Airbag cover with multi-axis deployment
First Claim
1. A cover for covering a compacted cushion of an airbag, the cover comprisinga first frontal portion;
- a second frontal portion that separates from the first frontal portion in response to expansion of the compacted cushion to permit emergence of the compacted cushion between the first and second frontal portions in a frontal direction;
a peripheral skirt adjoining the first and second frontal portions, wherein the peripheral skirt opens away from the compacted cushion in response to expansion of the compacted cushion to permit emergence of the compacted cushion in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the frontal direction and a third direction substantially perpendicular to the frontal direction and the first direction;
wherein the peripheral skirt is connected to the first frontal portion by a connecting seam on either side of which the peripheral skirt and the first frontal portion are non-parallel to each other;
wherein the peripheral skirt is configured to open regardless of whether separation of the first and second frontal portions has occurred; and
a plurality of additional seams, the connecting seam and each of the additional seams having a tear strength selected to open the peripheral skirt regardless of whether separation of the first and second frontal portions has occurred, wherein the connecting seam and each of the additional seams has a tear strength selected to cause the peripheral skirt to open prior to separation of the first and second frontal portions.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Enhanced airbag covers and associated methods are disclosed. Each of the covers permits deployment of a compacted airbag cushion along multiple axes, thereby decreasing the relative momentum of the airbag and the vehicle occupant, and enhancing the ability of the cushion to protect vehicle occupants who are out of their nominal positions. Covers may include two frontal portions separated by a frontal seam that tears open to permit emergence of the cushion between the frontal portions. In addition, each cover may have a peripheral skirt that opens to permit emergence of the compacted cushion along additional axes. The peripheral skirt may have peripheral seams and connecting seams that facilitate opening of the skirt portion. The peripheral and connecting seams may be configured such that the peripheral skirt opens consistently, regardless of whether the frontal seam has separated.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A cover for covering a compacted cushion of an airbag, the cover comprising
a first frontal portion; -
a second frontal portion that separates from the first frontal portion in response to expansion of the compacted cushion to permit emergence of the compacted cushion between the first and second frontal portions in a frontal direction;
a peripheral skirt adjoining the first and second frontal portions, wherein the peripheral skirt opens away from the compacted cushion in response to expansion of the compacted cushion to permit emergence of the compacted cushion in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the frontal direction and a third direction substantially perpendicular to the frontal direction and the first direction;
wherein the peripheral skirt is connected to the first frontal portion by a connecting seam on either side of which the peripheral skirt and the first frontal portion are non-parallel to each other;
wherein the peripheral skirt is configured to open regardless of whether separation of the first and second frontal portions has occurred; and
a plurality of additional seams, the connecting seam and each of the additional seams having a tear strength selected to open the peripheral skirt regardless of whether separation of the first and second frontal portions has occurred, wherein the connecting seam and each of the additional seams has a tear strength selected to cause the peripheral skirt to open prior to separation of the first and second frontal portions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A section of a cover for covering a compacted cushion of an airbag, the section comprising:
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a first frontal portion that is movable to permit expansion of the compacted cushion in a frontal direction;
a first peripheral portion adjoining the first frontal portion, wherein the first peripheral portion opens away from the compacted cushion in response to expansion of the compacted cushion to permit emergence of the compacted cushion in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the frontal direction; and
a third peripheral portion adjacent to the first frontal portion and the first peripheral portion, wherein the third peripheral portion opens away from the compacted cushion in response to expansion of the compacted cushion to permit emergence of the compacted cushion in a third direction substantially perpendicular to the frontal direction and the first direction;
wherein the first and third peripheral portions are connected together by a peripheral hinge extending non-parallel to the first frontal portion. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A seam system for a cover for covering a compacted cushion of an airbag, the seam system comprising:
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a frontal seam that separates a first frontal portion of the cover from a second frontal portion of the cover;
at least one peripheral seam disposed on a peripheral skirt of the cover; and
at least one connecting seam disposed substantially perpendicular to the frontal seam and to at least a portion of the peripheral seam;
wherein the frontal seam, peripheral seam, and connecting seam are interconnected at a single point to open the cover in at least three substantially perpendicular directions to permit emergence of the compacted cushion in the three substantially perpendicular directions;
wherein the tear strength of the peripheral seam is lower than the tear strength of the frontal seam. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for releasing a compacted cushion of an airbag from a cover to permit deployment of the compacted cushion, the cover having a first frontal portion, a second frontal portion, and a peripheral skirt adjoining the first and second frontal portions, the method comprising:
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initiating expansion of the compacted cushion;
separating the first and second frontal portions along a frontal seam in response to expansion of the compacted cushion to permit emergence of the compacted cushion between the first and second frontal portions in a frontal direction; and
opening the peripheral skirt away from the compacted cushion in response to expansion of the compacted cushion to permit emergence of the compacted cushion in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the frontal direction and a third direction substantially perpendicular to the frontal direction and the first direction;
wherein opening the peripheral skirt comprises tearing a connecting seam that connects the peripheral skirt to the first frontal portion, wherein on either side of the connecting seam, the peripheral skirt and the first frontal portion are non-parallel to each other;
wherein expansion of the compacted cushion triggers opening of the peripheral skirt regardless of whether separation of the first and second frontal portions has occurred, wherein the peripheral skirt opens prior to separation of the first and second frontal portions. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification