Airbag module with an adaptive ventilation device

• US 9,434,346 B2
• Filed: 11/21/2013
• Issued: 09/06/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Weber, Marcus, Hoffmann, Jens, Nebel, Raimund, Drssler, Wolfgang, Peiz, Roland
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming, Faye M
• Application Number:
  US14/647,150
• Publication Number:
  US 20150314747A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,020 Days
• Field of Search: 280/729
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2395 comprising means to control the venting
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2165 characterised by a tear line for defining a deployment opening
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/239 characterised by their venting means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/26 characterised by the inflation fluid source or means to control inflation fluid flow arrangement or mounting thereof to the vehicle B60R21/20; blasting cartridges for producing gas under pressure in general F42B3/04; initiators or igniters therefor F42B3/10

Abstract

An airbag module having a first nozzle (10) enclosing a first gas compartment (G1), and a first inflator. At least one adaptive ventilation device for the first gas compartment (G1) is provided with a ventilation opening (12) bordered by flexible material and at least one throttle device with a tear seam, which, in a first state, throttles the gas flow more strongly than in a second state. A second cover (44) surrounding a second gas compartment (G2) and a gas source for the second gas compartment (G2) are provided, wherein the tear seam (49) extends through the second gas compartment and, upon filling of the second gas compartment (G2) by the gas source, the seam ruptures and the adaptive ventilation device passes from the first, to the second state.

Claims

1. An airbag module comprising;

a first cover enclosing a first gas compartment, a first inflator for filling the first gas compartment, at least one adaptive ventilation device for the ventilation of the first gas compartment which features at least one ventilation opening bordered by flexible material and at least one throttle device having a tear seam, which, in a first state, throttles the gas flow through the ventilation opening more strongly than in a second state,

a second cover surrounding a second gas compartment and a gas source for filling the second gas compartment, wherein the tear seam extends through the second gas compartment, and upon filling of the second gas compartment by the gas source, the seam ruptures so that the adaptive ventilation device changes from a first, throttled state to a second, less throttled state,

the tear seam throttles the ventilation opening in the first state of the adaptive ventilation device at least in that the tear seam connects a first section of a border of the ventilation opening directly to a second section of the border of the ventilation opening and pulls tight the border at least in first and second sections,

wherein the gas source is a second inflator independent of the first inflator.

2. The airbag module according to claim 1, further comprising in that the ventilation device features a nozzle extending from a first end to a second end, wherein the first end of the nozzle is firmly connected and sewn to the first cover around a through opening of the first cover, and wherein the second end of the nozzle features the ventilation opening so that the nozzle forms the border of the ventilation opening.

3. The airbag module according to claim 2, further comprising in that, in the first state, the nozzle is located inside the first gas compartment.

4. The airbag module according to claim 2, further comprising in that, in the first state, the nozzle is located outside the first gas compartment.

5. The airbag module according to claim 1, further comprising in that the ventilation opening is an opening in the first cover, so that the border of the ventilation opening is formed by the first cover.

6. The airbag module according to claim 5, further comprising in that the ventilation opening is configured slot-shaped.

7. The airbag module according to claim 6, further comprising in that the ventilation opening is configured U-shaped.

8. The airbag module according to claim 5, further comprising in that the ventilation opening has a planar, circular or oval configuration.

9. An airbag module according to claim 1 further comprising in that the second cover is disposed entirely inside the first gas compartment.

10. An airbag module according to claim 1 further comprising in that the second cover is disposed entirely outside the first gas compartment.

11. An airbag module according to claim 1 further comprising in that the second cover remains closed even after filling the second gas compartment.

12. An airbag module according to claim 1 further comprising in that the second cover opens upon filling the second gas compartment.

13. An airbag module according to claim 1 further comprising in that the ventilation opening is fully closed in the first state.

14. An airbag module according to claim 1 further comprising wherein the first gas compartment and the second gas compartment are separate in that the first cover does not form any portion of the second gas compartment, and the second cover does not form any portion of the first gas compartment.

15. An airbag module according to claim 1 further comprising wherein a portion of the first cover further encloses portions of the first gas compartment and the second gas compartment.