Airbag cushion with a flap vent to optionally vent gas for out-of-position conditions

• US 20080073892A1
• Filed: 09/27/2006
• Published: 03/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Rose, Larry D., Williams, Jeffrey D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,722,080 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 21/2346 Soft diffusers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/239 characterised by their venting means

Abstract

An airbag cushion is disclosed for use in automotive protective systems. The airbag cushion includes at least one closeable flap vent for re-directing gas out of the cushion when an obstruction is encountered. The airbag cushion also includes a tether for controlling the closeable flap vent.

Claims

1. An airbag module, comprising:

an inflatable airbag cushion comprising a cushion membrane which defines an interior of the inflatable airbag cushion;

at least one closeable vent comprising a vent aperture in the cushion membrane and a flap extending within the interior of the cushion membrane; and

a tether anchored to the cushion membrane, wherein the tether is configured such that upon deployment of the inflatable airbag cushion with obstruction, the tether does not fully extend and the vent remains open, and upon deployment of the inflatable airbag cushion without obstruction, the tether extends and at least partially closes the vent.

2. The airbag module of claim 1, wherein the flap is attached to the cushion membrane via a flap attachment.

3. The airbag module of claim 1, wherein the tether extends integrally from the flap.

4. The airbag module of claim 1, further comprising at least one tether holder through which the tether extends;

and wherein the tether holder is positioned such that as the airbag cushion fully expands movement of the tether enables the flap to cover the vent aperture.

5. The airbag module of claim 1, wherein the tether is anchored to the cushion membrane via a tether attachment.

6. The airbag module of claim 1, wherein the tether is anchored to an interior surface of the cushion membrane.

7. The airbag module of claim 1, wherein the tether is anchored to the cushion membrane within the vicinity of a face of the airbag cushion.

8. The airbag module of claim 1, wherein the tether is fixedly anchored to the cushion membrane.

9. The airbag module of claim 1, wherein the tether is moveably anchored to the cushion membrane.

10. The airbag module of claim 1, wherein the flap is prevented from covering the vent aperture by a temporary holding feature.

11. The airbag module of claim 1, wherein the movement of the vent portion of the tether is restricted by a temporary holding feature.

12. The airbag module of claim 1, further comprising at least one tether holder through which the tether extends;

and wherein movement of the tether is restricted by teeth which engage the tether holder.

13. The airbag module of claim 1, further comprising a diffuser configured to re-direct inflation gas within the airbag cushion.

14. The airbag module of claim 1, further comprising a fixed vent disposed on the airbag and adapted to vent gas during airbag deployment with and without obstruction.

15. An airbag module, comprising:

an inflatable airbag cushion comprising a cushion membrane which defines an interior of the inflatable airbag cushion;

at least one closeable vent comprising a vent aperture in the cushion membrane and a flap extending within the interior of the cushion membrane, wherein the flap has a size and shape which enable it to cover the vent aperture; and

a tether anchored to the cushion membrane, wherein the tether extends through a tether holder positioned near the vent aperture, wherein the tether is configured such that upon deployment of the inflatable airbag cushion with obstruction, the tether does not fully extend and the vent remains open, and upon deployment of the inflatable airbag cushion without obstruction, the tether extends and at least partially closes the vent.

16. The airbag module of claim 15, wherein the tether holder is a loop attached to the cushion membrane.

17. The airbag module of claim 15, wherein the flap is attached to the cushion membrane via a flap attachment.

18. The airbag module of claim 15, wherein the flap is triangular shaped.

19. The airbag module of claim 15, wherein the flap is rectangular shaped.

20. The airbag module of claim 15, wherein the flap is located at a vent portion of the tether.

21. The airbag module of claim 20, wherein a flap opening is located at the vent portion of the tether and is configured and sized to permit inflation gas to vent out of the inflatable airbag cushion via the vent aperture.

22. The airbag module of claim 15, further comprising a diffuser configured to receive inflation gas via a throat in the cushion membrane and re-direct inflation gas within the airbag cushion, and wherein the vent is located near the diffuser.

23. An airbag module, comprising:

an inflatable airbag cushion having a cushion membrane;

means for covering a vent aperture in the cushion membrane to vent gas out of the airbag;

means for restricting gas venting by moving the covering means upon inflatable airbag deployment without obstruction and enabling the vent aperture to remain uncovered upon inflatable airbag deployment with obstruction.

24. The airbag module of claim 23, further comprising means for diffusing gas within an airbag cushion by re-directing inflation gas received from an inflator.