US5437473A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Air induction airbag-collision-protection system for a motor car
Assignee: Mercedes Benz Group AG
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Filing: 1993-08-27
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Granted: 1995-08-01
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Expires: 2013-08-27
Abstract
Abstract An air-induction gasbag-collision-protection system for a motor car is disclosed which has a receiving housing into which a gasbag casing which is fastened to the receiving housing and is open towards the housing is folded. A gas source is provided in the receiving housing for the filling of the gasbag casing and for its unfolding in the expanded state. The receiving housing exhibits apertures in a housing wall of the receiving housing, by which apertures an intake of air surrounding the receiving housing into the receiving housing and the gasbag casing is made possible. The cross-sections of the apertures are covered by intake flaps, which can be opened by the underpressure generated in the unfolding of the gasbag casing and by virtue of which an escape of internal gases from the receiving housing through the apertures is prevented. Each intake flap is cut into the housing wall as part of the receiving housing and is pivotable about a lateral edge remaining on the receiving housing in the direction of the housing interior.
Inventors
- 👤 Wolfgang Henseler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 23:31
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/26; B60R21/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
209 words
Air-induction airbag-collision-protection system for a motor car, comprising: a receiving housing, a gasbag casing which is fastened to the receiving housing and is open towards the housing, said gasbag casing being folded and disposed in the receiving housing when in an unexpanded state, and a gas source in the receiving housing for the filling of the gasbag casing and for its unfolding to an expanded state, an intake of air surrounding the receiving housing into the receiving housing and the gasbag casing being facilitated by apertures in a housing wall of the receiving housing, the cross-sections of which apertures are covered by intake flaps, which intake-flaps can be opened by underpressure generated in the unfolding of the gasbag casing and by virtue of which an escape of internal gasses from the receiving housing through the apertures is prevented, wherein each intake flap is formed by cutting into the housing wall and is pivotable in a direction of the housing interior about a lateral pivot edge remaining on the housing wall, and wherein the intake flaps open about a swivel-axis which is formed by a hinged section in the housing wall at the lateral pivot edge, which hinged section has a different thickness than adjacent sections of the housing wall.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
209 words
Air-induction airbag-collision-protection system for a motor car, comprising: a receiving housing, a gasbag casing which is fastened to the receiving housing and is open towards the housing, said gasbag casing being folded and disposed in the receiving housing when in an unexpanded state, and a gas source in the receiving housing for the filling of the gasbag casing and for its unfolding to an expanded state, an intake of air surrounding the receiving housing into the receiving housing and the gasbag casing being facilitated by apertures in a housing wall of the receiving housing, the cross-sections of which apertures are covered by intake flaps, which intake-flaps can be opened by underpressure generated in the unfolding of the gasbag casing and by virtue of which an escape of internal gasses from the receiving housing through the apertures is prevented, wherein each intake flap is formed by cutting into the housing wall and is pivotable in a direction of the housing interior about a lateral pivot edge remaining on the housing wall, and wherein the intake flaps open about a swivel-axis which is formed by a hinged section in the housing wall at the lateral pivot edge, which hinged section has a different thickness than adjacent sections of the housing wall.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
Air-induction airbag-collision-protection system according to claim 1, wherein the receiving housing is made from synthetic material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
Air-induction airbag-collision-protection system according to claim 1, wherein the intake flaps exhibit at least one of different times of opening and opening speeds by variation of the swivel-axis configuration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
Air-induction airbag-collision-protection system according to claim 1, comprising a screening plate for screening discharge of gas from a pipe gas generator of the gas source in the direction of the intake flaps.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
Air-induction airbag-collision-protection system according to claim 1, wherein each intake flap exhibits a cut face at a cut face edge disposed at a side of the intake flap opposite the lateral pivot edge, said cut face extending obliquely to a cross-section of an adjacent housing wall section to thereby form a one-way flap valve opening to the interior of the receiving housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
Air-induction airbag-collision-protection system according to claim 1, wherein said hinged section includes a thinning line and an adjacent thickening line in the housing wall.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
Air-induction airbag-collision-protection system according to claim 6, wherein each intake flap exhibits a cut face at a cut face edge disposed at a side of the intake flap opposite the lateral pivot edge, said cut face extending obliquely to a cross-section of an adjacent housing wall section to thereby form a one-way flap valve opening to the interior of the receiving housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
Air-induction airbag-collision-protection system according to claim 7, comprising a screening plate for screening discharge of gas from a pipe gas generator of the gas source in the direction of the intake flaps.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
225 words
Air-induction airbag-collision-protection system for a motor car, comprising: a receiving housing, a gasbag casing which is fastened to the receiving housing and is open towards the housing, said gasbag casing being folded and disposed in the receiving housing when in an unexpanded state, and a gas source in the receiving housing for the filling of the gasbag casing and for its unfolding to an expanded state, an intake of air surrounding the receiving housing into the receiving housing and the gasbag casing being facilitated by apertures in a housing wall of the receiving housing, the cross-sections of which apertures are covered by intake flaps, which intake-flaps can be opened by underpressure generated in the unfolding of the gasbag casing and by virtue of which an escape of internal gasses from the receiving housing through the apertures is prevented, wherein each intake flap is formed by cutting into the housing wall and is pivotable in a direction of the housing interior about a lateral pivot edge remaining on the housing wall, and wherein each intake flap exhibits a cut face at a cut face edge disposed at a side of the intake flap opposite the lateral pivot edge, said cut face extending obliquely to a cross-section of an adjacent housing wall section to thereby form a one-way-flap valve opening to the interior of the receiving housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
225 words
Air-induction airbag-collision-protection system for a motor car, comprising: a receiving housing, a gasbag casing which is fastened to the receiving housing and is open towards the housing, said gasbag casing being folded and disposed in the receiving housing when in an unexpanded state, and a gas source in the receiving housing for the filling of the gasbag casing and for its unfolding to an expanded state, an intake of air surrounding the receiving housing into the receiving housing and the gasbag casing being facilitated by apertures in a housing wall of the receiving housing, the cross-sections of which apertures are covered by intake flaps, which intake-flaps can be opened by underpressure generated in the unfolding of the gasbag casing and by virtue of which an escape of internal gasses from the receiving housing through the apertures is prevented, wherein each intake flap is formed by cutting into the housing wall and is pivotable in a direction of the housing interior about a lateral pivot edge remaining on the housing wall, and wherein each intake flap exhibits a cut face at a cut face edge disposed at a side of the intake flap opposite the lateral pivot edge, said cut face extending obliquely to a cross-section of an adjacent housing wall section to thereby form a one-way-flap valve opening to the interior of the receiving housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
Air-induction gasbag-collision-protection system according to claim 9, wherein the receiving housing is made from synthetic material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
Air-induction gasbag-collision-protection system according to claim 9, the intake flaps exhibit at least one of different times of opening and opening speeds by variation of the swivel-axis configuration.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
Air-induction gasbag-collision-protection system according to claim 9, comprising a screening plate for screening discharge of gas from a pipe gas generator of the gas source in the direction of the intake flaps.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-07-31 | 1999-01-30 | 1999-08-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-07-31 | 2003-01-30 | 2003-08-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-07-31 | 2007-01-30 | 2007-08-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |