WO2000043242A1 - Systeme de retenue a gaz pressurise pour vehicule, s'adaptant au passager - Google Patents

Systeme de retenue a gaz pressurise pour vehicule, s'adaptant au passager Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2000043242A1
WO2000043242A1 PCT/US2000/000975 US0000975W WO0043242A1 WO 2000043242 A1 WO2000043242 A1 WO 2000043242A1 US 0000975 W US0000975 W US 0000975W WO 0043242 A1 WO0043242 A1 WO 0043242A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
gas
variator
coupled
passage
sensed
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2000/000975
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Barney Klinger
Robert William Reynolds
Original Assignee
Barney Klinger
Robert William Reynolds
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 Barney Klinger, Robert William Reynolds filed Critical Barney Klinger
Publication of WO2000043242A1 publication Critical patent/WO2000043242A1/fr

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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
    • B60R21/26—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
    • 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
    • B60R21/276—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 with means to vent the inflation fluid source, e.g. in case of overpressure
    • 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
    • B60R2021/26094—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 characterised by fluid flow controlling valves
    • 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
    • B60R21/276—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 with means to vent the inflation fluid source, e.g. in case of overpressure
    • B60R2021/2765—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 with means to vent the inflation fluid source, e.g. in case of overpressure comprising means to control the venting

Definitions

  • the invention relates to vehicular supplemental restraint systems and, more specifically, to occupant-sensitive vehicular gas pressure restraint systems wherein vehicle occupants in the case of serious collisions are protected by gas bags inflated pursuant to sensed parameters concerning such occupants .
  • the invention resides in apparatus for inflating a vehicular gas bag with gas from a bottle of compressed gas against an occupant in an emergency.
  • the invention resides, more specifically, in the improvement comprising, in combination, a gas pressure sensor having a sensor input coupled to compressed gas in the bottle prior to an emergency, and having a sensed pressure output, a variable gas inlet passage for the gas bag having a gas inlet passage variator coupled to the sensed pressure output, a variable gas venting passage positioned in circumvention of the gas inlet passage and inverse to the variable gas inlet passage, and having a gas venting passage variator coupled to the sensed pressure output, an occupant parameter sensor having a sensed occupant parameter output, a gas flow variator coupled to that sensed occupant parameter output and a compressed gas release having a compressed gas outlet on the bottle connected to the gas inlet passage, to the variable gas venting passage and to the gas flow variator.
  • Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a vehicle with a supplemental restraint system according to an embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 2 is a perspective exploded view of parts of a gas bag restraint system according to an embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing an assembly of the parts shown in Fig. 2 in a gas bag restraint system according to an embodiment of the invention, such as for use in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1
  • Fig. 4 is a perspective exploded view of parts of a gas bag restraint system according to an embodiment of the invention, such as for use in a modification of the control apparatus shown in Fig. 3 with reference to Fig. 1, for example.
  • Illustrated embodiments of the invention concern systems for inflating a vehicular gas bag 10 with gas from a bottle of a preferably environmentally friendly compressed gas 12 against an occupant 13 of an automobile or other vehicle 11 in an emergency, such as diagrammatically shown in Fig. 1 which also shows the control 14 through which the gas bag is inflated, and an occupant parameter sensor 17 which controls the inflation process.
  • Control 14 is also shown in Fig. 3 with reference to Figs. 1 and 2.
  • Fig. 4 shows an alternative control 114 within the scope of the invention, that may, for instance, be used in lieu of the control 14 in restraint systems such as illustrated in Fig. 1.
  • the gas bag 10 has a variable gas inlet passage or inlet metering orifice, such as shown at 15 in Figs . 2 to 4.
  • the control also has a variable gas venting passage 16 or venting metering orifice in circumvention or avoidance of the gas inlet passage 15.
  • circumvention herein includes the dictionary sense of "anticipate and escape” (Webster Unabridged) and "avoid by anticipating” (Random House Dictionary) . Indeed, the venting needs herein disclosed are anticipated before the crash or similar emergency. Gas pressure of the compressed gas in the bottle 12 is sensed prior to an emergency, such as with a gas pressure sensor 18.
  • variable gas inlet passage 15 is varied inversely with sensed gas pressure prior to an emergency, and the variable gas venting passage 16 is varied conversely to such variable gas inlet passage 15 prior to that emergency.
  • the gas pressure sensor 18 has a sensor input 20 coupled to the compressed gas in the bottle 12 prior to an emergency, and has a sensed pressure output 21.
  • the variable gas inlet passage 15 for the gas bag 10 has a gas inlet passage variator 22 coupled to the sensed pressure output 21, and the variable gas venting passage 16 is positioned in circumvention of the gas inlet passage 15 and is inverse to that variable gas inlet passage 15, and has a gas venting passage variator 23 coupled to the sensed pressure output 21.
  • the occupant parameter sensor 17 has a sensed occupant parameter output 24, that is an output signal or output that represents the parameter of interest to the system's operation.
  • the control 14 or 114 includes a gas flow variator 27 or 127 coupled to the sensed occupant parameter output 24.
  • a compressed gas release 25 has a compressed gas outlet 26 on the bottle 12 connected to the variable gas inlet passage 15, to the variable gas venting passage 16 and to the gas flow variator 27 or 127, such as through a plenum 130.
  • the gas bag 10 thus is inflated in an emergency with gas at a pressure adapted to safety requirements by opening the bottle of compressed gas 12, such as at 26, to the inversely varied gas inlet passage 15, to the conversely varied gas venting passage 16 and to the gas flow variator 27 during that emergency, thereby venting excess gas as necessitated by applicable safety requirements, while inflating the gas bag 10 from the bottle of compressed gas 12.
  • the expression "variator” is used in its dictionary term, derived from the Latin word “variatus” supplemented by the ending "-or” to mean "a device that varies" or “that imposes variation.” Reference may be had to the plan views of Figs.
  • the gas flow variator 27 may be part of the variable gas venting passage 16 or may in fact be combined with the gas venting passage variator 23, being, for instance, in series therewith, such as shown in Fig. 3.
  • the gas flow variator may be part of the variable gas inlet passage 15 or may in fact be combined with the gas inlet passage variator 22, being, for instance, in series therewith.
  • FIG. 3 A large variety of signals suitable for actuation of the gas flow variator 27, 127 or other gas flow variators within the scope of the invention is, for instance, disclosed in the background incorporated United States patents set forth above.
  • the perspective view of Fig. 3 include a dotted line 28 signifying where the gas bag 10 may be attached to a valve housing or stationary sleeve 30 shown in Figs. 2 and 3.
  • a corresponding dotted line 29 on a corresponding rotary sleeve 31 signifies the division between the gas inlet passage variator 22 and the gas venting passage variator 23.
  • the sensed pressure output 21 is coupled to the rotary sleeve 31, such as via apertures, one of which is seen at 121 in Fig.
  • the gas inlet passage variator 22 preferably includes a metering orifice structure 15 that may, for instance, be composed of combined ports 33 and 34 provided in sleeves 30 and 31, respectively. Such metering orifice structure is coupled to the sensed pressure output 21 as seen for instance in Fig. 3 for inversely varying that gas inlet passage, such as was explained with the aid of Figs. 3A to 3C of our above mentioned incorporated International Patent Application PCT/US96/00594.
  • the gas venting passage variator 23 similarly may include a metering orifice structure 16 that may, for instance, be composed of combined ports 35 and 36 provided in sleeves 30 and 31, respectively.
  • Such orifice structure 16 may be coupled to the sensed pressure output 21 as seen for instance in Fig. 3 for conversely varying that variable gas venting passage, such as was explained with the aid of Figs. 3A to 3C of our above mentioned incorporated International Patent Application PCT/US96/00594.
  • These metering orifice structures may be ganged with each other or may be provided in common structures 30 and 31 including the distinct metering orifice structures 15 and 16 and coupled to the sensed pressure output 21, such as via variators 22 and 23.
  • the expression "ganged” is used in its technical sense well known in mechanics and electronics, where the ganged variable capacitors of conventional radios and other coupled mechanical devices readily come to mind.
  • the gas flow variator 27 or 127 is distinct from such ganged gas inlet passage variator 22 and gas venting passage variator 23.
  • Duplicate metering orifice structures 15 and 16 are optionally shown in Figs. 2 to 4 for improved operation.
  • such corresponding orifice structures 15 may be considered generically as an orifice structure 15, and the corresponding orifice structures 16 may be considered generically as an orifice structure 16.
  • the gas inlet passage variator includes a metering sleeve coupled to the sensed pressure output 21 and seen for instance at 22 in Fig. 3 for inversely varying the variable gas inlet passage 15.
  • the gas venting passage variator may similarly include a metering sleeve coupled to the sensed pressure output 21 and seen for instance at 23 in Fig. 3 for conversely varying the variable gas venting passage 16.
  • these variators or metering sleeves 22 and 23 may be ganged with each other in various embodiments.
  • Figs. 2 to 4 show the variators 22 and 23 in one piece 31; an ultimate form of ganging.
  • the gas inlet passage variator 22 and the gas venting passage variator 23 may include a common metering sleeve 31 coupled to the sensed pressure output 21.
  • Fig. 2 or 3 shows a common structure including the gas inlet passage variator 22, the gas venting passage variator 23 and the gas flow variator 27, and Fig. 4 shows an alternate gas flow variator 127 within the scope of the invention.
  • the rotary sleeve or common metering sleeve 31 may be inside the valve housing or outer sleeve 30 shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. Such outer sleeve 30 may be stationary relative to such rotary inner sleeve 31 in a common structure of complementary metering sleeves 30 and 31.
  • valve housing or stationary sleeve 30 in particular shows the valve housing or stationary sleeve 30 as attached to or sitting on the gas bottle 12 over the normally closed gas bottle opening 26 that is pierced open or otherwise opened by the emergency sensor 25, such as in the case of a severe collision of the vehicle thus equipped.
  • the illustrated valve housing or outer sleeve 30 may in any other manner form a plenum chamber 130 for pressurized gas from the bottle 12 or for the valve system herein disclosed, and may signify any tube or similar conduit connected to a compressed gas supply 12 at its normally closed compressed gas outlet 26.
  • the gas bag 10 may be attached otherwise than to the valve body or outer sleeve 30, and may be supplied with compressed gas from the bottle 12 through conduits running from one or more openings 15 to the otherwise attached gas bag.
  • the gas pressure sensing, such as with the pressure sensor 18, the inverse variation of the gas bag inlet passage 15 and the converse variation of the gas venting passage 16 preferably are effected continually prior to emergency or impact.
  • the expression “continually” is intended to include the related expression “continuously.”
  • the pressure sensor 18 may continuously vary the gas bag inlet passage 15 and the gas venting passage 16 with its sensed pressure output or pressure sensor output 21 in response to gas pressure in the bottle 12, whenever the vehicle is in operation or even while the vehicle is parked or is otherwise not in operation.
  • the rotary inner metering sleeve 31 has a first extreme position relative to the outer stationary sleeve 30, brought about by maximum overpressure of the compressed gas in the bottle 12, such as generated by a high temperature of the atmosphere or environment in which the gas bottle or vehicle is situated.
  • the pressure sensor 18 picks up such pressure, such as with its input or inlet 20 in the gas bottle 12, and correspondingly varies or moves its output 21 and thereby the rotary inner sleeve 31 counterclockwise (CCW) as seen in Fig. 3, up to an extreme first angular position.
  • CCW counterclockwise
  • the gas vent or vent metering orifice 16 has its maximum opening or cross-section, while the bag inlet opening or bag inlet metering orifice 15 has its minimum cross-section.
  • this minimum cross-section of the bag inlet opening 15 needs to be other than zero.
  • the variable gas inlet passage or metering orifice 15 has or is provided with a cross-section that is greater than zero at any gas pressure in the bottle 12, so that the gas bag 12 will always be inflated in an emergency; typically a severe collision.
  • variable gas venting passage or metering orifice 16 is all the way open at such extreme first angular position for the variator 23 or rotary sleeve 31, so that the gas bag 10 cannot be ruptured during inflation in a manner causing injury to the vehicle occupant, even when the ambient temperature or gas pressure is extreme.
  • the gas venting passage or metering orifice 16 may diminish and even go down to zero during the gas bag inflation process to assure inflation of the gas bag 10 at optimum pressure throughout. Accordingly, depending on initial gas pressure when an emergency is sensed, the gas venting passage or metering orifice 16 may be varied from maxim-urn to zero during inflation of the gas bag 10 during that emergency.
  • the gas bag inlet passage or metering orifice 15 is increased toward its maximum, and the vent passage or metering orifice is minimized as gas pressure from the bottle 12 decreases during inflation of the gas bag 10 in an emergency.
  • the stationary sleeve 30 preferably has an inlet port 33 for the gas bag 10, while the rotary sleeve 31 has a corresponding outlet port 34 for the variable gas inlet passage 15. That port 33 and corresponding port 34 may form the variable metering orifice at 15.
  • the variable gas inlet passage 15 preferably is varied gradually, and the gas inlet passage variator 22 is a gradual variator.
  • the stationary sleeve 30 has a gas venting port 35, while the rotary sleeve 31 has a corresponding port 36 for the variable gas venting passage 16. That port 35 and corresponding port 36 may form the variable metering orifice at 16.
  • the variable gas venting passage 16 preferably is varied gradually, and the gas venting passage variator 23 is a gradual variator.
  • either or both ports 33 and 35 may be provided in the rotary sleeve or valve body 31, while either corresponding port 34 or 36, or both ports 34 and 36, may be provided in the relatively stationary sleeve or valve housing 30.
  • gas flow openings 33 and 35 may be slits within the scope of the invention.
  • the gas flow openings 33 and 34 may be countervailing slits or a circular opening and an elongate opening or elongate or quadrilateral openings jointly forming the variable gas bag inlet passage 15.
  • the gas venting passage 16 which may be formed of a circular port and elongate slit, or of corresponding countervailing slits or quadrilateral openings at 35 and 36.
  • the gas flow variator 27 or 127 preferably is a gradual variator, such as, for instance, the gas inlet passage and gas venting passage variators.
  • the gas flow variator 27 or 127 preferably includes a metering orifice structure. Variator 27 may be combined, for instance, with the metering orifice structure 16 coupled to the sensed pressure output. To this end, the gas flow variator 27 may include ports 38 that may align with ports 35 and 36 in sleeves 30 and 31. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the gas inlet passage variator 22, the gas venting passage variator 23 and the gas flow variator 27 include metering orifice structures, such as seen at 16, for instance. Figs. 2 and 3 by way of example show common structures including such distinct metering orifice structures.
  • the gas flow variator 27 preferably is or includes a metering sleeve coupled to the sensed occupant parameter output 21.
  • variable gas inlet passage or metering orifice 15 and/or the variable gas venting passage or metering orifice 16 including ports 38 of the variator 27 can be designed for any linear or non-linear operation, as best suited for an optimum inflation of the gas bag 10, at optimum relative proportioning of gas flow to the bag 10 and gas flow through the gas venting passage 16, for the best possible net gas flow to and inflation of the gas bag 10 at all pressures and temperatures.
  • the gas flow variator 127 includes a variable gas vent 52 connected to the normally closed compressed gas outlet 26 and coupled to the sensed occupant parameter output 24, such as shown in Fig. 4. Such variable gas vent 52 may extend through the gas venting passage variator 23.
  • such gas flow variator 127 may include a gas vent conduit at 52 which is connected to compressed gas outlet 26, and a valve element 53 in that gas vent conduit. Such valve element is coupled to the sensed occupant parameter output 24.
  • Such gas vent conduit 52 may extend through the gas venting passage variator 23.
  • the gas venting passage variator includes a metering sleeve, such as shown at 23, coupled to the sensed pressure output 21, the gas flow variator 127 may include a gas vent conduit 52 extending through an elongate aperture 63 shown in that metering sleeve in Fig. 4.
  • Such gas vent conduit is connected to the compressed gas outlet 26 and includes a valve element 53 in that gas vent conduit.
  • Such valve element is coupled to the sensed occupant parameter output 24.
  • a butterfly valve may be used in this respect as shown at 52 and 53 in Fig. 4.
  • Aperture 63 is sufficiently elongate in a circumvential direction of variator 23 or sleeve 31 so that the vent conduit or other vent 52 will not interfere with the operation of variator 23 or variators 22 and 23 or metering sleeve 31.
  • the vent or vent conduit 52 is attached to or otherwise extends from the stationary sleeve or valve housing 30 and extends also through the angularly oveable sleeve 31, such as via an elongate aperture 63.
  • the gas vent structure 52, 53 affects inflation of the gas bag 10 in response to the occupant's weight or other sensed parameter for optimum safety and comfort of the occupant. If an emergency strikes, the bag 10 will be inflated with pressurized gas from the bottle 12 through the gas inlet passage or metering orifice 15, while excessive gas will be vented through the gas venting passage or metering orifice 16, aided or modified by occupant parameter-sensitive variator 27 or 127, thereby assuring gas bag inflation at optimum protection of the particular vehicle occupant, without adverse effects from the gas inflation itself.
  • the gas bag inlet passage or metering orifice 15 may be opened and the gas venting passage or metering orifice 16 may be correspondingly closed down to an extreme, if necessary, to insure optimum inflation of the gas bag 10 during any inflation process.
  • the variable gas inlet passage or metering orifice 15 varies inversely with the sensed gas pressure; that is it diminishes the passage or orifice 15 with increasing gas pressure and it conversely increases the passage or orifice 15 with decreasing gas pressure.
  • the variable gas venting passage or metering orifice 16 is inverse to the variable gas inlet passage or metering orifice 15, such as in the embodiments of Figs.
  • the gas venting passage or metering orifice 16 is varied conversely to the variable gas bag inlet passage or metering orifice 15.
  • the gas pressure in the bottle 12 may be sensed electrically, mechanically or in any other manner.
  • the illustrated embodiment senses the gas pressure in the bottle 12 mechanically.
  • the gas pressure sensor 18 may be a mechanical gas pressure sensor including a Bourdon tube 39 or another sensing element as the pressure sensitive element.
  • a preferred embodiment of the invention provides a resilient element such as at 39 for sensing the gas pressure in the bottle 12, and deflects such resilient element with the compressed gas from that bottle already prior to an emergency, varying the variable gas inlet passage 15 and the variable gas venting passage 16 with that deflecting resilient element, such as at 21, 22, 23.
  • the gas pressure sensor 18 has a resilient gas pressure sensing element, such as at 39, having a gas pressure input 20 coupled to the compressed gas in the bottle 12 already prior to an emergency and having a sensed pressure output, such as at 21, coupled to the gas inlet passage variator, such as at 22, and to the gas venting passage variator, such as at 23, or otherwise within the scope of the invention. According to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig.
  • the mechanical gas pressure sensor 18 includes a Bourdon tube 39 having an input 20 coupled to the compressed gas in the bottle 12, and having a sensed pressure output 21 coupled to the gas inlet passage variator 22 and to the gas venting passage variator 23. More information on such Bourdon tube 39 or other gas pressure sensor, on a pressure indicator 40 for providing a low- pressure indication signal and serving as a stop for the clockwise (CW) motion of the metering sleeve 31, and on an electric signaling device 42 with electric wiring 43, insulating washer 44 and ground 45, and on temperature sensing and temperature-responsive controls combined with pressure sensing or on temperature-compensated pressure sensing may be obtained from our above mentioned incorporated International Patent Application PCT/US96/00594 and may be implemented in the embodiments of the subject inventions as well.
  • valve housing and valve body or stationary sleeve and rotary sleeve combinations 30 and 31 and rotary gas flow variator 27 with ports and orifices may be viewed as a rotary shutter.
  • a shutter could be linear or translatory, such as by being composed of parallel plates arranged between the normally closed gas bottle outlet 26 and the inlet of the gas bag 10.
  • the bottle 12 is closed with a burst diaphragm 51 at the factory or otherwise upon completion of its fill with compressed gas.
  • the inflatable bags of supplemental restraint systems still are universally called "air bags,” even in current patents, air is seldom, if ever used in such bags. Rather, the compressed gas in the bottle 12 typically is an inert gas or gas mixture.
  • inert gases may include Argon, Helium, Nitrogen and Krypton. In practice, some of these may be too expensive or relatively heavy or voluminous, with Helium being herein favored for embodiments of "air bag" restraint systems.
  • a burst diaphragm of the type herein shown is penetrated upon occurrence of an emergency, such as by or with the compressed gas release 25.
  • the compressed gas outlet has a closed position, such as when the burst diaphragm 51 is intact, and has an alternative open position, such as when the burst diaphragm has been pierced or otherwise penetrated.
  • Embodiments disclosed in our above mentioned incorporated International Patent Application PCT/US96/00594 effect the opening of the bottle of compressed gas 12 in phases of compressed gas flow in case of an emergency, and may be implemented in the practice of the subject invention.
  • Fig. 2 shows an actuating device 46 and
  • Fig. 3 shows a corresponding force 146 for angularly moving the gas flow variator 27 so as to vary the gas flow orifices 16 at ports 38.
  • gas delivered from the bottle 12 to the gas bag 10 may be controlled to compensate for the weight of the occupant 13.
  • the occupant parameter sensor 17 in the vehicle seat 47 in such case senses the occupant's weight produces a corresponding signal 24 that causes the actuator 46 or force 146 to angularly move the gas flow variator 27 correspondingly.
  • the gas flow variator 27, for instance, thus can vary the size or area of the venting orifices 16, thereby changing the proportions between gas delivered to the bag 10 and gas vented to the atmosphere.
  • Such occupant-responsive function preferably is in addition to the gas pressure responsive and temperature sensitive functions according to embodiments herein disclosed.
  • the actuating device 46 is a second Bourdon tube encompassed by an electric heater 48 that is energized by a suitable sensed occupant parameter signal 24.
  • a controller within the occupant weight sensor 17 may, for instance, provide a variable resistance in series with a heating element or blanket 48 that may be wrapped around the pressurized and sealed secondary helical Bourdon tube 46. The resistance of such controller is proportional to the weight of the occupant 13.
  • a light-weight occupant minimizes resistance and maximizes electric current flow through the heating element 48.
  • the Bourdon tube 46 is heated and unwinds under internal pressure, angularly moving the secondary or gas flow variator 27 so as to maximize the area of the venting orifices 16, or angularly moving the butterfly or other valve element 53 in an opening direction, thereby causing delivery of a reduced amount of gas to the bag 10, which is thus relatively soft on impact, which protects the light occupant ideally.
  • a heavy occupant maximizes resistance and minimizes electric current flow and the Bourdon tube 46 accordingly angularly moves or retains the secondary or gas flow variator 27 so as to minimize the area of the venting orifices 16, or angularly moves or retains the butterfly or other valve element 53 in an closing direction or position, thereby causing delivery of an increased amount of gas to the bag 10 which is thus relatively stiff on impact to protect the heavy occupant ideally.
  • the system may be incrementally or infinitely adjusted within limits selected for lightest and heaviest seat occupants. By way of compromise in the case of electrical or other failure of the occupant parameter sensor 17, when the operation of the heating element 48 stops, the secondary Bourdon tube 46 may rewind itself so as to put the system into the heavy occupant mode .
  • the Bourdon tube-heater combination 46, 48 is not shown in Fig. 3, but may, of course, also be used there in order to exert the angular movement force 146.
  • arrow 146 in Fig. 3 and even the showing of Bourdon tube-heater combination 46, 48 may in fact symbolize various alternative methods within the scope of the invention by which the secondary variator 27 or the valve element 53 of the variator 127 may be angularly moved. Such methods include use of a stepper or servo motor at the variator 27 or 127.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Air Bags (AREA)

Abstract

Cette invention concerne un système destiné, en situation d'urgence, à gonfler un sac de gaz (10) pour véhicule, à partir d'une bouteille de gaz comprimé (12), face à un passager (13). Ledit système comprend un détecteur de paramètres passager (17), possédant une sortie paramètres passagers détectés (24), et un variateur de débit gazeux (27), couplé à ladite sortie paramètres passagers détectés. Un détecteur de pression gazeuse (18) possède une entrée détecteur couplée, en cas de situation d'urgence, au gaz comprimé contenu dans la bouteille (12), et possède une sortie pression détectée (21). Un orifice d'admission de gaz variable (15), destiné au sac de gaz, possède un variateur d'orifice d'admission de gaz (22), couplé à la sortie pression détectée (21), ainsi qu'un orifice de dégazage variable (16), situé au contournement et à l'opposé de l'orifice d'admission de gaz (15), et possède un variateur d'orifice de dégazage (23), couplé à la sortie pression détectée (21). Un système de dégagement de gaz comprimé comprend une sortie gaz comprimé (26) sur la bouteille (12), couplée à l'orifice d'admission de gaz (15), à l'orifice de dégazage variable (16), et au variateur de débit gazeux (27).
PCT/US2000/000975 1999-01-21 2000-01-14 Systeme de retenue a gaz pressurise pour vehicule, s'adaptant au passager WO2000043242A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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US23488299A 1999-01-21 1999-01-21
US09/234,882 1999-01-21

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10045035A1 (de) * 2000-09-12 2002-04-04 Breed Automotive Tech Vorrichtung zur Einstellung einer Füllgasmenge für einen Airbag
WO2007115519A2 (fr) 2006-03-30 2007-10-18 Takata-Petri Ag Module sac gonflable pour véhicule à moteur

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5366242A (en) * 1993-11-01 1994-11-22 Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. Apparatus for controlling inflation of an air bag
WO1997026160A1 (fr) * 1996-01-19 1997-07-24 Barney Klinger Systemes de retenue, de detection et de liberation de gaz sous pression
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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5366242A (en) * 1993-11-01 1994-11-22 Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. Apparatus for controlling inflation of an air bag
WO1997026160A1 (fr) * 1996-01-19 1997-07-24 Barney Klinger Systemes de retenue, de detection et de liberation de gaz sous pression
US5820162A (en) * 1996-03-21 1998-10-13 Airbelt Systems, Llc. Airbag system inflator

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10045035A1 (de) * 2000-09-12 2002-04-04 Breed Automotive Tech Vorrichtung zur Einstellung einer Füllgasmenge für einen Airbag
US6572140B2 (en) 2000-09-12 2003-06-03 Breed Automotive Technology, Inc. Device for regulating inflation of an airbag
DE10045035B4 (de) * 2000-09-12 2005-12-01 Key Safety Systems, Inc., Sterling Heights Vorrichtung zur Einstellung einer Füllgasmenge für einen Airbag
WO2007115519A2 (fr) 2006-03-30 2007-10-18 Takata-Petri Ag Module sac gonflable pour véhicule à moteur
WO2007115519A3 (fr) * 2006-03-30 2007-12-21 Takata Petri Ag Module sac gonflable pour véhicule à moteur

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