Patent · US Expired

Apparatus for inflating a side curtain

US6296274A · kind A · utility

12Cited by
13References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 11, 2000
Grant dateOct 2, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 11, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60R2021/2617
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A vehicle occupant safety apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (20) and a container (32) for storing gas (36) under pressure. The container (32) has an outlet (38). The apparatus (10) includes a mechanism (42) for opening the container (32) to release the gas (36) to flow from the outlet (38) at supersonic speed. The apparatus (10) also includes a pyrotechnic material (70) which is ignitable to generate gas for helping to inflate the inflatable device (20). The pyrotechnic material (70) is ignitable in response to being impacted by the gas (36) flowing from the outlet (38) at supersonic speed. The apparatus (10) further includes a conduit (50) directing at least a first portion of the gas (36) flowing from the container (32) to the pyrotechnic material (70) to ignite the pyrotechnic material.

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