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Apparatus and methods of venting gas in an airbag module

  • US 20040094940A1
  • Filed: 11/15/2002
  • Published: 05/20/2004
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2002
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An airbag module, comprising:

  • a housing;

    an inflator having one or more exhaust ports in fluid communication with an interior of said housing, said inflator being configured to provide a quantity of inflation gas from said exhaust ports;

    an inflatable cushion in fluid communication with said interior such that said quantity of inflation gas causes said inflatable cushion to inflate and deploy from said housing;

    a vent aperture defined in said housing, said vent aperture placing said interior of said housing in fluid communication with an exterior of said housing, said vent aperture being offset from said exhaust ports such that said quantity of inflation gas is not directed from said exhaust ports towards said vent aperture; and

    a gas deflecting member being movable between a first position and a second position, said gas deflecting member being positioned such that said quantity of inflation gas is directed from said exhaust ports towards said gas deflecting member, a first portion of said gas deflecting member being configured to deflect a first amount of said quantity of inflation gas to said exterior of said housing through said vent aperture when said gas deflecting member is in said first position, a second portion of said gas deflecting member being configured to deflect said quantity of inflation gas towards said inflatable cushion when said gas deflecting member is in said second position, a second amount of said quantity of inflation gas being ventable from said housing through said vent aperture when said gas deflecting member is in said second position, wherein said second amount is less than said first amount.

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