Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.

Other

Trw Limited

Ivan L Stonich

Lee D Bergerson

Brian R Pitstick

Timothy A Swann

Ernst M Faigle

Paul A Bowers

Christopher C Shih

Bryan W Shirk

Roy D Van Wynsberghe

Jack L Blumenthal

Homer William Fogle, Jr

Douglas P Campbell

Dean M Esterberg

Eric N Streif

David H Lewis, Jr

Terrence J Coultas

William J Sipes

An apparatus () for helping to protect a vehicle occupant includes an actuatable vehicle occupant protection device (), and a microelectromechanical (MEMS) device () energizable to cause actuation of the protection device. In one embodiment, the MEMS device () is an energizable fluid source for emitting a primary fluid for actuating an inflatable protection device (). The apparatus () may comprise a plurality of MEMS devices () individually actuatable to control inflation of the protection device.

Air bag inflators

A pretensioner ( ) tensions vehicle seat belt webbing ( ). The pretensioner ( ) has a member ( ) movable by an actuating fluid to tension the seat belt webbing ( ). The pretensioner ( ) further has at least one microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device ( ) energizable to supply actuating fluid to move the member ( ).

Seat belt webbing pretensioner using MEMS devices

An inflator ( ) includes an assembly ( ) comprising a plurality of individually energizable microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices ( ) for, when energized, actuating the inflator. The assembly ( ) further comprises a sensor mechanism ( ) for sensing a condition of the inflator ( ) and for generating a control signal indicative of the sensed condition. The plurality of MEMS devices ( ) are responsive to the control signal to control actuation of the inflator ( ).

A seat belt system ( ) includes a seat belt ( ) having an inflatable portion ( ). The system ( ) further comprises at least one microelectromechanical device (MEMS) device ( ) connected in fluid communication with the inflatable portion ( ) of the seat belt ( ) and energizable to supply inflation fluid to inflate the inflatable portion ( ) of the seat belt.

Inflatable seat belt using MEMS devices

An initiator ( ) for actuating an inflation fluid source ( ) for an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( ) comprises a plurality of electrically energizable microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices ( ). In one embodiment, the MEMS devices ( ) are associated in a one to one relationship with chambers ( ) containing ignitable material ( ). Each one of the MEMS devices ( ), when energized, generates combustion products, including heat, for igniting the associated ignitable material ( ). At least one terminal pin ( ) is electrically connected with the plurality of MEMS devices ( ) for receiving an electric signal for energizing at least one of the MEMS devices.

Initiators for air bag inflators

An apparatus ( ) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( ) comprises a housing ( ) and an inflation fluid source ( ) in the housing for, when actuated, providing fluid for inflating the protection device. An electrically actuatable initiator ( ) is connected with the housing ( ) for actuating the inflation fluid source ( ). The apparatus ( ) also comprises vehicle electric circuitry ( ) for actuating the initiator ( ) to actuate the inflation fluid source ( ) in response to sensing an occupant protection event for which inflation of the protection device ( ) is desired. A microelectromechanical system device (MEMS device) ( ) in the apparatus is electrically energizable to cause actuation of the inflation fluid source ( ). An autoignition mechanism ( ) responsive to an event other than an occupant protection event energizes the MEMS device to cause actuation of the inflation fluid source. The MEMS device ( ), when energized, generates heat for autoigniting the inflation fluid source ( ) or for deactivating a secondary inflation fluid source.

Air bag inflator with mechanism for deactivation of second stage and autoignition

A vehicle safety apparatus (10) for use in inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) comprises a pressure vessel (14) for containing a combustible mixture of gases. A combustible mixture (18) of gases is contained within the pressure vessel. The combustible mixture (18) of gases comprises a combustible fuel gas mixture, an oxidizer gas for supporting combustion of the fuel gas mixture, and an inert gas. The fuel gas mixture comprises hydrogen gas and a hydrocarbon gas. The hydrogen gas comprises about 84 to about 96 molar percent of the fuel gas mixture. The hydrocarbon gas comprises about 4 to about 16 molar percent of the fuel gas mixture. An actuatable igniter (12) is provided for igniting the combustible mixture (18) of gases in the pressure vessel (14). Gas is enabled to flow from the pressure vessel (14) into the vehicle occupant protection device (12).

Apparatus for inflating a vehicle occupant protection device

An inflator (12) includes a vessel (30) having a chamber (34) containing inflation fluid under pressure for inflating an air bag (16). A plug (50) is located in an opening (52) into the chamber (34). The plug (50) has a fluid passage (72) for directing inflation fluid from the chamber (34) to the air bag (16). The plug (50) has a tapered surface (90) which partially defines an electrical conductor passage (82) extending through the plug at a location spaced apart from the fluid passage (72). A tapered seal member (100) is press fit into a tapered end portion (88) of the electrical conductor passage (82) in fluid tight sealing engagement with the tapered surface (90). An electrical conductor (126) extends through the electrical conductor passage (82) and through the seal member (100). The electrical conductor (126) is connectable with an electrical device (24), such as an igniter, in the chamber (34).

Air bag inflator

An inflator (26) provides inflation fluid for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (24). The inflator (26) comprises an electrically conductive container (64) defining a chamber (66) for holding fluid at a first pressure. An electrically actuatable device (48) is located in the chamber (66) for effecting a change in the pressure of the fluid in the chamber to a second pressure greater than the first pressure. A first surface (206) defines a tapered portion (202) of a passage (200) extending through the container (64). An electrical conduit (220) extends through the tapered portion (202) to deliver electrical energy to the electrically actuatable device (48). The electrical conduit (220) has opposite connector ends (224, 226) and a tapered body (222) contacting the first surface (206) to provide a fluid seal. One connector end is located in the chamber (66) and is electrically connectable with the electrically actuatable device (48). The other connector end (226) is located outside of the chamber (66) and is electrically connectable with a source of electrical power (42). Anodic coating (240) is located on at least one of the first surface (206) and the tapered body (222) to provide electrical insulation between the container (64) and the electrical conduit (220).

Electrical conductor for air bag inflator

An air bag inflator (22) includes a source (40) of inflation fluid for inflating the air bag (20), and includes an initiator (30) which, when actuated, initiates a flow of the inflation fluid from the source (40) to the air bag (20) to inflate the air bag (20). The initiator (30) includes pyrotechnic material (100) and a laser diode (106). The laser diode (106) emits laser light which ignites the pyrotechnic material (100) when the initiator (30) is actuated.

Air bag inflator with laser diode initiator

An air bag inflator (22) includes a container (40) and an initiator (42). The container (40) defines a storage chamber (50) containing inflation fluid at an elevated pressure. A container wall (46) has a frusto-conical surface (154) defining a passage (156) extending outward from the storage chamber (50) through the container wall (46). The initiator (42) extends into the storage chamber (50) through the passage (156) in the container wall (46), and has a frusto-conical peripheral surface (88). The frusto-conical surfaces (88,154) are pressed tightly against each other in sealing contact so as to block the inflation fluid from leaking outward through the passage in the container wall (46).

Inflation fluid container and initiator with press-fit fluid seal

An apparatus (10) for use in inflating a vehicle occupant restraint (12) includes a storage chamber (18) containing a mixture of gases which is releasable to inflate the vehicle occupant restraint (12). The mixture of gases includes a combustible fuel gas which, when burning, produces first combustion products which pressurize and supplement the mixture of gases. The apparatus (10) also includes an actuator assembly (16) for igniting the combustible fuel gas. The actuator assembly (16) includes a movable container (104) in which an ignitable material (122) is contained. The ignitable material (122) in the movable container (104), when burning, produces second combustion products which ignite the combustible fuel gas. The actuator assembly (16) casts the movable container (104) across the storage chamber when the second ignitable material (122) is burning.

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Hermosa Beach, CA, United States of America

Ivan L Stonich