Flat panel pleated airbag cushions and related methods and systems
First Claim
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1. An airbag cushion, comprising:
- a first panel; and
a second panel having a larger cross-sectional area than the first panel in an unfolded state, wherein the second panel is attached to the first panel about a periphery of the first panel, and wherein the second panel comprises;
a first set of pleats; and
a second set of pleats intersecting the first set of pleats such that, upon inflation of the airbag cushion, the first set of pleats and the second set of pleats unfold to define a three-dimensional airbag cushion.
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods, and systems relating to flat panel airbag cushions that may be particularly useful in connection with passenger-side airbag systems. Some embodiments may comprise a first panel and a second panel having a larger cross-sectional area than the first panel in an unfolded state. The second panel may comprise a first set of pleats and a second set of pleats configured such that, upon inflation of the airbag cushion, the first set of pleats and the second set of pleats unfold to define a three-dimensional airbag cushion. The second panel may be sewn or otherwise attached to the first panel about a periphery of the two panels.
11 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An airbag cushion, comprising:
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a first panel; and a second panel having a larger cross-sectional area than the first panel in an unfolded state, wherein the second panel is attached to the first panel about a periphery of the first panel, and wherein the second panel comprises; a first set of pleats; and a second set of pleats intersecting the first set of pleats such that, upon inflation of the airbag cushion, the first set of pleats and the second set of pleats unfold to define a three-dimensional airbag cushion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A flat panel, passenger-side airbag cushion, comprising:
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a first panel; and a second panel having a larger cross-sectional area than the first panel in an unfolded state, wherein the second panel is attached to the first panel about a periphery of the first panel, and wherein the second panel comprises; an unfolded region positioned adjacent to an upper edge of the second panel; a first set of vertical pleats extending from a border of the unfolded region towards a lower region of the second panel, wherein the first set of pleats extends in a fan-like pattern with a width of each of the first set of pleats expanding from a first end of the first set of pleats to a second end of the first set of pleats such that the airbag cushion, upon inflation, expands to a larger degree towards the lower region; a second set of horizontal pleats intersecting the first set of pleats from a first side of the second panel to a second side of second panel opposite from the first side such that, upon inflation of the airbag cushion, the first set of pleats and the second set of pleats unfold to define a three-dimensional airbag cushion. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A method for manufacturing an airbag cushion, the method comprising the steps of:
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obtaining a first panel comprising a first profile defined by a periphery of the first panel; obtaining a second panel comprising a second profile defined by a periphery of the second panel, wherein the second panel has a larger profile than the first panel; forming a first set of pleats in the second panel such that the second panel has a reduced profile defined by a periphery of the second panel after formation of the first set of pleats, wherein the first set of pleats is formed such that a lower portion of the second panel expands to a greater degree than an upper portion of the second panel upon unfolding of the first set of pleats during deployment of the airbag cushion; and after the step of forming a first set of pleats in the second panel, attaching the first panel directly to the second panel about respective peripheries of the first and second panels. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification