Airbag module
First Claim
1. An airbag module for providing restraint to an occupant of a vehicle, comprising:
- an inflatable airbag cushion that includes a vent hole and a vent pocket;
an inflator for generating inflation gas to inflate the airbag cushion during deployment;
an actuator;
a vent member configured to fill at least a portion of the vent pocket to selectively cover the vent hole of the cushion; and
a tether having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to the vent member and the second end is coupled to the actuator;
wherein when the actuator has not been activated, the vent member remains in a first position covering the vent hole under a tension applied by the tether to thereby prevent inflation gas from escaping through the vent hole;
wherein when the actuator has been activated, the tension is reduced enough to allow the inflation gas to move the vent member to a second position uncovering the vent hole thereby allowing inflation gas to escape through the vent hole and through the vent member.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An airbag module comprising an inflatable airbag cushion that includes a vent hole and a vent pocket, an inflator for inflating the airbag cushion, an actuator, a vent member configured to fill at least a portion of the vent pocket to selectively cover the vent hole, and a tether having a first end and a second end. The first end of the tether is coupled to the vent member and the second end is coupled to the actuator. When the actuator has not been activated, the vent member remains in a first position covering the vent hole under a tension applied by the tether to thereby prevent inflation gas from escaping through the vent hole. When the actuator has been activated, the tension is reduced enough to allow the inflation gas to move the vent member to a second position uncovering the vent hole thereby allowing inflation gas to escape through the vent hole and through the vent member.
25 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An airbag module for providing restraint to an occupant of a vehicle, comprising:
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an inflatable airbag cushion that includes a vent hole and a vent pocket; an inflator for generating inflation gas to inflate the airbag cushion during deployment; an actuator; a vent member configured to fill at least a portion of the vent pocket to selectively cover the vent hole of the cushion; and a tether having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to the vent member and the second end is coupled to the actuator; wherein when the actuator has not been activated, the vent member remains in a first position covering the vent hole under a tension applied by the tether to thereby prevent inflation gas from escaping through the vent hole; wherein when the actuator has been activated, the tension is reduced enough to allow the inflation gas to move the vent member to a second position uncovering the vent hole thereby allowing inflation gas to escape through the vent hole and through the vent member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An airbag module for providing restraint to an occupant of a vehicle, comprising:
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an inflatable airbag cushion having a vent hole; an inflator for generating inflation gas to inflate the airbag cushion during deployment; and a vent member having a first stored position and a second open position; wherein when the vent member is in the first stored position the vent member includes at least one fold and covers the vent hole to thereby prevent inflation gas from escaping therethrough; wherein when the vent member is in the second open position, the vent hole is uncovered to thereby allow inflation gas to escape therethrough; and wherein the airbag cushion includes a first panel coupled to a second panel to form a vent pocket for retaining at least a portion of the vent member when in the first stored position. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification