Cushion shaping sleeve and tether for airbags

• US 20070205590A1
• Filed: 02/16/2007
• Published: 09/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TK Holdings Incorporated (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: TK Holdings Incorporated (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Klinkenberger, Amy, Blackburn, Jeffrey
• Granted Patent: US 7,506,892 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/743.200
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23382 Internal tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23384 having ends which are movable or detachable during deployment
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23386 External tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23388 having ends which are movable or detachable during deployment
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/233 comprising a plurality of individual compartments; comprising two or more bag-like members, one within the other B60R21/232 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2338 Tethers

Abstract

An airbag device is initially restricted to restrain the initial forces from early deployment. The airbag device comprises at least one fabric panel forming an airbag cushion, an inflator to inflate the airbag cushion, a sleeve attached to the airbag cushion, and a tether configured to pass through the sleeve. A first end of the tether is anchored to a portion of the airbag cushion, airbag housing, retainer, or vehicle component. A second, opposite end of the tether is capable of passing through the sleeve during deployment of the airbag. The tether and sleeve are configured to initially restrain the deployment of the airbag cushion. During deployment, the tether is configured to unlace from the sleeve to release the restraint on the airbag cushion.

Claims

1. An airbag device, comprising:

at least one fabric panel forming an airbag cushion;

an inflator to inflate the airbag cushion;

a sleeve connected to the airbag cushion; and

a tether configured to pass through the sleeve, wherein a first end of the tether is anchored to a portion of the airbag cushion, module, or vehicle structure and a second, opposite end of the tether is capable of passing through at least a portion of the sleeve during deployment of the airbag,

wherein the tether and sleeve are configured to initially restrain the deployment of the airbag cushion, and during deployment, the tether is configured to unlace within the sleeve to release the restraint on the airbag cushion.

2. The airbag device-of claim 1, wherein the second end of the tether is a free, unattached end.

3. The airbag device of claim 1, wherein one or more ends of the tether are free, unattached ends.

4. The airbag device of claim 2, wherein the tether is released to unlace from the sleeve passively such that only the deployment of the airbag cushion initiates movement of the tether.

5. The airbag device of claim 1, wherein the second end of the tether is attached to a release pin of a pyro-technic release mechanism.

6. The airbag device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve and tether are internally positioned on the airbag cushion.

7. The airbag cushion of claim 1, wherein the sleeve and tether are externally positioned on the airbag cushion.

8. The airbag cushion of claim 1, wherein a functional width of the sleeve must exceed the narrowest tether width by at least a factor of 1.25.

9. The airbag cushion of claim 1, wherein a ratio of the tether length to cumulative sleeve length exceeds about 1:

10.

10. The airbag cushion of claim 1, wherein a tether anchor width must exceed the narrowest tether width.

11. The airbag cushion of claim 1, further comprising a second sleeve and a second tether.

12. The airbag cushion of claim 11, wherein the sleeves form an approximate Y shape.

13. The airbag cushion of claim 11, wherein the second sleeve overlaps the first sleeve.

14. The airbag cushion of claim 1, wherein the airbag cushion can be folded in any manner prior to deployment.

15. The airbag cushion of claim 1, wherein the sleeve and tether are internal to the airbag cushion, and wherein the tether is connected to a release mechanism inside the airbag cushion.

16. The airbag cushion of claim 1, wherein the sleeve and tether are internal to the airbag cushion, and wherein the second end of the tether is a free, unattached end.

17. The airbag cushion of claim 1, wherein the sleeve and tether are internal to the airbag cushion, and wherein the tether is connected to a release mechanism outside of the airbag cushion.

18. The airbag cushion of claim 1, wherein the sleeve and tether are external to the airbag cushion, and wherein the tether is connected to a release mechanism outside of the airbag cushion.

19. The airbag cushion of claim 1, wherein the sleeve and tether are external to the airbag cushion, and wherein the second end of the tether is a free, unattached end.

20. The airbag cushion of claim 1, wherein the sleeve and tether are external to the airbag cushion, and wherein the tether is connected to a release mechanism inside of the airbag cushion

21. A method for controlling the deployment of an airbag module, comprising:

storing an inflatable airbag cushion in an un-deployed position in a housing;

providing an inflator in communication with the airbag cushion to inflate the airbag cushion;

surrounding an inside portion of the airbag cushion with a tether element to restrain the airbag cushion during an initial deployment; and

releasing the tether element in an active or passive manner.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the tether element passes through a sleeve on an inside portion of the airbag cushion.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

surrounding a central section of the airbag cushion with the tether element.

24. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

surrounding an offset section of the airbag cushion with the tether element.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein releasing the tether element unrestrains the airbag cushion.

26. The method of claim 21, further comprising anchoring one end of the tether element to the airbag cushion or airbag housing.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein a second, opposite end of the tether element is free and unrestrained.

28. The method of claim 22, wherein the tether is wider than the sleeve.

29. The method of claim 22, wherein the tether is narrower than the sleeve.

30. The method of claim 21, wherein the airbag cushion can be folded in any folding configuration to store the airbag cushion.

31. An airbag device, comprising:

at least one fabric panel forming an airbag cushion;

an inflator to inflate the airbag cushion;

a sleeve connected to the airbag cushion; and

a tether configured to pass through the sleeve, wherein a first end of the tether is connected to a portion of the airbag cushion, module, or vehicle structure and a second, opposite end of the tether is capable of passing through at least a portion of the sleeve during deployment of the airbag,

wherein the tether and sleeve are configured to initially restrain the deployment of the airbag cushion, and during deployment, the tether is configured to unlace within the sleeve to release the restraint on the airbag cushion, and

wherein the airbag cushion can be folded in any manner prior to deployment.