Airbag system for out-of-position occupant protection and adaptive venting
First Claim
1. An airbag assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
- an airbag that is deployable and inflatable for providing a cushioning surface upon deployment;
an inflator being connected to the airbag, the inflator for generating gases that cause inflation of the airbag;
a housing substantially enclosing the airbag and the inflator, the housing having a vent hole for venting gases generated by the inflator;
an airbag tether having at least a first and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the airbag;
a venting member being moveable with respect to the housing and being configured to cover and uncover the vent hole, the venting member having the second end of the airbag tether connected thereto; and
an actuator coupled to the venting member, the venting member moving away from the vent hole upon inflation of the airbag during a first stage of an airbag deployment event, thereby uncovering the vent hole for the passage of gases through the vent hole, the actuator being configured to cause release of the second end of the airbag tether from the venting member during an adaptive venting stage, wherein the airbag is in a substantially full deployment condition.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a vehicle airbag assembly and method for deployment. An inflator is connected to an airbag wherein the inflator generates gases that cause inflation of the airbag. A housing substantially encloses the airbag and the inflator. The housing includes a vent hole for venting gases. An airbag tether is included having at least a first and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the airbag and the second end is attached to a venting member. The venting member, being configured to cover the vent hole, is moveable with respect to the housing. During a first airbag deployment stage, the venting member is forced away from the vent hole as the inflator generates gases. An actuator releases the second end of the airbag tether from the venting member during a second airbag deployment stage for the passage of gases through the vent hole.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. An airbag assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
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an airbag that is deployable and inflatable for providing a cushioning surface upon deployment; an inflator being connected to the airbag, the inflator for generating gases that cause inflation of the airbag; a housing substantially enclosing the airbag and the inflator, the housing having a vent hole for venting gases generated by the inflator; an airbag tether having at least a first and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the airbag; a venting member being moveable with respect to the housing and being configured to cover and uncover the vent hole, the venting member having the second end of the airbag tether connected thereto; and an actuator coupled to the venting member, the venting member moving away from the vent hole upon inflation of the airbag during a first stage of an airbag deployment event, thereby uncovering the vent hole for the passage of gases through the vent hole, the actuator being configured to cause release of the second end of the airbag tether from the venting member during an adaptive venting stage, wherein the airbag is in a substantially full deployment condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of deploying an airbag through the use of an airbag assembly, wherein the airbag assembly includes an inflator coupled to an airbag, the inflator and airbag being substantially enclosed by an airbag assembly housing having a vent hole, the method comprising:
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providing a venting member and an actuator, wherein the venting member is connected to the actuator, the venting member being attached to the housing and moveable about the housing to cover and uncover the vent hole; inflating the airbag by supplying gases to the airbag through the use of the inflator thereby causing the venting member to uncover the vent hole by moving away from the vent hole during a first stage of an airbag deployment event for the passage of gases through the vent hole; covering the vent hole by causing tensioning of an airbag tether having at least a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to the air bag and the second end is connected to the venting member; and releasing a tether release pin from the venting member through the use of the actuator thereby causing the release of the second end of the airbag tether from the venting member during a second airbag deployment stage. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification