Airbag arrangement

• US 7,413,218 B2
• Filed: 11/04/2003
• Issued: 08/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ekdahl, Kalle
• Primary Examiner(s): Hurley; Kevin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gooden, Jr.; Barry
• Application Number:
  US10/701,397
• Publication Number:
  US 20040130135A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,750 Days
• Field of Search: 280/739, 280/743.1, 280/736
• US Class Current: 280/739
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/239 characterised by their venting means

Abstract

An air-bag is provided with a controllable vent, for example a tube, which is normally maintained in a closed condition by being retained by a clamp. The clamp is opened in response to a signal from a sensor. The clamp may be opened when it is desired for the air-bag to have a “soft” inflation, thus permitting a relatively high rate of flow of gas exiting from the air-bag.

Claims

1. A fabric air-bag, the air-bag being provided with a controllable vent formed in the fabric of the air-bag, the vent normally being maintained in a closed condition by a fabric element which is retained by a clamp, the clamp being capable of releasing the fabric element in response to a signal from a sensor, wherein the fabric element is in the form of a re-entrant tube extending into the interior of the air-bag, the free end of the tube defining the controllable vent and the re-entrant tube being held closed by the clamp prior to deployment of the air-bag so that gas cannot flow through the tube.

2. An air-bag according to claim 1 wherein the tube is formed integrally with the air-bag.

3. An air-bag according to claim 2 wherein the free end of the tube is retained by the clamp.

4. An air-bag according to claim 1 wherein the sensor is adapted to sense the weight of a seat occupant and/or the position of the seat occupant, and/or whether the seat occupant is wearing a safety-belt.