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Airbag diffuser

  • US 5,941,563 A
  • Filed: 01/28/1998
  • Issued: 08/24/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/28/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A diffuser for a supplemental restraint system, the supplemental restraint system including an airbag and a combustion chamber for providing a pressurized gas to inflate the air bag, the combustion chamber defining an opening herein for exhausting the pressurized gas, the diffuser comprising:

  • a substantially cylindrical member having a top wall, a cylindrical side wall and a bottom wall defining a longitudinal axis, the bottom wall having an opening herein having a predetermined flow area and being adjacent to and separated from the combustion chamber opening; and

    a plurality of elongated, through-wall slots formed in the cylindrical side wall, generally parallel to the diffuser axis, the slots being configured and having a flow area to rapidly inflate the airbag, and being further configured to retain debris generated from the combustion chamber within the diffuser and to prevent the debris from entering the airbag upon inflation, wherein the diffuser is configured to eliminate the need for a screen element within and between the combustion chamber and the diffuser.

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