Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Michelle L Tsai

Jeffrey Steven Vinton

Stephen Hongbin Kang

An apparatus for venting an inflatable restraint assembly . The apparatus includes a conventional pyrotechnic cylinder which is communicatively coupled to a controller , a selectively pivotable door which selectively seals and/or covers an opening within assembly , and a latch mechanism which is coupled to the cylinder and which selectively engages and disengages door Controller is communicatively coupled to a seat position sensor , seat belt sensor and crash severity sensor(s) . Controller determines when a crash situation has occurred or will imminently occur and selectively activates assembly if such a determination is made, thereby protecting the vehicle occupant from harm and/or injury. Controller further determines whether and/or when to vent air bag module based upon the data received from sensors and selectively activates cylinder in response to such a determination.

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Farmington Hills, MI, United States of America

Michelle L Tsai