MXPA97000734A - Reinforcing system for structural member of the motor vehicle chassis - Google Patents

Abstract

A booster system initiated by rapid shock or deceleration for a structural member of a motor vehicle chassis. The system includes a structural member defining a hollow interior essentially gas-tight. The system also includes an inflator for pressurizing the interior of the structural member to increase rigidity and axial or buckling resistance of the structural member during a rapid collision or deceleration of the motor vehicle. The inflator can produce inflation gas to pressurize the structural member from different sources or provenances, including the combustion of the solid pyrotechnic gas generator or the release of a stored gas, for example. In addition, the inflator can be started by different initiators, including an electric initiating charge connected with a remote deceleration sensor or an initiatable initiating piston in alignment with the bumper strut, for example. The inflator can also be used to inflate an airbag cushion of an air bag module in addition to pressurizing the airframe member.

Description

"REINFORCING SYSTEM FOR STRUCTURAL MEMBER OF THE ENGINE VEHICLE CHASSIS" FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a motor vehicle safety device and, more particularly, to a reinforcing system initiated by rapid collision or deceleration for a structural member of a chassis of the motor vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Decreasing the weight of motor vehicles to provide better fuel economy and increased resistance of motor vehicles to provide greater protection to occupants during a crash are both desirable sights. These sights, however, frequently remain in conflict and compromises are frequently made between the reduction of weight and the increase in resistance in the design of motor vehicles. The ultimate goal is to provide motor vehicles that are strong enough to provide adequate protection for occupants in the event of a crash, and that are also light enough in weight to maximize fuel economy. A typical motor vehicle has a chassis on which the body and engine panels and suspension components are mounted. The chassis also supports the bumpers of the vehicle and provides protection to the occupants of the vehicle during a 'crash. The total protection provided by the chassis depends on the stiffness and buckling strength of the individual structural members that make up the chassis. Many of the structural members, especially those on which the vehicle bumpers are mounted, are tubular and have a non-circular hollow cross section. The stiffness and buckling strength of individual hollow tubular or non-circular structural members usually depend on the thickness of the sidewall of the structural member. Increasing the thickness of the side wall increases the strength of the structural member but also increases the weight of the structural member, while decreasing the thickness of the side wall decreases the weight but also decreases the strength. In summary, the chassis of a motor vehicle comprises a large portion of the total weight of the motor vehicle and also comprises a large portion of protection that is provided by the motor vehicle to the occupants of the vehicle during collisions. Accordingly, there is a need to reduce the weight of the hollow, tubular or non-circular structural members of the chassis, without considerably reducing the stiffness and buckling strength of the structural members. There is also a need to increase the strength of the hollow, tubular or non-circular structural members without considerably increasing the weight or thickness of the side wall of the structural member.

COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is directed to a reinforcing system that can satisfy one or all of the aforementioned needs. In carrying out this invention, a reinforcing system initiated during a rapid crash or deceleration is provided for a structural member of an engine vehicle chassis. The system includes a structural member to be used as part of a chassis of a motor vehicle and the structural member defines a hollow interior essentially gas-tight. The system further includes a pressurizing means for introducing pressurized fluid into the interior of the structural member in order to pressurize the interior of the structural member to a predetermined level, during rapid deceleration or collision of the motor vehicle. The pressurizing means comprises an inflator to produce enough inflation gas to press the gas-tight interior of the structural member to a predetermined level during initiation of the inflator. The initiation means for initiating the inflator is connected to or positioned with respect to the activation means to activate the initiation means during rapid deceleration or collision of the motor vehicle. The inflator defines at least one gas discharge orifice to release the inflation gas. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a conduit connects at least one gas discharge orifice of the interior with an opening defined by the structural member, so that at least one gas discharge orifice communicates with the gas-tight interior of the structural member. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the inflator is positioned adjacent to or within an opening defined by the structural member, whereby at least one gas discharge orifice communicates through the opening with the interior sealed to the gas of the structural member. The pressurization of the hollow interior, essentially gas-tight of an elongated structural member, increases the rigidity and axial or buckling strength of the structural member. The present invention, therefore, provides a system that increases the axial or buckling strength of the structural member of a chassis of a motor vehicle, without considerably increasing the weight of the structural member. In the alternative, the present invention allows the weight of the structural member to be reduced without a considerable reduction in axial or buckling resistance. The invention, together with the objects, features, advantages and additional aspects thereof, will be more clearly understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a detailed view of a chassis of a typical automobile; Figure 2 is a side elevational view, partly in section of a reinforcing system initiated by rapid collision or deceleration, in accordance with the present invention, for a structural member of a chassis of the motor vehicle; Figure 3 is a side view in elevation partly in section, of another reinforcing system initiated by rapid shock or deceleration in accordance with the present invention, for a structural member of a chassis of the motor vehicle; Figure 4 is a side elevational view, partly in section of an additional reinforcing system initiated by rapid shock or deceleration in accordance with the present invention, for a structural member of a chassis of the motor vehicle; and Figure 5 is a side elevational view, partially in section, of an additional reinforcing system initiated by rapid shock or deceleration, in accordance with the present invention, for a structural member of a motor vehicle chassis. The same reference numbers refer to the same elements through the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As shown in Figure 1, a typical engine vehicle 90, in this case a car, has a chassis 92 on which the body panels 94, and the engine and suspension components (not shown) are mounted. The chassis 92 also supports the bumpers 96 of the vehicle and provides protection to the occupants of the vehicle during a crash. The total protection provided by the chassis 92 depends on the stiffness and buckling strength of the individual structural members 98 that constitute the chassis. Referring to Figure 2, the present invention is directed to a booster system initiated by rapid shock or deceleration for a structural member of an engine vehicle chassis. The reinforcing system 10 includes a structural member 12 for use as part of a chassis of a motor vehicle. The structural member 12 is for supporting the components of the motor vehicle, such as the vehicle bumper, for example, it includes an elongated tubular side wall 14 having an open end 16 and a closed end 18. As shown, the closed end 18 of the structural member 12 is closed by an end wall 19, but could otherwise be closed, such as by flanging the side wall 14, for example. The side wall 14 and the end wall 19 partially define a hollow interior essentially gas-tight of the structural member 12, and the open end 16 defines an opening 22 communicating with the gas-tight interior of the structural member. The system 10 also includes a pressing means for pressurizing the gas-tight interior 20 of the structural member 12 to a predetermined level during rapid deceleration or collision of the motor vehicle. The pressurizing means comprises an inflator 24 which is similar to an air bag inflator of an air bag module normally positioned within the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle. The inflator 24 has a housing 26 of the cylindrical inflator which extends through the opening 22 of the structural member 12 and which is received inside the gas-tight interior. Preferably, the housing 26 of the cylindrical inflator is received tightly by the tubular side wall 14. A flange 29 extends radially outward from the first end 28 of the housing 26 of the inflator, and abuts against the open end 16 of the side wall 14 in an essentially gas-tight manner. The inflator 24 is secured in the structural member 12 by appropriate means, such as by means of welds 30, for example, between the flange 29 and the open end 16 of the side wall 14. A diffuser 32 extends from a second end 33 of the inflator housing 26 and defines a plurality of gas discharge orifices 34. The inflator 24 is to provide enough inflation gas to press the gas-tight interior of the structural member 12, to the predetermined level, during the initiation of the inflator. It is important to note that the inflator 24 could comprise any suitable type of inflator to provide inflation gas. For example, inflator 24 could provide inflation gas from one or more of the following sources or sources: the combustion of a solid pyrotechnic material, the combustion of a fluid / oxidant fuel, the release of a stored gas or the reaction of a mono-impellent. The initiation means 36 for initiating the inflator 24 is connected to the inflator, and the activating means 39 for activating the initiation means is connected to or positioned with respect to the initiating means. The initiating means 36 and the activating means 39 could comprise many different components and combinations of components. For example, the initiating means 36 could comprise an electric initiating charge connected to the activating means 39 comprising an electronic remote shock or rapid deceleration sensor. Alternatively, the initiating means 36 could comprise a pyrotechnic transmission line connected to the activating means 39 comprising a mechanical remote shock or rapid deceleration sensor for igniting the pyrotechnic transmission line. An example of a mechanical remote shock or rapid deceleration sensor is shown and described in U.S. Patent No. 4,706,990. In addition, the initiating means 36 could comprise a fiber optic wire connected to the initiating means 39 comprising a mechanical or electrical shock or rapid deceleration remote sensor having a laser source. An example of the activating medium having a laser source is shown and described in U.S. Patent Number 5,406,889. Generally, during a rapid collision or deceleration of the motor vehicle, the activating means 39 activates the initiating means 36 that initiates the inflator 24. By initiating it is meant that the initiating means begins a process inside the inflator 24 that drives to the production and release of inflation gas. The inflation gas is released through the gas discharge orifices 34 of the inflator 24, into the gas-tight interior 20 of the structural member 12 to rapidly press the structural member, which increases the axial or buckling resistance of the wall 14 of the structural member. The present invention, therefore, increases the axial or buckling resistance of the structural member 12 of a chassis of a motor vehicle, without considerably increasing the weight of the structural member and, alternatively, allowing the thickness of the side wall 14 of the Structural member is reduced to reduce weight without considerably reducing the buckling strength of the side wall. It is important to note that many embodiments of the present invention are possible, for example, the structural member, which is normally elongated, does not have to be tubular but may have a non-circular cross section, as long as the structural member has an interior essentially gas tight. By the term "essentially gas-tight" is meant that the structural member may have several holes or other openings as long as those openings do not allow a considerable amount of the inflation gas produced by the inflator to exit the structural member within. of more or less 100 to 1000 milliseconds that the inflator will require to press the structural member. Also, as discussed above, different inflators may be used, different initiator means may be used and different activating means may be used.

Figures 3 and 4 show two or more specific embodiments of the present invention. Figure 3 shows a reinforcing system 40 initiated by rapid shock or deceleration, in accordance with the present invention, for a structural member of a chassis of the motor vehicle that includes a structural member 42, an inflator 44 and a bumper strut 46. structural member 42 is for use as part of a chassis of a motor vehicle and has an elongated tubular side wall 48 having an open end 50 and a closed end 52, which is closed by an end wall 53. The side wall 48 and the end wall 53 partially define a hollow interior essentially gas-tight of the structural member 42, and the open end 50 forms a shoulder 56 extending radially outward from the side wall 48. The shoulder 56 prevents an opening 57 of the structural member 42. A tubular sleeve 58 extends from the shoulder 56 away from and in axial alignment with the side wall 48 and opens into an end 60 of the open sleeve. The pressurizing means' comprises an inflator 44 having a housing 62 of the cylindrical inflator extending through the opening 57 of the structural member 42 which is received inside the gas-tight interior 54. Preferably, the housing 62 of the inflator is secured to the structural member 42 by an airtight fit between the inflator housing and the side wall, but could also be secured by other suitable means such as welding or flanging, for example. A flange 65 extends radially outward from a first end 64 of the housing 62 of the inflator, and abuts against the shoulder 56 of the side wall 48, in an essentially gas-tight manner. A diffuser 66 extends from a second end 67 of the housing 62 of the inflator, and defines a plurality of gas discharge orifices 68, and the second end and the diffuser are positioned within the gas-tight interior 54 of the structural member 42. As shown, the inflator 44 contains an appropriate pyrotechnic solid fuel gas generator 70, but could alternatively contain other sources of inflation gas, such as a combination of a gas generating device and compressed gas, for example. The inflator 44 contains sufficient gas generator 70 to produce an amount of inflation gas to press the gas-tight interior 54 of the structural member 42 to a predetermined level. A gas cooling and filtration assembly 72 is positioned between the gas generator 70 and the diffuser 66. The started medium comprises a pressible initiating piston 74 which extends through an opening 75 in the first end 64 of the housing 62. of the inflator. The initiating plunger 74 has dense metal strikers 76 which are axially aligned with the percussion jigs 78 fixed to an appropriate primary initiator material 80 positioned to ignite the gas generator 70. The activating means comprises a bumper strut 46 which is cylindrical, but which could be otherwise, and has a first end 82 fixed to a bumper fitting 84 connectable to the vehicle bumper (not shown). A second end 86 of strut 46 of the bumper extends through the end 60 of the open sleeve and the structural means 42 and is received within the tubular sleeve 58 of the structural member. The outer diameter of the bumper strut 46 is essentially the same as the internal diameter of the sleeve 58, so that the resistance means comprising an airtight fit between the sleeve and the bumper strut prevents the bumper strut from sliding inside the sleeve. , unless a threshold amount of the force is applied to the first end 82 of the bumper strut. Normally, the bumpers of the motor vehicle are designed to withstand a crash speed of up to 5 mph, for example and then crush towards the chassis of the vehicle. The strut 46 of the bumper is in hermetic sliding relationship with the sleeve 58 so that the bumper strut can not slip into the sleeve unless a threshold force equal to or greater than that created by the motor vehicle is applied when striking a bumper. Object with the bumper at a speed, at least 5 mph, to the first 82nd end of the bumper strut. Alternatively, the resistance means could comprise weak welds between the strut 46 of the bumper and the sleeve 58, or flanges in the sleeve around the bumper post, for example. During a crash that causes a threshold force amount to be applied to the bumper, the bumper forces the bumper strut 46 toward the sleeve 58 of the structural member 42 until the second end 86 of the bumper strut presses the inflator plunger 74. 44. As the initiating piston 74 is depressed towards the inflator 44, the strikers 76 strike and release the percussion stools 78 that ignite the primary igniter 80 which in turn ignites the gas generator 70. The ignited gas generator 70 rapidly produces inflation gas that is cooled and filtered through the gas cooling and filtration assembly 72 before exiting the diffuser 66 through the plurality of gas discharge orifices 68 for pressurizing the interior 54 of the structural member 42. By depressing the piston 74, the strut 46 of the bumper stops from further movement towards the structural member 42 by means of the flange 65 of the inflator which abuts against the shoulder of the structural member. The flange 65 of the inflator prevents the inflator 44 and the strut 46 of the bumper from being pushed further into the structural member 42 unless of course an excessively large force caused by a high velocity shock is applied to the bumper. Figure 4 shows another reinforcing system 140 initiated during rapid shock or deceleration, in accordance with the present invention, for a structural member of a chassis of the motor vehicle that includes a structural member 142, an inflator 144 and a mechanical deceleration sensor 146. . The structural member 142 has an elongated tubular side wall 148 having an open end 150 and a closed end 152, which is closed by an end wall 153. The side wall 148 and the end wall 153 partially define a hollow interior 154, essentially gas-tight of the structural member 142, and the open end 150 defines an opening 156 of the structural member. The pressurizing means comprises the inflator 144 having a housing 162 of the cylindrical inflator which extends through the opening 157 of the structural member 142 and which is received inside the gas-tight interior 154. Preferably, the cylindrical housing 162 of the inflator is hermetically received by the tubular side wall 148. The mechanical deceleration sensor 146 extends radially outward from the first end 164 of the housing 162 of the inflator and abuts against the open end 150 of the side wall 148, in an essentially gas-tight manner. A diffuser 166 extends from a second end 167 of the housing 162 of the inflator, and defines a plurality of gas discharge orifices 168 and the second end and the diffuser are positioned within the gas-tight interior 154 of the structural member 142. The inflator 144 is to provide sufficient inflation gas to press the gas-tight interior 154 of the structural member 142 to a predetermined level during initiation of the inflator. As shown, the inflator 144 is similar to the inflator 44 of Figure 3, and contains an appropriate pyrotechnic solid fuel gas generator 70 but could alternatively contain other inflation gas producing means. The initiator means comprises a percussion screw 172 fixed to an appropriate primary ignition material 184 placed to initiate the inflator, or more specifically to ignite the gas generator 170. The activating means comprises the mechanical deceleration sensor 146 which includes a mass 176 of inertia carrying a dense metal percussor 178 which is axially aligned with the percussion plug 178. The mass of inertia 176 is connected to a diaphragm 180 of over-centered concave steel which acts to restrain the inertial mass until a deceleration level is reached that is high enough to produce a sufficient inertial force to buckle the diaphragm. The mass of inertia 176 is then free to be propelled towards the inflator 144 so that the hammer 178 hits and ignites the percussion screw 172. The diaphragm 180 and the mass of inertia 176 are contained in a sensor case 182 which is secured to the first end 164 of the housing 162 of the inflator, by an appropriate means, for example by welding. A similar mechanical deceleration sensor is shown and described in U.S. Patent No. 4,706,990. During a rapid deceleration caused by a collision, the striker 178 strikes and releases the percussion rifle 172 that ignites the primary igniter 174 which in turn ignites the gas generator 170. The ignited gas generator 170 rapidly produces the inflation gas exiting the diffuser 166 through the plurality of gas discharge orifice 168 to press the gas-tight interior 154 of the structural member 142. Referring to Figure 5, there is shown an additional reinforcing system 110 initiated by rapid shock or deceleration of co-ordination with the present invention, for a structural member of a chassis of the motor vehicle. The reinforcing system 110 includes a structural member 112 for use as part of a chassis of a motor vehicle. The structural member generally defines a hollow interior 114 essentially gas-tight and an opening 116 communicating with the gas-tight interior. The pressurizing means comprises a remote inflator 118 for introducing pressurized fluid or inflation gas into the gas-tight interior 114 of the structural member 112 to press the interior of the structural member to a predetermined level during a rapid deceleration or collision of the motor vehicle. . The inflator 118 provides the inflation gas from one or more of the following sources or provenances: the combustion of solid pyrotechnic fuel, the combustion of the fluid / oxidant fuel, the release of a stored gas or the reaction of a mono-impellent.

The inflator 118 generally defines a plurality of gas discharge orifices 120, and a first conduit 122 connects the plurality of gas discharge orifices with the opening 116 defined by the structural member 112, such that the plurality Gas discharge communicates with the gas-tight interior 114 of the structural member. As shown, a second conduit 124 connects the plurality of gas discharge orifices 120 with an air bag cushion 128 of an air bag module 126 of the passenger compartment. The inflator 118 provides sufficient inflation gas to press the gas-tight interior 114 of the structural member 112 to the predetermined level, and simultaneously inflates the air bag cushion 128. The airbag modules are known to those skilled in the art and, therefore, are not described in detail. The initiating means 130 for starting the inflator 118 is connected to the activating means 134 to activate the initiating means during a rapid deceleration or collision of the motor vehicle. As discussed above, initiator means and activator means 134 could comprise many different components and combinations of those components. For example, the initiating means 130 could comprise an electric initiating charge connected to the activating means 134 comprising a remote electronic shock or rapid deceleration sensor. Alternatively, the initiating means 130 could comprise an oppressive initiating plunger extending from the inflator, and the activating means 134 could comprise a bumper strut in axial alignment with the initiating plunger, with a means of resistance preventing the bumper strut Press the starter plunger until a threshold force is applied to the bumper strut. Many variations are possible. The inflator 118 could alternatively be placed within the airbag module 126 and connected to the structural member 112 by the first conduit 122, or the inflator could be fixed directly to the structural member and connected by the second conduit 124 to the bag module air. As shown, the air bag module 126 is an air bag module on the driver's side contained in a steering wheel 136, but could be an air bag module on the passenger side or a bag module side impact air. In addition, the inflator 118 could be connected with more than one structural member and more than one air bag inflator. Again, many variations are possible. It has been calculated that pressurization of the inside of the structural member to plus or minus 14.06 kilogram per square centimeter or 21.09 kilogram per square centimeter can increase the stiffness and buckling strength of the structural member by more or less than 20 percent to 30 percent. The additional resistance that is provided by the inflator allows either: that the axial or buckling resistance of the structural member be increased without considerably increasing the weight of the structural member; or decreasing the weight of the structural member by decreasing the thickness of the side wall of the structural member, without considerably reducing the axial or buckling strength of the structural member. Since other requirements and varied environments to suit specific requirements and operating environments will become apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention should not be considered limited to the examples selected for purposes of illustration, and include all changes. and modifications that do not constitute a departure from the true spirit and scope of this invention as claimed in the following claims and the equivalents thereto.

Claims (20)

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N E S:

1. A reinforcing system initiated by rapid shock or deceleration for a structural member of a motor vehicle chassis, the system comprises: a structural member to be used as part of a chassis of a motor vehicle, the structural member contains a hollow interior, essentially gas tight; and - a pressurizing means for introducing pressurized fluid into the gas-tight interior of the structural member in order to pressurize the gas-tight interior of the structural member to a predetermined level during rapid deceleration or collision of the motor vehicle.

The reinforcer system according to claim 1, wherein the pressurizing means comprises: an inflator in fluid communication with the gas-tight interior of the structural member to provide pressurized fluid in the form of an inflation gas during initiation of the inflator; an initiating means to start the inflator; and an activating means connected to or positioned with respect to the initiating means for activating the initiating means during rapid deceleration or collision of the motor vehicle.

The reinforcing system according to claim 2, wherein: the structural member defines an opening communicating with the gas-tight interior; the inflator defines at least one gas discharge orifice to release the inflation gas; and a conduit connecting at least one gas discharge orifice of the inflator to the opening defined by the structural member, whereby at least one gas discharge orifice communicates with the gas-tight interior of the structural member, establishing the communication of fluid between the inflator and the gas-tight interior of the structural member.

The reinforcer system according to claim 3, wherein: the initiator means comprises an electric initiator charge extending from the first end of the inflator housing; and the activating means comprises a remote electronic shock or rapid deceleration sensor connected to the initiator charge.

5. The reinforcing system according to claim 3, wherein: the initiator means comprises a laser source connected to the inflator by a fiber optic wire; and the activating means comprises a remote shock or rapid deceleration sensor to activate the laser source.

The reinforcing system according to claim 3, wherein: the initiating means comprises a pyrotechnic transmission line connected to the inflator; and the activating means comprises a remote mechanical shock or rapid deceleration sensor for igniting the pyrotechnic transmission line.

The reinforcing system according to claim 3, wherein: the initiating means comprises a percussion screw attached to a primary ignition material positioned to initiate the inflator; the activating means comprises a mechanical deceleration sensor having an inertial mass carrying a firing pin axially aligned with the percussion packet, the mechanical deceleration sensor restricts the inertial mass from pushing the firing pin against the percussion packet, up to that a predetermined deceleration level is reached.

The reinforcing system according to claim 3 wherein: the initiating means comprises an oppressive initiating piston extending from the inflator to initiate the inflator as it presses toward the inflator; the activating means comprises a bumper strut having a first end connectable with a bumper and a second end in axial alignment with the initiating plunger; and a means of resistance which prevents the bumper strut from pressing the starter piston towards the inflator until a threshold amount of force is applied to the first end of the bumper strut.

9. The reinforcing system according to claim 3, wherein the inflator provides inflation gas from at least one of the following sources or provenances: the combustion of a solid pyrotechnic fuel, the combustion of a fluid / oxidant fuel, the release of a stored gas or the reaction of a monkey -impellant.

The reinforcing system according to claim 2 wherein: the structural member defines an opening communicating with the gas-tight interior; the inflator defines at least one gas discharge orifice for releasing the inflation gas, with the inflator positioned adjacent to or within the opening defined by the structural member, so that at least one gas discharge orifice communicates with the inflator. the interior of the structural member through the opening, establishing fluid communication between the inflator and the gas-tight interior of the structural member.

The reinforcer system according to claim 10, wherein: the initiator means comprises an electric initiator charge extending from the first end of the inflator housing; and the activating means comprises a remote electronic shock or rapid deceleration sensor connected to the initiator charge.

The reinforcer system according to claim 10, wherein: the initiator means comprises a laser source connected to the inflator via a fiber optic wire; and the activating means comprises a remote shock or rapid deceleration sensor to activate the laser source.

The reinforcing system according to claim 10, wherein: the initiating means comprises a pyrotechnic transmission line connected to the inflator; and the activating means comprises a remote mechanical shock or rapid deceleration sensor for igniting the pyrotechnic transmission line.

The reinforcing system according to claim 10, wherein: the initiating means comprises a percussion screw attached to a primary ignition material positioned to initiate the inflator; the activating means comprises a mechanical deceleration sensor having a mass of inertia carrying a hammer which is axially aligned with the percussion plug, the mechanical deceleration sensor restricts the mass of inertia from pushing the hammer against the percussion plug to that a predetermined deceleration level is reached.

15. The reinforcing system according to claim 10, wherein: the initiating means comprises an oppressive initiating piston extending from the inflator to initiate the inflator as it presses toward the inflator; the activating means comprises a bumper strut having a first end connectable with a bumper and a second end in axial alignment with the initiating plunger; and a means of resistance which prevents the bumper strut from pressing the starter piston towards the inflator until a threshold amount of force is applied to the first end of the bumper strut.

The reinforcing system according to claim 15, wherein: the structural member includes an elongate side wall having a closed end and an open end, the side wall and the closed end partially defining the hollow interior essentially gas-tight of the structural member, the open end of the side wall forms a shoulder extending radially outwardly from the side wall, the shoulder defines the opening of the structural member, a sleeve extending from the shoulder away from and in axial alignment with the side wall, terminating the sleeve at an open end of the sleeve; The inflator includes an inflator housing extending through the gas-tight interior opening of the structural member, a first end of the inflator housing having a flange extending outwardly from and transversely toward the inflator housing, flange abuts against the shoulder of the structural member in an essentially gas-tight manner, and a second end of the inflator housing positioned within the gas-tight interior of the structural member, the second end defines at least one gas discharge orifice of the inflator; the plunger initiating plunger extends from the first end of the inflator housing to the open end of the sleeve; the bumper strut is slidably received within the sleeve of the structural member with the first end of the bumper strut extending out of the sleeve through the open end of the sleeve and the second end of the bumper strut being placed inside the sleeve in axial alignment with the bumper strut. the oppressive initiating piston; and the resistance means comprises an airtight fit between the bumper strut and the sleeve of the structural member.

The reinforcing system according to claim 10, wherein the inflator provides the inflation gas from at least one of the following sources or provenances: the combustion of a solid pyrotechnic fuel, the combustion of a fluid / oxidant fuel, the release of a stored gas to the reaction of a mono-impellent.

18. A reinforcing system initiated by rapid shock or deceleration for a structural member of a chassis of a motor vehicle, the system comprising: at least one structural member to be used as part of a chassis of a motor vehicle, the structural member it contains a hollow interior essentially gas-tight; at least one air bag module having an inflatable air bag cushion; a pressing means for introducing pressurized fluid into the gas-tight interior of at least one structural member so as to pressurize the gas-tight interior of the structural member at a predetermined level and to simultaneously introduce substantially the pressurized fluid into the Inflatable air bag cushion of at least one airbag module to inflate the inflatable airbag cushion during rapid deceleration or shock of the motor vehicle.

The reinforcer system according to claim 18, wherein the pressurizing means comprises: an inflator in fluid communication with the gas-tight interior of at least one structural member, and the inflatable air bag cushion of at least one air bag module to provide pressurized fluid in the form of inflation gas during inflation of the inflator; an initiating means to start the inflator; and an activating means connected to or positioned with respect to the initiating means for activating the initiating means during rapid deceleration or collision of the motor vehicle.

20. The reinforcing system according to claim 19, wherein: at least one structural member defines an opening communicating with the gas-tight interior; the inflator defines at least one gas discharge orifice to release the inflation gas; a conduit that is connected with at least one gas discharge orifice of the inflator with the opening defined by at least one structural member, whereby at least one gas discharge orifice communicates with the gas-tight interior of the gas. at least one structural member, establishing fluid communication between the inflator and the gas-tight interior of at least one structural member; and a conduit connecting at least one gas discharge port of the inflator to the inflatable air bag cushion of at least one air bag module, whereby, at least one gas discharge port is communicated. with the inflatable air bag cushion of at least one air bag module, the fluid communication between the inflator and the bag cushion being inflatable air of at least one air bag module.