicle. The assembly has an inflator and an inflatable curtain cushion with two chambers, wherein the first chamber vents inflation gas more quickly than the second chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: Brett Garner
  • Publication number: 20090218797
    Abstract: An airbag having a venting device defined by an upper part surrounding the venting opening (25) and a lower part (13) separated by a separating element (15), configuring a chamber (21) in which the lower part (13) has a closing element (31, 33, 35, 37) in its central part opposite the venting opening (25) and includes a plurality of openings (41, 43, 45, 47) to receive the gas from the bag, said closing element being able to totally or partially close the venting opening (25) when the inner pressure of the bag (23) exceeds predetermined limits (P2, P3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRIONICS CO., LTD
    Inventor: Azucena Perez Garcia
  • Patent number: 7578522
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generator including a housing formed by a closure shell and a diffuser shell having a gas discharge port, a combustion chamber provided inside the housing and charged with a gas generating agent, an ignition device to ignite and burn the gas generating agent inside the combustion chamber, a cylindrical filter disposed to face the gas discharge port and having an annular upper surface press-contacting a ceiling surface of the housing, a retainer disposed inside the combustion chamber to support the cylindrical filter, the retainer being substantially a cylinder, having a larger diameter portion and a smaller diameter portion, that is provided with a vent hole, as well as an annular surface portion provided between the larger diameter portion and the smaller diameter portion, an outer peripheral surface of the larger diameter portion abutting against an inner wall surface of the housing before activation and press-contacting the inner wall surface of the housing in activa
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Teppei Hanano, Takashi Okuyama
  • Patent number: 7571932
    Abstract: The present invention protects both upper part and lower part of the body of a passenger when an airbag expands in a collision and prevents secondary damage to a baby/infant by appropriately controlling expansion pressure of the cushion on the basis of characteristics of the their bodies. The present invention includes: a diffuser that is disposed in a crush pad and has gas supply holes, gas discharge holes, and an inflator; expansion pressure control member that is movably disposed with respect to diffuser and has at least an opening fluidly-communicating with gas supply holes and a closing portion opening or closing gas discharge holes; and a guide member connected with expansion pressure control member, guides cushion in a predetermined direction, and controls the opening or closing of gas discharge holes by moving expansion pressure control member with respect to diffuser using an internal or external force applied while cushion expands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Bopil Seo
  • Patent number: 7568729
    Abstract: An airbag cushion is disclosed for use in automotive protective systems. The airbag cushion includes a tube that may be restricted to prevent gas venting. A cord having a plurality of stoppers is coupled to the tube. Upon airbag deployment, the cord extends until taut or extends until the cushion encounters an obstruction. If pulled taut, the cord incrementally tightens the tube and restricts gas venting. If the cushion encounters an obstruction, the cord remains lax and the tube is able to vent gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Schnieder, Jill Brunner, Jesse Benny
  • Publication number: 20090189376
    Abstract: An example airbag arrangement includes an airbag that moves between an expansion-constrained position and an expanded position. A tether adjacent an exterior surface of the airbag moves with the airbag between a shorter position and a longer position. The tether remains intact in the shorter position and the longer position. When the tether is in the shorter position, the tether holds the airbag in the expansion-constrained position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Peter L. Vigeant, Stephanie Schneider, David L. Geyer, Robert A. Parks, Minoru Niwa
  • Patent number: 7566074
    Abstract: An air bag module, comprising: a housing having at least one vent opening; an inflatable cushion being stored in an un-deployed position in the housing; an inflator for inflating the inflatable cushion, the inflator being in fluid communication with the inflatable cushion and having a plurality of inflation openings for allowing an inflation gas to pass therethrough, at least one of the plurality of inflation openings being in fluid communication with the at least one vent opening; a deployable member being secured to an interior surface of the inflatable cushion at one end and a portion of the airbag module at the other end; wherein the deployable member is configured to allow venting through the at least one vent opening when the inflatable cushion is in the un-deployed position and the at least one vent opening is covered by the deployable member when the inflatable cushion inflates towards a fully deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Laura A. Hawthorn, Mark T. Winters, Jason W. Brown, Ryan T. Pinsenschaum, James L. Webber
  • Publication number: 20090184505
    Abstract: A seam construction for a woven fabric for an OPW airbag, in particular for person restraint systems, which seam construction is characterized by a weaving seam having a single-layer region which is surrounded by an at least two-layer region, the individual layers of which have in each case a looser woven structure than the single-layer region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: ITG Automotive Safety Texiles GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Becker, Thomas Eschbach, Andreas Enderlein
  • Patent number: 7559564
    Abstract: An outwardly deploying airbag system can maintain the internal pressure of an airbag for a required period without vainly increasing the maximum internal pressure of the airbag during inflation. When a sensor detects a collision with a pedestrian, an inflator performs a first gas injection step. An airbag is thereby deployed into a final deployment shape. Subsequently, when the internal pressure of the airbag falls to a predetermined pressure because of leakage of gas through vent holes, and a sensor predicts or detects a collision with a pedestrian, the inflator performs a second gas injection step. Consequently, the internal pressure of the airbag remains high for a long period, and the airbag sufficiently absorbs an impact whenever the pedestrian hits the airbag. The pressure and amount of gas injected in the first gas injection step can be made smaller than in related art, and the required airbag strength is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Takimoto
  • Patent number: 7559146
    Abstract: A compressed wire mesh filter for an airbag assembly has one or more wires wrapped around the outer perimeter of the filter prior to final compression of the mesh to increase the hoop strength of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: ACS Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: George Greenwood
  • Patent number: 7559574
    Abstract: A gas bag module (10) for a vehicle occupant restraint device includes a gas generator (14) for filling a gas bag (16), and a gas conduit device arranged inside the module. The gas conduit device forces a predetermined, uniform flow direction at least on a portion of the gas emerging from the gas generator (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Marcus Magoley, Michael Schneider
  • Patent number: 7552942
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) includes an inflatable occupant protection device (38) and a support member (56) having a vent opening (78) through which inflation fluid may flow. A vent member (106) is movable relative to the support member (56) for varying a flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening (78). The vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) also includes a tether (144) for moving the vent member (106) and an actuatable mechanism (170) that has a first condition preventing the tether (144) from moving the vent member (106) and a second condition enabling the tether (144) to move the vent member (106).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt F. Fischer, Douglas M. Gould, Angelo Adler
  • Patent number: 7552941
    Abstract: The airbag apparatus includes a case for housing and holding an airbag and an inflator. The case includes a vent opening for releasing inflation gas filled inside the airbag and a lid operated by an actuator for closing and opening the vent opening. The lid is pivotally supported at a periphery of the vent opening for rotation about its rotary shaft disposed across the vent opening, and includes an outward-opening area adapted to rotate outward of the case and an inward-opening area adapted to rotate inward of the case, with a border of the outward-opening area and inward-opening area disposed on the rotary shaft. A sliding element is connected to the actuator for holding the lid to keep the vent opening closed when the actuator is inactive and for sliding movement to release the lid and open the vent opening upon operation of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Yamauchi, Kazuaki Bito
  • Publication number: 20090160169
    Abstract: An example airbag assembly includes an airbag and a duct having an opening for venting gas. The duct moves between a first position where the opening is outside the airbag and a second position where the opening is inside the airbag. Inflating the airbag moves the duct between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Robert A. Parks, David L. Geyer, Peter L. Vigeant, Joseph Mannino
  • Publication number: 20090121461
    Abstract: An airbag is constructed such that a gas-discharging amount from a venthole becomes largest when an occupant contacts a center portion, in the left and right direction, of an occupant-facing surface of the expanded airbag. In the airbag, a hanging strap couples a center portion of a front panel and a rear panel. A lid body covers an open-and-close venthole from outside the airbag, and the hanging strap is coupled by a tether. In a case that the airbag is expanded, the hanging strap and the tether are tensed, and the lid body is brought to a state to close the open-and-close venthole. A loosening amount of the hanging strap and the tether becomes largest when an occupant contacts the center portion of the front panel to retreat, and an opening amount of the open-and-close venthole also becomes largest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: TAKATA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Abe, Masayoshi Kumagai
  • Patent number: 7530598
    Abstract: A gas bag module, in particular a side gas bag module, for a vehicle occupant protection system, has a gas bag, a gas generator, a housing of which has several outflow openings which are disposed such that the gas generator is in principle thrust-neutral. Further provided is a closure element which, in a standard case of release of the gas bag module, prevents gas from flowing out, at least in one direction, and in the case of fire is at least in sections thermally weakened or destroyed, such that the gas generator blows out gas thrust-neutrally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Anton Fischer, Juergen Heigl, Steffen Rothweiler, Jochen Weiss
  • Patent number: 7530593
    Abstract: The invention creates an airbag device, wherein a driver's airbag is provided, at least substantially “stationary” relative to a steering wheel movement, and which has a shape that at least partially covers an adjacent A column of a vehicle in the inflated state or has a butterfly-like shape, which is correctly correlated with the driver by the embodiment of the driver's airbag stationary in any steering wheel position. Furthermore, the invention creates an operating method for such an airbag device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Inova GmbH
    Inventor: Olaf Müller
  • Patent number: 7530597
    Abstract: The airbag device for front passenger's seat of the present invention includes an airbag protruding and deploying from an opening for protrusion in instrument panel in front of front passenger's seat when activated. The airbag includes a bag-shaped airbag body constituting outer wall of the airbag, and a flow regulating cloth disposed inside the airbag body. The flow regulating cloth inflates firstly upon inflow of inflation gas, and redirects the gas before supplying the same to the airbag body for promoting deployment of the airbag body. The flow regulating cloth includes a circumferential wall provided with left and right gas outlet ports for emitting gas outward in left and right directions. When the airbag is inflated, parts of the circumferential wall of the left and right outlet ports project from the opening in instrument panel in left-right direction, such that the parts deploy above top face of the instrument panel in a periphery of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuaki Bito
  • Patent number: 7527290
    Abstract: A mechanism (10) for releasably confining pressurized fluid in a container (18). The mechanism includes a rupturable membrane (22) configured to obstruct flow of the pressurized fluid from the container when externally supported against pressure exerted by the fluid. The membrane (22) is rupturable by pressure exerted by the fluid when not externally supported against the pressure exerted by the fluid. A support member (28) supports the membrane (22) against fluid pressure. The support member (28) fracturable upon exposure to combustion products formed by activation of a gas generator (66). Upon activation of the gas generator (66), the combustion products contact the support member (28) to decompose and/or fracture the support member (28), thereby removing support for the membrane (22) and enabling rupture of the membrane (22) by the pressurized fluid, releasing the pressurized fluid from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffery S. Blackburn
  • Patent number: 7527291
    Abstract: A new type of airbag inflator is described. The airbag inflator includes a chamber that houses a quantity of inflation gas. The inflation gas is capable of filling and deploying an airbag. The inflator also includes a membrane that seals the chamber. A sliding baffle is also added to the inflator. The sliding baffle is positioned proximate the membrane. The sliding baffle has a membrane rupture mechanism and a plurality of gas flow holes. Upon initiation of the inflator, the sliding baffle slides to cause the rupture mechanism to fail the membrane. The rupture mechanism fails the membrane by detaching a single piece from the membrane. The single piece is sufficiently large such that it remains within the inflator (or within the sliding baffle) and does not pass through one of the gas flow holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony M. Young, Kenneth J. Clark, Scott Jackson
  • Patent number: 7520531
    Abstract: An inflator device for an inflatable cushion restraint system. The inflator device includes a housing at least in part defining a chamber containing a stored gas. The housing includes a first outlet orifice and a second outlet orifice. A first rupturable seal is disposed over the first outlet orifice and a second rupturable seal is disposed over the second outlet orifice. The second outlet orifice is a pressure release orifice for releasing the pressurized gas upon unanticipated elevated temperatures, such as during bonfire conditions. A plug is disposed in the second outlet orifice. The plug includes a low melting temperature material adjacent the second rupturable seal. The low melting temperature material melts at or below an auto-ignition temperature of the inflator device to allow the second rupturable seal to rupture to vent the pressurized stored gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt Gammill
  • Patent number: 7516982
    Abstract: A gas bag module for a vehicle occupant restraint device comprises a gas bag and a discharge arrangement in fluid connection with said gas bag. The discharge arrangement has a discharge opening, through which gas can escape from the gas bag, and at least one element made of an electrically activatable polymer actuator to expose and/or alter the discharge opening upon activation of said polymer actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Britz
  • Patent number: 7513527
    Abstract: An airbag module for a motor vehicle having an airbag which can be inflated with gas through an inflation opening in order to protect an occupant, and having a gas generator with which the gas for inflating the airbag can be generated, said gas emerging from at least one gas outlet opening of the gas generator and passing into the airbag through the inflation opening, the airbag module having, according to the invention, a first outflow opening which is assigned an element which can move between at least two different positions and by the movement of which between the two positions the first outflow opening can be connected in a gas-conducting manner to the gas outlet opening of the gas generator so that the gas which flows out through the gas outlet opening is conducted at least partially into the outer space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
    Inventors: Thomas Lube, Dirk Meissner, Heiko Hofmann, Andreas Winkler
  • Patent number: 7510210
    Abstract: The present invention provides an air bag module comprising; a module case accommodating a gas generator and an airbag, the gas generator having a housing, which is a assembly of a first base plate and a second base plate provided with a plurality of gas discharge ports, and at least one combustion chamber accommodated inside the housing, the module case being attached to a connection section of the first base plate and the second base plate at an opening portion of the module case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Katsuda, Mikio Yabuta
  • Publication number: 20090079167
    Abstract: There is provided an airbag device for allowing a holding member to firmly hold an outer circumference part and a peripheral edge part of an airbag during the airbag assembling work and to reduce the assembling work time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: ASHIMORI INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshio Shimazaki, Seiichiro Kamura, Kou Sasaki, Hiroyuki Taniyama
  • Patent number: 7509196
    Abstract: An anterior part of a vehicle is provided with a bumper armature as a structural member having high rigidity. A bumper is disposed front of the bumper armature, and a radiator and an engine are disposed behind the bumper armature. A collision determining device embedded with an acceleration sensor as an airbag development control apparatus is arranged in a position approximately in the center of a vehicle interior. A time period “t” during when a signal waveform curve outputted from the acceleration sensor reaches from a first threshold value to a second threshold value is measured to judge whether or not the time period “t” is equal to or less than a previously set time “s”. When t?s satisfied, full development of an airbag in which both of inflators are activated is selected by determining that the collision is occurred under a high speed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventor: Mineyuki Oishi