Patent ID: 6286863
Filing Date: 2001-09-11
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
A process for deploying an air bag device comprising:gas generating means having an output characteristic that an amount of gas generated per unit time subsequent to an ignition is gradually increased from a zero value to a peak value and then gradually decreased from said peak value back to said zero value, so that an air bag is expanded by said gas generated by said gas generating means to hold back an occupant, wherein said gas generating means comprises:a first gas generating means and a second gas generating means, said second gas generating means providing a second peak value of output smaller than a first peak value of output from said first gas generating means, said process comprising the steps of:igniting said first gas generating means upon collision of a vehicle and then, igniting said second gas generating means;timing an ignition of said second gas generating means so that a sum of said second peak value and said output from said first gas generating means, at the time when said second peak value is reached, is equal to or smaller than said first peak value; andtiming said ignition of said second gas generating means, before said output from said first gas generating means becomes said zero value, whereinsaid first and second gas generating means provide first and second output gases, respectively, and said first and second output gases have a combined gas pressure that does not exceed said first peak value during deployment of said bag device.