Patent · US Expired

Variable output air bag module with PAV heat sink

US6203061A · kind A · utility

22Cited by
10References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 7, 1999
Grant dateMar 20, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 7, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60R2021/2633
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The present invention provides variable deployment performance by controlling the heat content of the inflator gas which exits an air bag sub-module, disposed in a module, into an air bag cushion. The air bag sub-module includes a sub-module housing which receives an inflator in a central cavity formed therein. The module housing includes low output module ports formed in the module housing and high output module ports. Heat sinking material is disposed within the sub-module housing between an outer wall of the sub-module housing and the inflator such that the heat sinking material surrounds the low output module ports. The air bag sub-module provides a first fluid flow path for the heated inflator gas to flow under high level deployment conditions and a second fluid flow path for the inflator gas to flow under reduced level deployment conditions. The first fluid flow path comprises a low resistance fluid flow path in which the heated inflator gas exits the inflator through the high output module ports. Little or no heated inflator gas will flow through the second fluid flow path, which comprises a high resistance fluid flow path, because in order for the inflator gas to flow accor…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.