EP2576295A1 - Device for inflating airbag - Google Patents

Device for inflating airbag

Info

Publication number
EP2576295A1
EP2576295A1 EP11729719.2A EP11729719A EP2576295A1 EP 2576295 A1 EP2576295 A1 EP 2576295A1 EP 11729719 A EP11729719 A EP 11729719A EP 2576295 A1 EP2576295 A1 EP 2576295A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
stem
percussion pin
under pressure
airbag
lever
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP11729719.2A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Gerard Thevenot
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Helite SAS
Original Assignee
Helite SAS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Helite SAS filed Critical Helite SAS
Publication of EP2576295A1 publication Critical patent/EP2576295A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
    • B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
    • B60R21/33—Arrangements for non-electric triggering of inflation
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
    • A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
    • A41D13/015—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches with shock-absorbing means
    • A41D13/018—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches with shock-absorbing means inflatable automatically
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
    • B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
    • B60R21/26—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags characterised by the inflation fluid source or means to control inflation fluid flow
    • B60R21/268—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags characterised by the inflation fluid source or means to control inflation fluid flow using instantaneous release of stored pressurised gas
    • B60R21/274—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags characterised by the inflation fluid source or means to control inflation fluid flow using instantaneous release of stored pressurised gas characterised by means to rupture or open the fluid source
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C7/00—Methods or apparatus for discharging liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases from pressure vessels, not covered by another subclass
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R2021/0065—Type of vehicles
    • B60R2021/0088—Cycles, e.g. motorcycles
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/05—Size
    • F17C2201/058—Size portable (<30 l)
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0602—Wall structures; Special features thereof
    • F17C2203/0612—Wall structures
    • F17C2203/0614—Single wall
    • F17C2203/0617—Single wall with one layer
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/01—Mounting arrangements
    • F17C2205/0103—Exterior arrangements
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/01—Mounting arrangements
    • F17C2205/0123—Mounting arrangements characterised by number of vessels
    • F17C2205/0126—One vessel
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0311—Closure means
    • F17C2205/0314—Closure means breakable, e.g. with burst discs
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0311—Closure means
    • F17C2205/032—Closure means pierceable
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0323—Valves
    • F17C2205/0329—Valves manually actuated
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0382—Constructional details of valves, regulators
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2223/0107—Single phase
    • F17C2223/0123—Single phase gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0165—Applications for fluid transport or storage on the road
    • F17C2270/0181—Airbags
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/07—Applications for household use
    • F17C2270/0772—Inflation devices, e.g. for rescue vests or tyres

Definitions

  • the inflation devices of the known type are described, for example, in the following patents WO 2002/094617 and WO0073126. These patents regard inflation devices that can be activated manually or automatically and intended to inflate protection airbags and the like.
  • a locking member is provided which retains a percussion pin at cocked position against the action of a compression spring. When the locking member is freed, the percussion pin is launched upon the action of the thrust exerted by the compression spring against a punch so as to push it against and across the capsule of a container under pressure, thus causing the introduction of the gas into the airbag.
  • the locking member can be freed manually through a string for activating the inflation device or automatically in case of an imminent impact knock.
  • a device for inflating airbag comprises: - a device body comprising an inside chamber which is suitable to be in fluid communication with an airbag;
  • a percussion pin seated in the inside chamber of the device body comprising a piercing tip facing said pierceable membrane and suitable for piercing it for allowing the escape of the gas under pressure;
  • FIG. 7 illustrates an axonometric view of a lever of the device for inflating airbag according to the invention
  • the stem 109 comprises at the end thereof opposite to the piercing part 114 of the percussion pin 106 a locking element 115 which is seated undercut in an suitable traction seat 111 of the lever 110, so as to make the stem 109 constrained by traction to the lever 110.
  • the device body 101 comprises a passage hole 119 (figure 5) made on the bottom wall of the inside chamber opposite to the container under pressure 104 so as to allow the passage of part of the stem 109 towards the outside of the device body 101.
  • such string seat 124 is arranged at the opposite end with respect to the abutment pins 122 and it is in form a through hole such not to allow the insertion of the string 113 whose end is constrained to the lever 110.
  • the percussion pin 106 Once the percussion pin 106 is freed, the latter will be moved by the thrust exerted by the elastic element 108.
  • the percussion pin 106 is free and provided with a determined and calculated amount of kinetic energy which allows it to impact with the piercing tip 107 thereof opening the pierceable membrane 105 of the container under pressure 104 allowing the outflow of the gas under pressure (figure 10) .
  • Figure 10 shows the protective garment with airbag inflated after the device for inflating airbag 100 has been activated by the traction determined by the string 113 on the lever 110 which caused the breakage of the stem 109 which allowed opening the container under pressure 104 and actually freed the user from the vehicle .
  • Said outer part 2 of the garment and inner part of the garment delimit a space or a chamber therebetween referred to as interspace.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Air Bags (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)

Abstract

Device for inflating airbag ( 100 ) comprising: a device body ( 101 ) in fluid communication with an airbag 5; a container ( 104 ) containing a gas under pressure, provided with an opening sealingly closed by a pierceable membrane; a percussion pin for piercing the membrane for allowing the escape of the gas under pressure; elastic element; said percussion pin further comprising a stem that operates as locking means for the percussion pin for retaining it in a cocked position precharging said elastic element, whereby said stem of the percussion pin comprises a stem portion shaped as weakening point suitable for breaking and separating the stem into two portions when subjected to a predetermined traction so as to free said piercing tip.

Description

DESCRIPTION
Device for inflating airbag
A device for inflating airbag used for the protection of persons subjected to impact knocks in which a short inflation time is required, in particular an airbag for motorcycle jackets forms an object of the present invention.
The inflation devices of the known type are described, for example, in the following patents WO 2002/094617 and WO0073126. These patents regard inflation devices that can be activated manually or automatically and intended to inflate protection airbags and the like. In these devices, a locking member is provided which retains a percussion pin at cocked position against the action of a compression spring. When the locking member is freed, the percussion pin is launched upon the action of the thrust exerted by the compression spring against a punch so as to push it against and across the capsule of a container under pressure, thus causing the introduction of the gas into the airbag. The locking member can be freed manually through a string for activating the inflation device or automatically in case of an imminent impact knock.
Such devices reveal drawbacks. Actually, as known, in these devices, the locking element operates transversally with respect to the direction of movement of the percussion pin which allows the opening of the container under pressure. It is thus possible that the activation string connected to the locking element may be wound around the inflation device not allowing the quick activation of the airbag.
In addition, as outlined in these patents such devices have both an axial and transverse extension that can thus give rise to use problems.
In addition, the transverse extension of such devices determined by the presence of the locking element may cause damages to the user in cases where the transverse part may form a blunt object during fall.
Lastly, the same device may form a blunt object should it be involved during the impact .
An object of the present invention is to conceive and provide a device capable of allowing to at least partly overcome the drawbacks mentioned beforehand with reference to the prior art.
Such object and tasks are attained by means of a device according to claim 1.
According to a general embodiment, a device for inflating airbag comprises: - a device body comprising an inside chamber which is suitable to be in fluid communication with an airbag;
a container under pressure containing a gas under pressure, provided with an opening sealingly closed by a pierceable membrane;
- a percussion pin seated in the inside chamber of the device body comprising a piercing tip facing said pierceable membrane and suitable for piercing it for allowing the escape of the gas under pressure;
- elastic element in abutment between the inside chamber and the percussion pin;
said percussion pin further comprising a stem that operates as locking means for the percussion pin for retaining it in a cocked position precharging said elastic element.
Preferably, the stem is constrained at the opposite end thereof to the container under pressure undercut into a lever defining a traction seat, said lever being suitable for exerting a traction on said stem; further said stem of the percussion pin comprises a stem portion shaped as weakening point suitable for breaking and a separating the stem into two portions when subjected to a predetermined traction so as to free said piercing tip.
Further characteristics and advantages of the device according to the invention shall be apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments, provided by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:
- figure 1 illustrates a view of a device for inflating airbag according to the invention connected to an airbag;
- figure 2 illustrates a view of a device for inflating airbag according to the invention used for inflating an airbag contained in a protective garment;
- figure 3 illustrates an axonometric view of a device for inflating airbag according to the invention;
- figure 4 illustrates an axonometric view of a device for inflating airbag according to the invention in which a covering cap is not represented;
- figure 5 illustrates a sectional view of a device for inflating airbag according to the invention;
- figure 6 illustrates an orthogonal view of a percussion pin according to the invention;
- figure 7 illustrates an axonometric view of a lever of the device for inflating airbag according to the invention;
- figure 8 illustrates an orthogonal view of the lever of figure 7;
- figure 9 illustrates an example of use of the device for inflating airbag in case of use with a jacket airbag for motorcycling; and
- figure 10 illustrates the example of figure 9 with the airbag inflated following the activation of the device for inflating airbag.
With reference to the aforementioned figures, a device for inflating airbag according to the invention was indicated in its entirety with 100.
According to an embodiment, the device for inflating airbag 100 comprises a device body 101 constrained to an airbag 5 to which it is connected fluidically, a container under pressure 104 containing a gas under pressure suitable for inflating airbag 5.
In particular, such device body 101 comprises an inside chamber 102 in which a percussion pin 106 is slidably seated suitable to open the container under pressure 104 so as to allow inflow of the gas under pressure into the airbag 5.
The device body 101, as observable in figure 1, is constrained to the airbag by means of a connection portion inserted into the airbag which is integrally constrained with the remaining device body 101 through common fastening means.
The device 100 comprises an elastic element 108 seated in the inside chamber 102 and which allows precharging the percussion pin 106, so as to transfer the elastic energy thereof to the percussion pin 106 when the activation of the airbag 5 is required and thus push the percussion pin 106 towards the container under pressure 104 so as to determine the opening thereof.
In particular said percussion pin 106 comprises a stem 109 that operates as locking means for the percussion pin 106 for retaining it in a cocked position precharging said elastic element 108.
The stem 109 is constrained undercut into a lever 110 which allows exerting a traction on the stem 109 in case of imminent impact. Actually, such lever is connected to a string 113 constrained to a vehicle, for example to a motorbike, so that in case of strong relative acceleration between the user of the airbag and the vehicle the string 113 is subjected to traction and in turn exerts traction on the lever 110.
According to an embodiment, the lever 110 constrained to an end of the stem 109 of the percussion pin 106 is further constrained to a string 113 which is constrained at the other end thereof to a vehicle.
With reference to figure 5, according to an embodiment, the device body 101 comprises a connecting bush 126 seated at an end of the inside chamber 102 and removably connected thereto so as to provide a threaded connection for connecting the container under pressure 104.
In particular, also the connecting bush 126 comprises a threaded connection portion with a further threaded portion of the device body 101.
Advantageously, the use of a connecting bush 126 allows using a standard device body 101 for various types of containers under pressure 104, in that only the connecting bush 126 will be changed to suit the coupling differences of the container.
In addition, the use of a removable connecting bush 126 with respect to the device body 101 allows having a larger passage gap of the inside chamber 102 during the assembly of the device 100.
In detail, according to an embodiment, with reference to figure 6, the percussion pin 106 comprises at the end thereof facing the pierceable membrane 105 of the container under pressure 104 a piercing part 114 suitable to pierce the pierceable membrane 105 of the container under pressure 104.
According to an embodiment, the piercing part of the percussion pin 114 is configured so as to have an oblique cylinder frustoconical-shaped tip, intended to pierce and fold inwards the sheet of the pierceable membrane of the container under pressure 104.
According to an embodiment, the percussion pin 106 comprises at the opposite end thereof with respect to the piercing part 114 a stem 109 which extends parallel to the translation direction of the percussion pin 106.
According, to an embodiment, the stem 109 is substantially in form of a needle which is - at an end thereof - integrally joined to the percussion pin 106.
Furthermore, the stem 109 comprises at the end thereof opposite to the piercing part 114 of the percussion pin 106 a locking element 115 which is seated undercut in an suitable traction seat 111 of the lever 110, so as to make the stem 109 constrained by traction to the lever 110.
According to an embodiment, such locking element 115 is in form of a semi-sphere integrally connected to the end of the stem 109, having a section along a plane perpendicular to the translation direction of the percussion pin, greater than the section of the same plane of the stem 109.
In other embodiments, the locking element 115 may have different forms though maintaining a section along a plane perpendicular to the translation axis of the percussion pin greater than the section measured on the same plane of the stem 109.
According to an embodiment, the percussion pin 106 comprises between the piercing tip 107 and the stem 109 a collar 116 shaped as a disc that extends from the percussion pin so as to be substantially complementary to the section of the inside chamber 102 along a plane perpendicular to the translation direction of the percussion pin 106.
According to an embodiment, such collar 116 is integral with the percussion pin and in the form of a circular disk with an axis coinciding with the axis of the percussion pin 106 and of the inside chamber 102 which is extended up to the internal walls of the inside chamber 102.
Advantageously, when the percussion pin 106 with the piercing tip 107 thereof opens the container under pressure 104, the pressure of the gas in the inside chamber 102 causes a force which is discharged on the collar 116 so as to cause the translation of the percussion pin 106 away from the outflow area of the gas under pressure so as to facilitate the correct outflow of the gas under pressure towards the airbag 5. According to an embodiment, the percussion pin 106 comprises a collar 116 shaped as a disc that extends from the percussion pin so as to be substantially complementary to the section of the inside chamber 102 along a plane perpendicular to the translation direction of the percussion pin 106 and which allows moving the percussion pin 106 away from the container under pressure 104 after the opening of the same so as to ensure a correct outflow of the gas under pressure.
According to the invention, the stem 109 comprises a weakening point 112 which is a portion of the stem suitable to break when a specific traction force is applied on the stem.
According to an embodiment, the weakening point 112 is a portion of the stem 109 substantially with a section, measured along a plane perpendicular to the translation direction of the percussion pin 106, which is smaller than the section of the further portions of the stem measured on the same introduced plane.
In other words, such weakening point 112 comprises a section resistant to the lower traction with respect to the other portions forming the stem 109 of the percussion pin 106.
Actually, when the stem 109 is subjected to an increasing traction force, the first portion interested by breaking shall thus be the weakening point 112.
According to an embodiment, the device body 101 comprises a discharge gap 117 obtained in the inside chamber 102 in which the percussion pin 106 slides.
Such discharge gap 117 puts the container under pressure 104 containing the gas under pressure in communication with a passage conduit wherethrough the gas is introduced into the expansible cavity of the airbag.
According to an embodiment, the device for inflating airbag 100 comprises a piston 118 seated within the inside chamber 102 so that it can also translate along the same direction of movement of the percussion pin 106.
According to an embodiment, such piston 118 is cylindrically shaped with a bottom wall abutting against the collar 116 of the percussion pin 106 and comprising a hole arranged along the axis thereof so as to allow the passage of the stem 109 of the percussion pin 106.
In particular, the cylindrical portion of the piston 118 projects starting from the bottom wall abutting with the percussion pin 106 towards the end of the stem 109 comprising the locking element 115.
According to an embodiment, the piston 118 is such to be substantially complementary with the section of the inside chamber 102 so as to be able to slide along such chamber .
According to an embodiment, the elastic element 108 is seated by a piston 118 and comprises an end thereof in abutment with said piston 118 and the opposite end in abutment with the bottom part opposite to the container under pressure 104 of the inside chamber 102.
According to an embodiment, the device for inflating airbag 100 further comprises a piston 118 seated in the inside chamber 102 of the device body 101· that contains the elastic element 108 and allows the proper translation of the percussion pin 106.
According to an embodiment, such elastic element 108 is in the form of a compression spring.
According to an embodiment, the percussion pin 106 is moved by the elastic element 108 and it is retained in cocked position against the action of such elastic element 108 by the stem 109 which is constrained to the lever 110 arranged on the device body 101.
According to an embodiment, the device body 101 comprises a passage hole 119 (figure 5) made on the bottom wall of the inside chamber opposite to the container under pressure 104 so as to allow the passage of part of the stem 109 towards the outside of the device body 101.
According to an embodiment, such passage wall 119 is in the form of a through hole with axis coinciding with the axis of the stem 109 of the percussion pin 106 and having dimensions such as to allow the passage of the locking element 115 of the stem 109.
According to an embodiment, with reference to figure 4, the device body 101 comprises a lever seat 120, that seats a portion of the lever 110, arranged on the external wall of the device body 101 opposite with respect to the container under pressure and arranged so as to face the passage hole 119 which allows the exit of a stem portion 109.
According to an embodiment, such lever seat 120 is shaped so as to comprise protrusions 121 extending from the device body 101 and allowing the correct positioning of the lever and preventing the lever from moving inadvertently from the position thereof.
According to an embodiment, with reference to figure 7, the lever 110 is seated by the lever seat 120 of the device body 101 and comprises abutment pins 122 arranged at an end thereof and in abutment with the protrusion 121 of the lever seat 120. According to an embodiment, such abutment pins 122 are arranged so as to be the fulcrum of the lever 110 during the rotation thereof when pulled at the opposite end with respect to the abutment pins 122.
Furthermore, with reference to figures 7 and 8, the lever 110 comprises a traction seat 111 in form of a slot-shaped through hole so as to seat the locking element 115 of the stem 109.
As observable in figure 8, the traction seat 111 comprises a slot hole which allows passing the locking element 115 of the stem into the first portion of the slot which has a passage gap with respect to a second portion which has a lower passage gap which does not allow the passage of the locking element 115.
When mounting the device 100, the locking element 115 of the stem 109 is first passed in the slot portion which allows passage' thereof, then the lever is positioned in the respective lever seat 120 so that the locking element 115 is positioned on the second portion of the slot of the traction seat 111 which does not allow the passage of the locking element 115.
According to an embodiment, the traction seat 111 constitutes an undercut coupling with the stem 109 and in particular with the locking element 115 of the stem 109. According to an embodiment, the lever 110 comprises a string seat 124 that seats a string 113 that is connected to the user's vehicle.
According to an embodiment, such string seat 124 is arranged at the opposite end with respect to the abutment pins 122 and it is in form a through hole such not to allow the insertion of the string 113 whose end is constrained to the lever 110.
In particular, in case of impact of the vehicle with an obstacle, the user will be subjected to a sudden acceleration with respect to the vehicle and in such case the string connected between the vehicle and the device for inflating airbag 100 will allow actuating the lever 110.
The lever 110 under the action of the force transmitted by the string 113 will start rotating around the fulcrum thereof characterized by the abutment pins 122. This movement shall in turn determine the transmission of a traction force to the stem 109 of the percussion pin 106.
Subjected to such traction force, the weakening point 112 upon reaching a predetermined applied force will break, separating the stem 109 into two portions and thus freeing the percussion pin from the locking with respect to the device body 101.
Once the percussion pin 106 is freed, the latter will be moved by the thrust exerted by the elastic element 108. In particular, when the elastic element 108 has completed the useful travel thereof, the percussion pin 106 is free and provided with a determined and calculated amount of kinetic energy which allows it to impact with the piercing tip 107 thereof opening the pierceable membrane 105 of the container under pressure 104 allowing the outflow of the gas under pressure (figure 10) .
The gas under pressure invades the inside chamber 102 operating on the collar 116 of the percussion pin 106 thus receding such percussion pin 106 which is not countered by the elastic element 108 except in the final part thereof so as to completely free the discharge gap 117 to allow the correct outflow of gas towards the airbag .
Obviously, the separation of the stem 109 into two portions, allows freeing the user from the constraint with the vehicle in that the lever 110 is free to detach from the device for inflating airbag 100 alongside the broken stem part 109 and the string 113.
According to an embodiment, the device body 101 comprises a covering cap 125 pressure-constrained on the device body 101 so as to seat the lever portion 110 comprised in the shape of the device body 110.
In other words, the covering cap 125 protects the lever 110 leaving the end thereof free which comprises the string seat 124 to which the string 113 for connection with the vehicle is constrained.
Figure 9 shows a possible implementation of such device 100. In particular it is observed how the string 113 connects the vehicle with the device 100 so as to vehiculate a traction force in case of an impact of the vehicle. The airbag is inserted into a protection garment integral with the user so as to be activated in case of imminent impact .
Figure 10 shows the protective garment with airbag inflated after the device for inflating airbag 100 has been activated by the traction determined by the string 113 on the lever 110 which caused the breakage of the stem 109 which allowed opening the container under pressure 104 and actually freed the user from the vehicle .
Figure 2 shows the device for inflating airbag 100 in case of use as an activator for an airbag contained in a protective garment. According to an embodiment a protective garment 1 comprises an outer garment part 2 thereof and an inner garment part thereof or lining of the garment. For example, the outer part 2 of the garment is made of a material suitable to resist against water and abrasions and, according to embodiments, it may have a multilayer structure for example suitable for several functions such as non-permeability, resistance to abrasion, thermal insulation or, on the contrary, transpiration capacity. The inner part of the garment is the part that will face the user and, according to an embodiment, it may be made so as to be comfortable and easy to wear, for example guaranteeing easy wearability due to the slidability and/or transpirabilty characteristics thereof.
Said outer part 2 of the garment and inner part of the garment delimit a space or a chamber therebetween referred to as interspace.
According to an embodiment, said interspace is delimited by the edges for connecting the outer part 2 with the inner part of the garment delimiting a partly closed or closed chamber.
Said protective garment 1 comprises an airbag device 5.
The airbag comprises the device for inflating airbag 100.
The embodiments of the previously described devices may be subjected - by a man skilled in the art with the aim of meeting contingent requirements - to modifications, adaptations and replacement of elements with other functionally equivalent elements, without departing from the scope of protection of the following claims. Each of the characteristics described as belonging to a possible embodiment may be obtained independently from other described embodiments.

Claims

1. Device for inflating airbag (100) comprising:
- a device body (101) comprising an inside chamber (102) which is suitable for being in fluid communication with an airbag ( 5 ) ;
- a container under pressure (104) containing a gas under pressure, provided with an opening sealingly closed by a pierceable membrane (105);
- a percussion pin (106) seated into the inside chamber (102) of the device body (101) comprising a piercing tip
(107) facing said pierceable membrane (105) and suitable for piercing it for allowing the escape of the gas under pressure;
- elastic element (108) in abutment between the inside chamber (102) and the percussion pin (106);
- said percussion pin (106) further comprising a stem (109) that operates as locking means for the percussion pin for retaining it into a cocked position precharging said elastic element (108),
characterised in that
said stem (109) being constrained at the opposite end thereof to the container under pressure (104) undercut into a lever (110) defining a traction seat (111) said lever being suitable for exerting a traction on said stem (109) ;
said stem (109) of the percussion pin (106) comprises a stem portion shaped as weakening point (112) suitable for breaking and a separating the stem (109) into two portions when subjected to a predetermined traction so as to free said piercing tip (107) .
2. Device for inflating airbag (100) according to the previous claim, wherein the lever (110) constrained to an end of the stem (109) of the percussion pin (106) is further constrained to a string (113) which is constrained at the other end thereof to a vehicle.
3. Device for inflating airbag (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device for inflating airbag (100) further comprises a piston (118) seated in the inside chamber (102) of the device body (101) that contains the elastic element (108) and allows the proper shifting of the percussion pin (106) .
4. Device for inflating airbag (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the percussion pin comprises a piercing tip (107) suitable for opening a pierceable membrane (105) of the container under pressure (104) .
5. Device for inflating airbag (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the percussion pin (106) comprises a collar (116) shaped as a disc that extends from the percussion pin so as to be substantially complementary to the section of the inside chamber (102) along a plane perpendicular to the translation direction of the percussion pin (106) and which allows moving the percussion pin (106) away from the container under pressure (104) after the opening of the same so as to ensure a correct outflow of the gas under pressure.
6. Device for inflating airbag (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the weakening point
(112) is a portion of the stem (109) substantially with a section, measured along a plane perpendicular to the translation direction of the percussion pin (106) , which is reduced relative to the section of the further portions of the stem measured on the same introduced plane .
7. Device for inflating airbag (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device body (101) comprises a connecting bush (126) seated at an end of the inside chamber (102) and removably connected thereto so as to provide a threaded connection for connecting the container under pressure (104).
8. Device for inflating airbag (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lever (110) comprises abutment pins (122) arranged at an end thereof so as to be the fulcrum of the lever (110) when the lever (110) is pulled at the opposite end with respect to the abutment pins (122) .
9. Device for inflating airbag (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lever (110) comprises a string seat (124) that seats a string (113) that is connected to the user's vehicle.
10. Device for inflating airbag (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device body (101) comprises a discharge gap (117), obtained in the inside chamber (102), which puts the container under pressure (104) containing the gas under pressure in fluid communication with a passage conduit wherethrough the gas is introduced into the expansible cavity of the airbag.
11. Airbag comprising a device for inflating airbag (100) as described in any one of claims 1 to 10.
12. Protective garment (1) comprising:
- an outer portion (2) of the garment;
- an inner portion or lining of the garment;
- an interspace comprised between said outer portion (2) and said inner portion;
- said garment (1) further comprising a protection device comprising an airbag (5) as described in claim 11.
EP11729719.2A 2010-05-28 2011-05-27 Device for inflating airbag Withdrawn EP2576295A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITMI2010A000969A IT1400490B1 (en) 2010-05-28 2010-05-28 DEVICE FOR INFLATING AIRBAGS
PCT/IB2011/052335 WO2011148351A1 (en) 2010-05-28 2011-05-27 Device for inflating airbag

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2576295A1 true EP2576295A1 (en) 2013-04-10

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP11729719.2A Withdrawn EP2576295A1 (en) 2010-05-28 2011-05-27 Device for inflating airbag

Country Status (3)

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EP (1) EP2576295A1 (en)
IT (1) IT1400490B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2011148351A1 (en)

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EP3977881A1 (en) 2020-09-04 2022-04-06 Bert Raf Celis Sports clothing for cycling and accompanying cooling methods

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IT201900010314A1 (en) 2019-06-27 2020-12-27 D P I Safety S R L DEVICE FOR THE CONTROL OF THE UNWINDING OF AN AIRBAG DRIVING CABLE
EP3756494A1 (en) 2019-06-27 2020-12-30 D.P.I. Safety S.r.l. Device for controlling the unwinding of an airbag actuation cable
BE1028582A1 (en) 2020-09-04 2022-03-28 B Cells AERODYNAMIC AIRBAGSHIRT and AIRBAGS and associated cooling methods
EP3977881A1 (en) 2020-09-04 2022-04-06 Bert Raf Celis Sports clothing for cycling and accompanying cooling methods

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IT1400490B1 (en) 2013-06-11
WO2011148351A1 (en) 2011-12-01
ITMI20100969A1 (en) 2011-11-29

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