Trw Limited

Amsafe, Inc.

Daniel E Coleman

Michael C Riley

Rick A Adkisson

Jack B Meister

Willard F Hagan

Thomas O Minor

Lindsay P Zollinger

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Apparatus for use in passenger inflatable air-bag safety systems for preventing activation of an activator inflator from causing premature activation of any inflator not yet activated by system programming. The apparatus includes structure for isolating the pressure releasing construction from shock waves created when an inflator is activated and takes the form of mechanical barriers that isolate each inflator release structure from exposure to shock waves.

Multiple inflator safety cushion

An air bag module (10) includes an inflatable device (40) and an inflator (30) for inflating the inflatable device. Support (20, 24) supports the inflator (30) and the inflatable device (40) on a portion of the vehicle (12). A cover (70) covers the inflatable device and the inflator. A structure (100) is disposed between the cover and the inflatable device and in an electric circuit (130, 132, 134) for actuating an electrically actuatable device (102) of the vehicle. The cover has a first portion (72) engageable by the vehicle occupant to actuate the electrically actuatable device and a second portion (84) for connecting the first portion with the support. The first portion of the cover is movable, due to the force of inflation of the inflatable device, from a closed condition to an open condition to enable inflation of the inflatable device. The structure has an active portion (122) underlying the first portion of the cover. The active portion of the structure comprises an electrically conductive material (110) having an electrical resistance which is variable in response to force applied to the cover by a vehicle occupant to deform the cover. The structure has an inactive portion (124) underlying the second portion of the cover. Fastener (90) connects the inactive portion of the structure with the second portion of the cover.

Horn switch for air bag module

A vehicle passenger safety system for use where independent power is required. The system includes as cooperating elements: an independent source of power; a passenger restraining belt; an inflatable bag stored in the belt; crash event sensors; belt orientating structure; a source of inflating gas; and, in the preferred embodiment programmed electronics that control functioning of the safety system and prolong the service life of the independent power source.

Vehicle safety system

A vehicle safety apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (40) and an inflator (30). A cover (70) includes first and second cover parts (78, 80) releasably interconnected by a rupturable portion (82) of the cover. The cover (70) is movable from a closed condition to an open condition in which the rupturable portion (82) of the cover is ruptured and the first and second cover parts (78, 80) are spaced apart from each other to enable inflation of the inflatable device. An electric current carrying structure (100) is operable to actuate an electrically actuatable device (102) of the vehicle. The structure (100) includes first and second parts (140, 142) releasably interconnected by a rupturable portion (144) of the structure. The structure (100) is molded into the cover (70). The rupturable portion (82) of the cover overlies the rupturable portion (144) of the structure. The structure (100) comprises a substrate (120) and an electrically conductive, variable resistance material (110) on the substrate. The resistance of the variable resistance material (110) is variable in response to force applied to the cover (70) by the vehicle occupant to deform the cover. The first part (140) of the structure (100) is movable with the first cover part (78) from the closed condition to the open condition and the second part (142) of the structure (100) is movable with the second cover part (80) from the closed condition to the open condition.

A vehicle occupant safety apparatus (10) for mounting on a portion of a vehicle (12) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (40). An inflator (30) is actuatable to supply inflation fluid to inflate the inflatable device (40). A cover (70) has a closed condition when the inflatable device (40) is in the deflated condition. The cover (70) is movable from the closed condition to an open condition upon inflation of the inflatable device (40). A wrap (100) is disposed within the cover (70) for maintaining the inflatable device (40) in the deflated condition prior to actuation of the inflator (30). The wrap (100) includes a portion (110) operable to actuate an electrically actuatable device of the vehicle, such as a vehicle horn (102).

A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) includes a reaction structure (16), an inflator (14) for inflating a vehicle occupant protection device (12), an initiator (102) for initiating a flow of inflation fluid from the inflator (14), and a tubular connector (104) containing the initiator (102). The connector (104) engages the inflator (14), and extends through an aperture (176) in the reaction structure (16). A fastener (182) engages the connector (104) to fasten the connector (104), the initiator (102) and the inflator (14) to the reaction structure (16). In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus (10) further includes a diffuser (150) with a circular end wall (152) and a cylindrical side wall (154) projecting axially from the end wall (152). The side wall (154) of the diffuser (150) has fluid flow openings (156), and has an annular edge portion (158) crimped against a rim structure (160) on the inflator (14). A mounting stud (162) projects radially from the diffuser (150) and extends through an aperture (178) in the reaction structure (16). Another fastener (180) engages the mounting stud (182) to fasten the diffuser (150) and the inflator (14) to the reaction structure (16).

Vehicle occupant protection apparatus

A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) includes a retainer structure (60), a reaction structure (26), and an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) having a portion (100) clamped between the retainer structure (60) and the reaction structure (26). The apparatus (10) further includes a deflectable structure (80). The deflectable structure (80) deflects under the influence of an inflation fluid pressure force to enable limited movement of the clamped portion (100) of the protection device (14) between the retainer structure (60) and the reaction structure (26) under the influence of the pressure force.

Growing community of inventors

Mesa, AZ, United States of America

Daniel E Coleman