Abstract: An inflatable cushion for a side of a vehicle is disclosed herein, the inflatable cushion having: a first cushion section formed from a first material, the first cushion section having a plurality of separate inflatable cells each of which having an inlet opening for receipt of an inflation gas; an internal passageway formed in the first cushion section, the internal passageway linking and fluidly coupling to each of the plurality of separate inflatable cells via the inlet opening of each of the plurality of separate inflatable cells; a diffuser member disposed in the internal passageway, the diffuser member being configured to supply the inflation gas to each of the plurality of separate inflatable cells, wherein the diffuser member consists essentially of a non-rigid fabric member formed from a permeable material, the non-rigid fabric member is independent of the first material used to form the first cushion section and the permeable material of the non-rigid fabric member is the main source of fluid flow i
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 22, 2008
Date of Patent:
July 5, 2011
Assignee:
NxGen Technologies, Inc.
Inventors:
William Abney, III, Michael F. Fink, Douglas S. Weston, Ryan T. Pinsenschaum, Jeff Okrutny, Dayne B. Hassett
Abstract: An inflatable side curtain airbag for a passenger vehicle is provided. The airbag incorporates a new diode design that restricts gas flow, creating a plurality of substantially isolated cells. A delivery tube delivers gas to the cells through a plurality of outlet orifices that open to the cells. Upon inflation of the cells with a gas, flow of gas between each of the plurality of substantially isolated cells is restricted during occupant loading.