AIRBAG SYSTEM FOR OUT-OF-POSITION OCCUPANT PROTECTION AND ADAPTIVE VENTING

• US 20070102911A1
• Filed: 11/04/2005
• Published: 05/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Hall, Ian, Ryan, Sean, Rao, Manoharprasad
• Granted Patent: US 7,448,646 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/739
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23382 Internal tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2338 Tethers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/276 with means to vent the inflation fluid source, e.g. in case of overpressure B60R21/30 takes precedence; venting means on inflatable member walls B60R21/239

Abstract

The present invention provides a vehicle airbag assembly and method for deployment. An inflator is connected to an airbag wherein the inflator generates gases that cause inflation of the airbag. A housing substantially encloses the airbag and the inflator. The housing includes a vent hole for venting gases. An airbag tether is included having at least a first and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the airbag and the second end is attached to a venting member. The venting member, being configured to cover the vent hole, is moveable with respect to the housing. During a first airbag deployment stage, the venting member is forced away from the vent hole as the inflator generates gases. An actuator releases the second end of the airbag tether from the venting member during a second airbag deployment stage for the passage of gases through the vent hole.

Claims

1. An airbag assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

an airbag that is deployable and inflatable for providing a cushioning surface upon deployment;

an inflator being connected to the airbag, the inflator for generating gases that cause inflation of the airbag;

a housing substantially enclosing the airbag and the inflator, the housing having a vent hole for venting gases generated by the inflator;

an airbag tether having at least a first and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the airbag;

a venting member being moveable with respect to the housing and being configured to cover and uncover the vent hole, the venting member having the second end of the airbag tether connected thereto; and

an actuator coupled to the venting member, the venting member moving away from the vent hole upon inflation of the airbag during a first stage of an airbag deployment event, thereby uncovering the vent hole for the passage of gases through the vent hole, the actuator being configured to cause release of the second end of the airbag tether from the venting member during an adaptive venting stage, wherein the airbag is in a substantially full deployment condition.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the actuator is coupled to the venting member through the use of an actuator cable.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the venting member includes a raised section and the actuator cable is connected to a tether release pin, the raised section having the tether release pin operatively secured thereto, the tether release pin enabling coupling of the actuator to the venting member.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the actuator causes release of the second end of the airbag tether from the venting member by retracting the tether release pin from the venting member.

5. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a tether lock attached to and enclosed within the housing, the tether lock permitting the movement of the tether in one direction.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the tether includes a tether stopping member that is operable with the tether lock for inhibiting movement of the tether in a predetermined direction.

7. The assembly of claim 1, further including an airbag assembly door that is operatively connected to the housing, the airbag assembly door providing an exit location for the airbag during the airbag deployment event.

8. An airbag assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

an airbag having an airbag venting hole, the airbag being deployable and inflatable for providing a cushioning surface upon deployment;

an inflator being connected to the airbag, the inflator for generating gases that cause inflation of the airbag;

a housing substantially enclosing the airbag and the inflator, the housing having a vent hole, which is in substantial alignment with the airbag venting hole for venting gases generated by the inflator;

an airbag tether having at least a first and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the airbag;

a venting member configured to cover the vent hole and being moveable with respect to the vent hole, the venting member having the second end of the airbag tether connected thereto; and

an actuator coupled to the venting member, the venting member moving away from the vent hole upon inflation of the airbag during a first stage of a vehicular event, thereby uncovering the vent hole for the passage of gases through the vent hole, the actuator being configured to cause release of the second end of the airbag tether from the venting member during an adaptive venting stage, wherein the airbag is in a substantially full deployment condition.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the actuator is coupled to the venting member through the use of an actuator cable.

10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the venting member includes a raised section and the actuator cable is connected to a tether release pin, the raised section having the tether release pin operatively secured thereto, the tether release pin enabling coupling of the actuator to the venting member.

11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the actuator causes release of the second end of the airbag tether from the venting member by retracting the tether release pin.

12. The assembly of claim 8, further comprising a tether lock attached to and enclosed by the housing, the tether lock permitting the movement of the tether in one direction.

13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the tether includes a tether stopping member that is operable with the tether lock for inhibiting movement of the tether in a predetermined direction.

14. The assembly of claim 8, further including an airbag assembly door that is operatively connected to the housing, the airbag assembly door providing an exit location for the airbag during the first stage and the adaptive venting stage.

15. A method of deploying an airbag through the use of an airbag assembly, wherein the airbag assembly includes an inflator coupled to an airbag, the inflator and airbag being substantially enclosed by an airbag assembly housing having a vent hole, the method comprising:

providing a venting member and an actuator, wherein the venting member is connected to the actuator, the venting member being attached to the housing and moveable about the housing to cover and uncover the vent hole in response to activation of the actuator;

inflating the airbag by supplying gases to the airbag through the use of the inflator thereby causing the venting member to uncover the vent hole by moving away from the vent hole during a first stage of an airbag deployment event for the passage of gases through the vent hole;

covering the vent hole by causing tensioning of an airbag tether having at least a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to the air bag and the second end is connected to the venting member; and

releasing a tether release pin from the venting member through the use of the actuator thereby causing the release of the second end of the airbag tether from the venting member during a second airbag deployment stage.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein, releasing the tether release pin includes retracting the tether release pin from the venting member through the use of the actuator.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein, the venting member includes a raised or lowered section for securing the tether release pin.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein tensioning the airbag tether having at least the first end and the second ends includes an airbag tether that operatively contacts a tether lock attached to and enclosed by the housing, wherein the tether lock inhibits movement of the tether in a predetermined direction.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the tether includes a tether stopping member that is operable with the tether lock for inhibiting movement of the tether in the predetermined direction.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein providing the actuator includes providing a pyrotechnic actuator.