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
  • B60R21/264—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 generation of gas, e.g. pyrotechnic
  • B60R21/2644—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 generation of gas, e.g. pyrotechnic using only solid reacting substances, e.g. pellets, powder
• • 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
  • B60R2021/26011—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 a filter through which the inflation gas passes
• • 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
  • B60R21/263—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 a variable source, e.g. plural stage or controlled output
  • B60R2021/2633—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 a variable source, e.g. plural stage or controlled output with a plurality of inflation levels

Definitions

• Such airbag cushions may desirably deploy into one or more locations within the vehicle between the occupant and certain parts of the vehicle interior, such as the doors, steering wheel, instrument panel or the like, to prevent or avoid the occupant from forcibly striking such parts of the vehicle interior.
• typical or customary vehicular airbag cushion installation locations have included in the steering wheel, in the dashboard on the passenger side of a car, along the roof line of a vehicle such as above a vehicle door, and in the vehicle seat such as in the case of a seat-mounted airbag cushion.
• Other airbag cushions such as in the form of knee bolsters and overhead airbags also operate to protect other or particular various parts of the body from collision.
• inflatable passive restraint system installations also typically include a gas generator, also commonly referred to as an "inflator.”
• an inflator device Upon actuation, such an inflator device desirably serves to provide an inflation fluid, typically in the form of a gas, used to inflate an associated airbag cushion.
• an inflation fluid typically in the form of a gas
• a more specific objective of the invention is to overcome one or more of the problems described above.
• An initiator device is connected to the reaction housing first end wall.
• the initiator device is in reaction initiating communication with the supply of gas generant material.
• the reaction housing side wall includes a plurality of radially oriented chamber discharge openings. Upon reaction initiation of the supply of gas generant material, the inflation gas discharges from the reaction chamber through the discharge openings.
• An initiator diffuser is disposed between the initiator device and the supply of gas generant material.
• the initiator diffuser includes a plurality of radially oriented diffuser discharge openings disposed in discharge orientation toward the reaction housing side wall.
• the prior art generally fails to describe or provide adaptive inflator devices having a modular construction and which provide as efficient as desired assembly while also providing desirably improved inflation gas flow characteristics.
• the invention further comprehends an inflator device for an inflatable cushion restraint system.
• the inflator device includes a filter housing with a filter housing side wall, a filter housing first end, and a filter housing second end opposite the filter housing first end.
• the filter housing at least in part defines a filter chamber.
• a first reaction housing defines a first reaction chamber containing a first supply of gas generant material. The first reaction housing is disposed at the filter housing first end and at least a portion of the first reaction housing is disposed in the filter chamber at the filter housing first end.
• a first initiator device is in reaction initiating communication with the first supply of gas generant material.
• a second reaction housing defines a second reaction chamber containing a second supply of gas generant material. The second reaction housing is disposed at the filter housing second end and at least a portion of the second reaction housing is disposed in the filter chamber at the filter housing second end. The second initiator device is in reaction initiating communication with the second supply of gas generant material.
• references to “discharge orientation” are to be understood to refer to a positioning of an opening toward an element such that a reaction product or inflation gas discharging through the opening is generally discharged in a direction toward or generally perpendicular to the element.
• the inflator device of this invention is available for use in various inflatable cushion restraint system, such as a driver side or a passenger side inflatable cushion restraint system.
• FIGS. 1-4 show an inflator device for inflating an inflatable cushion of a side inflatable cushion restraint system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
• FIGS . 1 and 2 are sectional views of the inflator device.
• FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the inflator device.
• FIG. 4 illustrates an initiator device of the inflator device upon actuation
• FIG. 5 is a sectional view of an inflator device according to another embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 6 is a sectional view of an inflator device according to yet another embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 8 is an inflator device according to yet another embodiment of the invention.
• the present invention provides an inflator device.
• the inflator device has a modular construction.
• one or more inflation gas producing reaction chambers are preassembled and combined with a filter housing during final assembly.
• Modular construction allows for greater efficiency manufacture of reaction chambers and inflator devices.
• the same modular reaction chamber can be incorporated into more than one type of inflator device, thereby allowing for the assembly of more than one type of inflator device, e.g., first stage passenger, second stage passenger and single stage driver, on the same production line with similar or the same tooling. Customer specific operations can be moved to the final assembly stage from the reaction housing production stage(s), thereby reducing production line changeovers.
• the inflator device of one embodiment of the invention also desirably provides a thrust neutral discharge at discharge stages both within, e.g., from one chamber to the next, and from the inflator device.
• the internal reaction chambers and the inflator device include radial discharge openings disposed in a thrust neutral array.
• the relatively large openings of the filter housing of the invention desirably provide a more diffused, and thus a lower velocity, inflation gas flow. Additional benefits of the inflator device of the invention include reduced noise production during deployment, improved effluents, and less particulate, such as pieces of ruptured foil seals, entering the inflatable cushion.
• An initiator diffuser 40 is disposed between the initiator device 36 and the supply of gas generant material 32.
• the initiator diffuser 40 includes a plurality of radially oriented diffuser discharge openings 42 disposed in discharge orientation toward the reaction housing side wall 24.
• discharge orientation refers to a positioning of an opening toward an element such that a reaction product or inflation gas discharging through the opening is generally discharged in a direction toward the element.
• various sizes, shapes and configurations are available for the initiator diffuser and the radially oriented diffuser discharge openings of the invention.
• the initiator diffuser 40 in the illustrated embodiment is desirably press fit into place.
• the radial oriented diffuser discharge openings 42 is desirably press fit into place.
• the inflator device of the invention has a lightweight tubular design.
• the inflator device has a length (e.g., generally measured from the first end of the first reaction housing to the opposing first end of the second reaction housing) to diameter ratio of about 3:1.
• the inflator device has a length of about 110 mm to about 210 mm, and desirably about 165 mm, and a diameter (measured at a point of greatest width) of about 45 mm to about 65 mm, and desirably about 50 mm.
• most components of the inflator device are formed of stamped steel, thereby reducing or eliminating the need for machined parts and providing robust and easily repeatable components. 007/011503
• the inflator device 20 includes an elongated cylindrical filter housing 60 in part defining a filter chamber 62.
• the first reaction housing 22 is disposed at a filter housing first end 64, and a portion of the first reaction housing 22 is disposed in the filter chamber 62 at or toward the filter housing first end 64.
• the chamber discharge openings 56 are also disposed within the filter chamber 62 such that the inflation gas is discharged into the filter chamber 62.
• the second reaction housing side wall 74 also includes a plurality of radially oriented chamber discharge openings 88 that arepositioned within the filter chamber 62.
• the inflation gas discharges from the second reaction chamber 80 through the discharge openings 88.
• a second initiator diffuser 90 is disposed between the second initiator device 86 and the second supply of gas generant material 82.
• the second initiator diffuser 90 includes a plurality of radially oriented diffuser discharge openings 92 disposed in discharge orientation toward the second reaction housing side wall 74.
• the filter body 102 can be formed of various and alternative materials known and available to those skilled in the art. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the filter body 102 is formed of a compressed or wrapped metal wire mesh. As discussed above, the filter element 100 being disposed outside of both the first and second reaction housings 22 and 70 allows for less free volume and reduced thermal mass inside the reaction chambers 30 and 80, thereby allowing direct ignition with the relatively larger initiator devices 36 and 86.
• the first reaction housing 22 includes a strainer element 110 therein.
• the strainer element 110 is disposed between the supply of gas generant material 32 and the plurality of radially oriented chamber discharge openings 56.
• the strainer element 110 includes a strainer side wall 112 aligned with the reaction housing side wall 24.
• the strainer side wall 112 includes a plurality of strainer discharge openings 114.
• none of the plurality of strainer discharge openings 114 are directly aligned with, or in direct discharge orientation with, any of the chamber discharge openings 56.
• the strainer discharge openings 114 are in discharge orientation with the reaction housing wall 24, thereby not providing a direct or straight inflation gas discharge route to the filter chamber passage 67.
• the strainer element 110 of the invention aids in providing a diffused inflation gas flow, and also assists in reducing or eliminating any particulate discharge from the reaction housing 22.
• a crimped rib or shoulder 115 in the strainer side wall 112 is used to maintain the proper spacing between the strainer side wall 112 and the first reaction housing side wall 24.
• a rupturable sealing member such as is known to those skilled in the art, can be disposed on either side of the strainer side wall 112 and over the strainer discharge openings 114, such as metal foil sealing member 117 disposed between the strainer element 110 and the reaction housing side wall 24, to seal the gas generant material 32 from the ambient environment before actuation.
• One or more rupturable sealing members can alternatively be placed over the chamber discharge openings 56.
• a second strainer element 120 and a second rupturable seal 121 is contained in the second reaction housing 70.
• the second strainer element 120 is similar to the first strainer element 110, and varies in size and the number of strainer discharge openings 122. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art following the teachings herein provided, various and alternative sizes, shapes and configurations are available for the strainer elements and strainer discharge openings of the invention.
• FIG. 5 is a sectional view of an adaptive inflator device 150 according to another embodiment of the invention.
• the inflator device 150 includes a filter housing 152 in part defining a filter chamber 154.
• a first reaction housing 160 defining a first reaction chamber 162 is disposed at a filter housing first end 156 and at least a portion of the first reaction housing 160 is disposed in the filter chamber 154 at or toward the filter housing first end 156.
• a second reaction housing 170 defining a second reaction chamber 172 is disposed at a filter housing second end 158, and at least a portion of the second reaction housing 170 is disposed in the filter chamber 154 at the filter housing second end 158.
• Each of the first and second reaction housings 160 and 170 include a wafer form of gas generant material 164 and
• a filter housing 202 in part defining a filter chamber 204.
• a first reaction housing 210 defining a first reaction chamber 212 is disposed at a filter housing first end 216, and at least a portion of the first reaction housing 210 is disposed in the filter chamber 204 at or toward the filter housing first end 216.
• a second reaction housing 220 defining a second reaction chamber 222 is disposed at a filter housing second end 218.
• a filter element 230 is disposed in the filter chamber 204, external and between the first and second reaction housings 210 and 220.
• the first reaction housing 210 includes a reaction housing side wall 232.
• the reaction housing side wall 232 includes a circumferential shoulder 234 extending outward therefrom.
• the filter housing 202 is attached or secured to the first reaction housing 210 by a circumferential crimp 236 in the filter housing side wall 238.
• the crimp is disposed adjacent the shoulder 234.
• the crimp 236 secures the first reaction housing against the filter element 230, which, in turn, is secured against the second reaction housing 220, which, in turn, is abutting an end portion 240 of the filter housing second end 218.
• the shoulder 234 generally and desirably provides for a more secure connection to the filter housing 202, as compared to the crimp 66 shown in FIG.
• the filter element 230 includes a tubular filter body 244 including a wall 246 disposed across a central passageway 248.
• the wall 246 divides the central passageway 248 into two portions 250 and 252.
• the wall 246 is desirably made from the same material as the tubular filter body 244, e.g., compressed knitted wire.
• the wall 246 is compressed to form a solid center wall 246, such that inflation gas cannot pass through the wall 246, and is thus directed through the tubular filter body 244 and out inflation gas exit openings 254.
• the first reaction housing 310 is formed from a first portion 332 including a first initiator device 334 and a second portion 336 including a plurality of chamber discharge openings 338 and disposed within the filter chamber 304.
• portion 336 are welded to each other.
• the filter housing 302 is crimped or otherwise attached to the reaction housing 310 at or around the filter housing first end 316.
• a strainer element 340 is press fit within the first portion 332.
• the second reaction housing side wall 440 also includes a plurality of radially oriented chamber discharge openings 445.
• the first reaction housing first end wall 432 is attached to the side wall 430 by a weld 446.
• the second reaction housing first end wall 442 is attached to the side wall 440 by a weld 448.
• Welding the reaction housing first end walls 432 and 442 to the side walls 430 and 440, respectively, instead of welding the reaction housing second end walls 434 and 444, such as shown in FIGS. 1-3, can desirably improve gas flow through the inflation gas passages 450 and 452, respectively, as a protrusion potentially resulting from the weld is not disposed in the inflation gas flow path.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Air Bags (AREA)
• Feeding, Discharge, Calcimining, Fusing, And Gas-Generation Devices (AREA)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=38748819

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Families Citing this family (12)

Family Cites Families (15)

• 2006
  • 2006-05-25 US US11/440,886 patent/US7568728B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2007
  • 2007-05-14 WO PCT/US2007/011503 patent/WO2007139686A2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2007-05-14 JP JP2009512037A patent/JP5189083B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related

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