초록 ▼

A vehicle subject to high level and low level impact conditions includes an occupant restraint cushion which is inflated at a relatively high rate under high impact conditions and at a relatively low rate under low level impact conditions. The inflator for the cushion includes a pressure vessel cont

A vehicle subject to high level and low level impact conditions includes an occupant restraint cushion which is inflated at a relatively high rate under high impact conditions and at a relatively low rate under low level impact conditions. The inflator for the cushion includes a pressure vessel containing pressurized stored gas and a combustion chamber containing a propellant. Under low level impact conditions, the propellant is ignited and the resultant gases flow through a fluted orifice into the pressure vessel and then flow with the stored gas to the cushion. The area of the orifice controls the flow rate of the resultant gases out of the combustion chamber to control the pressure within the chamber and the burn rate. Under high level impact conditions, a ball within the combustion chamber is explosively fired into the orifice to restrict the flow area of the orifice. This increases the pressure within the combustion chamber to increase the burn rate and the flow rate to the cushion.

대표청구항 ▼

In combination with a vehicle subject to low level impact conditions and high level impact conditions and including an inflatable occupant restraint cushion, inflating means for inflating the cushion at a relatively high rate under high level impact conditions and at a relatively low rate under low

In combination with a vehicle subject to low level impact conditions and high level impact conditions and including an inflatable occupant restraint cushion, inflating means for inflating the cushion at a relatively high rate under high level impact conditions and at a relatively low rate under low level impact conditions comprising, a combustion chamber containing a mass of propellant having an opening therethrough and capable of producing pressure fluid by burning and having a burn rate responsive to the pressure within the chamber, outlet means of predetermined orifice area controlling the rate of flow of the pressure fluid from the chamber to control the pressure within the chamber and the rate of burning, means communicating the outlet means with the cushion, the outlet means normally setting a rate of flow of pressure fluid to the cushion to inflate the cushion at the relatively low rate, a ball, means mounting the ball within the combustion chamber to one side of the mass of propellant and in general spaced alignment with the opening therethrough and the outlet means, and means responsive to the occurrence of high level impact conditions for firing the ball through the opening in the mass of propellant and into the outlet means to reduce the orifice area thereof and thereby increase the pressure within the combustion chamber to increase the rate of burn and provide inflation of the cushion at the relatively high rate.