Airbag module with deployment control flap

• US 20080217892A1
• Filed: 03/04/2008
• Published: 09/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition, LLC (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: TK Holdings Incorporated (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Aguilar, Benjamin, Perez, Jaime Fermin, Pilchowski, John, Wiggins, Nicole, Cox, William B., Maripudi, Vivekananda, Karlow, James
• Granted Patent: US 7,878,539 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/740
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23382 Internal tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23386 External tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/201 Packaging straps or envelopes for inflatable members
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/23 Inflatable members B60R21/18 takes precedence; connection to inflation fluid source retainers B60R21/217
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2338 Tethers

Abstract

An airbag module includes a bag wrap, a retainer, an airbag, and an inflator to inflate the airbag. The airbag includes at least one vent hole, and a deployment control flap to change trajectory of the airbag such that the airbag will deploy upwards and laterally to left and right sides. The deployment control flap is fixed at both ends to the retainer, airbag, or bag wrap.

Claims

1. An airbag module comprising:

a retainer;

an airbag cushion, the airbag cushion including;

at least one vent hole; and

a deployment control flap to change trajectory of the airbag such that the airbag will deploy upwards and laterally to left and right sides, the deployment control flap being fixed at both ends to the retainer, airbag, or bag wrap; and

an inflator to inflate the airbag cushion.

2. The airbag module of claim 1, wherein the airbag cushion is a mid-mount airbag or a top-mount passenger airbag.

3. The airbag module of claim 1, wherein the at least one vent hole is located in a throat portion of the airbag cushion.

4. The airbag module of claim 3, wherein the at least one vent hole is exposed early during inflation such that if the airbag cushion contacts an obstruction, gas can escape from the airbag cushion to release pressure in the airbag cushion.

5. The airbag module of claim 1, wherein the deployment control flap unfolds in a direction of trajectory of the deploying airbag cushion.

6. The airbag module of claim 5, wherein as the deployment control flap unfolds, a tear section yields under tension of the airbag cushion on the deployment control flap such that the tear section tears and a restriction caused by the deployment control flap is progressively removed.

7. The airbag module of claim 6, wherein the tear section is located adjacent to upper flap mounting portion.

8. The airbag module of claim 1, wherein the deployment control flap is attached at one end to retainer studs.

9. The airbag module of claim 8, wherein an opposite end of the deployment control flap includes a tear section.

10. The airbag module of claim 1, further comprising a bag wrap.

11. The airbag module of claim 10, wherein the deployment control flap protrudes through a slit in the bag wrap.

12. The airbag module of claim 10, wherein the bag wrap is attached to retainer studs.

13. The airbag module of claim 1, further comprising an internal diffuser.

14. The airbag module of claim 13, wherein the internal diffuser forces gas from the inflator laterally to sides of the airbag such that the airbag first inflates to lateral left and right sides.

15. The airbag module of claim 1, wherein a middle portion of the deployment control flap includes accordion-type folds.

16. The airbag module of claim 1, wherein the deployment control flap is an extension of a center panel.

17. The airbag module of claim 16, wherein the flap extends from an airbag closing seam at a rear side of the airbag module to a forward side of the airbag module.

18. The airbag module of claim 1, wherein the deployment control flap includes a tab and slot and is attached to the bag wrap.

19. An airbag module comprising:

a retainer;

an airbag cushion, the airbag cushion including;

at least one vent hole, the at least one vent hole is exposed early during inflation of the airbag cushion and remains unblocked throughout inflation of the airbag cushion; and

a deployment control flap attached at both ends to the retainer, the deployment control flap being wrapped around the outside of the airbag cushion prior to deployment of the airbag cushion; and

an inflator to inflate the airbag cushion.

20. The airbag module of claim 19, wherein the at least one vent hole is located in a throat portion of the airbag cushion.

21. The airbag module of claim 19, wherein the at least one vent hole is exposed early during inflation such that if the airbag cushion contacts an obstruction, inflation gas can escape from the airbag cushion to release pressure in the airbag cushion.

22. The airbag module of claim 19, further comprising an internal diffuser.

23. The airbag module of claim 22, wherein the internal diffuser forces gas from the inflator laterally to sides of the airbag cushion such that the airbag cushion first inflates to lateral left and right sides.

24. An airbag module comprising:

a retainer;

an airbag cushion, the airbag cushion including;

at least one vent hole; and

a bag wrap to change trajectory of the airbag cushion such that the airbag cushion will deploy upwards and laterally to left and right sides, the bag wrap including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion including a first end fixed to the retainer, the intersection of the first portion and second portion being attached to the airbag, the second portion being folded under and positioned between the first portion of the bag wrap and the airbag cushion; and

an inflator to inflate the airbag cushion.

25. The airbag module of claim 24, wherein the first portion of the bag wrap includes a weakened tear area to tear apart during inflation of the airbag cushion.

26. The airbag module of claim 24, wherein the second portion of the bag wrap comprises a folded portion configured as a deployment control flap.

27. The airbag module of claim 24, further comprising a cover.