AIRBAG MODULE HAVING A TETHER HOLDER

• US 20090278341A1
• Filed: 05/08/2009
• Published: 11/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv Development AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kim, Jin Kook
• Granted Patent: US 7,980,593 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 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

A passenger airbag module equipped with an airbag cushion and a tether holder used in a vehicle. The tether holder holds a tether prior to inflating the airbag cushion and inhibits twisting of the tether during deployment of the tether when the airbag cushion is inflated. When the tether is deployed without being twisted or folded, the deployment length of the tether is not reduced. Thus, the airbag is more consistently deployed and inflated.

Claims

1. An airbag module comprising:

an inflator for generating a gas;

an airbag cushion adapted to be inflated;

a tether coupled to the airbag cushion and comprising a section formed of a fabric material; and

a tether holder adapted to contain the section prior to inflation and inhibit twisting of the tether during deployment of the tether when the airbag cushion is inflated.

2. An airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the tether is fixed to the tether holder by sewing or bonding and adapted to release upon application of a force during deployment.

3. An airbag module according to claim 2, wherein the tether is fixed to the tether holder by stitching that is adapted to break during deployment.

4. An airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the tether is partially folded in a direction opposite to a deployment direction of the airbag cushion.

5. An airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the tether comprises a frictional resistance reduction portion that is adapted to reduce frictional resistance between the tether and the tether holder during deployment.

6. An airbag module according to claim 5, wherein the frictional resistance reduction portion comprises an opening or recessed area.

7. An airbag module according to claim 1, further comprising a frictional resistance increase portion that is adapted to contact the tether holder to increase friction therebetween during deployment.

8. An airbag module according to claim 7, wherein the frictional resistance increase portion comprises a coating having predetermined thickness such that the thickness of the tether is increased.

9. An airbag module according to claim 7, wherein the frictional resistance increase portion is formed of a layer of the fabric material affixed to the tether.

10. An airbag module according to claim 9, wherein the frictional resistance increase portion is fixed to the tether through sewing or bonding.