Cushion shaping sleeve and tether for airbags
First Claim
1. An airbag device, comprising:
- at least one fabric panel forming an airbag cushion;
an inflator to inflate the airbag cushion;
a sleeve connected to the airbag cushion; and
a tether configured to pass through the sleeve, wherein a first end of the tether is anchored to a portion of the airbag cushion, module, or vehicle structure and a second, opposite end of the tether is secured to the cushion, module, or vehicle structure and wherein a majority of the tether is positioned in the sleeve, andwherein the tether and sleeve are configured to initially restrain the deployment of the airbag cushion, and during deployment, one of the ends of the tether is released allowing the tether to slide within the sleeve, thereby releasing the restraint on the airbag cushion.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An airbag device is initially restricted to restrain the initial forces from early deployment. The airbag device comprises at least one fabric panel forming an airbag cushion, an inflator to inflate the airbag cushion, a sleeve attached to the airbag cushion, and a tether configured to pass through the sleeve. A first end of the tether is anchored to a portion of the airbag cushion, airbag housing, retainer, or vehicle component. A second, opposite end of the tether is capable of passing through the sleeve during deployment of the airbag. The tether and sleeve are configured to initially restrain the deployment of the airbag cushion. During deployment, the tether is configured to unlace from the sleeve to release the restraint on the airbag cushion.
35 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An airbag device, comprising:
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at least one fabric panel forming an airbag cushion; an inflator to inflate the airbag cushion; a sleeve connected to the airbag cushion; and a tether configured to pass through the sleeve, wherein a first end of the tether is anchored to a portion of the airbag cushion, module, or vehicle structure and a second, opposite end of the tether is secured to the cushion, module, or vehicle structure and wherein a majority of the tether is positioned in the sleeve, and wherein the tether and sleeve are configured to initially restrain the deployment of the airbag cushion, and during deployment, one of the ends of the tether is released allowing the tether to slide within the sleeve, thereby releasing the restraint on the airbag cushion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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11. An airbag device, comprising:
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at least one fabric panel forming an airbag cushion; an inflator to inflate the airbag cushion; first and second sleeves connected to the airbag cushion; a first tether configured to pass though the sleeve, wherein a first end of the first tether is anchored to a portion of the airbag cushion, module, or vehicle structure and a second, opposite end of the first tether is capable of passing though at least a portion of the sleeve during deployment of the airbag; and a second tether, wherein the tethers and sleeves are configured to initially restrain the deployment of the airbag cushion, and during deployment, the tethers are configured to unlace within the sleeves to release the restraint on the airbag cushion, wherein the second sleeve overlaps the first sleeve.
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16. An airbag device, comprising:
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at least one fabric panel forming an airbag cushion; an inflator to inflate the airbag cushion; a sleeve connected to the airbag cushion; and a tether configured to pass through the sleeve, wherein a first end of the tether is anchored to a portion of the airbag cushion, module, or vehicle structure and a second, opposite end of the tether is capable of passing through at least a portion of the sleeve during deployment of the airbag, wherein the tether and sleeve are configured to initially restrain the deployment of the airbag cushion, and during deployment, the tether is configured to unlace within the sleeve to release the restraint on the airbag cushion, and wherein the sleeve and tether are external to the airbag cushion, and wherein the tether is connected to a release mechanism inside of the airbag cushion.
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17. A method for controlling the deployment of an airbag module, comprising:
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storing an inflatable airbag cushion in an un-deployed position in a housing; providing an inflator in communication with the airbag cushion to inflate the airbag cushion; providing a sleeve on an inside portion of the airbag cushion; surrounding an inside portion of the airbag cushion with a tether element to restrain the airbag cushion during an initial deployment, wherein the sleeve is positioned in a central portion of the airbag cushion and cinching the airbag cushion to form two lobes in the airbag cushion during deployment; and releasing the tether element in an active or passive manner, such that releasing the tether element uncinches the airbag cushion lobes. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An airbag device, comprising:
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at least one fabric panel forming an airbag cushion; an inflator to inflate the airbag cushion; a sleeve connected to the airbag cushion; and a tether configured to pass through the sleeve, wherein a first end of the tether is connected to a portion of the airbag cushion, module, or vehicle structure and a second, opposite end of the tether is secured to the cushion, and wherein a majority of the tether is positioned in the sleeve, wherein the tether and sleeve are configured to initially restrain the deployment of the airbag cushion, and during deployment, one of the ends of the tether is released allowing the tether to slide within the sleeve, thereby releasing the restraint on the airbag cushion, and wherein the airbag cushion can be folded in any manner prior to deployment.
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Specification