Vehicle airbag systems and methods with magnetic elements
First Claim
1. An airbag module for a vehicle, comprising:
- an airbag cushion, wherein the airbag cushion includes a panel on an outer face of a distal end of the airbag cushion that defines a periphery location of the airbag cushion, the panel having a surface forming a pocket within the airbag cushion;
an inflator coupled to the airbag cushion and configured to selectively provide air to inflate and deploy the airbag cushion from a stowed state into a deployed state;
an airbag magnetic element coupled to the airbag cushion and disposed within the pocket, at the surface, and facing toward a direction of deployment; and
a magnetic guide element arranged at a distance to the airbag magnetic element when the airbag cushion is in the stowed state,wherein, upon deployment of the airbag cushion, the airbag magnetic element and the magnetic guide element magnetically interact with one another to at least one of guide the airbag cushion in a predetermined direction or maintain the airbag cushion in a predetermined deployed position.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An airbag module for a vehicle includes an airbag cushion; an inflator coupled to the airbag cushion and configured to selectively provide air to inflate and deploy the airbag cushion from a stowed state into a deployed state; an airbag magnetic element coupled to the airbag cushion; and a magnetic guide element arranged at a distance to the airbag magnetic element when the airbag cushion is in the stowed state. Upon deployment of the airbag cushion, the airbag magnetic element and the magnetic guide element magnetically interact with one another to at least one of guide the airbag cushion in a predetermined direction or maintain the airbag cushion in a predetermined deployed position.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An airbag module for a vehicle, comprising:
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an airbag cushion, wherein the airbag cushion includes a panel on an outer face of a distal end of the airbag cushion that defines a periphery location of the airbag cushion, the panel having a surface forming a pocket within the airbag cushion; an inflator coupled to the airbag cushion and configured to selectively provide air to inflate and deploy the airbag cushion from a stowed state into a deployed state; an airbag magnetic element coupled to the airbag cushion and disposed within the pocket, at the surface, and facing toward a direction of deployment; and a magnetic guide element arranged at a distance to the airbag magnetic element when the airbag cushion is in the stowed state, wherein, upon deployment of the airbag cushion, the airbag magnetic element and the magnetic guide element magnetically interact with one another to at least one of guide the airbag cushion in a predetermined direction or maintain the airbag cushion in a predetermined deployed position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A vehicle, comprising:
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a frame structure forming a cabin, the frame structure including a floor, a roof, and at least two side structures; at least one seat mounted to the floor within the cabin; an airbag module coupled to at least one of the frame structure or the at least one seat, the airbag module including; an airbag cushion, wherein the airbag cushion includes a panel on an outer face of a distal end of the airbag cushion that defines a periphery location of the airbag cushion, the panel having a surface forming a pocket within the airbag cushion; an inflator coupled to the airbag cushion and configured to selectively provide air to inflate and deploy the airbag cushion from a stowed state into a deployed state; and an airbag magnetic element coupled to the airbag cushion and disposed within the pocket, at the surface, and facing toward a direction of deployment; and a magnetic guide element coupled to at least one of the frame structure or the at least one seat and arranged at a distance to the airbag magnetic element when the airbag cushion is in the stowed state, wherein, upon deployment of the airbag cushion, the airbag magnetic element and the magnetic guide element magnetically interact with one another to at least one of guide the airbag cushion in a predetermined direction or maintain the airbag cushion in a predetermined deployed position. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A vehicle comprising:
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a frame structure forming a cabin, the frame structure including a floor, a roof, and at least two side structures; at least one seat mounted to the floor within the cabin; an airbag module coupled to at least one of the frame structure or the at least one seat, the airbag module including; an airbag cushion; an inflator coupled to the airbag cushion and configured to selectively provide air to inflate and deploy the airbag cushion from a stowed state into a deployed state; and an airbag magnetic element coupled to the airbag cushion, the airbag magnetic element having a diameter; and a magnetic guide element coupled to at least one of the frame structure or the at least one seat and arranged at a distance to the airbag magnetic element when the airbag cushion is in the stowed state, the magnetic guide element comprising a receiving portion forming a slot comprising; an enlarged opening that is greater than the diameter of the airbag magnetic element, such that the airbag magnetic element may be initially directed trough the enlarged opening of the slot in a first normal direction as a result of magnetic attraction; and two narrowed side sections on opposing sides of the enlarged opening, both of the narrowed side sections having a width that is less than the diameter of the airbag magnetic element, such that the airbag magnetic element, and thereby the airbag cushion, is held into place in an opposing normal direction, opposite the first normal direction, with lateral movement of the airbag magnetic element; wherein, upon deployment of the airbag cushion, the airbag magnetic element and the magnetic guide element magnetically interact with one another to at least one of guide the airbag cushion in a predetermined direction or maintain the airbag cushion in a predetermined deployed position. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification