초록 ▼

An adaptive valve for an airbag inflator having a manifold with an exhaust opening for fluid communication with an airbag. The adaptive valve is constructed for connection to a manifold so that it is in fluid communication therewith. The adaptive valve has an exhaust orifice and is constructed to se

An adaptive valve for an airbag inflator having a manifold with an exhaust opening for fluid communication with an airbag. The adaptive valve is constructed for connection to a manifold so that it is in fluid communication therewith. The adaptive valve has an exhaust orifice and is constructed to selectively open the exhaust orifice to divert inflation gas away from an inflator manifold when it is connected thereto to lower the rate of inflation of an airbag in fluid communication with the exhaust opening of the manifold. The adaptive valve may have a valve member movably mounted therein for movement between a first position wherein it closes the exhaust orifice and a second position wherein it opens the exhaust orifice. An initiator is provided in the adaptive valve to generate sufficient gas pressure to move the valve member to the first or second position.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed: 1. An airbag inflator comprising:a pressure vessel having a control orifice through which inflation gas may flow when it reaches a predetermined pressure within said pressure vessel;a manifold connected to said pressure vessel in fluid communication with said control orifice, said m

What is claimed: 1. An airbag inflator comprising:a pressure vessel having a control orifice through which inflation gas may flow when it reaches a predetermined pressure within said pressure vessel;a manifold connected to said pressure vessel in fluid communication with said control orifice, said manifold comprising an exhaust opening through which inflation gas from said pressure vessel may pass for inflation of an airbag; andan adaptive valve connected to said manifold, said adaptive valve being in fluid communication with said manifold and comprising an exhaust orifice for diverting inflation gas to an area outside of an airbag in communication with said manifold exhaust opening to lower the inflation rate thereof, and a valve member movably mounted in said adaptive valve for selective movement between a first position wherein it closes said exhaust orifice and a second position wherein it opens said exhaust orifice, wherein said adaptive valve further comprises an initiator that can be actuated to generate sufficient gas pressure to move said valve member to said first or second position, and said valve member is normally in said second position, and said initiator can be actuated to move said valve member to said first position.