GB2399137A

GB2399137A - Releasable safety clip

Info

Publication number: GB2399137A
Application number: GB0305164A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Qvint; Mats Karlin
Original assignee: Autoliv Development AB
Current assignee: Autoliv Development AB
Priority date: 2003-03-06
Filing date: 2003-03-06
Publication date: 2004-09-08
Also published as: GB2399139A; GB0305164D0; GB2399139B; GB0400779D0

Abstract

A safety device is disclosed which is configured to be actuated by the supply of gas. The safety device incorporates an outlet vent pipe (13, 21) which is sealed by a releasable clip (1). The releasable clip has a first elongate main gripping element (2) and a second elongate moveable gripping element (8). The main gripping element has a retaining element (3) to retain one end (10) of the moveable gripping element (8). The safety device also includes an arrangement to retain the other end of the moveable gripping element (8) in a predetermined position such that the clip (1) may grip a fabric tube or the like between the main gripping element (2) and the moveable gripping element (8). A mechanism is provided which responds to a supply signal to move said other end of the moveable gripping element to release the grip.

Description

2399 1 37

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

"IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO A SAFETY DEVICE" THE PRESENT INVENTION relates to a safety device.

It has been proposed to provide various forms of safety device to provide protection for an occupant of a vehicle in the event that an accident should occur. For example, various types of air-bag have been proposed which, depending upon their design, may occupy many different positions within a vehicle relative to a driver. When an air-bag is to be deployed, a gas generator is actuated which generates gas which serves to inflate the air-bag.

In some cases it is desirable for the pressure in the air-bag to be controlled and/or for the air-bag to be "vented", especially if the occupant has a weight which is not typical, either being relatively heavy or being relatively light, or, alternatively, if the occupant is "out of position" (for example leaning forwardly).

Various proposals have been made for mechanisms to ventilate an air bag including controlled valves, burst discs and tear-seams which initially seal an outlet air vent. Sophisticated arrangements may include elements such as pressure sensors and/or control units to determine the weight and the position of an occupant and to control the opening of a gas exhaust valve in an optimal manner.

However, there is a requirement for a simple device to control the ventilation of an air-bag which can be used in a flexible manner to provide ventilation at different positions within an air-bag.

Other safety devices also rely on generated gas, such as pre-tensioners, and there is a requirement for a mechanism that may be utilised to control the operation of such safety devices.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a safety device in the form of a releasable clip, the releasable clip having a first elongate main gripping element, and a second elongate moveable gripping element, the main gripping element having a retaining element to retain one end of the moveable gripping element; there being an arrangement to retain the other end of the moveable gripping element in a predetermined position such that the clip may grip a fabric tube or the like between the main gripping element and the moveable gripping element; a mechanism being provided which responds to a supply signal to move said other end of the moveable gripping element to release the grip.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a safety device configured to be actuated by the supply of gas, the safety device incorporating an outlet vent pipe, the outlet vent pipe being sealed by a releasable clip, the releasable clip having a first elongate main gripping element, and a second elongate moveable gripping element, the main gripping element having a retaining element to retain one end of the moveable gripping element; there being an arrangement to retain the other end of the moveable gripping element in a predetermined position such that the clip may grip the outlet vent pipe or the like between the main gripping element and the moveable gripping element; a mechanism being provided which responds to a supply signal to move said other end of the moveable gripping element to release the grip.

Preferably, the safety device is an air-bag.

Advantageously, the safety device is a pretensioner.

Conveniently, a plurality of said releasable clips are provided, each clip being associated with a respective outlet hose.

Preferably, the releasable clip incorporates a spring initially held in a compressed state and released in response to said signal so as to move the said other end of the moveable retaining element.

Advantageously, the main gripping element is in the form of a cylinder, and said other end of the elongate moveable gripping element is configured to fit over or within the cylinder; there being a mechanism to supply gas to the interior of the cylinder in response to said signal to move the said other end of the moveable gripping element.

Conveniently, said other end of the moveable gripping element is constituted by a piston retained within the cylinder.

Preferably, said other end of the moveable gripping element comprises a closure cap dimensioned to close an open end of the cylinder.

Advantageously, the source of gas is a pyrotechnic squib.

Alternatively, the source of gas is a source of compressed gas.

Preferably, the moveable gripping element is provided with an elongate cylindrical gripping portion, one end of which is engaged in a retaining lug provided on the main gripping element.

Advantageously, the main gripping element is in the form of a cylindrical housing, and the moveable gripping element has inclined resiliently mounted walls to engage the exterior of the cylindrical main gripping element.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a pyrotechnic clip unit, FIGURE 2 is an end view of the unit of Figure 1, FIGURE 3 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line A-A of Figure 2, FIGURE 4 is a view showing the clip unit of Figures 1 to 3 mounted on an outlet duct of an air-bag, FIGURE 5 is a view corresponding to Figure 4 showing the clip unit when released, FIGURE 6 is a view illustrating an air-bag in a motor vehicle provided with a pyrotechnic clip unit of the type described above during inflation of an air-bag, FIGURE 7 is a view corresponding to Figure 6 showing the clip unit when released, and FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of an alternative form of clip unit in accordance with the invention.

Turning initially to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings, a pyrotechnic clip unit 1 is illustrated, the pyrotechnic clip unit being configured so that, when in use, it may close an outlet hose or duct, formed of a material such as fabric, forming part of an air-bag or forming part of another safety device.

The clip l comprises an elongate hollow cylindrical housing 2 which forms a main gripping element, one end of the housing being provided with an integral deflected retaining bracket 3 in the form of a lug. The retaining bracket 3 defines a "U"-shaped slot 4 which opens into one side edge of the retaining bracket 3.

The end of the hollow cylindrical housing 2 provided with the retaining brackets receives a pyrotechnic squib 5 which is held by a crimp 6 as illustrated most clearly in Figure 3. The pyrotechnic squid 5 contains a pyrotechnic charge and is associated with two electrodes 7 which are accessible from the open end of the housing 2. A plug may be connected to the electrodes 7. When a current is passed between the electrodes 7, the pyrotechnic squib S is ignited to generate a substantial quantity of gas.

A moveable gripping element 8 is provided, the gripping element 8 including an elongate cylindrical gripping section 9 having a terminal region 10 configured to be received within the "U"-shaped slot 4 formed in the retaining bracket 3. The other end of the gripping section 9 is provided with a 180 bend 11 which connects the gripping section 9 to a piston 12 which is dimensioned to be received, as a sliding fit, within the hollow tube 2. The piston 12 may have a semi-spherical head so as to provide a substantially sealing fit even if the piston is not precisely aligned with the longitudinal axis of the hollow cylindrical housing 2.

Referring now to Figure 4, the clip I of Figures 1 to 3 is shown in position on the terminal part of a tube 13 which may be a fabric tube extending from an air-bag to constitute a gas vent, or which may be a fabric tube extending from part of some other safety device which is deployed by the generation of gas.

It will be understood that the terminal part of the tube 13 has been located in position generally between the cylindrical housing 2 and the gripping section 9 of the moveable gripping element 8. The terminal part 10 of the gripping section 9 has been manipulated to be received within the "U"-shaped slot 4 of the retaining bracket 3, thus firmly trapping the fabric of the tube 13 between the gripping section 9 of the moveable gripping element 8, and the outer surface of the cylindrical housing 2. The clip 1 thus forms a substantially air-tight seal at the end of the tube 13.

Should an appropriate electrical signal be supplied to the electrodes 7, the pyrotechnic squid 5 will be ignited generating a substantial quantity of gas within the cylinder 2. The gas will act on the piston 12 moving the piston 12 axially of the cylindrical housing 2, and thus withdrawing the terminal part 10 of the moveable gripping element 8 from the "U"- shaped slot 4 formed in the retaining bracket 3. The moveable gripping element 8 thus moves relative to the main gripping element formed by the housing 2. Indeed, the entire gripping element 8 may, as shown in Figure 5, become totally separated from the cylindrical housing 2. Thus the tube 13 is no longer retained in a sealed condition and gas may escape from the air-bag through the tube 13.

It is to be understood that a number of clips of the type described above may be provided on a typical air-bag at a number of different positions, and the actuation of the clips may be controlled by an appropriate control arrangement associated with appropriate sensors. Consequently a number of the described clips may be provided on various gas ducts 13 forming part of a single air-bag, and one or more of the clips may be released. If more than one clip is released, the clips may be released at appropriate times during an accident situation, in dependence upon the particular circumstances of an accident involving a vehicle in which the air-bag is mounted.

Referring now to Figures 6 and 7, merely by way of an example, an air- bag 20 in the form of a so-called "inflatable curtain" is illustrated, the air bag 20 having a forwardly extending restraining strap 21 which is in the form of a hollow tube in fluid communication with the invention of the main part of the air-bag 20. The free end of the tube is received within a clip 1 as described above, the cylindrical housing 2 of the clip 1 being securely fastened to the "A"-Post 22 of the illustrated vehicle. Thus the clip l seals the tubular strap 21 and also anchors the end of the strap in position.

In ordinary deployment of the inflatable curtain, gas will be injected into the inflatable parts of the inflatable curtain, but will not be able to escape through the tubular strap 21, because the tubular strap 21 is maintained closed by the action of the clip 1. The clip 1 also holds the tubular restraining strap 21 securely in position.

Should a particular set of circumstances arise, in which it is appropriate to release the restraining strap 21 and deflate the inflatable curtain, the clip 1 may be released, in the manner described above, by actuating the pyrotechnic squib 5, as shown in Figure 7, thus releasing the end of the tubular restraining strap 21 permitting gas to escape from the inflated interior of the inflatable curtain 20 through the thus released tubular strap 21, as shown in Figure 7.

Whilst the invention has been described above with reference to one form of releasable clip, Figure 8 illustrates a modified form of releasable clip.

The clip of Figure 8 includes a hollow tubular housing 30 forming a main gripping element and having, at one end, a deflected retaining bracket 31 in the form of a lug which defines a square aperture 32. Received within that end of the tubular housing 31 is a squid 33 corresponding to the squib 5 as described above.

Associated with the housing 30 is a moveable gripping element 34. The moveable gripping element 34 is formed of a pressed plate, the pressed plate defining two inwardly directed opposed resiliently mounted walls 35, 36 having a substantially "V" configuration, the lower ends of the walls being interconnected by a "U"-shaped trough 37. At one end, the trough 37 extends axially to form a projection 38. The projection 38 is dimensioned to be received within the square aperture 32 in the retaining bracket 31. At the other end, the trough 37 carries an upstanding support 39 which extends up between the walls 35, 36, and which carries a closure cap 40 dimensioned to fit over and close, in a sealing manner, the open end of the housing 30 remote from the squib 33.

It is to be appreciated that the moveable gripping element 34 is so configured that when the projection 38 of the trough 37 is received within the aperture 32, the closure cap 40 sealingly closes the end of the housing 30 remote from the squib 33, and the walls 35, 36, due to their own resilient mounting, are biased against the exterior of the housing 30.

It will be appreciated that the clip may be mounted on a hose, equivalent to the tube 13 as shown in Figures 4 and 5, with the hose being partly wrapped around the cylindrical housing 30, and with the hose being gripped by the two resiliently biased walls 35, 36. The engagement of the projection 38 within the aperture 32, and the engagement of the sealing cap 40 with the end of the housing 30 ensures that the moveable gripping element 34 remains in position.

Should, however, an electric charge be applied to the pyrotechnic squib 5, a substantial quantity of gas will be injected into the interior of the hollow housing 30, thus driving the sealing cap 40 away from the end of the housing remote from the squib 33, consequently serving to withdraw the projection 38 from the aperture 32, and releasing the moveable gripping element 34 from the housing 30.

Whilst the invention has been described with specific reference to clips in which gas is generated by a pyrotechnic squib in response to a signal, it is to be understood that in a modified embodiment, instead of using the squid, a source of compressed gas that is opened by a signal may be used, or even a clip that includes a spring which is retained in a compressed state and released in response to a signal to release the clip.

In the present Specification "comprises" means "includes or consists of" and "comprising" means "including or consisting of".

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following Claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A safety device in the form of a releasable clip, the

releasable clip having a first elongate main gripping element, and a second elongate moveable gripping element, the main gripping element having a retaining element to retain one end of the moveable gripping element; there being an arrangement to retain the other end of the moveable gripping element in a predetermined position such that the clip may grip a fabric tube or the like between the main gripping element and the moveable gripping element; a mechanism being provided which responds to a supply signal to move said other end of the moveable gripping element to release the grip.
2. A safety device configured to be actuated by the supply of gas, the safety device incorporating an outlet vent pipe, the outlet vent pipe being sealed by a releasable clip, the releasable clip having a first elongate main gripping element, and a second elongate moveable gripping element, the main gripping element having a retaining element to retain one end of the moveable gripping element; there being an arrangement to retain the other end of the moveable gripping element in a predetermined position such that the clip may grip the outlet vent pipe or the like between the main gripping element and the moveable gripping element; a mechanism being provided which responds to a supply signal to move said other end of the moveable gripping element to release the grip.
3. A safety device according to Claim 2 wherein the safety device is an air- bag.
4. A safety device according to Claim 2 wherein the safety device is a pretensioner.
5. A safety device according to Claim 2, 3 or 4 wherein a plurality of said releasable clips are provided, each clip being associated with a respective outlet hose.
6. A safety device according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the releasable clip incorporates a spring initially held in a compressed state and released in response to said signal so as to move the said other end of the moveable retaining element.
7. A safety device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5 wherein the main gripping element is in the form of a cylinder, and said other end of the elongate moveable gripping element is configured to fit over or within the cylinder; there being a mechanism to supply gas to the interior of the cylinder in response to said signal to move the said other end of the moveable gripping element.
8. A safety device according to Claim 7 wherein said other end of the moveable gripping element is constituted by a piston retained within the cylinder.
9. A safeW device according to Claim 7 wherein said other end of the moveable gripping element comprises a closure cap dimensioned to close an open end of the cylinder.
10. A safety device according to any one of Claims 7 to 9 wherein the source of gas is a pyrotechnic squib.
11. A safety device according to any one of Claims 7 to 9 wherein the source of gas is a source of compressed gas.
12. A safety device according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the moveable gripping element is provided with an elongate cylindrical gripping portion, one end of which is engaged in a retaining lug provided on the main gripping element.
13. A safety device according to any one of Claims 7 to 12 wherein the main gripping element is in the form of a cylindrical housing, and the moveable gripping element has inclined resiliently mounted walls to engage the exterior of the cylindrical main gripping element.
14. A safety device substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.
15. A safety device substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.
16. A safety device substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.
17. A safety device substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings.
18. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.