Air cushion module with rotating vent ring
First Claim
1. A compact variable venting air cushion module for a motor vehicle comprising:
- a generally cylindrical inflator for providing inflation gas, said inflator having an annular flange extending therefrom;
an inflatable air cushion having a mouth for receiving inflation gas from said inflator;
a base plate for mounting said module to said vehicle;
said flange, said base plate, and said air cushion having a first set of coordinated vent apertures which are aligned, and a second set of coordinated vent apertures which are aligned;
a rotatably mounted vent ring being rotatable from a first relatively rotated position to a second relatively rotated position, said vent ring having venting apertures which align with said first set of coordinated vent apertures when said vent ring is in said first relatively rotated position thereby providing a first venting area, said venting apertures aligning with said second set of coordinated vent apertures when said vent ring is in said second relatively rotated position thereby providing a second venting area;
fasteners for connecting said air cushion, said base plate, said vent ring, and said inflator relative to one another; and
a device for providing rotational movement of said vent ring, said device selectively rotating said vent ring from said first relatively rotated position to said second relatively rotated position.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An occupant restraint system composed of a compact air cushion module containing a rotating vent ring which creates a variable venting system for inflation of an air cushion. The rotating vent ring moves to open one or more vents of different flow areas which allows inflation gas to vent to the atmosphere thereby controlling the pressure with which the inflatable air cushion fills. The rotating vent ring has a neutral or non-rotated position wherein the venting is minimized such that the inflatable air cushion fills with a maximum pressure. The rotating vent ring is rotated to a variety of positions in response to one or more changing environmental conditions within the vehicle. Such conditions may include occupant position, seat belt usage, occupant weight, ambient temperature or any other relevant environmental factor.
86 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A compact variable venting air cushion module for a motor vehicle comprising:
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a generally cylindrical inflator for providing inflation gas, said inflator having an annular flange extending therefrom; an inflatable air cushion having a mouth for receiving inflation gas from said inflator; a base plate for mounting said module to said vehicle; said flange, said base plate, and said air cushion having a first set of coordinated vent apertures which are aligned, and a second set of coordinated vent apertures which are aligned; a rotatably mounted vent ring being rotatable from a first relatively rotated position to a second relatively rotated position, said vent ring having venting apertures which align with said first set of coordinated vent apertures when said vent ring is in said first relatively rotated position thereby providing a first venting area, said venting apertures aligning with said second set of coordinated vent apertures when said vent ring is in said second relatively rotated position thereby providing a second venting area; fasteners for connecting said air cushion, said base plate, said vent ring, and said inflator relative to one another; and a device for providing rotational movement of said vent ring, said device selectively rotating said vent ring from said first relatively rotated position to said second relatively rotated position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A compact variable venting air cushion module for a vehicle, said air cushion module comprising:
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a generally cylindrical inflator for providing inflation gas, said inflator having fastening projections radially extending therefrom; a vent ring having venting apertures therein being rotatably mounted relative to said fastening projections, said venting apertures being radially positioned to coordinate with said fastening projections; an inflatable air cushion having a mouth for receiving inflation gas from said inflator, said air cushion providing communication for said inflation gas to said venting apertures in said vent ring; a device for providing rotational movement of said vent ring, said device selectively rotating said vent ring from a first relatively rotated position to a second relatively rotated position; and wherein said venting apertures of said vent ring are aligned with said fastening projections when said vent ring is in said first relatively rotated position thereby providing a first venting area, and said venting apertures of said vent ring are differently aligned with said fastening projections when said vent ring is in said second relatively rotated position thereby providing a second venting area, said first venting area being different than said second venting area. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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Specification