Autoliv Asp, Incorporated

Ryan D Nelson

Kent Potter

Jeffrey Daniel Williams

Patrick Jamison

J D Williams

Airbag cushions and related assemblies configured to accept side-mounting of airbag inflators and/or otherwise accommodate narrowing of an airbag module width. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise an inflator housing defining a plenum. An airbag cushion may be fluidly coupled with the plenum and/or inflator housing and may define a throat region. A disk inflator may be coupled to the housing in a side-mounted configuration such that inflation gases from the disk inflator are configured to enter the plenum and then be directed into the airbag cushion via the throat region.

Narrow-width and/or side-mounted disk inflator airbag assemblies

Airbag assemblies and active vents for airbag assemblies are disclosed. An airbag assembly may include an airbag cushion, an active vent having an aperture and a patch configured to plug the aperture, a depth-delimiting tether, a cross tether, and a control tether. The control tether may be coupled to the patch and the depth-delimiting tether. The depth-delimiting tether and the control tether may be drawn taut as the airbag cushion expands during deployment to draw the patch toward the aperture from a first position that allows unobstructed venting to a second position that obstructs venting through the aperture. The depth-delimiting tether and the control tether can be in or transition to a slack state due to occupant impact with the airbag cushion. These tethers may also be in a slack state during the early stage of deployment.

Airbag systems with side venting

A front airbag assembly deployable from a steering wheel or instrument panel of a vehicle. The airbag assembly includes an airbag cushion and an outer panel that is coupled to the airbag cushion to form a channel. The venting capacity of some airbag assemblies can be modulated without input from an electrical sensor. In some circumstances, the venting capacity of the airbag assembly can vary based on whether and where a vehicle occupant strikes the outer panel of the airbag assembly.

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Bear River City, UT, United States of America

Ryan D Nelson