VARIABLE OUTPUT INFLATORS (VOI)

Today's fixed-output inflators, installed in every airbag module for the past 20 years, are pre-configured to provide a single fixed level of restraining energy, based on the median height and weight of an average motorist, moving at an average set speed.

The problem is that motorists come in varying heights and weights, and drive at different speeds. This leads to either over-powered airbag deployment in low speed collisions, and/or involving small, light-weight passengers, or under-powered deployment in high-speed collisions, and/or heavier, larger passengers.

In both cases, the fixed-output of the airbag inflator may lead to serious or even fatal injuries.

Fixed-output inflators also do not provide accurate secondary airbag restraint in complex accident scenarios (e.g. front-and-back collision). While dual-stage inflators attempt to solve this problem, they basically provide two sequential pre-set bursts of energy, regardless of the specific characteristics of the accident or the motorists.

Variable Output Inflators were invented to save lives and reduce airbag-related vehicle injuries, by providing added safety in higher crash severity accidents, while at the same time providing a safer lower gas output in lower crash severity accidents.

Variable Output Inflators are capable of continuously adjusting, in real time, the gas output of the airbag inflator into the airbag module.

This is achieved electronically with a response time of three milliseconds, controlled by the Airbag Electronic Unit (ECU) through an integrated interface.

The VOI's gas output requirements are determined continuously before and during a crash through data acquisition and processing of various parameters by the ECU, which can process, among others, the following information: crash severity, occupant weight and position, seat position, belted or unbelted occupant condition, and whether the vehicle occupant is Out Of Position (OOP).  Their performance far exceeds the US Safety Requirements of Low Risk Deployment.

Depending on the data that the electronic airbag system has acquired and processed, a specific mass flow rate is determined electronically and continuously for an optimized and safe airbag inflation. The energy output is then set to increase or decrease during the collision as is required.