Airbag cushion with diffuser and cinch tube to vent gas for out-of-position conditions
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An airbag module, comprising:
- an inflatable airbag cushion;
a cinch tube disposed on the inflatable airbag cushion and circumventing an aperture disposed in the inflatable airbag cushion; and
a cinch cord coupled to the cinch tube and the inflatable airbag cushion such that upon inflatable airbag deployment with obstruction, the cinch cord does not fully extend and the cinch tube remains open, and upon inflatable airbag deployment without obstruction, the cinch cord extends and at least partially closes the cinch tube; and
a diffuser configured to re-direct inflation gas to the cinch tube from an inflator such that the gas rapidly exits the inflatable airbag cushion via the cinch tube when deployment of the airbag is obstructed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An airbag cushion is disclosed for use in automotive protective systems. The airbag cushion includes a diffuser for re-directing gas out of the cushion via cinch tubes when an obstruction is encountered.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An airbag module, comprising:
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an inflatable airbag cushion;
a cinch tube disposed on the inflatable airbag cushion and circumventing an aperture disposed in the inflatable airbag cushion; and
a cinch cord coupled to the cinch tube and the inflatable airbag cushion such that upon inflatable airbag deployment with obstruction, the cinch cord does not fully extend and the cinch tube remains open, and upon inflatable airbag deployment without obstruction, the cinch cord extends and at least partially closes the cinch tube; and
a diffuser configured to re-direct inflation gas to the cinch tube from an inflator such that the gas rapidly exits the inflatable airbag cushion via the cinch tube when deployment of the airbag is obstructed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An airbag module, comprising:
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an inflatable airbag cushion;
a first cinch tube disposed on the inflatable airbag cushion and circumventing a first aperture disposed in the inflatable airbag cushion;
a second cinch tube disposed on the inflatable airbag cushion and circumventing a second aperture disposed in the inflatable airbag cushion;
at least one cinch cord coupled to the inflatable airbag cushion such that upon inflatable airbag deployment with obstruction, the cinch tubes remain open, and upon inflatable airbag deployment without obstruction, the cinch tubes are at least partially closed; and
a diffuser configured to re-direct inflation gas to the cinch tubes from an inflator such that the gas rapidly exits the inflatable airbag cushion via the cinch tubes when deployment of the airbag is obstructed.
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14. An airbag module, comprising:
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an inflatable airbag cushion;
a cinch tube disposed on the inflatable airbag cushion and circumventing an aperture disposed in the inflatable airbag cushion; and
a cinch cord coupled to the cinch tube and the inflatable airbag cushion such that upon inflatable airbag deployment with obstruction, the cinch cord does not fully extend and the cinch tube remains open, and upon inflatable airbag deployment without obstruction, the cinch cord extends and at least partially closes the cinch tube; and
a diffuser configured to re-direct inflation gas to the cinch tube from an inflator such that the gas rapidly exits the inflatable airbag cushion via the cinch tube when deployment of the airbag is obstructed, wherein the diffuser and the cinch tube are configured to be aligned if deployment is obstructed to permit rapid venting of inflation gas, and wherein the diffuser and the cinch tube are configured for transition to non-alignment if deployment is not obstructed. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. An airbag module, comprising:
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an inflatable airbag cushion;
a first cinch tube disposed on the inflatable airbag cushion and circumventing a first aperture disposed in the inflatable airbag cushion;
a second cinch tube disposed on the inflatable airbag cushion and circumventing a second aperture disposed in the inflatable airbag cushion;
at least one cinch cord coupled to the inflatable airbag cushion such that upon inflatable airbag deployment with obstruction, the cinch tubes remain open, and upon inflatable airbag deployment without obstruction, the cinch tubes are at least partially closed; and
a diffuser having an opening to receive gas from an inflator, a first side opening, and a second side opening, wherein the diffuser is configured to re-direct inflation gas from an inflator to the cinch tubes via the side openings to enable gas to rapidly exit the inflatable airbag cushion when deployment of the airbag is obstructed. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. An airbag cushion, comprising:
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an inflatable airbag cushion;
means for venting gas out of the airbag and circumventing an aperture disposed in the airbag;
means for restricting gas venting by cinching the venting means to reduce the circumference of the venting means upon inflatable airbag deployment without obstruction and enabling the venting means to remain open upon inflatable airbag deployment with obstruction. means for diffusing gas by re-directing inflation gas to the venting means from an inflator such that the gas rapidly exits the inflatable airbag cushion via the venting means when deployment of the airbag is obstructed.
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Specification