Inflatable airbag with overlapping chamber
First Claim
1. An inflatable airbag assembly, comprising:
- a first fabric panel;
a second fabric panel attached to the first fabric panel, the first and second fabric panels defining a first inflatable cushion;
a third fabric panel attached to the second fabric panel, the second and third fabric panels defining a second inflatable cushion;
a seal separating the first inflatable cushion from the second inflatable cushion preventing fluid communication between the first and second inflatable cushions; and
an inflator inflator assembly positioned within the airbag system comprising a gas guide with a tapered cylindrical body wall, the gas guide intersects both the first inflatable cushion and the second inflatable cushion, wherein the gas guide comprises at least one outlet opening in the tapered cylindrical body wall positioned within the first inflatable cushion, wherein the seal separating the first inflatable cushion and the second inflatable cushion leaves a small space through which the gas guide projects, wherein once the gas guide is in position, the first cushion and the second cushion are sealed off so that inflation gas may not pass between the first cushion and the second cushion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An inflatable side airbag apparatus having a thorax cushion and an independently inflatable overlapping high pressure pelvic cushion is disclosed. The airbag system provides for rapid deployment of the pelvic cushion. The thorax cushion inflates adjacent to and provides impact protection for an occupant'"'"'s thorax and pelvis in a lateral collision. The pelvic cushion inflates between the thorax cushion and the side structure of the vehicle and provides impact protection for the occupant'"'"'s pelvis. The airbag system also includes an inflator having a gas guide that is in fluid communication with both cushions, and inflates the pelvic cushion to a higher pressure than the thorax cushion. The thorax cushion further includes a diffuser hood for diverting inflation gas toward the pelvic region of the cushion, thereby rapidly positioning the pelvic cushion in its intended deployment position.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An inflatable airbag assembly, comprising:
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a first fabric panel; a second fabric panel attached to the first fabric panel, the first and second fabric panels defining a first inflatable cushion; a third fabric panel attached to the second fabric panel, the second and third fabric panels defining a second inflatable cushion; a seal separating the first inflatable cushion from the second inflatable cushion preventing fluid communication between the first and second inflatable cushions; and an inflator inflator assembly positioned within the airbag system comprising a gas guide with a tapered cylindrical body wall, the gas guide intersects both the first inflatable cushion and the second inflatable cushion, wherein the gas guide comprises at least one outlet opening in the tapered cylindrical body wall positioned within the first inflatable cushion, wherein the seal separating the first inflatable cushion and the second inflatable cushion leaves a small space through which the gas guide projects, wherein once the gas guide is in position, the first cushion and the second cushion are sealed off so that inflation gas may not pass between the first cushion and the second cushion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A side-impact inflatable airbag system, comprising:
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a first inflatable cushion shaped to provide impact protection for a thorax and pelvic region of a projected position of a vehicular occupant; a second inflatable cushion inflatable independent of the first inflatable cushion, the second inflatable cushion shaped to provide impact protection for the pelvic region of the projected position of the occupant and located adjacent a side of the first inflatable cushion furthest away from the projected position of the occupant; and an inflator inflator assembly positioned within the side-impact system comprising a gas guide with a tapered cylindrical body wall, the gas guide intersects both the first inflatable cushion and the second inflatable cushion, wherein the gas guide comprises at least one outlet opening in the tapered cylindrical body all positioned within the first inflatable cushion, wherein a seal separates the first inflatable cushion and the second inflatable cushion leaving a small space through which the gas guide projects, wherein once the gas guide is in position, the first cushion and the second cushion are sealed off so that inflation gas may not pass between the two cushions and, wherein the inflator is constructed to inflate the second inflatable cushion at a higher pressure than the first inflatable cushion; and a zero-length tether that controls width of the first inflatable cushion when inflated.
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15. A side-impact inflatable airbag system, comprising:
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a first inflatable cushion for providing impact protection for a thorax and pelvic region of a vehicular occupant; a second inflatable cushion for providing impact protection for the pelvic region of the occupant, the second cushion for providing impact protection inflates independent of the first cushion for providing impact protection; and an inflator inflator assembly positioned within the airbag system comprising a gas guide with a tapered cylindrical body wall, the gas guide intersects both the first inflatable cushion and the second inflatable cushion, wherein the gas guide comprises at least one outlet opening in the tapered cylindrical body wall positioned within the first inflatable cushion, wherein a seal separates the first inflatable cushion and the second inflatable cushion leaving a small space through which the gas guide projects, wherein once the gas guide is in position, the first cushion and the second cushion are sealed off so that inflation gas may not pass between the two cushions; wherein the first inflatable cushion includes a diffuser hood that initially directs inflation gas toward the portion of the first inflatable cushion adjacent the second inflatable cushion. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification