AIRBAG POUCH DEFLATION CONTROL DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to a sealing ring for a connector (303) of a gas generator cartridge (7) (301) to an airbag (200) (300), characterized in that it comprises: - a first axial rim (101) with a shape complementary to an O-ring (9) of the connector (303), forming a partial housing by support for said O-ring (9) when the sealing ring (10) is placed between the O-ring and the cartridge (7), - a second opposing axial rim (103) forming a lip, configured to compress against a shoulder (e) of the cartridge (7) when the sealing ring (10) is placed between the O-ring (9) and the cartridge (7). Figure for the abstract: [Fig. 6]

Description

Title of the invention: AIRBAG POUCH DEFLATION CONTROL DEVICE technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of airbags or safety pockets in the event of an accident, particularly of the type integrated into clothing such as a vest or a racing suit for drivers, skiers, or equestrians. The invention relates in particular to maintaining inflation and controlling the deflation of these airbags, for example, to reduce their rigidity and allow the driver to resume their flight.

[0002] In the case of a portable airbag integrated into clothing, it is important that the pocket remains inflated for several seconds to protect the body from secondary impacts and to maintain the body in position in the event of serious injuries. This requires an airbag with very good gas tightness, unlike the so-called "open" airbags in vehicles such as cars, where the pocket remains inflated for only a fraction of a second, from a few thousandths to tenths of a second. Previous art

[0003] Airbags integrated into clothing are known, typically a jacket, vest, or pilot's suit, particularly for motorized vehicles such as motorcycles, or in protective gear for riding or skiing. Clothing incorporating such airbags is primarily intended for athletes and professional pilots.

[0004] In the context of sporting events, a pilot may suffer a fall which triggers the airbag of his clothing, without his vehicle being damaged to the point of compromising his continuation of the race.

[0005] For example, in races such as the Dakar Rally, a motorcyclist may sink their front wheel into soft sand and go over the handlebars. The resulting fall triggers the airbag, but the motorcycle is still operational. The rider may then wish to resume the race after freeing their vehicle.

[0006] However, once inflated, airbags are too rigid to allow the pilot to move comfortably and can compromise the pilot's safety by restricting their movements. In particular, the regulations of most races and regional and national standards generally require redundancy in airbag vests, allowing the device to be deployed twice in succession.

[0007] It would therefore be advantageous to be able to implement a device allowing the deployed airbag to automatically vent at least some of the gas having The airbag is inflated and then deflated over several seconds. This allows the pilot to gradually reduce the airbag's rigidity until they regain sufficient freedom of movement to finish the stage or race, without even having to manipulate their airbag system.

[0008] Furthermore, if the airbag has to remain inflated, for example to support a limb or the spine of an injured pilot until help arrives, the slightest leak is undesirable.

[0009] In particular, the Applicant has observed that a potential leakage occurs at the connector of the gas cartridges, which have a casing produced by stamping or hammering, with an inhomogeneous and bumpy outer surface. During inflation to high pressure, even the presence of an O-ring may not be sufficient to maintain adequate sealing.

[0010] There is therefore a need for a device for controlling the inflated and deflated state which addresses the above technical problems. Brief summary of the invention

[0011] To meet this dual need, the invention proposes a sealing ring for the connector of the gas generator cartridge to the airbag, forming a sealing reinforcement for deflation control, characterized in that it comprises - a first axial rim with a shape complementary to an O-ring of the connector, forming a partial housing by support for said O-ring when the sealing ring is placed between the O-ring and the cartridge, - a second opposite axial rim forming a lip, configured to come to rest against a shoulder of the cartridge when the sealing ring is put in place between the o-ring and the cartridge.

[0012] Thus, the support of the O-ring is made on a larger surface, and the lip-forming rim can deform to fit the imperfect shape of a cartridge forming the casing of a gas generator.

[0013] For increased deformation, the ring is advantageously made of brass or polymer material.

[0014] The axial rim forming the lip may have a convex, pointed or rounded section, and / or be covered with a layer of polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon).

[0015] The sealing ring according to the invention can further be used to allow automatic and controlled deflation of the airbag. To this end, it can be provided with gas channels having grooves on its inner periphery, connected to holes on the outer periphery of the ring, allowing controlled deflation of the bag when installed between the O-ring and the cartridge.

[0016] In particular, it may comprise a plurality of gas pathways, more specifically between three and four, regularly distributed around its perimeter.

[0017] The grooves on the inner periphery may in particular have a radial depth of between 0.8 and 1.5 millimeters, more particularly between 1 and 1.3 millimeters

[0018] This size allows deflation over several seconds with a low risk of particles from the gas generator clogging said gas passages.

[0019] For this same reason, the holes on the outer periphery of the ring may have a circular shape, with a diameter between 0.8 and 1.5 millimeters, more particularly between 1 and 1.3 millimeters.

[0020] The ring may further include an annular recess into which all the grooves and holes open. Thus, even if a hole or groove were to become blocked, the corresponding groove or hole can still contribute to deflation.

[0021] The invention relates to the gas generator connector to an associated airbag, the gas generator comprising a cartridge with a shoulder terminating in a nozzle through which the gas exits, comprising: - a plug or socket, configured to be integral with an airbag pocket, forming a gas inlet into said pocket, and respectively a plug or socket, configured to be integral with the gas generator, the plug and socket forming a mechanical connector from the gas generator to the pocket, - an O-ring, at the level of an edge of the plug, characterized in that it includes a sealing ring as described above, arranged between the O-ring and the shoulder of the cartridge.

[0022] Finally, the invention also relates to the airbag comprising: - a pouch, which, when inflated, protects a part of the user's body, - a gas generator which includes a cartridge with a shoulder ending in a nozzle through which the gas exits, - a control unit that activates the gas generator when an accident situation is detected, characterized in that it further comprises a connector as previously described.

[0023] If the airbag has a plurality of gas generators, each with a connector, it is further possible that at least one of the connectors has a sealing ring with air channels and at least one of the connectors has a sealing ring without air channels.

[0024] By varying the number of rings with and without air channels, deflation control is possible. Brief description of the figures

[0025] The invention will be better understood in the light of the description of the figures among which ones:

[0026] [Fig.1] is a schematic representation of an airbag comprising ring connectors according to the invention,

[0027] [Fig.2] is an exploded cross-sectional view of one of the connectors of [Fig.1],

[0028] [Fig.3] is a cross-sectional view in the assembled state of the connector of [Fig.1] and 2,

[0029] [Fig.4] is a three-quarter view of the connector's sealing ring,

[0030] [Fig. 5] is a three-quarter cross-sectional view at the level of an air passage of the ring connector sealing,

[0031] [Fig.6] is a cross-sectional representation of the ring in the assembled state between the O-ring and the shoulder of the gas cartridge,

[0032] [Fig.7] is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the sealing ring without air channels.

[0033] The figures are given for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be limiting. Other embodiments of the invention may be derived from those represented by variations and combinations of features. Detailed description of the figures

[0034] Fig. 1 shows a 300 airbag before integration into a safety garment. The airbag consists of the 200 chamber, which is an enclosure made of woven or non-woven textile material, possibly coated with a layer of silicone or other polymer. The 200 chamber has seams that divide its internal volume into elongated tubes, thus giving the airbag 300 its shape once inflated.

[0035] The airbag 300 comprises one or more gas generators 301, connected to the pocket by 303 connectors, specifically reversible ones in this case. The actuation generates the gas that inflates the 200 bag.

[0036] Gas generators 301 are, for example, so-called "cold" generators using compressed gas, or hybrid generators combining a compressed gas tank and a pyrotechnic capsule, using an explosive combustion reaction to propel the gas.

[0037] The gas generators 301 are electronically connected to a control unit UC which triggers said gas generators when a danger situation is detected.

[0038] The pocket 200 here has a recess forming a collar 201 and two holes 203 for the user's arms to pass through. It is thus adapted to be integrated into a vest or suit-type garment, and is configured to protect the user's torso during inflation.

[0039] Figures 2 and 3 show in more detail a connector 303, in particular in section and exploded view in [Fig.2], and assembled in [Fig.3].

[0040] The connector 303 has a socket 1, attached to the pouch 200, forming a gas inlet into said pouch 200, and a plug 3, attached to the gas generator 301. cooperating, the socket 1 and the plug 3 form a mechanical connector of the gas generator 301 to the pouch 200. The gas generator mechanism and / or the gas reservoir is contained in a cartridge 7 forming an outer casing, obtained for example by stamping or pressing.

[0041] The gas generator 301 essentially consists of the cartridge 7 and a nozzle 5 located at one end of the cartridge 7 and through which the gas generated or contained in the cartridge 7 exits. The nozzle 5 is here a tube perforated around its periphery with a multitude of holes forming gas outlets, said nozzle 5 being housed in the socket 1 when the gas generator 301 is connected to the gas bag 200 of the airbag 300. The socket 1 has a threaded hole 11, and the connector 3 is here a threaded rod at the end of the nozzle 5.

[0042] The connection of the gas generator 301 to the bag 200 is therefore made by inserting the nozzle 5 into the socket 1 and then screwing the threaded rod forming the plug 3 into the tapped hole 11. Around the tapped hole 11 are arranged gas passages 13 to the bag, through which the gas is blown into the bag 200.

[0043] At the base of the socket 1 is an O-ring 9, made of vulcanized rubber-type polymer material. The O-ring 9 is deformable and has a rounded cross-section. The O-ring 9 is partially housed in a recess 91 at the base of the socket 1.

[0044] Between the O-ring 9 and the cartridge 7 is inserted a sealing ring 10, which on the one hand reinforces the seal at the connector 303 and on the other hand can be used to make a controlled deflation of the bag 200.

[0045] The sealing ring 10 forms on one side a bearing surface for the O-ring 9, and bears on the other side against a shoulder e of the cartridge 7 of the gas generator 301.

[0046] The sealing ring 10 is shown in three-quarter view in [Fig.4], in three-quarter section in [Fig.5], and in axial section in [Fig.6], with the seal 9 and the shoulder e.

[0047] The sealing ring 10 has an upper axial rim 101 of complementary shape to the O-ring 9. This upper rim 101 thus forms a partial housing for said O-ring 9 when the ring 10 is in place.

[0048] The opposite axial rim 103 has a pointed section, forming a lip which, in the mounted state of the sealing ring 10, presses down forcefully and thus crushes against the shoulder e of the cartridge 7 of the gas generator 301.

[0049] To this end, the sealing ring 10 is made of brass or polymer, which is softer and more deformable than the aluminum or steel of the cartridge 7. According to one variant, the axial rim 103 forming the lip has a rounded or more generally convex section.

[0050] To increase the sealing at the connector 303, said axial rim forming lip 103 may, additionally or alternatively, be coated with a layer of polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon). Furthermore, or alternatively, the shoulder e may be covered with a flat annular seal or coated with a specific coating, in rubber or polytetrafluoroethylene, into which the axial rim forming lip 103 is inserted.

[0051] The sealing ring 10 can easily be incorporated into existing gas generator connectors 303 301, and forms a sealing connection which complements the annular seal 9 for which it forms part of a housing.

[0052] The particular embodiment of figures 4 to 6 further serves to create a controlled deflation of the airbag 300, in particular with a progressive deflation and a period of several seconds of inflation sufficient to have a rigidity of the pocket 200 large enough to avoid secondary shocks, for example of a motorcyclist who has fallen, then slid and hit an obstacle marking the edge of the track.

[0053] To do this, the sealing ring has gas channels having grooves 105 on its inner periphery, connected to holes 107 on the outer periphery of the sealing ring 10.

[0054] The path of the gas through the air passage 105, 107 is represented by two arrows in [Fig.6].

[0055] In particular, the sealing ring may have a plurality of gas channels 105, 107, regularly distributed over its inner surface and outer periphery. Advantageously, it has between two and eight, more particularly three or four such gas channels 105, 107. Indeed, with only one gas channel, it is liable to become clogged with particles from the gas generator 301.

[0056] Indeed, pyrotechnical gas generators 301 emit combustion particles, and most pyrotechnical, cold gas and hybrid gas generators 301 have filings filters, from which particles can escape.

[0057] As seen in [Fig.6], the O-ring 9 is slightly crushed against the upper rim 101 which lifts it, which slightly closes the grooves 105.

[0058] Said grooves 105 have a radial depth of between 0.8 and 1.5 millimeters, more particularly between 1 and 1.3 millimeters, which prevents them from clogging too quickly due to the particles emitted by the gas generator 301.

[0059] Similarly, the holes 107 on the outer periphery of the ring 10 have a circular shape, with a diameter between 0.8 and 1.5 millimeters, more particularly between 1 and 1.3 millimeters.

[0060] The angular width of the grooves 105 allows for control of the deflation rate. With the previously indicated sizes and three grooves 105, each covering a 20° angle for a ring with a diameter of approximately 40 millimeters, inflation is achieved which keeps the bag sufficiently rigid for 5 to 6 seconds, followed by rapid deflation allowing sufficient freedom of movement to resume a inflation begins after 10 to 15 seconds, and deflation is almost complete (more than 70 to 80 percent of gas evacuated) after 30 seconds.

[0061] The sealing ring 10 of the illustrated embodiment further has an annular recess 109, forming a chamber into which all the grooves 105 and all the holes 107 open. Thus, if one of the grooves 105 or one of the holes 107 were to become blocked, the hole 107 or respectively the associated groove 105 could still allow the passage of gas from the other gas channels 105, 107 and thus contribute to deflation.

[0062] In the embodiments shown, each groove 105 is associated with a hole 107, the grooves 105 being axially aligned with their associated hole 107. However, two or more grooves 105 may open into the same hole 107, and several holes 107 may be connected to the same groove 105. In particular, the presence of the annular recess 109 allows the number and positioning of the grooves 105 and holes 107 to be chosen independently. A gas passage then comprises several grooves 105 or holes 107.

[0063] Fig. 7 illustrates an embodiment without grooves 105 or holes 107, which greatly slows down deflation by strengthening the sealing of the connector 303.

[0064] The airbag 300 shown in [Fig. 1] has two connectors 303 and two gas generators 301. For faster or slower deflation, the user could implement the following in these two connectors 303: - two sealing rings 10 without grooves 105 or holes 107, for sustained inflation, corresponding to motorcycle use on open roads outside of racing, where it is desirable that the rigidity be maintained until the arrival of help, - two sealing rings 10 with grooves 105 and holes 107, for rapid deflation allowing quick re-mounting on a motorcycle, for example for a track race in a controlled environment where secondary collisions are unlikely beyond a few seconds, - a sealing ring 10 with grooves 105 and holes 107, and a sealing ring 10 without, for deflation over an intermediate time, for example for training or for an outdoor race.

[0065] In addition, the use of sealing rings 10 without grooves 105 or holes 107 on airbags 300 with gas generators 301 and multiple connectors 303 on all connectors 303 except one, allows the use of a sealing ring 10 with grooves 105 and holes 107 sized for a desired deflation time regardless of the total number of connectors 303.

[0066] By simply changing this sealing ring 10 with grooves 105 and holes 107 for a sealing ring 10 with more grooves 105 and holes 107 or with larger grooves 105 and holes 107, the user can adapt the deflation time to his wishes.

[0067] The sealing ring 10 according to the invention thus makes it possible to control the deflation of the pocket of an airbag 300 of the type integrated into a garment for the use of sportsmen such as motorcycle riders, cycle riders or horse riders.

[0068] With the air vents 105, 107, a more or less rapid and automatic deflation is achieved, allowing the athlete to resume their activity more or less quickly and without intervention after a fall. Conversely, without the air vents 105, 107, the sealing ring 10 greatly reinforces the seal at the connector 303, which makes it possible to maintain the inflated state, for example, until rescue arrives, or until the user activates a manual deflation valve.

Claims

Demands

1. Sealing ring for connector (303) of a cartridge (7) of gas generator (301) to an airbag (200) pocket (300), characterized in that it comprises: - a first axial rim (101) of complementary shape to an O-ring (9) of the connector (303), forming partial housing by support for said O-ring (9) when the sealing ring (10) is placed between the O-ring and the cartridge (7), - a second opposing axial rim (103) forming a lip, configured to be crushed against a shoulder (e) of the cartridge (7) when the sealing ring (10) is placed between the O-ring (9) and the cartridge (7).

2. Ring according to claim 1, characterized in that it is made of brass or polymer material.

3. Ring according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the axial rim (103) forming lip has a convex, pointed or rounded section.

4. Ring according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the axial rim (103) forming lip is covered with a layer of polytetrafluoroethylene.

5. Ring according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises gas channels having grooves (105) on its inner periphery, connected to holes (107) on the outer periphery of the ring (10), allowing controlled deflation of the pouch (200) when installed between the O-ring (9) and the cartridge (7).

6. Ring according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises between two and eight gas channels (105, 107), more particularly between three and four.

7. Ring according to claim 5 or 6 characterized in that the grooves (105) on the inner periphery have a radial depth of between 0.8 and 1.5 millimeters, more particularly between 1 and 1.3 millimeters.

8. Ring according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the holes (107) on the outer periphery of the ring have a circular shape, with a diameter between 0.8 and 1.5 millimeters, more particularly between 1 and 1.3 millimeters.

9. Ring according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that it includes an annular recess (109), into which all the grooves (105) and all the holes (107) open.

10. Gas generator connector (301) to an airbag (200) pocket (300), the gas generator comprising a cartridge (7) with a shoulder (e), terminating in a nozzle (5) through which the gas exits, comprising: - a socket (1) or a plug (3), configured to be integral with the airbag pocket (200) (300), forming a gas inlet into said pocket (200), and respectively a plug (3) or socket (1), configured to be integral with the gas generator (301), the socket (1) and the plug (3) forming a mechanical connector of the gas generator (301) to the pocket (200), - an O-ring (9), at the level of a rim of the plug (1), characterized in that it comprises a sealing ring (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

11. Airbag comprising: - a pocket (200), which in the inflated state protects a part of the user's body, - a gas generator (301) comprising a cartridge (7) with a shoulder (e), ending in a nozzle (5) through which the gas exits, - a control unit (CU) which activates the gas generator when an accident situation is detected, characterized in that it further comprises a connector (303) according to the preceding claim.

12. Airbag according to the preceding claim, comprising a plurality of gas generators (301) each with a connector (303), characterized in that at least one of the connectors (303) comprises a sealing ring (10) according to claim 5 and at least one of the connectors (303) comprises a sealing ring (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 without air channels (105, 107).

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