ACERT
`[11] Patent Number:
`5,269,561
`United States Patent 15
`
`
`[45] Date of Patent:Davis et al. Dec. 14, 1993eeeOOEeeee
`
`:
`
`°
`
`US005269561A
`
`[75]
`
`[54] VENTED GAS PASSENGERSIDE AIR BAG
`INFLATOR
`Inventors: Terry R. Davis, Fruit Heights;
`Donald J. Bolieau,
`North Ogden,
`bothofUuh
`[73] Assignee: Morton Internation:al, Inc., Chicago,
`I
`[21] Appl. No.: 909,518
`[22] Filed:
`Jul. 6, 1992
`[52] Ut, CLScesecsesccneecsssessseeseessnecens B6OR 21/26
`[52] U.S. Ch. onceececcscssceescsssenssenss 280/736; 280/742;
`.
`422/166
`[58] Field of Search .......0.0.0.. 102/530, 531; 422/164,
`422/165, 166; 280/736, 741, 742, 728, 738, 739
`References Cited
`[56]
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`-
`
`4,380,346. 4/1983 Davis et al...ssccsssececsces 422/166
`
`4,846,368 7/1989 Goetz cesscsssccssssrsesssesssseeenees 280/736
`4,886,293 12/1989 Weiler et al. occas 280/736
`8/1990 Cunningham ...........ese 422/166
`4,950,458
`,
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2022194 12/1974 United Kingdom................ 280/742
`Primary Examiner—Karin L. Tyson
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Gerald K. White
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`Anair bag inflator having a plurality of gas exit orifices
`ofthree differentsizes arranged so as to provide thrust
`neutral operation maintainsair bag performanceat the
`samelevel over the temperature range of ambient to
`+85° C., directingall ofthe generated gases into theair
`bag at ambient temperature, but allowing a portion of
`a gases to be directed away from the air bag at +85°
`
`,
`
`3,880,447 4/1975 Thorn et al.
`
`......ccccesessssees 280/740
`
`3 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
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`34
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 14, 1993
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`Sheet 1 of 4
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`5,269,561
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`PRIORART
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`FIG.
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 14, 1993
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`Sheet 2 of 4
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`5,269,561
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`PRIOR ART
` TS
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`Ww
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`men
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`-- 28
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sheet 3 of 4
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`FIG.3
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sheet 4 of 4
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`Dec. 14, 1993
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`1
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`5,269,561
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`VENTED GAS PASSENGERSIDE AIR BAG
`INFLATOR
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`5
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`2
`While the Davis et al. arrangementis thrustneutral,it
`is subject to a disadvantage in thatall of the generated
`gases flow rearwardly into the air bag. The increased
`deployment forces on the stored air bag and module
`BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION
`housing at the higher temperatures tend to cause defor-
`mation,thatis, bell mouthing of the module housing and
`1. Field of the Invention
`to tear the air bag upon deploymentthereof.
`This invention relates to an improvementin a solid
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,817,828, G. W. Goetz, discloses an
`fuel inflator for an air bag or cushion restraint system
`inflatable restraint system for the passengerside of an
`that is provided on the passengerside of an automotive
`automotive vehicle including an elongated cylindrical
`vehicle and is characterized by providing “leveled per-
`inflator. Provided on one side of the housing for the
`formance” throughout the range of ambient tempera-
`inflator are a plurality of orifices or passages of a first
`tures over whichtheinflatoris intended to be operative
`size which are arrangedto direct generated gases rear-
`while maintaining a “thrust neutral” configuration. The
`wardly into an air bag. A plurality oforifices of a sec-
`invention is further characterized in allowing the use of
`ond and smallersize is provided on the opposite side of
`a “wrap-around”bag construction.
`the housing for directing gas forwardly away from the
`2. Description of the Prior Art
`bag into the vehicle compartment or into a conduit
`Someterminology herein is used for conveniencein
`leading to the surrounding environment. A foil on the
`reference only andis not intended to be limiting. The
`inside wall of the inflator housing ruptures adjacent the
`words “forwardly” and “rearwardly” refer to the nor-
`largerorifices of the first size at a pressure that is lower
`mal forward and reverse directions of travel of the
`than the pressure at which the foil ruptures at the
`vehicle to which a passenger restraint module is at-
`smaller orifices of the secondsize. Thefirst and second
`tached.
`pluralities of orifices are blocked by the foil prior to
`By the term “leveled performance” is meant equiva-
`activation ofthe inflator. Upon activation oftheinfla-
`lent occupantrestraint over the ambient temperature
`25
`tor, the foil adjacent the plurality oforifices of the first
`range —30° C. to +85° C.
`size ruptures whenasufficient pressure builds up in the
`By the term “bell mouthing” is meant deformation of
`inflator to allow generated gases to flow into the air
`the module housing or reaction canister tending to be
`bag. Thus, the air bag is not subjectedto relatively low
`caused by the rapid lateral expansion of the air bag
`pressure which would tend to cause the air bag to be
`before it has escaped the confines of the module housing
`inflated slowly in cold weather. If the pressure in the
`or reaction canister in which it has been stored.
`inflator is too high, which tends to occur when the
`The term “thrust neutral”refers to the production by
`ambient temperature is high, the second and smaller size
`an inflator for an air bag of zero thrust when acciden-
`orifices open when the foil seal covering them is rup-
`tally initiated as, for example, during shipping, storage
`tured to direct gas away from theair bag. As a result,
`and handling,as well as during activation responsively
`the air bag is not subjected to excessive pressure be-
`to the onset of a collision. Specifically, the gas dis-
`cause of high ambient temperatures.
`chargeorifices of the inflator are so positioned around
`Although the Goetz patent provides for directing
`the peripheryofthe inflator that the gasis discharged in
`generated gases away from the air bag when the tem-
`opposing directions whereby there are no resulting
`peratureis high,it is subject to a disadvantage in thatit
`forces tending to cause movement thereof. Thus, the
`does not provide for a thrust neutral configuration. In
`inflator will expend the energy generated thereby gen-
`the absenceofa thrust neutral configuration, the thrust
`erally in place.
`produced by the deployment forces must be absorbed
`It is known in the prior art to provide an inflatable
`by the module housing in which the stored air bag and
`restraint system including an air bag which is expanded
`inflator are contained and also by the dashboard ofthe
`by a solid fuel inflator to restrain movementof an occu-
`automotive vehicle in which the occupant restraint
`pant of an automotive vehicle in the eventofa collision.
`system is installed. Such thrust tends to cause damage
`Theinflatoris designed to rapidly generate a quantity of.
`not only to the module housing but also to the dash-
`gas sufficient to inflate the bag. It has been found, how-
`boardof the vehicle. Additionally, the arrangement of
`ever, that in very cold weather the inflator attainsits
`the Goetz patent doesnotallowtheinflator to be coop-
`peak pressure muchless rapidly than in warm weather.
`eratively positioned with respect to the air bag in a
`Thus, in cold weather, there is a tendency for the air
`wrap-around configuration.
`bag to be inflated either too slowly or insufficiently to
`Also knownin the prior art is an elongated cylindri-
`perform its intended purpose.
`Inflator performance
`cal solid fuel thrust neutral inflator assembly, as sche-
`such as this which varies with ambient temperature can
`matically illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings,
`cause discomfort or possible injury to the vehicle occu-
`the internal construction of whichis generally similar to
`pant whorelies upon inflation of the air bag for protec-
`that of the aforementioned Davis et al. patent. The
`tion.
`inflator assembly there shown, designated by the refer-
`US. Pat. No. 4,380,346, L. E. Daviset al., assigned to
`ence numeral 10, includesfirst, second and third plurali-
`the assignee of the present invention,discloses an elon-
`ties of orifices 12, 14 and 16, respectively, from which,
`gated cylindrical air bag inflator for the passenger side
`upon activation of the inflator 10, generated gases flow
`of an automotive vehicle and characterized in providing
`under pressure and are directed rearwardly into an air
`uniform operation in both cold and warm weatherin a
`bag (not shown). Thecross sections of thefirst, second
`thrust neutral configuration. In this arrangement the
`and third pluralities of orifices are all of different size.
`orifices or passages in the inflator housing are all of
`Prior to activation of the inflator 10, a rupturablefoil
`uniform size and a multiple strength rupturable foil is
`18 on the inside of the housing 20therefor, as seen in
`provided in association therewith to allow selected ones
`FIG.2, blocks all of the orifices. The first plurality of
`of the orifices to open at a low pressure, and other
`orifices 12, those having the largest area, are opened to
`orifices to open at a higher pressure.
`allow gas to flow into the air bag whenasufficient
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`1. dissipate the increased deploymentforces ontheair
`pressure builds up in the inflator 10 to rupture the por-
`tions of the 18 adjacent thereto. Thus, the air bag is not
`bag and module housing, minimizing the tendency to
`bell mouthing at the module housing and avoiding tear-
`subjected to a relatively low pressure that could cause
`ing of the air bag upon deployment;
`the air bag to be slowly or otherwise improperly in-
`flated under cold weather conditions.
`2. increase the filtering of deployment gases exterior
`to the inflator; and
`If the pressure internally of the inflator continues to
`3. provide equivalent occupant restraint over the
`rise, as tends to occur upon an increase in the ambient
`ambient temperature range from —30° C. to +85° C.
`temperature, the second plurality of orifices 14, those
`Another object of the invention is to provide an infla-
`having an area of intermediate size, open to direct gas
`tor for inflating a vehicle occupantrestraint comprising,
`into the air bagas the result of rupture of the portions of
`an elongated housing, said housing having a first
`the foil 18 adjacent thereto. This relieves the inflator
`plurality of orifices and a second plurality oforifices for
`internal pressure and thus avoids subjecting the air bag
`directing gas generated by said inflator into therestraint
`to an abnormally high deployment force. Similarly, if
`andathird plurality of orifices for directing gas gener-
`the ambient temperature continues to rise to +85° C.,
`15
`ated by said inflator away from therestraint;
`the orifices 16 having the smallest area also open when
`means covering said first plurality of orifices, said
`the pressure in the inflator rises sufficiently to rupture
`second plurality of orifices and said third plurality of
`the portions of foil 18 adjacent thoseorifices. Opening
`orifices which ruptures ata first predetermined pressure
`of the orifices 16 also causes generated gas to be di-
`to allow gasto flow into the restraint through said first
`rected into the air bag and the internal pressure within
`plurality of orifices, which ruptures at a second prede-
`the inflator 10 to be additionally relieved. This tends to
`termined pressure higher than said first predetermined
`avoid subjecting the air bag to excessive pressures be-
`pressure to allow gas to flow into the restraint through
`cause of the high ambient temperature.
`said second plurality of orifices, and which ruptures at
`Thefirst, second and third pluralities of orifices 12, 14
`a third predetermined pressure higher than said first and
`and 16 openat different internal pressuresoftheinflator
`second predetermined pressures to allow gas to flow
`10. The foil portions 18 covering the largest of the ori-
`away from the restraint through said third plurality of
`fices rupturesfirst because those orifices have the larg-
`orifices;
`est area exposedto the inflator pressure. The portions of
`with the orifices of the first, second and third plural-
`foil 18 covering the orifices having the largest area
`ity of orifices being so positioned with respect to said
`rupture at a pressure lower than the foil portions adja-
`housing as to provide a thrust neutral configuration.
`cent the orifices 14 of intermediate area. Similarly, the
`Still another object of the invention is to provide such
`foil portions covering the orifices 14 of intermediate
`an inflator assembly that allows the use of a wrap-
`area rupture at a lowerpressure than the portionsoffoil
`around air bag configuration.
`18 adjacent the orifices 16 having the smallest area.
`In accomplishing these and other objectives of the
`The inflator assembly 10 disclosed in FIGS. 1 and 2,
`invention, there is provided an elongated cylindrical
`similarly to that disclosed in the Davis patent, is subject
`solid fuel inflator assembly having a thrust neutral con-
`to a disadvantage in thatall of the solid fuel generated
`figuration for air bag restraint systems used on the pas-
`gases over the entire range of operation flow rear-
`senger side of automotive vehicles. Provided on op-
`wardlyinto the air bag. The resulting increased deploy-
`posed wall portions of a housing for the inflator and
`ment forces on the air bag and on the module (not
`displaced substantially 180° from each other are gas
`shown) employed to house the inflator at the higher
`discharge orifices of first and second pluralities of ori-
`temperatures, particularly, tend to cause bell mouthing
`fices, with each of the first and the second plurality of
`of the module housing and to tear the air bag during
`orifices positioned in a plane individual thereto, which
`deployment.
`planes are disposed at an angle to one anotherandinter-
`Thus, there is a need and a demandfor an improved
`sect coincidently with the longitudinal axis of the infla-
`solid fuel inflator for air bag restraint systems having
`tor. The orifices of the first plurality of orifices have a
`utility on the passenger side of automotive vehicles to
`larger area than the orifices of the second plurality of
`the end of providing leveled performance throughout
`orifices. The orifices of both of the first and second
`the range of ambient temperatures over whichtheinfla-
`pluralities of orifices are spaced generally uniformly
`tor is intended to be operative while maintaining a
`alonga first portion of the length ofthe inflator with the
`thrust neutral configuration, and further, which is char-
`orifices of the first and second pluralities of orifices
`acterized in allowing the use of a wrap-around air bag
`being offset from one another. Rupturable foil on the
`configuration. The present invention was devisedtofill
`inner side of the wall of the housing for the inflator
`the gap that has existed in the art in these respects.
`normally blocks all ofthe orifices of the first and second
`pluralities of orifices.
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`Further, in accord with the invention, a third plural-
`ity of gas dischargeorifices are provided in two rowsin
`a second portion of the inflator located adjacent to an
`end thereof in parallel planes substantially perpendicu-
`lar to the longitudinal axis of the housing for theinflator
`assembly. The orifices of the third plurality oforifices
`are all of the samesize, having an area that is intermedi-
`ate in size those of said first and second pluralities of
`orifices and extend completely around the periphery of
`the inflator in uniformly side-by-side spaced relation.
`Rupturable foil on the inner wall of the housing for the
`inflator normally blocks all of the third plurality of
`orifices.
`
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`An object of the invention is to provide an improved
`solid fuel inflator assembly for air bag restraint systems
`used on the passenger side of automotive vehicles.
`_
`Another object of the inventionis to provide such an
`inflator assembly that is operative to provide leveled
`performance throughout an ambient temperature range
`of —30° C. to +85° C. while maintaining a thrust neu-
`tral configuration.
`A further object of the invention is to provide an
`inflator that is operative at an ambient temperature of
`+85° C. to direct gases away from the air bag, thereby
`helping to:
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`FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along
`the lines 4—4 of FIG.1 illustrating the relationship ofa
`housing for the inflator assembly to one.or more sheets
`of rupturable foil which function as a pressure control
`for the flow of generated gas from theinflator assembly;
`FIG.5 is a perspective view illustrating an occupant
`restraint system including a reaction can with the infla-
`tor assembly of FIGS. 3 and 4 mounted therein and
`showing an air bag attached thereto in a wrap-around
`configuration prior to being folded andstored therein;
`and
`FIG.6 is a front view of an occupantrestraint system
`of FIG. 5 showing the air bag folded and stored therein.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
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`Priorto activation ofthe inflator, all three pluralities
`of first, second and third orifices are blocked. Upon
`activation of the inflator, the first plurality of orifices
`open, when a sufficient pressure builds up in the infla-
`tor, to direct a flow ofinflating gas into the air bag for
`the proper inflation thereof, even in extremely cold
`weather. When the ambient temperatureis in a range
`intermediate extreme cold, —30° C., and extremelyhot,
`+85° C., the second plurality of orifices open as the
`pressure within the inflator increases to direct gas into
`the air bag. This relieves the inflator pressure and main-
`tains the pressure at the level for properinflation of the
`air bag without subjecting it to excessive deployment
`forces becauseofincreasing ambient temperature.If the
`ambient temperature becomes very high, exceeding 85°
`C., the third plurality of orifices open to direct gas
`therethrough and awayfrom theair bag for dissipation
`The embodiment ofthe invention illustrated in FIGS.
`into the environment. The air bag, therefore,
`is not
`3 and 4 includes a solid fuel inflator 22 the internal
`‘Subjected to excessive deployment forces because ofthe
`construction of which may be generally similar to that
`extremely high ambient temperature.
`of the aforementioned Daviset al. patent. Provided on
`In orderto increase the amountoforifices workingat
`opposed wall portions of the housing 24 of the inflator
`the high temperature of +85° C., the cross section of
`displaced substantially 180° from each otherare first
`the orifices of the third plurality oforifices, according
`and secondpluralities or rowsof orifices 26 and 28, with
`to the invention, is made larger than that for the third
`each ofthe first and second pluralities of orifices posi-
`plurality of orifices shown in FIGS.1 and 2, represent-
`tioned in a plane individual thereto, which planes are
`ing the prior art. For accommodating orifices of such
`disposed at an angle to one anotherand intersect coinci-
`larger area an increased foil thickness may be provided
`dently with the longitudinal axis 30 of the inflator 22.
`for blocking off the orifices of the third plurality of
`The orifices 26 of the first plurality of orifices have a
`orifices.
`larger area than theorifices 28 of the second plurality of
`With this arrangement, it will be noted that the im-
`orifices. Theorifices of thefirst and second pluralities of
`provedinflator of the invention is thrust neutral during
`orifices are spaced generally uniformly along a first
`all phasesofits operation, specifically when theorifices
`portion of the length oftheinflator 22 with theorifices
`of largest cross section are open, when theorifices of
`26 and 28 of the first and second pluralities of orifices
`largest and smallest area are also open, and also when
`being offset from one another. A layerof rupturablefoil
`the orifices of largest, smallest and intermediate areas
`32 on the inner wall of the housing for the inflator nor-
`are all open at the same time. Thrust neutral perfor-
`mally blocks all of the orifices of the first and second
`manceis achieved with the orifices of the third plurality
`pluralities of orifices 26 and 28.
`of orifices of intermediate size since those orifices ex-
`Additionally,
`in the illustrated invention embodi-
`tend all around the periphery of the inflator in uni-
`ment, orifices 34 of a third plurality of orifices are pro-
`formly spaced relation.
`vided in two rowsin a second portion ofthe inflator 22,
`Theinvention is further characterized in that it lends
`such secondinflator portion being located adjacent and
`itself to use with an air bag in a wrap-around configura-
`parallel to an end of theinflator 22. The orifices 34 of
`tion, as described hereinafter.
`the third plurality of orifices are all of the same size,
`The various features of novelty which characterize
`having an area that is intermediate in size the orifices 26
`45
`the invention are pointed out with particularity in the
`and 28 ofsaid first and secondpluralities of orifices, and
`claims annexed to and formingapart of this specifica-
`extend completely around the periphery of the inflator
`tion. For a better understanding of the invention,its
`22 in uniformly side-by-side spaced relation. A layer of
`operating advantages, and specific objects attained by
`rupturable foil 36 of thickness greater than that of the
`its use, reference is made to the accompanying drawings
`layer of foil 32 is provided on the inner wall of housing
`and descriptive matter in which a preferred embodi-
`24 adjacent the orifices 34.
`mentof the invention is illustrated.
`Prior to activation of the inflator 22, all three plurali-
`ties offirst, second andthird orifices are blocked. When
`the inflator 22 is activated by means not shown, as by
`the onsetofa collision, the orifices 26 of the first plural-
`ity of orifices are unblocked or opened, when a suffi-
`cient pressure builds up in the inflator to rupture the
`rupturable foil 32 to direct a flow ofinflating gas rear-
`wardly into an air bag (not shown) for the properinfla-
`tion thereof, even in extremely cold weather, with the
`ambient temperature in the region of —30° C. When the
`ambient temperature is in a range intermediate such
`extreme cold and extremely hot, +85° C., the orifices
`28 of the second plurality of orifices open as the pres-
`sure within the inflator 22 increases and ruptures the
`rupturable foil 32 to direct gas rearwardly into the air
`bag (not shown). If the ambient temperature becomes
`very high, reaching and exceeding 85° C., the orifices
`34 of the third plurality of orifices open as the pressure
`
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`With this description of the invention, a detailed de-
`scription follows with reference being made to the ac-
`companying figures of drawing which form part of the
`specification in which like parts are designated by the
`same reference numbers, and of which:
`FIG. 1 is a longitudinal external view of an inflator
`assembly known in the prior art and described hereinbe-
`fore;
`FIG.2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along
`the lines 2—2 of FIG.1,illustrating the relationship of
`a housing of the inflator assembly to a sheet of ruptur-
`able foil which functions as a pressure control for the
`flow of generated gas from the inflator assembly;
`FIG.3 is a longitudinal external view of an inflator
`assembly embodying the invention;
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`in the inflator 22 increases and ruptures the rupturable
`wherein said third plurality of orifices are uniformly
`foil 36 to direct gas forwardly away from the air bag
`distributed in at least one row around the periphery
`(not shown)andinto the surrounding environment, that
`of a second portion ofsaid housing adjacent an end
`is, either into the compartment of the automotive vehi-
`thereof,
`cle or into a duct for transmission externally thereof.
`means covering said first plurality of orifices, said
`The use of rupturable foil 36 of increased thickness
`secondplurality of orifices, and said third plurality
`allowstheuse oflarger orifices 34 than the orifices 16 in
`of orifices which ruptures at a first predetermined
`the inflator assembly 10 of the prior art described here-
`pressure to allow gas to flow into the restrain
`through said first plurality of orifices, which rup-
`inbefore. The use of larger orifices 34
`increases the amountof orifices working at +85° C.
`tures at a second predetermined pressure higher
`than said first predetermined pressure to allow gas
`An occupant
`inflatable restraint system 38 con-
`to flow into the restraint through said second plu-
`structed in accordance with the present invention is
`rality of orifices, and which ruptures at a third
`illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 in an inactive condition,
`predetermined pressure higher than said first and
`being mounted on the dashboard of an automotive vehi-
`second predetermined pressures to allow gas to
`cle. The restraint system includes a rigid metal reaction
`flow away from the restrain through said third
`canister 40 which is fixed in any suitable manner to the
`plurality of orifices,
`dashboard 42ofthe vehicle. The inflator assembly 22 is
`with the orifices of the first, second and third plural-
`mounted within the reaction canister 40 in an orienta-
`ity of orifices being so positioned with respect to
`tion so that a flow of generated gas, initiated respon-
`said housing as to provide a thrust neutral configu-
`sively to the onset of a collision by means not shown
`ration.
`flows into the air bag and causes it to expand rear-
`2. An inflator as defined by claim 1 wherein the ori-
`wardly into the passenger compartment. At high ambi-
`fices of each ofsaid first plurality of orifices and of said
`ent temperatures, +85° C., while the air bag is still
`second plurality of orifices are uniformly distributed
`expanding, gas from the inflator assembly also flows
`along the length ofsaid housing with the orifices of said
`through the rowsoforifices 34 at the endofthe inflator
`first plurality of orifices being offset from said second
`assembly 22 directly into the passenger compartment of
`plurality oforifices, and
`the vehicle, as indicated by the arrows 44 in FIG.6.
`wherein theorifices of said third plurality of orifices
`Thus,
`in accordance with the invention, there has
`are positioned in one or more parallel planes that
`been provided an improved inflator assembly used on
`are substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal
`the passenger side of automotive vehicles that is opera-
`axis of said housing.
`tive to provide leveled performance, that is equivalent
`3. An inflator assembly for air bag passengerrestraint
`occupantrestraint, over the ambient temperature range
`systems comprising,
`from an extremely cold temperature of —30° C. to an
`an elongated housing, said housing having a generally
`extremely hot temperature of +85° C.
`cylindrical wall, and a longitudinal axis,
`There has also been provided such an improvedinfla-
`said wall having first and second pluralities of gas
`tor assembly while maintaining a thrust neutral configu-
`dischargeorifices formed on opposite sides thereof
`ration.
`with each ofsaid first and said second plurality of
`Additionally, there has been provided such an im-
`orifices positioned in spaced relation in a plane
`proved inflator assembly that allows a wrap-around
`individual thereto, which planes are disposed at an
`configuration.
`angle to one another and intersect coincidently
`With this description of the invention in detail, those
`with the longitudinal axis of said housing, said
`skilled in the art will appreciate that modifications may
`orifices of said first plurality of orifices having a
`be made to the invention without departing from the
`larger area than the orifices of the second plurality
`spirit thereof. Therefore,
`it
`is not intended that the
`oforifices, said orifices of said first and said second
`scopeof the present invention be limited to the specific
`plurality of orifices being spaced generally uni-
`embodiments illustrated and described. Rather,
`it
`is
`formly along a first portion of the length of said
`intended that the scope of the invention be determined
`elongated housing with the orifices ofsaid first and
`by the scope of the appended claims.
`said second pluralities of orifices being offset from
`Whatis claimedis:
`one another,
`1. An inflator for generating gas for inflating a vehi-
`first rupturable foil means on the inner side of the
`cle occupant restrain, said inflator comprising,
`wall of said housing blocking all of said first and
`an elongated housing, said housing having a first
`second pluralities of orifices, and
`plurality of orifices and a second plurality ofori-
`said wall further having a third plurality of gas dis-
`fices for directing gas generated by said inflator
`charge orifices provided in two rows in a second
`into the restraint and a third plurality oforifices for
`portion of the wall of said housing located adjacent
`directing gas directed by said inflator away from
`and parallel to an end thereof, theorifices of said
`the restraint,
`third plurality of orifices being all of the samesize,
`wherein said housing has a longitudinal axis,
`with each such orifice having an area that is inter-
`wherein said first plurality of orifices and said second
`mediate in size the areas of the orifices ofsaid first
`plurality of orifices are distributed on opposite
`and second pluralities of orifices, and extending in
`sides of said housing alongafirst portion along the
`a plurality of rows completely around the periph-
`length thereof with the orifices of each ofsaid first
`ery of said housing, and
`.
`plurality of orifices and of said second plurality of
`second rupturable foil means on the innerside of the
`orifices being positioned in a plane individual
`wall of said housing blocking the orifices of said
`thereto that passes through the longitudinalaxis of
`third plurality of orifices.
`*
`*
`*
`*
`*
`said housing, and
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`65
`
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`

`

`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.
`
`PATENT NO.
`
`DATED
`
`:
`
`:
`
`5,269,561
`
`December 14, 1993
`
`INVENTOR(S):
`
`Davis et al.
`
`It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent is hereby
`corrected as shown below:
`,
`
`At colum 8, line 8, “restrain” should be -— restraint --.
`
`At column 8, line 16, “restrain” should be -- restraint -—-.
`
`Signed and Sealed this
`_ Sixth Day of September, 1994
`
`Altesting Officer
`
`Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks
`
`BRUCE LEHMAN
`
`Page 10 of 10
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`- KSS 1033
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`
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