Active tether air bag module
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An air bag module (30) comprising:
- an air bag (50) and a tether (52) with one end secured to and movable with the air bag upon inflation of the air bag;
a fixed housing member (170) having openings (150) through which the tether is threaded, the housing member and openings configured so the tether slides relative to an adjacent surface (172a) of the housing member during inflation of the air bag; and
tether stopping means (82) movable from a disengaged position to an engaged position during air bag inflation for stopping the tether and hence stopping movement of that portion of the air bag linked to the tether.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An air bag module (30) is disclosed having an air bag (50) and a tether (52) and an active brake (70, 80) for controlling the length of the tether in correspondence with the size of the occupant to be protected.
37 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An air bag module (30) comprising:
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an air bag (50) and a tether (52) with one end secured to and movable with the air bag upon inflation of the air bag;
a fixed housing member (170) having openings (150) through which the tether is threaded, the housing member and openings configured so the tether slides relative to an adjacent surface (172a) of the housing member during inflation of the air bag; and
tether stopping means (82) movable from a disengaged position to an engaged position during air bag inflation for stopping the tether and hence stopping movement of that portion of the air bag linked to the tether. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An air bag module (30) comprising:
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an air bag (300) and a tether (52) with one end secured to and movable with the air bag upon inflation of the air bag;
a housing (40) having a first housing portion (44) for receiving the air bag and a second housing portion (42) for supporting an inflator (60), the first housing portion includes a diverter for receiving inflation gas from the inflator (60) and for distributing the inflation gas through at least one opening (122) into the air bag (300), the diverter including one slot (120) through which the tether is slidingly received, the housing further includes an intermediate housing member (170) having openings (150) through which the tether is threaded, the intermediate housing member and openings configured so that the tether slides relative to an adjacent surface (172a) of the intermediate housing member during inflation of the air bag;
the housing further includes a vent 144, which when opened diverts inflation gas away from the intermediate housing member and from the air bag;
the housing and inflator configured to permit inflation gas to flow primarily from the inflator through the intermediate housing member or from the inflator through the vent when the vent is open; and
tether stopping means (82) movable from a first position disengaged from the tether to a second position in engagement with the tether during air bag inflation for stopping the tether. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An air bag module having an air bag and a tether and means for controlling the length of the tether in correspondence with the size of the occupant to be protected.
Specification