AIRBAG MODULE

• US 20110254256A1
• Filed: 04/18/2011
• Published: 10/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition, LLC
• Original Assignee: TK Holdings Incorporated (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: KLINKENBERGER, Amy L., MENDEZ, Gerardo
• Granted Patent: US 8,590,927 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/743.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23388 having ends which are movable or detachable during deployment
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2395 comprising means to control the venting
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/205 in dashboards
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2338 Tethers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/239 characterised by their venting means

Abstract

The invention relates to an airbag system including an airbag including a vent and a vent cover, an actuator, and a tether. The tension can be applied to the tether when the actuator has not been activated. Further, when the actuator has not been activated, the vent is closed by the vent cover due to the tension applied to the tether connected to the vent cover. The actuator is configured, once inflation gas is supplied to inflate the airbag, to reduce or release the tension applied to the tether when the actuator is activated. The vent cover is configured to remain in position when the actuator has been activated until the inflation gas forces the vent open. The vent cover is configured to maintain the vent in a closed state when the actuator has not been activated. In addition, the vent cover can be located on an exterior surface of the airbag.

Claims

1. An airbag system for a vehicle, comprising:

an airbag including a vent and a vent cover configured to close the vent, an actuator, and

a tether,

wherein the tether is connected between the actuator and the vent cover such that tension is applied to the tether when the actuator has not been activated,

wherein, when the actuator has not been activated, the vent is closed by the vent cover due to the tension applied to the tether connected to the vent cover,

wherein, once inflation gas is supplied to inflate the airbag, the actuator is configured to reduce or release the tension applied to the tether when the actuator is activated,

wherein the vent cover is configured to remain in position when the actuator has been activated until the inflation gas forces the vent open,

wherein the vent cover is configured to maintain the vent in a closed state when the actuator has not been activated,

wherein the vent cover is located on an exterior surface of the airbag.

2. The airbag system of claim 1, wherein the tension applied to the tether is sufficient to maintain the vent in a closed state when the actuator has not been activated, despite the inflation gas supplied to inflate the airbag.

3. The airbag system of claim 1, wherein the inflation gas forces the vent open once the actuator has been activated by moving the vent cover.

4. The airbag system of claim 3, wherein the vent cover slides relative to the vent when the vent cover is moved by the inflation gas.

5. The airbag system of claim 3, wherein the vent cover pivots relative to the vent when the vent cover is moved by the inflation gas.

6. The airbag system of claim 3, wherein the vent cover rotates relative to the vent like a hinge when the vent cover is moved by the inflation gas.

7. The airbag system of claim 1, wherein the tether includes a loop between the actuator and the vent cover as a length limiting mechanism for the tether.

8. The airbag system of claim 1, further comprising a vent base having an opening, wherein the vent base is located between the vent cover and the vent.

9. The airbag system of claim 8, wherein the vent base and the vent cover form a secondary chamber between the vent base and the vent cover which can be pre-pressurized.

10. The airbag system of claim 1, further comprising a pocket which covers at least a portion of the vent cover.

11. The airbag system of claim 1, wherein the vent is an opening in the airbag and the vent cover closes the vent by cover the opening.

12. The airbag system of claim 1, wherein one end of the tether is connected to the actuator and an opposite end of the tether is connected to the vent cover.

13. The airbag system of claim 1, wherein the tether is located within the airbag before and after inflation of the airbag.

14. The airbag system of claim 1, wherein the actuator is a pyrotechnic actuator.

15. The airbag system of claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to change a length of the tether when the actuator is activated to reduce or release the tension applied to the tether.

16. The airbag system of claim 15, wherein the actuator is configured to increase the length of the tether when the actuator is activated to reduce or release the tension applied to the tether