Pneumatic air bag safety device with bursting pressure vessel

摘要

In conventional vehicle air bag systems, use is made of inflating devices in which the compressed gas for filling the gas cushion is generated or released by igniting propellant charges. This results in undesired toxic compounds. Non-triggered propellant charges likewise constitute a potential risk. The novel air bag protection device is intended to ensure that the compressed gas flows out of the pressure vessel without ignition of pyrotechnical propellant charge, and optimum outlay characteristics of the outlay operation are thus achieved. According to the invention, the compressed gas is stored in a pressure vessel (1) consisting of brittle material. The pressure vessel (1) is supported in its position on a compression spring (4). When a defined limit deceleration is exceeded, the pressure vessel (1) is moved out of the zero position by the mass moment of inertia which arises, said vessel making impact on a wedge-shaped component and thus being made to burst. The rapidly expanding compressed gas flows into the gas cushion (2). The safety device is used for the protection of motor-vehicle occupants, both for the driver side and for the passenger side. <IMAGE>