초록 ▼

A method of inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (12) includes the step of directing inflation fluid to flow into the restraint (12) to inflate the restraint (12) in a vehicle (11) between a vehicle seat (16) and a side portion of the vehicle (11), such as a vehicle door (18). The infl

A method of inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (12) includes the step of directing inflation fluid to flow into the restraint (12) to inflate the restraint (12) in a vehicle (11) between a vehicle seat (16) and a side portion of the vehicle (11), such as a vehicle door (18). The inflation fluid increases the internal fluid pressure of the restraint (12) toward a maximum internal fluid pressure as the inflation fluid flows into the restraint (12). The method further includes the step of constraining the restraint (12) to resist inflating the restraint (12) during at least a portion of the step of directing inflation fluid into the restraint (12). The step of constraining the restraint (12) causes the restraint (12) to reach a constrained volume at which the internal fluid pressure is approximately 70-100% of the maximum internal fluid pressure at approximately 6-8 milliseconds after the inflation fluid begins to flow into the restraint (12).

대표청구항 ▼

Apparatus for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint, said apparatus comprising: directing means for directing inflation fluid into the vehicle occupant restraint, said directing means including a directing structure containing a solitary inflator, said inflator having a housing with out

Apparatus for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint, said apparatus comprising: directing means for directing inflation fluid into the vehicle occupant restraint, said directing means including a directing structure containing a solitary inflator, said inflator having a housing with outlet openings for emitting said inflation fluid in a first direction; said directing structure having surface means for defining an exit opening through which said inflation fluid can flow from said directing structure into the restraint in a second direction opposite to said first direction, said directing structure further having wall means for directing said inflation fluid to turn from said first direction to said second direction; said wall means including first and second curved wall surfaces which are spaced from said exit opening in said first direction, each of said curved wall surfaces facing toward said exit opening and being concave relative to said exit opening; said directing structure having an axis extending from said exit opening to said wall means in said first direction; said directing structure further having a first side wall on a first side of said axis and a second side wall on a second side of said axis, said first curved wall surface extending in an arc which is centered approximately midway between said axis and said first side wall, said second curved wall surface extending in an arc which is centered approximately midway between said axis and said second side wall.