DYNAMIC AIRBAG VENTING

• US 20110121549A1
• Filed: 02/04/2011
• Published: 05/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David L. Geyer, Joseph Mannino, Peter L. Vigeant, Robert A. Parks
• Original Assignee: David L. Geyer, Joseph Mannino, Peter L. Vigeant, Robert A. Parks
• Inventors: Parks, Robert A., Mannino, Joseph, Vigeant, Peter L., Geyer, David L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,061,734 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/741
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2346 Soft diffusers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/239 characterised by their venting means

Abstract

An example airbag assembly includes an airbag having an airbag opening and a duct adjacent the airbag opening. A tether is configured to move the duct between a first position and a second position. The duct communicates a first flow from the duct through the airbag opening in the first position. The duct communicates a second flow from the duct through the airbag opening in the second position. The first flow is greater than the second flow.

Claims

1. An airbag assembly, comprising:

an airbag having an airbag opening;

a duct adjacent the airbag opening; and

a tether configured to move the duct between a first position and a second position, the duct communicating a first flow from the duct through the airbag opening in the first position, the duct communicating a second flow from the duct through the airbag opening in the second position, wherein the first flow is greater than the second flow.

2. The airbag assembly of claim 1, wherein inflating the airbag moves the tether to move the duct between the first position and the second position.

3. The airbag assembly of claim 1, wherein the airbag is configured to be inflated by a first stream of gas moving from the duct to an interior of the airbag and by a second stream of gas moving from an airbag inflator to the interior of the airbag, the first stream of gas separate from the second stream of gas.

4. The airbag assembly of claim 1, wherein the duct in the first position includes a portion of the duct extending through the airbag opening outside the airbag, and the duct in the second position includes the portion of the duct within the airbag.

5. The airbag assembly of claim 1, wherein the airbag is configured to be at least partially inflated with gas that does not move through the duct.

6. The airbag assembly of claim 1, wherein the tether moves together with a contact face of the airbag during inflation.

7. The airbag assembly of claim 1, wherein the tether is a clamping tether that is configured to kink about the duct to move the duct to the second position.

8. The airbag assembly of claim 7, wherein a portion of the duct is secured directly to the airbag.

9. The airbag assembly of claim 1, wherein the second flow comprises no flow.

10. An airbag assembly, comprising:

an airbag;

a duct, at least a portion of the duct moveable relative to at least a portion of the airbag from a first position to a second position; and

at least one tether configured to move the duct between the first position and the second position, wherein the duct directs more gas out of the airbag in the first position than in the second position.

11. The airbag assembly of claim 10, wherein the at least a portion of the duct comprises a flap configured to cover a duct opening, and the at least one tether moves the flap to move the duct from the first position to the second position.

12. The airbag assembly of claim 11, wherein the flap is secured to other portions of the duct by a hook and loop fastener when the duct is in the first position.

13. The airbag assembly of claim 11, wherein another portion of the duct is secured directly to the airbag.

14. The airbag assembly of claim 10, wherein the at least one tether is configured to kink a portion of the duct to move the at least a portion of the duct from the first position to the second position.

15. The airbag assembly of claim 10, wherein the duct directs no gas out of the airbag in the second position.

16. The airbag assembly of claim 10, wherein the airbag moves the at least one tether to move the duct between the first position and the second position.

18. The airbag assembly of claim 16, wherein the first stream of gas is separate from the second stream of gas.

17. An airbag assembly, comprising:

an airbag; and

a duct disposed within the airbag and attached directly to an interior surface of the airbag at a laterally outer side of the airbag, the duct configured to force the laterally outer side of the airbag outward when the duct is inflated, wherein the airbag is configured to be inflated by a first stream of gas moving from the inflated duct to an interior of the airbag and by a second stream of gas moving from an airbag inflator to the interior of the airbag.