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Claims  |
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We claim:
1. A vehicle passive restraint device comprising:
(a) air bag means positioned between an occupant of said vehicle and an
interior portion thereof for protecting said occupant from an impact with
said interior portion in the event of a collision involving said vehicle;
(b) generator means for producing a sufficient quantity of a gaseous
combustion product to inflate said air bag means in an interval occurring
between said collision and said impact in order to prevent said impact;
and
(c) deflector ring means positioned between said air bag means and said
generator means for attaching said bag to said generator and extending a
sufficient distance into an interior portion of said bag for preventing
hot combustion gases and particulates produced within said generator means
from impinging directly against an inner surface of said bag means,
wherein said deflector ring is mounted such that a shorter leg portion of
said ring is positioned adjacent said generator means where-upon the
remaining longer leg portion is positioned at a location relatively
removed from said generator means;
and wherein said deflector ring means is stamped from a relatively light
weight material utilizing conventional stamping equipment without the
necessity of subjecting said ring means to any machining treatment and
wherein said ring means possesses sufficient structural strength to
position and maintain said air bag means in relation to said generator
means when said generator means is actuated in order to inflate said air
bag means.
2. The passive restraint device of claim 1 wherein said relatively light
weight material is selected from the group consisting of low carbon steel,
titanium, stainless steel and aluminum.
3. The passive restraint device of claim 1 wherein said deflector ring
means is a circular member having a J-shaped cross-sectional
configuration.
4. The passive restraint device of claim 3 wherein said deflector ring
further comprises a plurality of mounting holes defined by a base portion
thereof, said holes being evenly spaced along the circumference of said
ring.
5. The passive restraint device of claim 4 wherein said deflector ring is
mounted upon mounting plate means by fastening means inserted through
apertures defined by said plate means and thereafter through said mounting
holes in said deflector ring.
6. The passive restraint device of claim 5 wherein said fastening means are
screws, bolts, or rivets.
7. A vehicle passive restraint device comprising:
(a) air bag means positioned between an occupant of said vehicle and an
interior portion thereof for protecting said occupant from an impact with
said interior portion in the event of a collision involving said vehicle;
(b) generator means for producing a sufficient quantity of a gaseous
combustion product to inflate said air bag means in an interval occurring
between said collision and said impact in order to prevent said impact;
and
(c) deflector ring means positioned between said air bag means and said
generator means for attaching said bag to said generator and extending a
sufficient distance into an interior portion of said bag for preventing
hot combustion gases and particulates produced within said generator means
from impinging directly against an inner surface of said bag means,
wherein said deflector ring is mounted such that a shorter leg portion of
said ring is positioned adjacent said generator means whereupon the
remaining longer leg portion is positioned at a location relatively
removed from said generator means;
and wherein said deflector ring means is stamped from a relatively light
weight material utilizing conventional stamping equipment without the
necessity of subjecting said ring means to any machining treatment and
wherein said ring means possesses sufficient structural strength to
position and maintain said air bag means in relation to said generator
means when said generator means is actuated in order to inflate said air
bag means;
and wherein said generator means comprises:
(a) base plate means;
(b) diffuser plate means having a peripheral portion thereof sealingly
connected to a corresponding portion of said base plate means so as to
form a portion of a housing for the generator, and
(c) means for engaging said base plate means with said diffuser plate
means, said engaging means passing perpendicularly through both said
diffuser and said base plate means and capable of permitting a minimal
separation between both said diffuser and said base plate means in the
event of an overpressurization of said generator to safely direct gas away
from said housing,
wherein said generator means comprises at least three concentrically
aligned toroidal zones, whereby a first zone contains means for igniting a
gas generating composition; a second zone contains a solid gas generating
composition operable upon ignition to produce gas and particulate reaction
products; and a third zone contains filtration means to cool said gas and
to trap said particulate products, said third zone being further provided
with orifice means for discharging gas from said housing.
8. The passive restraint device of claim 7 wherein said relatively light
weight material is selected from the group consisting of a low carbon
steel, titanium, stainless steel and aluminum.
9. The passive restraint device of claim 8 wherein said deflector ring
means is a circular member having a J-shaped cross-sectional
configuration.
10. The passive restraint device of claim 9 wherein said deflector ring
further comprises a plurality of mounting holes defined by a base portion
thereof, said holes being evenly spaced along the circumferences of said
ring.
11. The passive restraint device of claim 10 wherein said deflector ring is
mounted upon mounting plate means by fastening means inserted through
apertures defined by said plate means and thereafter through said mounting
holes in said deflector ring.
12. The passive restraint device of claim 11 wherein said fastening means
are screws, bolts, or rivets.
13. The vehicle passive restraint device of claim 7 wherein said means for
engaging said base plate means with said diffuser plate means of said
generator means is a plurality of rivet members arranged around said outer
peripheral portion of said generator housing.
14. The vehicle restraint device of claim 7 wherein said of said base plate
means and said diffuser plate means further comprises corresponding flange
means located along said outer peripheral portion, each said flange means
defining at least one aperture therethrough for attaching said generator
to a mounting plate and to said deflector ring.
15. The vehicle restraint device of claim 14 wherein said diffuser plate
and said base plate are at least partially connected along their periphery
by a weld.
16. The vehicle restraint device of claim 7 wherein said the first zone of
said generator contains enhancer packet means comprising a homogeneous
mixture of an ignition enhancing material and an auto ignition
composition.
17. The vehicle restraint device of claim 7 wherein said second zone of
said generator further comprises prefiltering means located along an outer
peripheral portion of said second zone, wherein said prefiltering means
comprises at least one layer of screening means positioned so as to remove
a portion of said particulate products from said gas.
18. The vehicle restraint device of claim 7 wherein said third zone
includes a first portion containing first filtering means for removal of a
major portion of said particulate reaction products from said gas whereby
said gas passes through said second filtering means and subsequently
through said third filtering means.
19. A vehicle restraint device of claim 18 wherein said first filtering
means comprises chamber means substantially filled with a plurality of
unaligned metal fiber means.
20. The vehicle restraint device of claim 18 wherein said second filtering
means comprises screening means having a predetermined mesh size, said
mesh size being sufficient to prevent the passage therethrough of
substantially all of said particulate reaction products remaining in said
gas.
21. The vehicle restraint device of claim 20 wherein said third filtering
means comprises screening means having a mesh size relatively narrower
than that utilized with said second filtering means.
22. The vehicle restraint device of claim 21 wherein said gas discharge
orifice means comprises a plurality of diffusion ports located along side
peripheral portion of said diffuser plate, adjacent and exterior to said
third filtering means.
23. A vehicle passive restraint device comprising:
(a) air bag means positioned between an occupant of said vehicle and an
interior portion thereof for protecting said occupant from an impact with
said interior portion in the event of a collision involving said vehicle;
(b) generator means for producing a sufficient quantity of a gaseous
combustion product to inflate said air bag means in an interval occurring
between said collision and said impact in order to prevent said impact;
and
(c) deflector ring means positioned between said air bag means and said
generator means for attaching said bag to said generator and extending a
sufficient distance into an interior portion of said bag for preventing
hot combustion gases and particulates produced within said generator means
from impinging directly against an inner surface of said bag means,
wherein said deflector ring is mounted such that a shorter leg portion of
said ring is positioned adjacent said generator means whereupon the
remaining longer leg portion is positioned at a location relatively
removed from said generator means;
and wherein said deflector ring means is stamped from a relatively light
weight material utilizing conventional stamping equipment without the
necessity of subjecting said ring means to any machining treatment and
wherein said ring means possesses sufficient structural strength to
position and maintain said air bag means in relation to said generator
means when said generator means is actuated in order to inflate said air
bag means;
wherein said generator means comprises
(a) a housing constructed of a relatively light weight, corrosion
resistant, high tensile strength material, defining at least three
concentric toroidal zones, whereby a first zone contains means for
igniting a gas generating composition; a second zone contains a solid gas
generating composition operable upon ignition to produce gas and
particulate reaction products; and a third zone contains filtration means
to cool said gas and to trap said reaction products, said third zone being
further provided with gas discharge orifice means;
(b) base plate means;
(c) diffuser plate means having a peripheral portion thereof sealingly
connected to a corresponding portion of said base plate means so as to
form a portion of a housing for the generator,
(d) means for engaging said base plate means with said diffuser plate
means, said engaging means passing perpendicularly through both said
diffuser plate means and said base plate means capable of permitting a
minimal separation between both said plate means in the event of an
overpressurization of said generator to safely direct gas away from said
housing,
(e) means for igniting said solid gas-generating composition, said ignition
means located in an aperture in a central portion of said base plate
means;
(f) an enhancer packet comprising a homogeneous mixture of an ignition
enhancing material and an autoignition composition located in said first
zone of said housing means;
(g) spacer means between said solid gas-generating composition and said
housing to prevent abrasion of said composition due to contact with an
inner surface of the housing;
(h) prefiltering means located along a peripheral portion of said first
zone between said solid gas generating composition and said third zone;
(i) filtering means located in said third zone and comprising a first
portion for removal of a major portion of said particulate reaction
products from said gas, and a second portion for removing substantially
all of any remaining particulate reaction products from said gas, whereby
said gas passes through said first portion of said filtering means prior
to passing through said second portion; and
(j) gas discharge orifice means comprising a plurality of diffusion ports
located along said peripheral portion of said diffuser plate means;
wherein said solid gas generating composition is in the form of a plurality
of pressed toroidal discs in stacked relation, each disc having means to
permit air to circulate around at least a portion of one of its surfaces
and whereby the gas produced by the combustion of said toroidal discs is
cooled and cleaned by passing through said prefiltering means and
thereafter through said filtering means. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an inflator apparatus capable of producing a
sufficient quantity of a gaseous combustion product to inflate a passive
restraint device such as an automobile air bag. More particularly, it
concerns the use of a ring-shaped member to prevent the impingement of hot
gases and/or particulate materials directly upon the inner surface of the
air bag.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
During the deployment of a passive restraint device in the event of a
collision involving a vehicle in which the device is installed, gases and
particulate combustion products, produced at temperatures in excess of
1,000.degree. F. during the initial portion of the propellant burning
cycle, impinge directly upon the fabric of the bag. If no protective
measures are taken, such as: (1) by incorporating additional, i.e.,
"sacrificial", layers of fabric into the bag at the point where it is
contacted by the hot gases and the energetic particulates, or (2) by
installing a deflection member between the generator and the air bag, this
impingement may result in the bag becoming burned through, with a
resultant failure of the restraining device to perform as desired.
Manufacturers of currently marketed air bag systems have generally elected
to do both, i.e., by providing a sacrificial layer and a gas deflection
member. The deflection members in current use, however, are expensive,
machined parts which are fabricated from heavy steel plate and which can
not be stamped with conventional stamping equipment. This adds both to the
cost of the inflator and the weight of the completed assembly. As is well
known in the automotive art, any increase in vehicle weight is to be
avoided if possible due to its negative impact upon gas mileage. The main
function of these machined members appears more directed to simply
attaching an air bag to a gas generator rather than to deflecting hot
gases and particulates away from the fabric of the bag since they do not
extend any appreciable distance into the mouth of the bag.
Further, with regard to the means for inflating air bag systems such as
those described herein, many forms of gas generators or inflators
utilizing combustible solid fuel gas generating compositions are known.
Commonly encountered features among generators utilized for this purpose
are the inclusion within a housing of a gas generant composition and means
to filter and to cool the gas, positioned between the composition and the
gas discharge orifices, as defined by the generator housing.
One such gas generator includes an annular reaction or combustion chamber
which is bounded by an outer casing or housing structure. The combustion
chamber encloses a rupturable container or cartridge that is hermetically
sealed and which contains therein a solid gas generant in pelletized form,
surrounded by an annular filter. This generator further includes a central
ignition or initiator tube and a toroidal filter chamber adjoining and
encircling the combustion chamber. An inner casing or housing structure is
located in close surrounding and supporting relationship to the rupturable
container, the inner casing being formed by a cylinder having uniformly
spaced peripheral ports or orifices near one end. These orifices provide
exit holes for the flow of gas from the combustion chamber.
Alternately, a generator housing may be provided, comprising first and
second structural components or shells, specifically, a first or diffuser
shell and a second or base shell. Both shells are forged and heat treated,
after which they undergo machining to obtain a proper fit. The first
structural component, i.e., the diffuser shell, is formed with three
integral concentric cylinders which form the inner structural walls of the
inflator and which define chambers therein containing the solid gas
generant, ignition materials, and filters, as well as providing exit
openings or ports for the passage of the gasses from chamber to chamber
and subsequently into the protective air bag.
The second structural component of this embodiment, known as the base
shell, may utilize an electrical initiator (squib) for igniting the main
propellant charge as well as a flange for attaching an air bag thereto. It
also provides three concentric mating surfaces for the concentric
cylinders of the diffuser shell. The three concentric cylinders of the
diffuser shell are thus joined to the corresponding concentric mating
surfaces located upon the base shell.
Still further, other inflator devices which are known in the art comprise a
base plate and a diffuser plate having a peripheral portion thereof
sealingly connected to a corresponding portion of the base plate. This
connection is made by, for example, a light weld between these two parts.
The subject inflator additionally comprises means for engaging the base
plate and the diffuser plate in operative association. These means pass
substantially perpendicularly through both said plates and are preferably
rivets, although bolts or screws may also be utilized for this purposes.
Such engaging means are capable of permitting a minimal degree of
separation between the diffuser plate and the base plate of the inflator
in the event that the generator unit becomes overpressurized. This
arrangement permits the rapidly generated gaseous product to be safely
directed away from the generator, thus preventing a catastrophic
fragmentation of the generator housing.
Gas generators, or inflators, of the type described above, must withstand
enormous thermal and mechanical stresses for a short period during the gas
generation process. Thus, inflators that have been and are currently being
used with automobile or other vehicle air bags have previously been
fabricated using steel for the casing and other structural housing
components, with these components being joined together by screw threads,
roll crimping or welding.
The recent emphasis on weight reduction for the purpose of fuel
conservation in motorized vehicles, however, has created a need and a
demand for a lighter weight inflation system. This is of particular
importance in a crash protection system for the driver wherein the
inflator is mounted on the vehicle's steering wheel. The availability of a
lighter weight inflator for installation at this location further enables
a reduction to be made in the weight of the vehicle's steering wheel and
the steering column on which the inflator is mounted.
In this regard, some recently introduced inflator devices utilize aluminum
casing materials. While this does alleviate somewhat the problem of
excessive generator weight, aluminum generators tend to be more expensive
in terms of production costs than the stamped stainless steel models
currently in general use. More importantly, however, aluminum also tends
to lose considerable strength at elevated temperatures, which becomes of
concern should the airbag system be exposed to a car fire. Since the gas
generator is a pressure vessel, as noted above, concern exists over the
possible fragmentation of a weakened aluminum generator casing upon a
sudden overpressurization of the device due to an ignition caused by such
a fire.
Various means, as described above, have been utilized with the prior art
inflators described herein to prevent the impingement of hot gasses and/or
particulate materials directly upon the inner surface of an air bag
installed in operative association therewith. Thus, as described below,
the present invention describes and claims a novel deflector member
configured and adapted to permit a safe, rapid inflation of an air bag
component in a motor vehicle passive restraint device to assist in
ensuring the safety of the vehicle occupants in the event of an accident.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the teachings of the present invention a vehicle passive
restraint device is provided, comprising an air bag positioned between an
occupant of the vehicle and an interior portion thereof. This air bag
protects the occupant from an impact with the interior portion of the
vehicle in the event of a collision. The device further comprises a gas
generator for producing a sufficient quantity of a gaseous combustion
product to inflate the air bag within the interval between a collision
involving the vehicle in which it is installed and an impact of the
occupant with the interior portion of the vehicle, in order to prevent
this impact.
Additionally, the device comprises a deflector ring positioned between the
air bag and the generator for attaching the air bag to the generator. The
deflector ring extends a sufficient distance into the interior of the air
bag to prevent hot combustion gases and particulate materials produced as
a result of the combustion reaction occurring within the generator from
impinging directly against an inner surface of the bag.
The deflector ring is stamped from a relatively lightweight material
utilizing conventional stamping equipment without the necessity of
machining this member in any manner whatsoever. In addition, the ring
member possesses sufficient structural strength to position and maintain
the air bag in relation to the generator when the generator is actuated in
order to inflate the air bag.
In one embodiment of the invention, the deflector ring is stamped from a
relatively lightweight material utilizing conventional stamping equipment.
The material currently utilized for this purpose is low-carbon steel, which
is of sufficient durability to resist damage by the hot gases and
particulates exhausted from the generation during its firing phase. A
number of alternate compositions, such as aluminum, titanium and even
stainless steel, i.e., metals having a high degree of strength and low
weight may, however, be chosen for use in stamping the deflector ring. The
even lower weight of these materials would thus be useful in decreasing
the weight of the entire passive restraint assembly.
As a result of the stamping process described above, the deflector ring is
produced as a circular member having a "Jshaped" cross-sectional
configuration. Additionally, the ring further comprises a plurality of
mounting holes defined by a base portion thereof, these holes being evenly
spaced along the circumference of the ring. The deflector ring is mounted
upon a mounting plate by fastening means which are inserted through
apertures defined by the plate and thereafter through the mounting holes
in the deflector ring. These fastening means may be, for example, screws,
bolts or rivets. Alternate fastening means such as adhesives may also be
used. The Jshaped deflector ring is mounted such that a shorter leg
portion of the ring is positioned adjacent to the generator whereupon the
remaining longer leg portion thereof is positioned at a location
relatively removed from the generator.
In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the vehicle passive restraint
device comprises the air bag, generator and deflector ring as described
above wherein the generator is comprised of a base plate and a diffuser
plate having a peripheral portion sealingly connected to a corresponding
portion of the base plate so as to form a portion of a generator housing.
The base plate and diffuser plate are connected by engaging means passing
perpendicularly through both plates. These connector means are capable of
permitting a minimal separation between both the diffuser plate and the
base plate in the event of an overpressurization of the generator to
safely direct gas away from the generator housing.
The generator housing defines at least three concentrically aligned
toroidal zones. A first such zone contains means for igniting a gas
generating composition. A second zone contains a solid gas generating
composition operable upon ignition to produce gas and particulate reaction
products. A third zone contains filtration means to cool the gas and to
trap the particulate products. The third zone is further provided with a
plurality of orifices for discharging gas from the generator housing.
In the embodiment described above, the deflector ring is stamped from a
relatively lightweight material, i.e., a sheet of low carbon steel, with
conventional stamping equipment. Various other metals, such aluminum,
titanium and stainless steel, may be useful, as noted above, as
replacements for the low carbon steel due to their decreased weight in
comparison to the steel. The deflector ring of this embodiment is stamped
as a circular member having a J-shaped cross-sectional configuration. The
ring further comprises a plurality of mounting holes through a base
portion thereof which are evenly spaced along the circumference of the
ring.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the deflector ring is mounted
upon a mounting plate by fasteners inserted through apertures defined by
the plate which pass through a layer of the air bag material sandwiched
between the mounting plate and the deflector ring and thereafter through
the mounting holes in the deflector ring. These fasteners may be, for
example, screws, bolts or rivets. Additionally, an adhesive may also be
used to fasten the deflector ring to the mounting plate. The deflector
ring is mounted such that a shorter leg portion of the ring is positioned
adjacent to the generator whereupon the remaining, longer leg portion
thereof is positioned at a location relatively removed from the generator.
In another embodiment of the invention, the means for engaging the base
plate with the diffuser plate of the generator housing is a plurality of
rivet members arranged around the outer peripheral portion of the
generator housing. Further, both the diffuser plate and the base plate
additionally comprise corresponding flanges located along the outer
peripheral portion thereof. Each flange defines at least one aperture
therethrough for attaching the generator to a mounting plate as well as to
the deflector ring. In the embodiment described above, the diffuser plate
and the base plate of the generator housing are at least partially
connected along their peripheral edges by a light weld.
In a still further embodiment of the invention, the first zone of the
generator contains an enhancer packet comprising a homogeneous mixture of
an ignition enhancing material and an auto ignition composition.
Additionally, the second zone of the generator further comprises
pre-filtering means located along an outer peripheral portion thereof
comprising at least one layer of a screening material positioned so as to
remove a portion of the particulate products from the gas.
In another embodiment of the invention, the third zone of the generator
includes a first portion containing first filtering means for removal of a
major portion of the particulate reaction products from the gas and a
second portion containing second and third filtering means for removing
substantially all of any remaining particulate reaction products from the
gas. Prior to the complete pressurization of the generator, gas passes
through the first filtering means prior to passing through the second
filtering means. Once the first filtering means is substantially
pressurized, however, which occurs almost instantly, the gas no longer
flows into the first filtering means, but rather it flows directly into
the second filtering means. The inertia of the relatively heavier metal
particulates, however, carries them directly into the first filtering
means and subsequently through the third filtering means.
The first filtering means comprises a chamber substantially filled with a
plurality of unaligned metal fibers (such as steel wool fibers). The
second filtering means comprises a screen having a predetermined mesh
size. This mesh size is sufficient to prevent the passage therethrough of
substantially all of the particulate reaction products from the gas. The
third filtering means comprises a screen having a mesh size relatively
narrower than that utilized with the second filtering means. The gas exits
the generator housing through a plurality of diffusion ports located along
the peripheral portion of the diffuser plate, adjacent and exterior to the
third filtering means.
A still further embodiment of applicants' vehicle passive restraint device
comprises an air bag, a gas generator and a deflector ring. The generator
utilized in this embodiment comprises a housing constructed of a
relatively lightweight, corrosion resistant, high tensile strength
material. The housing defines at least three concentric toroidal zones. A
first zone contains means for igniting a gas generating composition. A
second zone contains a solid gas generating composition operable upon
ignition to produce gas and particulate reaction products. A third zone
contains filtration means to cool the gas and to trap the reaction
products. The third zone is further provided with a plurality of gas
discharge orifices.
The gas generator of this embodiment additionally comprises a base plate
and a diffuser plate having a peripheral portion thereof sealingly
connected to a corresponding portion of the base plate so as to form a
portion of a generator housing. The base plate and the diffuser plate are
connected by engaging means passing perpendicularly through both the
diffuser plate and the base plate. These engaging means are capable of
permitting a minimal separation between both plates in the event of an
overpressurization of the generator in order to safely direct gas away
from the housing.
Also included in this embodiment of the generator are means for igniting
the solid gas generating composition located within an aperture in a
central portion of the base plate. An enhancer packet comprising a
homogeneous mixture of an ignition enhancing material and an auto ignition
composition is located in the first zone of the generator housing.
Further, spacer means are positioned between the solid gas generating
composition and the generator housing to prevent abrasion of the gas
generating composition caused due to contact with an inner surface of the
housing.
Additionally included within the embodiment described above are
prefiltering means located along a peripheral portion of the first zone of
the generator between the solid gas generating composition and the third
zone of the generator. Further, filtering means are located in the third
zone of the generator and comprise a first portion for removal of a major
portion of the particulate reaction products from the gas and a second
portion for removing substantially all of any remaining particulate
reaction products. Subsequent to the pressurization of the generator, the
gas passes through the second portion of the filtering means prior to
passing through the third portion. As noted above, the heavier
particulates fly directly into the first portion of the filter where they
are subsequently trapped. The generator housing further comprises a
plurality of gas diffusion ports located along the peripheral portion of
the diffuser plate.
In the embodiment described above, the solid gas generating composition is
provided in the form of a plurality of pressed toroidal disks in stacked
relation, each disk having means to permit air to circulate around at
least a portion of one of its surfaces. The gas produced by the combustion
of the toroidal disks is cooled and cleaned by passing through the
prefiltering and filtering means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view demonstrating a preferred location for
applicants ' passive restraint system as described herein;
FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of applicants' passive restraint
system;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of applicants' restraint system taken through
line 3--3 of FIG. 2; and
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a deflector ring member for use with
applicants' passive restraint system, constructed according to the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Gas generators of the type described herein are useful for the rapid
generation of large volumes of gas, the amount and type of gas to be
generated being determined, at least in part, by the type of combustible
generant composition chosen for use in the generator, the amount thereof
and the burning surface provided thereby. The gas produced may be toxic or
non-toxic, noxious or non-noxious, depending upon the desired application
and the starting materials chosen.
At the present time, the most widespread commercial application for such
generators has involved their use in producing a sufficient volume of gas
within a suitably short interval, i.e., within about 35-60 milliseconds,
for inflating an air cushion device, i.e., an air bag, in an automobile
passive restraint system. The following description of the invention,
given with reference to the attached drawing figures, will therefore be
directed to such a use.
One must keep in mind, however, that while the generator described below
represents an inflator for use with a preferred embodiment of the
invention, the deflector ring member disclosed herein may be utilized in
conjunction with a variety of inflators of varying construction. The
present invention should thus not be limited simply to the embodiments
described herein but rather it should be considered to encompass such
modifications and embodiments as may be envisioned by those of ordinary
skill in the related art.
Referring initially to FIG. 1, there is illustrated, in perspective, a
vehicle occupant restraint system designed for installation within, for
example, the steering column of a motor vehicle such as an automobile for
protecting the driver thereof. It should be noted, however, that the "air
bag" application herein described may also include, in the event of a
collision between the automobile and a second stationary or moving object,
the use of one or more of such generators to inflate at least one passive
restraint located within the zone normally occupied by a driver and
passengers traveling within the vehicle.
This view depicts a substantially circular steering wheel 10 positioned
upon steering post 12 and connected to a mechanism (not shown) for turning
the front wheels of the vehicle from side to side. Located within a
central portion of wheel 10 is housing 14 formed of opposing side members
16, 18 and cover member 20. Generator 22 which is operatively associated
with air bag 24, is secured in position within housing 14 by mounting
plate 36. Plate 36 may be connected to generator 22 with the use of
apertures 35 defined by flanges 30, 32, through which may be passed
connecting elements such as rivets, bolts or screws (not sh | | |
