Airbag module
First Claim
1. An airbag system for a vehicle, comprising:
- an airbag including a vent and a vent cover configured to close the vent, a pocket panel,an actuator, anda tether,wherein the tether is connected between the actuator and the vent cover such that tension is applied to the tether and the vent cover when the actuator has not been activated,wherein, when the actuator has not been activated, the vent is closed by the vent cover due to the tension applied to the vent cover by the tether, and the pocket panel overlaps and is positioned outward of at least a portion of the vent cover,wherein, once inflation gas is supplied to inflate the airbag, the actuator is configured to reduce or release the tension applied to the tether when the actuator is activated,wherein the vent cover is configured to remain in position when the actuator has been activated until the inflation gas forces the vent open,wherein the vent cover is configured to maintain the vent in a closed state when the actuator has not been activated,wherein the vent cover is located on an exterior surface of the airbag.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to an airbag system including an airbag including a vent and a vent cover, an actuator, and a tether. The tension can be applied to the tether when the actuator has not been activated. Further, when the actuator has not been activated, the vent is closed by the vent cover due to the tension applied to the tether connected to the vent cover. The actuator is configured, once inflation gas is supplied to inflate the airbag, to reduce or release the tension applied to the tether when the actuator is activated. The vent cover is configured to remain in position when the actuator has been activated until the inflation gas forces the vent open. The vent cover is configured to maintain the vent in a closed state when the actuator has not been activated. In addition, the vent cover can be located on an exterior surface of the airbag.
26 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An airbag system for a vehicle, comprising:
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an airbag including a vent and a vent cover configured to close the vent, a pocket panel, an actuator, and a tether, wherein the tether is connected between the actuator and the vent cover such that tension is applied to the tether and the vent cover when the actuator has not been activated, wherein, when the actuator has not been activated, the vent is closed by the vent cover due to the tension applied to the vent cover by the tether, and the pocket panel overlaps and is positioned outward of at least a portion of the vent cover, wherein, once inflation gas is supplied to inflate the airbag, the actuator is configured to reduce or release the tension applied to the tether when the actuator is activated, wherein the vent cover is configured to remain in position when the actuator has been activated until the inflation gas forces the vent open, wherein the vent cover is configured to maintain the vent in a closed state when the actuator has not been activated, wherein the vent cover is located on an exterior surface of the airbag. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An airbag system for a vehicle, comprising:
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an airbag including a vent and a vent cover configured to close the vent, a pocket panel, an actuator, and a tether, wherein the tether is connected between the actuator and the vent cover such that tension is applied to the tether when the actuator has not been activated, wherein, when the actuator has not been activated, the vent is closed by the vent cover due to the tension applied to the tether connected to the vent cover, and the pocket panel overlaps and is positioned outward of at least a portion of the vent cover, wherein, once inflation gas is supplied to inflate the airbag, the actuator is configured to reduce or release the tension applied to the tether when the actuator is activated, wherein the vent cover is configured to remain in position when the actuator has been activated until the inflation gas forces the vent open, wherein the vent cover is configured to maintain the vent in a closed state when the actuator has not been activated, wherein the vent cover is located on an exterior surface of the airbag; wherein at least a portion of the tether extends between the pocket panel and the airbag; and wherein the pocket panel covers an opening through which the tether extends.
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16. An airbag system for a vehicle, comprising:
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an airbag including a vent, a vent cover configured to close the vent, and a vent base having an opening, the vent base being located between the vent cover and the vent, an actuator, and a tether, wherein the tether is connected between the actuator and the vent cover such that tension is applied to the tether when the actuator has not been activated, wherein, when the actuator has not been activated, the vent is closed by the vent cover due to the tension applied to the tether connected to the vent cover, wherein, once inflation gas is supplied to inflate the airbag, the actuator is configured to reduce or release the tension applied to the tether when the actuator is activated, wherein the vent cover is configured to remain in position when the actuator has been activated until the inflation gas forces the vent open, wherein the vent cover is configured to maintain the vent in a closed state when the actuator has not been activated, wherein the vent cover is located on an exterior surface of the airbag, and wherein the vent base and the vent cover are attached to each other around perimeters thereof to form a secondary chamber between the vent base and the vent cover which can be pre-pressurized by the inflation gas prior to activating the actuator. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification