Inflatabe metal bladders for automobile passenger protection

摘要

An inflatable metal bladder mounted to a motorized vehicle. The bladder is inflatable from a first condition to a second condition. The bladder has at least a first metal sheet having a thickness of from about 0.004 in to about 0.030 in. When actuated, a gas generator generates a gaseous stream having a temperature of from about 600 DEG C. to about 2000 DEG C. A sensor detects an impact of the vehicle with an external object. The sensor is coupled to the gas generator so as to actuate the gas generator responsive to detection of the impact. A conduit couples the gas generator and bladder to direct the gaseous stream to the bladder and thereby inflate the bladder from the first condition to the second condition. In the second condition, the inflatable member engages a vehicle occupant to place such occupant in a preferred position to avoid injury caused by the impact.