Airbag
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An airbag module comprising:
- an inflatable airbag;
an inflator configured to provide gas for inflating the airbag;
wherein the airbag includes a vent opening in a surface of the airbag to allow inflation gas to escape the airbag;
a tether aligned against the surface of the airbag adjacent the opening;
wherein the tether includes a first tether opening and wherein the tether is configured so that the first tether opening and the vent opening are aligned prior to the full deployment of the airbag, anda guide layer that is separate from the tether and is fixedly coupled to the airbag, wherein the guide layer is positioned on the opposite side of the tether from the vent opening to thereby maintain the tether against the surface of the airbag;
wherein during deployment of the airbag the position of the tether changes so that the first tether opening and vent opening are no longer aligned; and
wherein the tether includes a second tether opening that is aligned with the vent opening when the airbag is fully deployed.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An airbag module including an inflatable airbag and an inflator configured to provide gas for inflating the airbag. The airbag includes a vent opening in a surface of the airbag to allow inflation gas to escape the airbag. A tether is aligned against the surface of the airbag adjacent the opening. The tether includes a first tether opening and wherein the tether is configured so that the first tether opening and the vent opening are aligned prior to the full deployment of the airbag. During deployment of the airbag the position of the tether changes so that the first tether opening and vent opening are no longer aligned.
17 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An airbag module comprising:
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an inflatable airbag; an inflator configured to provide gas for inflating the airbag; wherein the airbag includes a vent opening in a surface of the airbag to allow inflation gas to escape the airbag; a tether aligned against the surface of the airbag adjacent the opening;
wherein the tether includes a first tether opening and wherein the tether is configured so that the first tether opening and the vent opening are aligned prior to the full deployment of the airbag, anda guide layer that is separate from the tether and is fixedly coupled to the airbag, wherein the guide layer is positioned on the opposite side of the tether from the vent opening to thereby maintain the tether against the surface of the airbag; wherein during deployment of the airbag the position of the tether changes so that the first tether opening and vent opening are no longer aligned; and wherein the tether includes a second tether opening that is aligned with the vent opening when the airbag is fully deployed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An airbag module comprising:
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an inflatable airbag; an inflator configured to provide gas for inflating the airbag; wherein the airbag includes a vent opening in a surface of the airbag to allow inflation gas to escape the airbag; a tether aligned against the surface of the airbag adjacent the opening; wherein the tether includes a first tether opening and wherein the tether is configured so that the first tether opening and the vent opening are aligned prior to the full deployment of the airbag, and wherein during deployment of the airbag the position of the tether changes so that the first tether opening and vent opening are no longer aligned; wherein the tether includes first and second ends and, prior to deployment of the airbag, both the first and second ends are connected directly to the airbag; and wherein during deployment of the airbag the first end separates from the airbag. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. An inflatable airbag for protecting a vehicle occupant comprising:
- a boundary layer for retaining inflation gas within an inflatable chamber;
a vent opening in the boundary layer for allowing inflation gas to escape outside of inflatable chamber; a tether connected to the boundary layer and positioned against the boundary layer; wherein the tether includes a first opening aligned with the vent opening when the airbag begins to inflate and a second opening aligned with the vent opening when the airbag is fully inflated; wherein the tether includes an end portion coupled directly to the boundary layer, and during deployment of the airbag the end portion of the tether separates from the boundary layer to allow the tether to change position so that the second opening aligns with the vent openings. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
- a boundary layer for retaining inflation gas within an inflatable chamber;
Specification