System for venting an air bag module
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsRobert David Lemon, Sean Timothy Ryan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for venting an air bag module having an air bag cushion retainer ring, an air bag cushion, an inflator, at least one spring positioned and compressed between the inflator and the air bag cushion retainer ring, a pyrotechnic rivet, sensors, and a restraint control module. If variable venting is required, the restraint control module signals the pyrotechnic rivet to release and the spring to urge one of the inflator or air bag cushion retainer ring away from the other of the inflator or air bag cushion retainer ring to create an opening between the retainer ring and the inflator to allow venting of the gas from inside the air bag cushion.
Claims22
A system for venting an air bag module comprising:
- an air bag cushion retainer ring having an opening;
- an air bag cushion secured to the air bag cushion retainer ring;
- an inflator for generating gas to inflate the air bag cushion;
- at least one spring positioned and compressed between the inflator and the air bag cushion retainer ring such that the spring biases the inflator and the air bag cushion retainer ring away from each other;
- a quick-release device securing the air bag cushion retainer ring to the inflator and maintaining the spring in a compressed position;
- sensors to sense occupant and crash information;
- and
- a restraint control module electrically connected to the quick-release device, the restraint control module capable of receiving information from the sensors and computing if venting is required;
- wherein if variable venting is required, the restraint control module signals the quick-release device to release the air bag cushion retainer ring from the inflator to allow the spring to urge one of the inflator or air bag cushion retainer ring away from the other of the inflator or air bag cushion retainer ring to create a passageway between the retainer ring and the inflator to allow venting of the gas from inside the air bag cushion.
A variable vent air bag module comprising:
- an air bag cushion retainer ring having an opening;
- an air bag cushion secured to the air bag cushion retainer ring;
- an inflator for generating gas to inflate the air bag cushion;
- at least one spring positioned and compressed between the inflator and the air bag cushion retainer ring such that the air bag cushion retainer and the inflator are urged away from each other;
- and
- a quick-release device for securing the inflator proximate the air bag cushion retainer ring and the spring compressed;
- the quick-release device being releasable to allow the at least one spring to decompress and urge one of the inflator or air bag cushion retainer ring away from the other of the inflator or air bag cushion retainer ring to create a passageway between the air bag cushion retainer ring and inflator to allow venting of the gas from inside the air bag cushion through the opening in the air bag cushion retainer ring.
The variable vent air bag module of 13 wherein the height of the vent post stop is adjustable in response to signals from the restraint control module.
A variable vent air bag module comprising:
- an air bag cushion retainer ring having an opening therein;
- an air bag cushion attached to the air bag cushion retainer ring;
- an air bag inflator to inflate the air bag cushion with gas, the inflator sized to fit within the opening in the air bag cushion retainer ring;
- a plurality of springs between the air bag cushion retainer ring and the inflator;
- and
- a quick-release device securing the air bag cushion retainer ring proximate the inflator;
- wherein the air bag cushion retainer ring is movable from a first position wherein the springs are compressed and the inflator and air bag cushion retainer seal the opening in the air bag cushion retainer ring to a second position wherein the springs decompress and the inflator and air bag cushion retainer ring are separated thereby allowing gas inside the air bag to vent through the opening in the air bag cushion retainer ring.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.