SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AIRBAG TETHER RELEASE

• US 20090302588A1
• Filed: 06/05/2008
• Published: 12/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: SCHRAMM, MICHAEL R.
• Application Number:
  US12/134,021
• Publication Number:
  US 20090302588A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/743.200
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23384 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 inflatable airbag cushion assembly with a tether release device. The cushion assumes two different configurations depending on whether one or more tethers are released. The release device is actuated by one or more shape memory materials.

Claims

1. An airbag tether release mechanism, comprising:

a housing;

an actuator coupled to the housing and comprising one or more shape memory materials; and

,

a tether release mechanism coupled to the actuator and configured to secure a tether until the tether is released by actuation of the actuator.

2. The airbag tether release mechanism of claim 1, wherein the one or more shape memory materials comprise a shape memory alloy.

3. The airbag tether release mechanism of claim 2, wherein the shape memory alloy is configured in a coil.

4. The airbag tether release mechanism of claim 1, wherein the shape memory material is initially in a compact configuration and upon being activated the shape memory material adopts a configuration that is more extended than the compact configuration.

5. The airbag tether release mechanism of claim 1, wherein the shape memory material is initially in an extended configuration and upon being activated the shape memory material adopts a configuration that is more compact than the extended configuration.

6. An airbag tether release mechanism, comprising:

a housing;

an actuator located within the housing and comprising one or more shape memory materials;

a cutter located within the housing; and

,

a tether restraint structure configured to secure a tether until the tether is released by actuation of the cutter.

7. The airbag tether release mechanism of claim 6, wherein the one or more shape memory materials comprise a shape memory alloy.

8. The airbag tether release mechanism of claim 7, wherein the shape memory alloy is configured in a coil.

9. The airbag tether release mechanism of claim 6, wherein the shape memory material is initially in a compact configuration and upon being activated the shape memory material adopts a configuration that is more extended that the compact configuration.

10. The airbag tether release mechanism of claim 6, wherein the shape memory material is initially in an extended configuration and upon being activated the shape memory material adopts a configuration that is more compact than the extended configuration.

11. A method for releasing an airbag tether, comprising:

restraining a tether, wherein a first end of a tether is connected to an airbag cushion;

activating a shape memory material; and

releasing the tether, wherein the activation of the shape memory material causes the release of the tether.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the shape memory material comprises a shape memory alloy.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein activation of the shape memory material causes the tether to be cut.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein activation of the shape memory material causes a pin to be retracted from a tether capture component.