Abstract: Inflatable curtain airbags deploy smoothly with an integrated pillar guide that minimizes interference with a vehicle pillar. The integrated pillar is a thin piece of semi-flexible, semi-rigid material housed in a pocket that is coupled to a curtain airbag.

Abstract: Inflatable curtain airbags deploy smoothly with an integrated pillar guide that minimizes interference with a vehicle pillar. The integrated pillar is a thin piece of semi-flexible, semi-rigid material housed in a pocket that is coupled to a curtain airbag.

Abstract: During the manufacture of an inflatable airbag cushion, an inflator may be inserted into, and coupled to, a throat portion of the inflatable airbag cushion. This process may be achieved more quickly and with higher reproducibility of the placement of the inflator within the throat portion by forming an assembly aid in the throat portion of the cushion. The assembly aid functions to assist in the separation of the two panels of material from which the throat portion is manufactured. The separation can be achieved by forming one or more pleats, tabs, or loops in the throat portion near an inflator insert aperture. A throat liner may optionally be used within an airbag throat portion, in which case the assembly aid may also be formed in the throat liner.

Abstract: During the manufacture of an inflatable airbag cushion, an inflator may be inserted into, and coupled to, a throat portion of the inflatable airbag cushion. This process may be achieved more quickly and with higher reproducibility of the placement of the inflator within the throat portion by forming an assembly aid in the throat portion of the cushion. The assembly aid functions to assist in the separation of the two panels of material from which the throat portion is manufactured. The separation can be achieved by forming one or more pleats, tabs, or loops in the throat portion near an inflator insert aperture. A throat liner may optionally be used within an airbag throat portion, in which case the assembly aid may also be formed in the throat liner.

Abstract: An airbag inflation deflection device and airbag module is disclosed. The deflection device may be a deflection hood that covers a portion of the airbag inflator, and is positioned adjacent inflator exit ports to initially deflect inflation gas away from an intended occupant position. The airbag module also includes a housing that may have side wells on either side of the inflator, in which the deflection hood initially deflects the inflation gas. The housing and deflection hood in combination may direct a majority of the inflation gas into the lateral portions of the airbag instead of into the center portion.

Abstract: This invention is a new type of airbag apparatus that includes an airbag cover. The airbag cover is designed to match the décor of the vehicle and to prevent the occupant from viewing the undeployed airbag system. The airbag cover has a front panel and a plurality of legs. The plurality of legs that extend rearward of a front panel. An airbag retainer is also added to the apparatus. The retainer has a plurality of slots and is designed such that each leg is oriented to pass through a separate slot. The airbag apparatus also includes a retention plate attached to the retainer. Each of the legs includes a first ear and a second ear. The first ear overlaps and provides resistive engagement with the retainer to prevent the cover from separating during deployment. Similarly, the second ear overlaps and provides resistive engagement with the retention plate to resist separation of the cover during deployment.

Abstract: An airbag assembly is disclosed. The airbag assembly includes an inflatable cushion having a recess in its lower portion. The recess may form split sections in the lower portion of the cushion. The recess may be configured to receive a rear-facing child car seat during deployment. The airbag assembly may further include a tethering system to control deployment of the split sections of the cushion.

Abstract: Enhanced airbag modules and associated methods are provided. An airbag module according to the invention may have a cushion with an inflatable protection zone and a flexible venting tube coupled to the inflatable protection zone. A closure mechanism may be used to compress the flexible venting tube against an anchoring member, such as a housing of the airbag module or a vehicle feature, until venting through the flexible venting tube is needed. The closure mechanism may then be actuated, for example, by igniting a pyrotechnic within a specially designed bolt of the closure mechanism. The bolt may, for example, have a bore with a pyrotechnic initiator molded-in-place within the bore. The bolt may fracture to open the closure mechanism, thereby permitting inflation gas to flow out of the inflatable protection zone via the flexible venting tube.

Abstract: An airbag assembly is disclosed for use in automotive protective systems. In one embodiment, the airbag assembly includes a cover with one or more ribs. A tray defines a cavity for housing an airbag and includes one or more channels that each receive a corresponding rib. An end of the cover is secured to an end of the tray. Upon deployment of an airbag, the cover pulls from the tray and dislodges the ribs from the channels.

Abstract: An airbag cushion is disclosed for use in automotive protective systems. The airbag cushion includes a vent flap that, prior to cushion deployment, extends from the cushion exterior through a vent. A strap is coupled to the vent flap and to an interior surface of the cushion. Upon airbag deployment, the strap extends until taut or extends until the cushion encounters an obstruction. If pulled taut, the strap pulls the vent flap into the cushion interior where the interior air pressure effectively presses the vent flap against the vent. If the cushion encounters an obstruction, the strap remains lax, and the vent remains open. Devices are provided for retaining the vent in the closed position during occupant ride down.

Abstract: An airbag assembly is disclosed. The airbag assembly includes an inflatable cushion having a recess in its lower portion. The recess may form split sections in the lower portion of the cushion. The recess may be configured to receive a rear-facing child car seat during deployment. The airbag assembly may further include a tethering system to control deployment of the split sections of the cushion.

Abstract: An airbag inflation deflection device and airbag module is disclosed. The deflection device may be a deflection hood that covers a portion of the airbag inflator, and is positioned adjacent inflator exit ports to initially deflect inflation gas away from an intended occupant position. The airbag module also includes a housing that may have side wells on either side of the inflator, in which the deflection hood initially deflects the inflation gas. The housing and deflection hood in combination may direct a majority of the inflation gas into the lateral portions of the airbag instead of into the center portion.

Abstract: An airbag retention collar for attaching an inflatable airbag cushion in an airbag module assembly including a module canister and a side discharge inflator device. The retention collar includes a bent plate adapted to overlie the side discharge inflator device. A first mounting flange is disposed at a first end of the bent plate and a second mounting flange is disposed at a second end of the bent plate opposite the first end. The first and second mounting flanges each extend at an angle from the bent plate. The retention collar also includes a diffuser flange extending from the bent plate and a plate opening in the bent plate. The plate opening is disposed between the diffuser flange and the first mounting flange and is adapted to receive an inflator diffuser of the inflator device, such that the inflator diffuser extends through the plate opening to be disposed between the diffuser flange and the first mounting flange.

Abstract: An airbag module for installation in a motor vehicle is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the airbag module includes an airbag cushion. A diffuser is positioned inside the airbag cushion. The diffuser includes a diffuser panel that has a plurality of venting apertures disposed throughout. An inflator is provided for inflating the airbag cushion. The inflator includes an inflation gas dissemination portion that releases inflation gases upon activation of the inflator. The inflator is attached to the diffuser in such a way that the inflation gas dissemination portion of the inflator is located inside the airbag cushion.

Abstract: Enhanced airbag modules and associated methods are provided. An airbag module according to the invention may have a cushion with an inflatable protection zone and a flexible venting tube coupled to the inflatable protection zone. A closure mechanism may be used to compress the flexible venting tube against an anchoring member, such as a housing of the airbag module or a vehicle feature, until venting through the flexible venting tube is needed. The closure mechanism may then be actuated, for example, by igniting a pyrotechnic within a specially designed bolt of the closure mechanism. The bolt may, for example, have a bore with a pyrotechnic initiator molded-in-place within the bore. The bolt may fracture to open the closure mechanism, thereby permitting inflation gas to flow out of the inflatable protection zone via the flexible venting tube.

Abstract: An airbag cushion is disclosed for use in automotive protective systems. The airbag cushion includes a vent flap that, prior to cushion deployment, extends from the cushion exterior through a vent. A strap is coupled to the vent flap and to an interior surface of the cushion. Upon airbag deployment, the strap extends until taut or extends until the cushion encounters an obstruction. If pulled taut, the strap pulls the vent flap into the cushion interior where the interior air pressure effectively presses the vent flap against the vent. If the cushion encounters an obstruction, the strap remains lax, and the vent remains open. Means are provided for retaining the vent in the closed position during occupant ride down.

Abstract: An airbag assembly is disclosed for use in automotive protective systems. In one embodiment, the airbag assembly includes a cover with one or more ribs. A tray defines a cavity for housing an airbag and includes one or more channels that each receive a corresponding rib. An end of the cover is secured to an end of the tray. Upon deployment of an airbag, the cover pulls from the tray and dislodges the ribs from the channels.

Abstract: Enhanced airbag modules and associated methods are provided. An airbag module according to the invention may have a cushion with an inflatable protection zone and a flexible venting tube coupled to the inflatable protection zone. A closure mechanism may be used to compress the flexible venting tube against an anchoring member, such as a housing of the airbag module or a vehicle feature, until venting through the flexible venting tube is needed. The closure mechanism may then be actuated, for example, by igniting a pyrotechnic within a specially designed bolt of the closure mechanism. The bolt may, for example, have a bore with a pyrotechnic initiator molded-in-place within the bore. The bolt may fracture to open the closure mechanism, thereby permitting inflation gas to flow out of the inflatable protection zone via the flexible venting tube.

Abstract: Enhanced airbag modules and associated methods are provided. An airbag module according to the invention may have a cushion with a venting portion. During normal vehicle operation, the venting portion may be closed so that inflation gas is not permitted to flow through the venting portion. A pyrotechnic may be ignited to open the venting portion when venting is desired. The pyrotechnic may be directly attached to the venting portion to burn through or mechanically rupture the venting portion, thereby forming an exit port. Alternatively, the venting portion may have a flap that can be detached from the housing by ignition of a pyrotechnic to permit venting through an exit port of the housing. The pyrotechnic may then be disposed within a fastener designed to fracture upon ignition of the pyrotechnic to release the flap from attachment to the housing. The pyrotechnic may, for example, be an initiator or rapid deflagration cord (RDC).

Abstract: An airbag assembly is disclosed. The airbag assembly includes an inflatable cushion having a recess in its lower portion. The recess may form split sections in the lower portion of the cushion. The recess may be configured to receive a rear-facing child car seat during deployment. The airbag assembly may further include a tethering system to control deployment of the split sections of the cushion.