Delphi Technologies, Inc.

Autoliv Development Ab

Laura Adelle Hawthorn

Scott David Thomas

Ryan Todd Pinsenschaum

Mark Thomas Winters

Stephanie L Dunkle

James Lloyd Webber

Patrick W Schatz

Shawn Gregory Ryan

Ann L Kneisly

Gary R Greib

Jeffrey Alan Shepherd

John Paul Sparkman

Michael W Donegan

Richard J Gustke

Brian T Strong

Hyun-Ho Park

Keith C Heard

Sonya Ann Lyons

Jason W Brown

Jingoo Kim

Stephanie L Taylor

Michael J Wolanin

A method of folding an inflatable cushion into a housing of an airbag module is provided, the method including: arranging the inflatable cushion in an un-inflated position to define a first pleat and a second pleat each extending from a first end of the inflatable cushion to a second end of the inflatable cushion, the second end being opposite the first end, the inflatable cushion also having a first flap portion extending from the first pleat and a second flap portion extending from the second pleat, the second flap portion being opposite the first flap portion; rolling the first end and the second end of the inflatable cushion towards each other and underneath a top surface of the inflatable cushion, wherein a first pocket is formed by the first pleat below the top surface and a second pocket below the top surface is formed by the second pleat; and folding the first flap into the first pocket and folding the second flap into the second pocket.

Method of folding an inflatable cushion and airbag module having a folded inflatable cushion

A control device for modifying the deployment characteristics of an inflatable cushion of an airbag module, the control device comprising: a releasable retention device, a first end of the releasable retention device being releasably secured to an inner surface of the inflatable cushion at a first location, the releasable retention device being configured to limit deployment of the inflatable cushion in a first direction when the releasable retention device is secured to the first location of the inflatable cushion; and a sensing device for releasing the releasable retention device from the first location, the sensing device being fixedly secured to the inner surface of the inflatable cushion at a second location remote from the first location and releasably secured to the releasable retention device, the sensing device being configured to release the releasable retention device from the first location when the second location of the inflatable cushion travels a predetermined distance during inflation.

Apparatus and method for controlling an inflatable cushion

A control device for modifying the deployment characteristics of an inflatable cushion of an airbag module, the control device comprising: a releasable retention device, a first end of the releasable retention device being releasably secured to an inner surface of the inflatable cushion at a first location, the releasable retention device being configured to limit deployment of the inflatable cushion in a first direction when the releasable retention device is secured to the first location of the inflatable cushion; a sensing device for releasing the releasable retention device from the first location, the sensing device being fixedly secured to the inner surface of the inflatable cushion at a second location remote from the first location and releasably secured to the releasable retention device, the sensing device being configured to release the releasable retention device from the first location when the second location of the inflatable cushion travels a predetermined distance during inflation; and a venting tether secured to the inner surface of the inflatable cushion at one end, the venting tether being configured to allow venting through at least one vent opening when the releasable retention device is secured to the inner surface of the inflatable cushion and the at least one vent opening is covered by the venting tether when the releasable retention device is released from the inner surface of the inflatable cushion.

An inflatable cushion for use in an airbag module is provided. The inflatable cushion generally includes a primary inflatable chamber configured for deployment from the air bag module, the primary inflatable chamber having an inlet opening for receipt of an inflation gas and the primary inflatable chamber defines a first volume. A secondary inflatable chamber secured to the primary inflation chamber, the secondary inflatable chamber defining a second volume, the second volume being less than the first volume and the secondary inflatable chamber being in fluid communication with the primary inflatable chamber such that the inflation gas must travel through the primary inflatable chamber prior to reaching the secondary inflatable chamber.

Inflatable cushion for an airbag module

An air bag module, comprising: a housing having at least one vent opening; an inflatable cushion being stored in an un-deployed position in the housing; an inflator for inflating the inflatable cushion, the inflator being in fluid communication with the inflatable cushion and having a plurality of inflation openings for allowing an inflation gas to pass therethrough, at least one of the plurality of inflation openings being in fluid communication with the at least one vent opening; a deployable member being secured to an interior surface of the inflatable cushion at one end and a portion of the airbag module at the other end; wherein the deployable member is configured to allow venting through the at least one vent opening when the inflatable cushion is in the un-deployed position and the at least one vent opening is covered by the deployable member when the inflatable cushion inflates towards a fully deployed position.

A system for controlling an inflation output in an inflatable cushion of an air bag module, comprising: a first sensing device, the first sensing device being an electronic sensing device configured to detect the presence of an object proximate to the air bag module, when the inflatable cushion is in an un-inflated state, the first sensing device providing a suppression signal when an object is detected within an area proximate to the air bag module; a second sensing device, the second sensing device being a mechanical sensing device configured to detect whether a leading edge of the inflatable cushion has made contact with an object prior to the leading edge reaching a predetermined distance from the air bag module during inflation of the inflatable cushion, the second sensing device being disposed within the inflatable cushion and is configured to cause the inflation output provided to the inflatable cushion to be varied when the leading edge of the inflatable cushion has made contact with an object prior to the leading edge reaching the predetermined distance from the air bag module; and a sensing and diagnostic module for receiving the suppression signal and an activation signal, wherein the activation signal corresponds to an event that requires inflation of inflatable cushion in absence of the suppression signal and the sensing and diagnostic module is configured to determine whether the inflation output is to be provided to the inflatable cushion.

An automotive air bag assembly including a tethering element providing shape definition across the air bag. The tethering element may be seamed to itself or to other tethering elements by an attachment seam to reduce the effective operative length of the tethering element and to move the axis of rotation for the air bag rearward. The attachment seam is adapted to separate upon development of adequate pressures within the air bag.

Air bag cushion including break-away tethers

A frontal air bag system for a vehicle includes an air bag module having a housing for mounting to vehicle structure of the vehicle and an air bag operatively connected to the air bag module. The frontal air bag system also includes an inflator disposed in the housing for inflating the air bag with an inflation gas. The frontal air bag system further includes at least one tether interconnecting the air bag and either one of the housing and the inflator to cause some of the inflation gas to vent through the housing to atmosphere.

Frontal air bag system

A deployment flap for use with an inflatable cushion is provided. The deployment flap includes a fabric or other flexible, foldable material; a plurality of securement tabs each having a weakened area; and a cover area defined in the fabric. The fabric is connectable to the inflatable cushion to cause the inflatable cushion to be biased in a selected direction upon inflation of the inflatable cushion. The cover area covers the inflatable cushion prior to inflation of the inflatable cushion. The securement tabs secure the fabric to a retainer. The weakened area releases the fabric from the retainer upon the inflation of the inflatable cushion.

Biasing deployment flap and inflatable cushion cover

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 inflated by a gas emitting inflator within an inflator housing. A cover element of substantially pliable material is located in adjustable relation to a vent opening across a wall of the housing. 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 across the housing.

Air bag restraint including selectively operable venting elements

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

An airbag module for restraining an occupant of a vehicle, comprising: a housing; an inflatable cushion being capable of being stored in an un-deployed position in the housing, the inflatable cushion having at least one vent opening disposed on an inboard side and an outboard side of the inflatable cushion, the outboard side being positioned closer to an exterior portion of the vehicle than the inboard side; an inflator for inflating the inflatable cushion, the inflator being in fluid communication with the inflatable cushion; and a biasing device being configured to restrict the deployment of the inflatable cushion in a first direction while allowing for deployment of the inflatable cushion in an inboard direction and an outboard direction, the outboard direction being towards an exterior portion of the vehicle and the inboard direction being opposite to the outboard direction, the biasing device restricts the deployment of the inflatable cushion when a portion of the biasing device makes contact with the occupant of the vehicle.

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.

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.

Growing community of inventors

Tipp City, OH, United States of America

Laura Adelle Hawthorn