Airbag cushion with cinch tube for reduced out-of-position effects
DC CAFCFirst Claim
Patent Images
1. An airbag cushion module, comprising:
- an inflatable airbag cushion defining an interior;
a cinch tube having a base end opposite from a terminal end, wherein the terminal end has an aperture; and
a cinch cord coupled to the terminal end of the cinch tube and extending around a majority of the aperture of the terminal end of the cinch tube, the cinch cord further coupled to a surface of the airbag cushion such that upon inflatable airbag deployment with obstruction, the cinch cord does not fully extend and the cinch tube remains open, and upon inflatable airbag deployment without obstruction, the cinch cord extends and at least partially closes the aperture at the terminal end,wherein the cinch tube is configured such that the aperture at the terminal end at least partially closes, upon inflatable airbag deployment without obstruction, without necessitating closure of the base end of the cinch tube, andwherein the configuration of the cinch tube and the length of the cinch cord enables the aperture to at least partially close, upon inflatable airbag deployment without obstruction, such that the terminal end is at least partially within the interior of the inflatable airbag cushion after the aperture becomes at least partially closed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An airbag cushion is disclosed for use in automotive protective systems. The airbag cushion includes a tube that may be restricted to prevent gas venting. A cord is coupled to the tube and to a surface of the cushion. Upon airbag deployment, the cord extends until taut or extends until the cushion encounters an obstruction. If pulled taut, the cord tightens the tube and restricts gas venting. If the cushion encounters an obstruction, the cord remains lax and the tube is able to vent gas.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An airbag cushion module, comprising:
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an inflatable airbag cushion defining an interior; a cinch tube having a base end opposite from a terminal end, wherein the terminal end has an aperture; and a cinch cord coupled to the terminal end of the cinch tube and extending around a majority of the aperture of the terminal end of the cinch tube, the cinch cord further coupled to a surface of the airbag cushion such that upon inflatable airbag deployment with obstruction, the cinch cord does not fully extend and the cinch tube remains open, and upon inflatable airbag deployment without obstruction, the cinch cord extends and at least partially closes the aperture at the terminal end, wherein the cinch tube is configured such that the aperture at the terminal end at least partially closes, upon inflatable airbag deployment without obstruction, without necessitating closure of the base end of the cinch tube, and wherein the configuration of the cinch tube and the length of the cinch cord enables the aperture to at least partially close, upon inflatable airbag deployment without obstruction, such that the terminal end is at least partially within the interior of the inflatable airbag cushion after the aperture becomes at least partially closed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An airbag cushion module, comprising:
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an inflatable airbag cushion defining an interior; a first cinch tube and a second cinch tube, wherein each cinch tube has a base end opposite from a terminal end, and each terminal end has an aperture; and a cinch cord coupled to the first and second cinch tubes and extending around a majority of the aperture of the terminal end of each of the cinch tubes; wherein the cinch cord passes through a cinch loop coupled to a surface of the airbag cushion at a location such that upon inflatable airbag deployment with obstruction, the cinch cord does not fully extend and the cinch tubes remain open, and upon inflatable airbag deployment without obstruction, the cinch cord extends and at least partially closes the apertures of the terminal ends of the cinch tubes; wherein the cinch tubes are configured such that the apertures at the terminal ends at least partially closes, upon inflatable airbag deployment without obstruction, without necessitating closure of the base ends of the cinch tubes, and wherein the configuration of the cinch tubes and the length of the cinch cord enables the apertures to at least partially close, upon inflatable airbag deployment without obstruction, such that the terminal ends are at least partially within the interior of the inflatable airbag cushion after the apertures becomes at least partially closed. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An airbag cushion module, comprising:
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an inflatable airbag cushion defining an interior; means for venting gas out of the airbag; and means for restricting gas venting by cinching the venting means to reduce the circumference of the venting means at a terminal end without necessitating closure of an opposing base end upon inflatable airbag deployment without obstruction and enabling the venting means to remain open upon inflatable airbag deployment with obstruction wherein the configuration of the venting means and configuration of the means for restricting gas venting enable the venting means to at least partially close, upon inflatable airbag deployment without obstruction, such that the terminal end is at least partially within the interior of the inflatable airbag cushion after the venting means becomes at least partially closed.
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Specification