US5899494A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Deflagration venting system for airbag systems
Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Inc
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Filing: 1997-09-18
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Granted: 1999-05-04
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Expires: 2017-09-18
Abstract
Abstract An airbag module (10) employing a deflagration venting system (40) for adaptively changing the level of venting provided during airbag inflation is disclosed. The adaptively controlled airbag system (10) includes an airbag (12) in fluid communication with an airbag inflator (18). A manifold (16) is provided for directing the output of the airbag inflator (18) into the airbag (12), and a reaction canister (22) houses the airbag (12), the airbag inflator (18), and the manifold (16). A deflagration device (40) is provided for selectively venting the airbag module (10). The deflagration device (40) may be activated for creating at least one variable shaped vent (50, 52) for regulating output from the airbag inflator (18) and adaptively changing the deployment force of the airbag (12).
Inventors
- 👤 Wendell C. Lane, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 18:23
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/26; B60R21/276; B60R21/261; B60R2021/2765; B60R21/20; B60R21/217; B60R21/2171; B60R21/264; B60R21/2644
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
An adaptively controlled airbag system (10) comprising: an airbag (12); an airbag inflator (18) in fluid communication with the airbag (12); a housing (22) for housing the airbag (12), the airbag inflator (18) for producing inflation gases to inflate the airbag; and deflagration device means (40) for selectively venting a portion of the inflation gas away from the airbag and for creating a vent (50, 52) for adaptively changing the deployment force of the airbag (12); wherein the deflagration device means (40) includes at least one electronically activated deflagration cord (42) secured to the airbag system (10).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
An adaptively controlled airbag system (10) comprising: an airbag (12); an airbag inflator (18) in fluid communication with the airbag (12); a housing (22) for housing the airbag (12), the airbag inflator (18) for producing inflation gases to inflate the airbag; and deflagration device means (40) for selectively venting a portion of the inflation gas away from the airbag and for creating a vent (50, 52) for adaptively changing the deployment force of the airbag (12); wherein the deflagration device means (40) includes at least one electronically activated deflagration cord (42) secured to the airbag system (10).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The airbag system of claim 1 wherein the deflagration cord (42) defines a rectangular venting area (50).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The airbag system of claim 1 wherein the deflagration cord (44) defines a venting slit (52).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
88 words
An adaptively controlled airbag system (10) comprising: an airbag (12); an airbag inflator (18) in fluid communication with the airbag (12); a housing (22) for housing the airbag (12), the airbag inflator (18) for producing inflation gases to inflate the airbag; and deflagration device means (40) for selectively venting a portion of the inflation gas away from the airbag and for creating a vent (50, 52) for adaptively changing the deployment force of the airbag (12); wherein the deflagration device means (40) is applied to the housing (22).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
88 words
An adaptively controlled airbag system (10) comprising: an airbag (12); an airbag inflator (18) in fluid communication with the airbag (12); a housing (22) for housing the airbag (12), the airbag inflator (18) for producing inflation gases to inflate the airbag; and deflagration device means (40) for selectively venting a portion of the inflation gas away from the airbag and for creating a vent (50, 52) for adaptively changing the deployment force of the airbag (12); wherein the deflagration device means (40) is applied to the housing (22).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
97 words
An adaptively controlled airbag system (10) comprising: an airbag (12); an airbag inflator (18) in fluid communication with the airbag (12); a housing (22) for housing the airbag (12), the airbag inflator (18) for producing inflation gases to inflate the airbag; and deflagration device means (40) for selectively venting a portion of the inflation gas away from the airbag and for creating a vent (50, 52) for adaptively changing the deployment force of the airbag (12); wherein inflator is fitted within a manifold (70) and wherein the deflagration device means (40) is applied to the manifold (70).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
97 words
An adaptively controlled airbag system (10) comprising: an airbag (12); an airbag inflator (18) in fluid communication with the airbag (12); a housing (22) for housing the airbag (12), the airbag inflator (18) for producing inflation gases to inflate the airbag; and deflagration device means (40) for selectively venting a portion of the inflation gas away from the airbag and for creating a vent (50, 52) for adaptively changing the deployment force of the airbag (12); wherein inflator is fitted within a manifold (70) and wherein the deflagration device means (40) is applied to the manifold (70).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
88 words
An adaptively controlled airbag system (10) comprising: an airbag (12); an airbag inflator (18) in fluid communication with the airbag (12); a housing (22) for housing the airbag (12), the airbag inflator (18) for producing inflation gases to inflate the airbag; and deflagration device means (40) for selectively venting a portion of the inflation gas away from the airbag and for creating a vent (50, 52) for adaptively changing the deployment force of the airbag (12); wherein the deflagration device means (40) is applied to the airbag inflator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
88 words
An adaptively controlled airbag system (10) comprising: an airbag (12); an airbag inflator (18) in fluid communication with the airbag (12); a housing (22) for housing the airbag (12), the airbag inflator (18) for producing inflation gases to inflate the airbag; and deflagration device means (40) for selectively venting a portion of the inflation gas away from the airbag and for creating a vent (50, 52) for adaptively changing the deployment force of the airbag (12); wherein the deflagration device means (40) is applied to the airbag inflator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
97 words
An adaptively controlled airbag system (10) comprising: an airbag (12); an airbag inflator (18) in fluid communication with the airbag (12); a housing (22) for housing the airbag (12), the airbag inflator (18) for producing inflation gases to inflate the airbag; and deflagration device means (40) for selectively venting a portion of the inflation gas away from the airbag and for creating a vent (50, 52) for adaptively changing the deployment force of the airbag (12); wherein the deflagration device means (40) includes an electrical connection means (46) for providing electrical communication with a crash management controller.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
97 words
An adaptively controlled airbag system (10) comprising: an airbag (12); an airbag inflator (18) in fluid communication with the airbag (12); a housing (22) for housing the airbag (12), the airbag inflator (18) for producing inflation gases to inflate the airbag; and deflagration device means (40) for selectively venting a portion of the inflation gas away from the airbag and for creating a vent (50, 52) for adaptively changing the deployment force of the airbag (12); wherein the deflagration device means (40) includes an electrical connection means (46) for providing electrical communication with a crash management controller.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
115 words
An adaptively controlled airbag system (10) comprising: an airbag (12); an airbag inflator (18) in fluid communication with the airbag (12); a housing (22) for housing the airbag (12), the airbag inflator (18) for producing inflation gases to inflate the airbag; and deflagration device means (40) for selectively venting a portion of the inflation gas away from the airbag and for creating a vent (50, 52) for adaptively changing the deployment force of the airbag (12); wherein the deflagration device means (40) includes a first electronically activated deflagration cord (42) having a predefined shape, and a second electronically activated deflagration cord (44) having a predetermined shape which is different from the first deflagration cord (42).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
115 words
An adaptively controlled airbag system (10) comprising: an airbag (12); an airbag inflator (18) in fluid communication with the airbag (12); a housing (22) for housing the airbag (12), the airbag inflator (18) for producing inflation gases to inflate the airbag; and deflagration device means (40) for selectively venting a portion of the inflation gas away from the airbag and for creating a vent (50, 52) for adaptively changing the deployment force of the airbag (12); wherein the deflagration device means (40) includes a first electronically activated deflagration cord (42) having a predefined shape, and a second electronically activated deflagration cord (44) having a predetermined shape which is different from the first deflagration cord (42).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
128 words
An adaptively controlled airbag system for controlling the deployment force of an airbag module (10) comprising: an airbag (12); an airbag inflator (18) in fluid communication with the airbag (12); a manifold (16) for directing the output of the airbag inflator (18) into the airbag (12); a reaction canister (22) for housing the airbag (12), the airbag inflator (18), and the manifold (16); and at least one electronically activated deflagration cord (42) secured within a channel (60) formed in the reaction canister (22); whereby the at least one deflagration cord (42) may be selectively activated by a crash management controller (100) for creating at least one variable shaped vent (50) for regulating output from the airbag inflator (18) and adaptively changing the deployment force of the airbag (12).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
128 words
An adaptively controlled airbag system for controlling the deployment force of an airbag module (10) comprising: an airbag (12); an airbag inflator (18) in fluid communication with the airbag (12); a manifold (16) for directing the output of the airbag inflator (18) into the airbag (12); a reaction canister (22) for housing the airbag (12), the airbag inflator (18), and the manifold (16); and at least one electronically activated deflagration cord (42) secured within a channel (60) formed in the reaction canister (22); whereby the at least one deflagration cord (42) may be selectively activated by a crash management controller (100) for creating at least one variable shaped vent (50) for regulating output from the airbag inflator (18) and adaptively changing the deployment force of the airbag (12).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The airbag system of claim 9 wherein the deflagration cord (42) includes an electrical connection means (46) for communication with the crash management controller.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The airbag system of claim 9 wherein the deflagration cord (42) defines a rectangular venting area (50).
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The airbag system of claim 9 wherein the deflagration cord (44) defines a venting slit (52).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The airbag system of claim 9 wherein the at least one electronically activated deflagration cord (42) includes a first deflagration cord (42) and a second deflagration cord (44) which may be independently activated.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
The airbag system of claim 13 wherein the first deflagration cord (42) defines a first predetermined venting area (50), and the second deflagration cord (44) defines a predetermined venting area (52) which is smaller than the first predetermined venting area (50).
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
146 words
An adaptively controlled airbag system having a selectively activated venting system (40) for controlling the deployment force of an airbag module (10) comprising: an airbag (12) in fluid communication with an airbag inflator (18); a housing (22) for housing the airbag (12), the airbag inflator (18), the housing (22) including a wall portion (32) for accommodating the venting system (40); and a first electronically activated deflagration cord (42) and a second electronically activated deflagration cord (44) secured to the wall portion (32) of the housing (22); whereby the first and second deflagration cords (42, 44) may be selectively activated by a crash management controller (100) for burning a plurality of venting areas (50, 52) into the wall portion (32) and creating the venting system (40) for regulating the amount of inflation gas communicated to the airbag and adaptively changing the deployment force of the airbag (12).
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
146 words
An adaptively controlled airbag system having a selectively activated venting system (40) for controlling the deployment force of an airbag module (10) comprising: an airbag (12) in fluid communication with an airbag inflator (18); a housing (22) for housing the airbag (12), the airbag inflator (18), the housing (22) including a wall portion (32) for accommodating the venting system (40); and a first electronically activated deflagration cord (42) and a second electronically activated deflagration cord (44) secured to the wall portion (32) of the housing (22); whereby the first and second deflagration cords (42, 44) may be selectively activated by a crash management controller (100) for burning a plurality of venting areas (50, 52) into the wall portion (32) and creating the venting system (40) for regulating the amount of inflation gas communicated to the airbag and adaptively changing the deployment force of the airbag (12).
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
The airbag system of claim 15 wherein the first and second deflagration cords (42, 44) are secured within a pair of channels (60) formed in the housing (22).
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The airbag system of claim 15 wherein the first deflagration cord (42) and the second deflagration cord (44) may be independently activated.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
41 words
The airbag system of claim 15 wherein the first deflagration cord (42) defines a first predetermined venting area (50), and the second deflagration cord (44) defines a predetermined venting area (52) which is smaller than the first predetermined venting area (50).
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The airbag system of claim 15 wherein one of the first deflagration cord (42) and the second deflagration cord (44) defines a rectangular venting area (50).
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-05-03 | 2002-11-02 | 2003-05-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-05-03 | 2006-11-02 | 2007-05-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-05-03 | 2010-11-02 | 2011-05-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |