Active venting apparatus and method for airbag systems
First Claim
1. An airbag module for protecting an occupant of a vehicle from impact, the airbag module comprising:
- an inflator configured to provide pressurized inflation gas upon receipt of an inflation activation signal;
a cushion configured to receive the inflation gas, the cushion having a venting portion with an open configuration in which inflation gas is able to exit the cushion through the venting portion, and a closed configuration in which the venting portion substantially blocks inflation gas flow through the venting portion;
a pyrotechnic configured to ignite in response to receipt of a venting activation signal to move the venting portion from the closed configuration to the open configuration;
wherein the cushion is generally formed of a flexible material, wherein the venting portion comprises a membrane attached to an opening of the flexible material such that ignition of the pyrotechnic forms an exit port in the membrane.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Enhanced airbag modules and associated methods are provided. An airbag module according to the invention may have a cushion with a venting portion. During normal vehicle operation, the venting portion may be closed so that inflation gas is not permitted to flow through the venting portion. A pyrotechnic may be ignited to open the venting portion when venting is desired. The pyrotechnic may be directly attached to the venting portion to burn through or mechanically rupture the venting portion, thereby forming an exit port. Alternatively, the venting portion may have a flap that can be detached from the housing by ignition of a pyrotechnic to permit venting through an exit port of the housing. The pyrotechnic may then be disposed within a fastener designed to fracture upon ignition of the pyrotechnic to release the flap from attachment to the housing. The pyrotechnic may, for example, be an initiator or rapid deflagration cord (RDC). The cushion may thus be more stiffly inflated for a high velocity collision, or less stiffly inflated in the case of a lower impact velocity or an out-of-position occupant.
70 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An airbag module for protecting an occupant of a vehicle from impact, the airbag module comprising:
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an inflator configured to provide pressurized inflation gas upon receipt of an inflation activation signal; a cushion configured to receive the inflation gas, the cushion having a venting portion with an open configuration in which inflation gas is able to exit the cushion through the venting portion, and a closed configuration in which the venting portion substantially blocks inflation gas flow through the venting portion; a pyrotechnic configured to ignite in response to receipt of a venting activation signal to move the venting portion from the closed configuration to the open configuration; wherein the cushion is generally formed of a flexible material, wherein the venting portion comprises a membrane attached to an opening of the flexible material such that ignition of the pyrotechnic forms an exit port in the membrane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An airbag module for protecting an occupant of a vehicle from impact, the airbag module comprising:
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a cushion configured to receive inflation gas, the cushion having a venting portion with an open configuration in which inflation gas is able to exit the cushion through the venting portion, and a closed configuration in which the venting portion substantially blocks inflation gas flow through the venting portion; a pyrotechnic positioned proximate the venting portion, wherein the pyrotechnic is configured to ignite in response to receipt of a venting activation signal to form an exit port in the venting portion, thereby moving the venting portion from the closed configuration to the open configuration; wherein the pyrotechnic comprises a length of rapid deflagration cord attached to the venting portion to burn through the venting portion as a result of ignition of the rapid deflagration cord. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification