Patent ID: 6357791
Filing Date: 2002-03-19
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
A vehicle occupant protection apparatus comprising:an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having a deflated condition and an inflated condition for helping to protect the vehicle occupant; an inflation fluid source actuatable to provide inflation fluid to inflate said inflatable device; a housing for directing inflation fluid under pressure from said inflation fluid source toward said inflatable device upon actuation of said inflation fluid source; said housing having an opening for enabling flow of inflation fluid out of said housing and away from said inflatable device; a door movable between a closed condition closing said opening and an open condition enabling flow of inflation fluid out of said housing through said opening; and energizable means for retaining said door in the closed condition and for, when energized, enabling movement of said door from the closed condition to the open condition in response to fluid pressure in said housing, said energizable means comprising an electromagnet; wherein said energizable means further comprises a permanent magnet which acts on said door to retain said door in the closed condition, said electromagnet when energized acting in opposition to said permanent magnet to enable movement of said door from the closed condition to the open condition in response to the fluid pressure in said housing.