US6945559B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for air bag venting
Assignee: Delphi Technologies Inc
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Filing: 2002-09-19
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Granted: 2005-09-20
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Expires: 2022-09-19
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for customizing the pressure within an inflatable cushion of an air bag module is provided. The method comprises determining whether additional venting of an air bag is required. A sensing and diagnostic module will receive its relative inputs from a plurality of sensors and will determine whether vents in an inflatable cushion should be opened to allow diffusion of an inflation gas. The apparatus allowing vents to open at specified times to allow for diffusion of the inflation gas.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark E. Kassman
- 👤 Michael J. Vendely
- 👤 Suresh D. Shah
- 👤 Mansour Ashtiani
- 👤 Ismat A. Abu-Isa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 01:04
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/23; B60R21/239; B60R21/26; B60R21/276; B60R2021/2765
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A venting mechanism disposed on an inflatable cushion for use in an air bag module, comprising: a membrane being sealed to the inflatable cushion to cover a vent opening in the cushion; and a plurality of shape memory alloy springs or wires disposed in a pre-arranged pattern on said membrane, said plurality of shape memory alloy springs or wires being secured to an elastic member disposed about an opening in said inflatable cushion and being adapted to receive an electrical charge wherein said electrical charge causes said plurality of shape memory alloy springs or wires to enlarge said elastic member and said opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
A venting mechanism disposed on an inflatable cushion for use in an air bag module, comprising: a membrane being sealed to the inflatable cushion to cover a vent opening in the cushion; and a plurality of shape memory alloy springs or wires disposed in a pre-arranged pattern on said membrane, said plurality of shape memory alloy springs or wires being secured to an elastic member disposed about an opening in said inflatable cushion and being adapted to receive an electrical charge wherein said electrical charge causes said plurality of shape memory alloy springs or wires to enlarge said elastic member and said opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
141 words
A venting mechanism disposed on an inflatable cushion for use in an air bag module, comprising: a membrane being sealed to the inflatable cushion to cover a vent opening in the cushion; a plurality of electrodes or high resistive heating elements being disposed in a pre-arranged pattern on said membrane, said plurality of electrodes or high resistive heating elements being adapted to receive an electrical charge wherein said electrical charge causes an area of said membrane to weaken causing a vent aperture to be formed in the inflatable cushion; and a plurality of shape memory alloy springs disposed in a pre-arranged pattern on said membrane, said plurality of shape memory alloy springs being secured to said membrane and being adapted to receive an electrical charge wherein said electrical charge causes said plurality of shape memory alloy springs to enlarge said area.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
141 words
A venting mechanism disposed on an inflatable cushion for use in an air bag module, comprising: a membrane being sealed to the inflatable cushion to cover a vent opening in the cushion; a plurality of electrodes or high resistive heating elements being disposed in a pre-arranged pattern on said membrane, said plurality of electrodes or high resistive heating elements being adapted to receive an electrical charge wherein said electrical charge causes an area of said membrane to weaken causing a vent aperture to be formed in the inflatable cushion; and a plurality of shape memory alloy springs disposed in a pre-arranged pattern on said membrane, said plurality of shape memory alloy springs being secured to said membrane and being adapted to receive an electrical charge wherein said electrical charge causes said plurality of shape memory alloy springs to enlarge said area.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The venting mechanism as in claim 2 , wherein said plurality of electrodes or high resistive heating elements are arranged to overlap each other creating an arcing point.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The venting mechanism as in claim 2 , wherein said plurality of electrodes or high resistive heating elements increase the temperature of said membrane when said electrical charge is received.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The venting mechanism as in claim 4 , wherein said plurality of electrodes or high resistive heating elements are arranged to overlap each other creating an arcing point.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The venting mechanism as in claim 5 , wherein said arcing point increases the temperature of said membrane at a higher rate than other areas of said membrane.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for providing active venting in an inflatable cushion of an airbag module, comprising: determining is an additional vent opening is required; providing a vent member slidably received in a vent housing attached to the inflatable cushion and overlying an opening in the inflatable cushion; and activating an actuator attached to the vent member to slide said vent member within said vent housing and thereby open said opening, said actuator being formed of a shape memory alloy.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for providing active venting in an inflatable cushion of an airbag module, comprising: determining is an additional vent opening is required; providing a vent member slidably received in a vent housing attached to the inflatable cushion and overlying an opening in the inflatable cushion; and activating an actuator attached to the vent member to slide said vent member within said vent housing and thereby open said opening, said actuator being formed of a shape memory alloy.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for providing active venting in an inflatable cushion of an airbag module, comprising: determining if an additional vent opening is required; manipulating a membrane being sealed to the inflatable cushion to cover a vent opening in the cushion, said membrane comprising a plurality of shape memory alloy springs or wires disposed in a pre-arranged pattern on said membrane, said plurality of shape memory alloy springs or wires being secured to an elastic member disposed about an opening in said inflatable cushion and being configured to receive an electrical charge wherein said electrical charge causes said plurality of shape memory alloy springs or wires to enlarge said elastic member and said opening.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for providing active venting in an inflatable cushion of an airbag module, comprising: determining if an additional vent opening is required; manipulating a membrane being sealed to the inflatable cushion to cover a vent opening in the cushion, said membrane comprising a plurality of shape memory alloy springs or wires disposed in a pre-arranged pattern on said membrane, said plurality of shape memory alloy springs or wires being secured to an elastic member disposed about an opening in said inflatable cushion and being configured to receive an electrical charge wherein said electrical charge causes said plurality of shape memory alloy springs or wires to enlarge said elastic member and said opening.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
131 words
A method for providing active venting in an inflatable cushion of an airbag module, comprising: determining if an additional vent opening is required; manipulating a membrane being sealed to the inflatable cushion to cover a vent opening in the cushion by supplying a current to a plurality of electrodes or high resistive heating elements being disposed in a pre-arranged pattern on said membrane, wherein said current causes an area of said membrane to weaken causing a vent aperture to be formed in the inflatable cushion; and supplying current to a plurality of shape memory alloy springs disposed in a pre-arranged pattern on said membrane, said plurality of shape memory alloy springs being secured to said membrane wherein said current causes said plurality of shape memory alloy springs to enlarge said area.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
131 words
A method for providing active venting in an inflatable cushion of an airbag module, comprising: determining if an additional vent opening is required; manipulating a membrane being sealed to the inflatable cushion to cover a vent opening in the cushion by supplying a current to a plurality of electrodes or high resistive heating elements being disposed in a pre-arranged pattern on said membrane, wherein said current causes an area of said membrane to weaken causing a vent aperture to be formed in the inflatable cushion; and supplying current to a plurality of shape memory alloy springs disposed in a pre-arranged pattern on said membrane, said plurality of shape memory alloy springs being secured to said membrane wherein said current causes said plurality of shape memory alloy springs to enlarge said area.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
96 words
An inflatable cushion for use in an air bag module, comprising: a membrane being secured to the inflatable cushion to cover a vent opening in the cushion; and a thin layer of electrically conductive coating disposed on a surface of said membrane covering said vent opening, wherein said thin layer of electrically conductive coating is configured to provide resistance heating to a portion of said membrane when a current is supplied to said thin layer of electrically conductive coating, wherein the resistance heating weakens a portion of said membrane causing said vent opening to become uncovered.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
96 words
An inflatable cushion for use in an air bag module, comprising: a membrane being secured to the inflatable cushion to cover a vent opening in the cushion; and a thin layer of electrically conductive coating disposed on a surface of said membrane covering said vent opening, wherein said thin layer of electrically conductive coating is configured to provide resistance heating to a portion of said membrane when a current is supplied to said thin layer of electrically conductive coating, wherein the resistance heating weakens a portion of said membrane causing said vent opening to become uncovered.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The inflatable cushion as in claim 10 , wherein another thin layer of electrically conductive coating is disposed on another surface of said membrane covering said vent opening.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The inflatable cushion as in claim 10 , wherein a plurality of thin layers of electrically conductive coatings are disposed on said membrane.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The inflatable cushion as in claim 12 , wherein at least two of said plurality of thin layers of electrically conductive coatings overlap each other.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The inflatable cushion as in claim 12 , wherein a copper filament is in electrical contact with said plurality of thin electrically conductive coatings in order to provide the current.
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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) | 2008-09-19 | 2009-03-21 | 2009-09-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-09-19 | 2013-03-21 | 2013-09-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-09-19 | 2017-03-21 | 2017-09-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |