AIR BAG RESTRAINT INCLUDING SELECTIVELY OPERABLE VENTING ELEMENTS

• US 20050098990A1
• Filed: 12/16/2004
• Published: 05/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (Aptiv PLC)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (Aptiv PLC)
• Inventors: Heard, Keith C., Winters, Mark Thomas, Pinsenschaum, Ryan Todd, Hawthorn, Laura Adelle, Dunkle, Stephanie L.
• Application Number:
  US11/014,612
• Publication Number:
  US 20050098990A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/739
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23382 Internal tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26094 characterised by fluid flow controlling valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2765 comprising means to control the venting
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2171 specially adapted for elongated cylindrical or bottle-like inflators with a symmetry axis perpendicular to the main direction of bag deployment, e.g. extruded reaction canisters B60R21/2176 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/233 comprising a plurality of individual compartments; comprising two or more bag-like members, one within the other B60R21/232 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2338 Tethers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2342 Tear seams
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/239 characterised by their venting means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/276 with means to vent the inflation fluid source, e.g. in case of overpressure B60R21/30 takes precedence; venting means on inflatable member walls B60R21/239

Abstract

An air bag safety system for cushioning restraint of a vehicle occupant during an impact event. The safety system includes a variable depth inflatable air bag cushion having at least one vent opening. A cover element of substantially pliable material is located in overlying relation to the vent opening. The cover element is selectively displaceable relative to the vent opening in response to the inflation depth of the air bag cushion so as to adjust venting characteristics.

Claims

1. An air bag safety system for cushioning restraint of a vehicle occupant during an impact event, the safety system comprising:

a variable depth inflatable air bag cushion adapted to be selectively inflatable to one of a first depth or a second depth greater than the first depth wherein the air bag cushion includes at least one vent opening; and

a cover element of substantially pliable material disposed in overlying relation to the vent opening, the cover element including a blocking portion normally disposed in blocking relation across the vent opening and an aperture normally disposed within at least one folded pleat structure normally held in folded relation by at least one break-away seam disposed outboard of the vent opening, wherein the cover element is operatively connected to the air bag cushion such that upon inflation of the air bag cushion to said first depth the blocking portion and the pleat structure remain in their normal positions and such that upon inflation of the air bag cushion to said second depth the cover element is placed into tension thereby pulling the blocking portion away from the vent opening while at least partially collapsing the pleat structure such that the aperture is moved into alignment over the vent opening so as to increase venting across the air bag cushion.