IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
UP-0804507
(2007-05-18)
|
등록번호 |
US-7775554
(2010-09-06)
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
- Smydra, Andrew J.
- McMillan, Annmarie
- Koenig, Molly K.
- Srinivasan, Ramakrishnan
|
출원인 / 주소 |
- TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
|
대리인 / 주소 |
Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell & Tummino LLP
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
4 인용 특허 :
15 |
초록
▼
An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (20) of a vehicle (24) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). An inflator (30) provides inflation fluid for inflating the protection device (14). A support member (80) supports the inflator (30) and the protection device (
An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (20) of a vehicle (24) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). An inflator (30) provides inflation fluid for inflating the protection device (14). A support member (80) supports the inflator (30) and the protection device (14). A retainer (120) helps secure the protection device (14) to the support member (80). At least one vent opening (132) formed in the retainer (120) enables flow of inflation fluid away from the protection device (14) through the support member (80).
대표청구항
▼
Having described the invention, we claim: 1. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising: an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device; an inflator for providing inflation fluid for inflating the protection device; a support member for supporting the i
Having described the invention, we claim: 1. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising: an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device; an inflator for providing inflation fluid for inflating the protection device; a support member for supporting the inflator and the protection device; and a retainer for securing the protection device to the support member, the retainer comprising at least one vent opening for enabling flow of inflation fluid away from the protection device through the support member, the retainer being positioned between the inflator and the support member and spacing the inflator from the support member to maintain a clearance through which inflation fluid may flow from the at least one vent opening to an exit opening. 2. The apparatus recited in claim 1, further comprising a vent member movable to an open condition enabling flow of inflation fluid away from the protection device through the vent opening and to a closed condition at least partially blocking flow of inflation fluid away from the protection device through the at least one vent opening. 3. The apparatus recited in claim 2, wherein the vent member has a pre-deployment condition intermediate the open condition and the closed condition. 4. The apparatus recited in claim 2, wherein the support member comprises an exit opening in fluid communication with the at least one vent opening, inflation fluid flowing from an inflatable volume of the protection device through the at least one vent opening and through the exit opening when the vent member is the open condition. 5. The apparatus recited in claim 4, wherein the exit opening receives at least a portion of the inflator. 6. The apparatus recited in claim 5, wherein the retainer encircles a portion of the inflator, a clearance being defined between the inflator and the support member by the retainer, inflation fluid passing through the at least one vent opening, through the clearance, and through the exit opening when the vent member is in the open condition. 7. The apparatus recited in claim 2, wherein the support member and the inflator define a clearance that is maintained by the retainer, inflation fluid passing through the at least one vent opening and venting through the clearance when the vent member is in the open condition. 8. The apparatus recited in claim 2, further comprising at least one fastener that extends through and interconnects the inflator, the retainer, the protection device, and the support member. 9. The apparatus recited in claim 8, wherein the vent member comprises a component separate from the retainer and the support member, the at least one fastener extending through the vent member. 10. The apparatus recited in claim 9, wherein the vent member is clamped between the inflator and the retainer. 11. The apparatus recited in claim 2, further comprising a flexible elongated member associated with the protection device and the vent member, the flexible elongated member being operative to move the vent member to the closed condition in response to deployment of the protection device. 12. The apparatus recited in claim 2, wherein the vent member comprises a base portion and a door portion supported for pivotal movement relative to the base portion by a hinge portion. 13. The apparatus recited in claim 12, wherein the vent member has a construction stamped from a single piece of material, the hinge portion comprising a living hinge defined at least partially by a plurality of spaced apertures in the vent member. 14. The apparatus recited in claim 2, wherein the vent member is movable to the open position in response to fluid pressure in the protection device. 15. The apparatus recited in claim 2, wherein the vent member comprises a portion of the retainer. 16. The apparatus recited in claim 15, wherein the vent member comprises a door portion and a hinge portion that connects the door portion to the retainer. 17. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising: an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device; an inflator for providing inflation fluid for inflating the protection device; at least one vent opening for directing inflation fluid away from the protection device; and a vent member having a pre-deployment position prior to inflation of the protection device, the vent member being movable upon inflation of the protection device from the pre-deployment position to one of an open position permitting inflation fluid flow through the at least one vent opening and a closed position at least partially blocking inflation fluid flow through the at least one vent opening, the pre-deployment position being intermediate the closed position and the open position, wherein the vent member has a construction stamped from a single piece of material, the vent member comprising a base portion and a door portion supported for pivotal movement relative to the base portion by a hinge portion comprising a living hinge defined at least partially by a plurality of spaced apertures in the vent member. 18. The apparatus recited in claim 17, wherein the vent member is movable to the closed position in response to tension on a flexible elongated member connecting the vent member to the protection device. 19. The apparatus recited in claim 17, wherein the vent member is movable to the open position in response to fluid pressure in the protection device. 20. The apparatus recited in claim 17, further comprising a support member and a retainer for securing the protection device to the support member, the at least one vent opening comprising at least one opening in the retainer. 21. The apparatus recited in claim 17, wherein the vent member comprises a portion of a retainer for helping to secure the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device to a support member. 22. An air bag retainer for clamping an air bag to a support member, the air bag retainer comprising: a side wall that at least partially defines a central space, the side wall having a lower surface for engaging the air bag; and at least one vent opening extending through the side wall and being in fluid communication with the central space, the at least one vent opening directing inflation fluid from an inflatable volume of the air bag through at least one opening in the support member; and a vent member movable to an open condition enabling flow of inflation fluid away from the protection device through the vent opening and to a closed condition at least partially blocking the opening in the side wall to at least partially flow of inflation fluid away from the protection device through the at least one vent opening, the vent member comprising a base portion and a door portion supported for pivotal movement relative to the base portion by a hinge portion. 23. The air bag retainer recited in claim 22, wherein the central space is adapted to receive at least a portion of an inflator. 24. The air bag retainer recited in claim 22, wherein the vent member has a construction stamped from a single piece of material, the hinge portion comprising a living hinge defined at least partially by a plurality of spaced apertures in the vent member. 25. The air bag retainer recited in claim 24, wherein the vent member is stamped with the retainer as a single piece of material. 26. An air bag retainer for clamping an air bag to a support member, the air bag retainer comprising: a side wall that at least partially defines a central space, the side wall having a lower surface for engaging the air bag; and at least one vent opening extending through the side wall and being in fluid communication with the central space, the at least one vent opening directing inflation fluid from an inflatable volume of the air bag through at least one opening in the support member, wherein the side wall has an upper surface opposite the lower surface, the upper surface being adapted to engage and support the inflator. 27. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising: an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device; an inflator for providing inflation fluid for inflating the protection device; a support member for supporting the inflator and the protection device; and a retainer positioned between the inflator and the support member, the retainer clamping the protection device to the support member and supporting the inflator on the support member, the retainer maintaining a clearance between the inflator and the support member through which inflation fluid vent away from the protection device.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.