Delphi Technologies, Inc.

Ann L Kneisly

Mark Thomas Winters

Patrick W Schatz

Ryan Todd Pinsenschaum

Laura Adelle Hawthorn

Stephanie L Dunkle

Shawn Gregory Ryan

Mark E Kassman

John Paul Sparkman

An air bag assembly adapted for use in opposing relation to a vehicle occupant. The assembly includes one or more tethering elements which may be selectively released from a first restrained condition to a second restrained condition in a predefined manner so as to control the inflated profile of the air bag cushion based upon vehicle and/or occupant conditions while nonetheless maintaining tension within the tethering elements in both the first and second restrained conditions.

Air bag including variable tethers

An air bag pressure control system for use in a vehicle is provided. The system comprises a housing, an inflatable cushion, and a dual stage inflator. The inflator generates a quantity of inflation gas to deploy the inflatable cushion from the housing. A vent opening is formed in the housing to selectively direct a portion of the inflation gas towards or away from the inflatable cushion. A sensing and diagnostic module detects an activation event level. A control algorithm tailors an inflation level of the inflatable cushion during deployment according to the activation event level.

System and method for controlling an inflatable cushion

A variable tether system adapted for use in an inflatable cushion of an airbag module having a first pair of tether elements each having a first end and a second end, the first ends each being secured to inner portions of the inflatable cushion and the second ends each being secured to inner portions of the inflatable cushion, the first ends each being secured to the inflatable cushion at positions remote from the second ends and the second ends being secured to the inflatable cushion at a location closer to an inflation opening of the inflatable cushion than the first ends, wherein each of the first pair of tether elements has a portion between each of the first and second ends which is not secured to the inflatable cushion; and a second pair of tether elements each having a first side and a second side, the first side of one of said second pair of tether elements being secured to a portion of one of the first pair of tether elements and the first side of the other one of the second pair of tether elements being secured to the portion of the other one of the first pair of tether elements and the second sides are configured for being releasably secured to an actuation mechanism.

Airbag module having variable tether system

An airbag module is provided. The module includes a housing, an inflator, an inflatable cushion, a vent aperture defined in the housing, and a gas deflecting member. The vent aperture places the interior of the housing in fluid communication with the exterior of the housing. The vent aperture is offset from exhaust ports of the inflator. The gas deflecting member is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, a first portion of the deflecting member deflects a first amount of the inflation gas to the exterior of the housing. In the second position, a second portion of the deflecting member deflects the inflation gas towards the inflatable cushion. A second amount of the inflation gas is ventable from the housing through the vent aperture when the deflecting member is in the second position.

Apparatus and methods of venting gas in an airbag module

An air bag module having an inflator with an inflator flange, a plurality of mounting studs depending outwardly from the inflator flange. An air bag cushion is positioned about the inflator flange. The air bag cushion allows a portion of the inflator to be inserted into the air bag cushion and the plurality of mounting studs passing through openings in the air bag cushion. An air bag cover having a plurality of retaining members is secured to the inflator flange, the retaining members sandwich a portion of the air bag cushion in between the inflator flange and the retaining members. A base plate having a plurality of securement members is secured to the cover portion and the plurality of mounting studs.

Air bag module

A release mechanism of efficient construction and operation is provided to hold profile restraining air bag tethers in a shortened operative condition under a first set of predetermined conditions and to extend such tethers under a second set of predetermined conditions. The extension of the restraining tethers may be carried out in conjunction with the delivery of an increased volume of inflating gas to the air bag cushion utilizing a gas emitting inflator in conjunction with a dynamic variable inflation device to effect delivery of a proper volume of inflation gas while releasing the tethers from a restrained length condition.

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Dayton, OH, United States of America

Ann L Kneisly