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Front rail mounted airbag

  • US 9,004,216 B1
  • Filed: 11/18/2013
  • Issued: 04/14/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2013
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An airbag system for mitigating intrusion from an impact with an offset rigid barrier to a forward corner of a motor vehicle having a front side body panel having an exterior and interior surface, the airbag system comprising:

  • a motor vehicle front rail having a forward projecting distal end;

    an airbag attached proximate the distal end of the front rail, the airbag having a stowed condition and an inflated condition, wherein the airbag in the inflated condition has a triangular configuration defined in part by an angular leading edge corresponding to a hypotenuse of the triangular configuration and a rearward end corresponding to a base of the triangular configuration, wherein the angular leading edge of the airbag is disposed proximate the interior surface of the front side panel when in the inflated condition;

    an inflator operationally coupled with the airbag responsive to electrical actuation for inflating the airbag with a gas;

    an impact detection sensor for generating a signal upon an impact event; and

    a controller for processing the signal generated by the detection sensor and electrically actuating the inflator upon computing a predetermined impact severity to the forward corner of the motor vehicle, wherein the angular leading edge of the airbag in the inflated condition acts through the front side panel against the offset rigid barrier so as to generate a lateral force against the offset rigid barrier to push the motor vehicle away from the barrier and thereby redirect impact energy by lateral movement of the motor vehicle.

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