Abstract: An oscillation reducing structure for a front passenger seat airbag includes a front passenger seat airbag equipped with a center bag and a friction imparting device. When inflated and deployed, the front passenger seat airbag contacts with a front windshield glass in a first area, and contacts with an instrument panel in a second area. The friction imparting device makes at least one of a coefficient of frictions of the first area and the second area greater than that of other areas of the front passenger seat airbag. The friction imparting device is formed such that a coefficient of friction thereof in a vehicle width direction is greater than in a vehicle front-rear direction.

Abstract: An airbag apparatus may include: a first chamber connected to an inflator, and supporting the head of a passenger in case of a head-on collision of a vehicle; a second chamber connected to one side of the first chamber, expanded toward the rear of the vehicle, and suppressing the head of the passenger from moving in a diagonal direction based on the front of the vehicle, in case of an oblique collision of the vehicle; a tube part coupled to the first chamber to introduce gas of the first chamber into the second chamber, and having a ring-shaped tightening part formed along the circumference thereof; and a tether part having one end coupled to the first chamber and the other end passed through the tightening part, and closing the tube part after the first chamber is completely deployed.

Abstract: An inflatable airbag assembly, such as a knee airbag assembly, including a support strap, wherein the support strap may be secured to an inflatable airbag cushion. The support strap may be configured to direct the deployment trajectory of the airbag cushion such that the airbag cushion is deployed rearwardly and upwardly within a vehicle. The inflatable airbag assembly may be configured to prevent injury to an occupant's hip, femur, knee, and/or lower leg.

Abstract: An airbag includes an internal pressure adjusting mechanism, including: a tether arranged in a bag part; a long side part; and a short side part; and adjusting an exhaust of the inflation gas: to be in an exhaust mode in which the exhaust is facilitated when the tether is loosened; and to be in an exhaust suppression mode in which the exhaust is suppressed when the tether is stretched. In a state where the tether is loosened during the exhaust mode, facing edge parts of the long side part and the short side part are separable. In a state where the tether is stretched during the exhaust suppression mode, the facing edge part of the long side part and a root side part are inflated around the short side part and a leading edge side part contacts a back surface side of the short side part.

Abstract: A first panel 12 includes: a fold-back part 12c formed by folding back the first panel along an edge part 12a of the first panel; and a seam allowance part 12d laid on top of the fold-back part 12c, the second panel 13 is sewed to the first panel with a first chain stitch 17 while being laid on top of the fold-back part 12c, and a chain part 17a of the first chain stitch 17 is located between the fold-back part 12c and the seam allowance part 12d. Thus, because the chain part 17a of the first chain stitch 17 is covered by the seam allowance part 12d of the first panel 12, the chain part 17a of the first chain stitch 17 is prevented from rubbing against other members during deployment of the airbag 11, whereby the reliability of a sewing section 14 can be enhanced.

Abstract: An airbag includes: an airbag body formed in a bag shape with an occupant-side panel facing an occupant and an opposite-side panel facing a steering wheel in a deployed state; and a flow regulator arranged inside the airbag body and configured to regulate a direction of flow of gas supplied from an inflator. The flow regulator includes: a flow-regulator body arranged such that at least part of the flow-regulator body faces the inflator; fixed portions provided at mutually separated positions on the flow-regulator body and fixed to the opposite-side panel; and a notch provided between the fixed portions in a recessed shape toward a center of the flow-regulator body and forming a gas passage port between the notch and the opposite-side panel, the gas passage port being a port through which the gas supplied from the inflator flows.

Abstract: Holding elements for attaching an element of an airbag assembly to a holding unit comprising such a holding element and an inflating element, along with related methods. In some embodiments, the holding element may be configured for attaching an element of an airbag assembly via at least one tear seam, and the holding element may comprise a first side wall made of a flexible material and a second side wall made of a flexible material. A peripheral connection may couple the first side wall and the second side wall and may extend from a first end to a second end such that the first side wall, the second side wall, and the peripheral connection define a space therebetween and an opening. The holding element may further comprise an inlay comprising a hole and having at least one layer being located between the first side wall and the second side wall.

Abstract: In an airbag comprising at least one aperture (14) which is provided in an airbag shell (12) and to which a closure element (16) is attached a tether (34) via which the closure element (16) can be maintained in a closed position acts on the closure element (16). The invention moreover relates to a method of operating a vehicle occupant protection system.

Abstract: A self standing center side airbag includes: an airbag cushion configured to be located at a side of an interior facing side of a seat back; a first through hole configured to penetrate through the airbag cushion and be located at a back with respect to a central line that bisects the airbag cushion in a front and back direction; a second through hole configured to penetrate through the airbag cushion and be located at a front with respect to the central line that bisects the airbag cushion in the front and back direction; and a tether configured to penetrate through the first through hole and the second through hole and have both ends fixed at the seat back side.

Abstract: An airbag system includes an airbag having a main portion having a first periphery. The main portion is inflatable in an inflation direction to a first thickness. An extension extends from the main portion and has a second periphery spaced from the first periphery. The extension is inflatable in the inflation direction to a second thickness. The first periphery and the second periphery define a gap therebetween. A depression is disposed between the main portion and the extension at the gap and the depression has a third thickness in the inflation direction less than the first thickness and the second thickness. The extension and the depression may receive a head of an occupant during an oblique impact, in which the head of the occupant may avoid the main portion of the airbag.

Abstract: A gas bag arrangement for a motor vehicle is provided. The gas bag arrangement contains a gas bag which can be deployed for the protection of a person present outside the motor vehicle along at least a section of the outside of the windshield or another portion of an outside of the motor vehicle, at least one pressure reducing device for reducing the internal pressure at least of a partial region of the at least partly inflated gas bag, and a means for moving at least a section of the at least partly inflated gas bag out of the field of view of a vehicle occupant of the vehicle.

Abstract: An airbag is disclosed which allows for stable and easy adjustment of the degree of opening of a discharge hole with a simple configuration. The airbag includes: a variable discharge vent hole in at least one of paired lateral surfaces facing each other; and a cover at a position of an outer portion of an airbag main body to be placed over the variable vent hole. In addition, a first end of a tether is connected to the cover corresponding to a first one of the paired lateral surfaces. A second end of the tether is connected in the airbag main body to a second one of the paired lateral surfaces that is positioned opposite to the first one of the paired lateral surfaces including the variable vent hole corresponding to the lid.

Abstract: A restraint system in a vehicle includes a reaction surface, an airbag including an inflation chamber, and a tube in fluid communication with the inflation chamber. The airbag is inflatable from an undeployed state to a deployed state. The airbag is fixed relative to the reaction surface in the undeployed state and adjacent the reaction surface in the deployed state. The tube extends along the airbag between the airbag in the deployed state and the reaction surface.

Abstract: Airbag cushion assemblies comprising tether release functionality. Some embodiments may comprise an airbag housing comprising an airbag housing opening configured to receive a squib. An airbag cushion may be coupled with the airbag housing and a tether comprising a tether opening may be coupled with at least a portion of the airbag cushion. A squib may be positioned to extend through the tether opening and positioned within the airbag housing opening. The squib may be configured to, upon actuation, separate to release the tether.

Abstract: An airbag device for a driver's seat, includes: a steering wheel; a wheel pad portion; a main body airbag that is configured to receive a supply of gas and to be inflated and deployed at a vehicle rear side of the steering wheel; a side portion chamber that is provided at a side portion in a vehicle transverse direction of the main body airbag, and that is configured to receive a supply of gas from the main body airbag and to be inflated and deployed from the side portion of the main body airbag toward the vehicle rear side; and a regulating tether that connects the main body airbag to a rear portion or a front-rear direction intermediate portion of the side portion chamber, and that restricts the side portion chamber from collapsing toward a side removed from a center of the main body airbag in the vehicle transverse direction.

Abstract: An airbag of an airbag device for a driver's seat includes an exhaust strap which includes a cover section that closes off an outer opening of a vent hole at airbag deployment and connecting bands extending from opposite sides of the cover section and joined to the center of a driver-side wall. When the driver-side wall of the airbag cushions the driver at airbag deployment and moves toward a vehicle-side wall, the connecting bands of the exhaust strap loosen and allow a distant edge region of the cover section to loosen and pass through the outer opening such that the outer opening and an inner opening communicate to open the vent hole. The cover section includes a reinforcing element that prevents the distant edge from slipping towards a proximate edge while allowing a bending deformation of the distant edge to pass through the outer opening and open the vent hole.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a main body substantially enclosing an interior volume. The main body is elastically expandable to an inflated configuration. The apparatus further includes a vent aperture in the main body and a vent cover at least partially overlapping the vent aperture. The vent aperture and the vent cover define a passage from the interior volume to outside of the main body. In the inflated configuration of the main body and within a pressure threshold of the interior volume, the vent cover constricts the passage proportionately to a pressure increase in the interior volume of the main body.

Abstract: An airbag system includes an airbag with a vent hole formed therein, an actuator operatively coupled to the airbag, and a vent hole cover operatively coupled to the airbag so as to cover the vent hole and so as to form an enclosure extending between the actuator and the vent hole.

Abstract: An airbag apparatus may include: an inflator part installed in a vehicle so as to spray gas; and an airbag cushion part deployed by the gas sprayed by the inflator part. The airbag cushion part may include: a main cushion to which the gas sprayed by the inflator part is introduced; an auxiliary cushion connected to the main cushion and tucked into the main cushion; and an expansion limiting part connecting the main cushion to the tucked-in auxiliary cushion at a preset pressure or less so as to limit expansion of the auxiliary cushion.

Abstract: Airbag assemblies and vents are disclosed. An airbag assembly includes an airbag cushion and a vent assembly including a vent, one or more sheer tethers, and a peel tether. The sheer tether(s) are configured to be drawn to a taut state by expansion of the airbag cushion to configure the vent in a first venting state. The sheer tether(s) are releasably coupled to the peel tether. The releasable coupling is configured to maintain the sheer tether(s) releasably coupled to the peel tether. The peel tether is configured to transition from a slack state to a taut state as the airbag cushion continues to expand. The peel tether drawn taut produces a peel force transverse to the sheer force. The peel force causes the releasable coupling to release and the peel tether to uncouple from the sheer tether(s), to transition the vent to a second state.

Abstract: An airbag of an airbag device for a driver's seat includes an exhaust strap which includes a cover section that closes off an outer opening of a vent hole at airbag deployment in an openable fashion and connecting bands extending from opposite sides of the cover section and joined to a driver-side wall. The exhaust strap is so configured, when the driver-side wall of the airbag cushions the driver at airbag deployment and moves toward a vehicle-side wall, that the connecting bands loosen and allow a region towards a distant edge of the cover section to loosen and pass through the outer opening such that the outer opening and an inner opening communicate to open the vent hole. The length of the distant edge of the exhaust strap is shorter than a length of a proximate edge of the exhaust strap.

Abstract: An air bag module, including: an air bag cushion including a front panel and side panels; at least two pockets disposed on the side panels and protruding toward the outside of each of the side panels, when the air bag cushion is unfolded; and an internal horizontal tether crossing an interior of the air bag cushion and having both ends connected to the pockets.

Abstract: An airbag system for a vehicle may include: an inflator; a cushion unfolded by gas supplied from the inflator so as to protect a passenger; a variable hole formed in the cushion so as to discharge gas; and an adjusting unit mounted on the cushion and opening/closing the variable hole according to how much the cushion is unfolded.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a steering wheel having a steering wheel cover and an airbag module. The airbag module includes an airbag arrangement and an inflator disposed behind the steering wheel cover. The inflator is configured to inflate the airbag arrangement. The airbag arrangement has a primary bag configured to cushion an occupant and a secondary bag disposed on a side of the primary bag adjacent to a driver's side of the vehicle. The secondary bag is configured to catch an occupant during impact of the vehicle. The airbag arrangement further includes a patch having a seam. The patch partitions the primary and secondary bags. The seam is configured to split when a pressure in the primary bag exceeds a threshold allowing gas to inflate the secondary bag.

Abstract: A motor vehicle airbag module having an airbag consisting of an airbag fabric, and an inflation device The airbag having a ventilation area closed by a covering prior to inflation. A restraining strap has one end in the interior of the airbag detachably mounted on a fixed compartment and another end affixed on the covering. On inflation of the airbag before the release of the restraining strap, the strap holds the covering closing the ventilation area. The covering is a three-dimensional element which is connected via at least one partial area of its perimeter to the airbag fabric and that it can be folded such that, on release of the restraining strap, the three-dimensional element is unfolded due to the effect of the gas flowing from the ventilation area into the covering The covering is held in position in a detachable overlap with a part of the airbag.

Abstract: In a driver seat airbag apparatus, an airbag includes a belt member and a vent mechanism. The belt member includes two connecting sections extending from opposite sides of a cover portion for covering a vent hole. The vent mechanism includes an outer panel that has a vent hole and is located outside of the cover portion, an inner panel that has an inner opening and is located on an inner side of the cover portion, and a guide. The connecting sections run through the guide and move toward the vent hole for letting the cover portion open the vent hole. The guide holds the connecting sections such that the connecting sections serve as the tethers. A joint of the tethers to the driver side wall is located toward a center of the driver side wall relative to the vent hole as viewed from a side of the driver side wall.

Abstract: An air-bag device includes an air bag stored in an inner side of a backrest in a vehicle width direction, and an inflator that inflates and expands the air bag. The air bag includes a first chamber that houses the inflator such that the longitudinal direction of the inflator matches the vertical direction of the air bag, and a second chamber that is located above the first chamber and is inflated and expanded by a gas ejected from an upper end of the inflator to form a tubular shape extending upward above the first chamber.

Abstract: Provided is a driver airbag apparatus capable of adjusting deployment pressure of an airbag by adjusting an amount of gas discharged to the outside of the airbag. To this end, according to the airbag apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a vent cover and a tether are installed to the airbag, and a vent hole formed in the airbag is opened or shielded by the vent cover and the tether.

Abstract: An airbag device for a vehicle may include a main vent hole formed in an airbag cushion and configured to discharge an expanding gas therein, a cover provided to an outer side of the airbag cushion and configured to switch between a state in which the cover is spaced apart from the main vent hole by a given tensile force to open the main vent hole and a state in which the cover is closely adhered to the main vent hole to close the main vent hole, a tether configured to have one end portion connected to the cover and another end portion fixed in the airbag cushion and provide the tensile force to the cover through the main vent hole, and a tether guide.

Abstract: Disclosed is an airbag apparatus, which includes: an airbag body unfolded by gas generated by an inflator during a crash of a car; two or more vents formed at one side of the airbag body; shielding parts installed so as to shield the vents, respectively; a tether configured to connect the shielding parts to each other; and a hinge part configured to make the tether be in close contact with an internal surface of the airbag body. Accordingly, the vent is shielded after a passenger collides with the airbag body, so that it is possible to minimize an injury to the neck of the passenger by maintaining a pressure inside the airbag apparatus.

Abstract: Provided are an airbag, an airbag unit, and a vent hole open/close control method that facilitate control of opening and closing of a vent hole, and suppress an increase in weight and cost of the airbag unit vent hole. The airbag 1 includes a vent hole 4, an open/close device 5 configured to open and close the vent hole 4, and a stretch tether 6 stretchable in stages and connected to the open/close device 5 and an airbag component. The stretch tether 6 assumes, depending on an expansion and unfolding status of the airbag 1, a first stage including transition from a slack state to a tense state, a second stage including stretching to a predetermined length while maintaining the tense state, and a third stage including being slackened when the driver contacts the airbag 1. The open/close device 5 maintains the vent hole 4 in the open state in the first stage, maintains the vent hole 4 in the closed state in the second stage, and shifts the vent hole 4 to the open state in the third stage.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (20) of a vehicle (12) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) inflatable between a vehicle surface (36) and the vehicle occupant. A vent (110) has at least one opening (114) for releasing inflation fluid from the protection device (14). The vent (110) has an actuated condition and a non-actuated condition. A guide tether (113) is connected to the vent door (120). A vent tether (112) is connected to the protection device (14) and includes a guide (123) connected to the guide tether (113) such that the guide (123) and guide tether (113) are slidable relative to one another. Tension on the vent tether (112) applies tension to the guide tether (113) for actuating the vent (110).

Abstract: A safety device for a motor vehicle includes an inflatable airbag which is adjusted so as to extend across at least a bottom portion of an outer side of a windshield of the motor vehicle in an inflated state in order to protect a person impacting the motor vehicle. The safety device has a gas generator for inflating the airbag. The airbag has a first compartment and a second compartment. The first compartment and the second compartment are disposed such that at a specific vehicle speed or within a specific vehicle speed range, a shorter person would very likely hit the first compartment, while at the specific vehicle speed or within the specific vehicle speed range, a taller person would very likely hit the second compartment.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) including a protection device (14) has a front panel (74) presented towards an occupant (20, 20a) and is inflatable between a vehicle surface (36, 38) and the occupant (20, 20a). A vent (100) releases inflation fluid from the protection device (14). The vent (100) has an actuated condition and a non-actuated condition prior to deployment of the protection device (14). A vent tether (154, 168) has a first end secured to the vent (100) end a second end having a releasable connection (153) with the protection device (14). A trigger tether (152,162) has a first end connected to the front panel (74) and a second end connected to the protection device (14) at the releasable connection (158). The trigger tether (152,162) Is slackened when the protection device (14) deploys less than a predetermined degree such that the releasable connection (158) remains intact to allow the vent tether (154,168) to place the vent (100) in the actuated condition.

Abstract: An airbag formed of an airbag fabric (10) having a slit-shaped adaptive ventilation opening (11) which in the folded-up state of the airbag is held in at least a partially closed state by an arrester strap (20) having an end overlapping the adaptive ventilation opening (11) and fastened to the airbag fabric (10). The arrester strap (20) is guided through a safety-loop opening (31). The safety-loop opening is formed by a reinforcing blank (13) enclosing the ventilation opening (11) and the opening (31) for the arrester strap (20) is formed by an edge area of the reinforcing blank (31) not connected to the airbag fabric (10), and in that the end of the arrester strap is connected with both the airbag fabric (10) and with the reinforcing blank (13) in an area lying opposite with respect the edge section of the ventilation opening (11) forming the opening (31).

Abstract: An airbag and an airbag device are provided that can effectively prevent a rise of the internal pressure of the airbag when the airbag is hindered from being normally inflated/deployed while gas is prevented from being wasted. An airbag includes a pair of side panels that form a bag by being sewn together, an insertion hole formed in the side panel, and a valve disposed on an inner side of the side panel so as to stop up the insertion hole and having two end portions connected to the side panel. While the airbag is housed in the structure, the valve is drawn to an outer side of the side panel through the insertion hole and disposed so as to stop up the insertion hole and, while the airbag is inflated/deployed, the valve is drawn to the inner side of the side panel.

Abstract: An airbag device includes: an airbag; an inflator; a gas discharge state switching member; and a tether belt which is one example of a connecting member. The gas discharge state switching member is switched over from a gas discharge state to a gas non-discharge state by being pulled into the inside of the airbag. The tether belt connects the gas discharge state switching member and a portion of an inner peripheral portion of the airbag to each other. An arranged position of the gas discharge state switching member, a position where the tether belt is connected to the inner peripheral portion of the airbag, and a passing line of the tether belt are disposed at portions which avoid a portion of the airbag which comes into contact with an occupant in a regular posture state when the airbag receives the occupant.

Abstract: Disclosed is an airbag apparatus of which the deployment pressure is adjusted. To this end, according to the airbag apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a tether coupled to an airbag pulls a vent cover while being tightened by expansive force of the airbag so as to form a communicating hole, which is in communication with a vent hole, between the airbag and the vent cover, and allow the vent hole to be opened.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Airbag with adjustable safety valve comprising a vent aperture made in the fabric of the airbag, at least one membrane of an elastic material attached to said fabric at a union area, said membrane being stretched across the width of said vent aperture and defining a variable area with an orifice that is smaller than the vent aperture, the orifice being deformed and growing with the pressure increase in the airbag, characterized in that between the variable area and the union areas, the membrane has a reinforcement area in the form of a containment ring with a greater thickness than that of the variable area, which controls the maximum aperture of the orifice.

Abstract: Airbag assemblies and active vents for airbag assemblies are disclosed. An airbag assembly can include an airbag cushion that defines an inflatable chamber and an active vent that comprises an aperture and a patch configured to plug the aperture. A first control tether is coupled to the patch and coupled to the airbag cushion. The first control tether is drawn taut as the cushion expands during deployment to draw the patch toward the aperture from a first position that allows unobstructed venting through the aperture to a second position that obstructs venting through the aperture. The first control tether, or a second control tether, is configured to be drawn taut to close the active vent. Responsive to impact with the airbag cushion, a control tether is configured to slacken to open the active vent.

Abstract: A side airbag with an outer skin includes a first side wall and a second side wall connected to one another along an edge. An outlet opening is located in the first side wall, and a closing element is located between the two side walls. The closing element has a covering section connected to the outer skin via at least one first connecting area and covering the outlet opening at least partially when the covering section lies against the first side wall.

Abstract: A gas bag arrangement for a motor vehicle is provided. The gas bag comprises a gas bag which can be deployed for the protection of a person present outside the vehicle along at least a section of the front window and/or another portion of an outside of the motor vehicle and a housing in which the gas bag is arranged, wherein the housing is different from a cover of a receiving region of the motor vehicle extending before the front window. The housing is designed such that it at least partly covers the gas bag towards the cover of the motor vehicle-based on the condition of the gas bag arrangement mounted in the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint system comprises an inflatable knee airbag (10). The knee airbag (10) includes an airbag sheath (12) and at least one vent hole (18) formed therein. The vent hole (18) is arranged in the upper half of the knee airbag (10) and is provided on a side of the knee airbag (10) facing away from the vehicle occupant which in the operating position of the knee airbag (10) is directly opposed to a fixed component (28) in the vehicle interior.

Abstract: An airbag of an airbag apparatus includes a vent mechanism. The vent mechanism includes a vent hole, a belt member including a cover portion for covering the vent hole and two connecting sections extending from both sides of the cover portion and serving as tethers, an outer panel located on an outer side of the cover portion, an inner panel located on an inner side of the cover portion and provided with an inner opening. The vent hole is formed on the outer panel. The connecting sections are run through the guide section so as to move toward the vent hole and let the cover portion loosen and open the vent hole when an occupant side wall of the airbag catches an occupant and moves toward a vehicle body side wall. The guide section also holds the connecting sections such that the connecting sections serve as the tethers.

Abstract: An airbag apparatus for vehicle includes: an airbag body formed by joining outer peripheral portions of two base cloths, the two base cloths being superimposed on each other; an inflator introducing gas to an inside of the airbag body; and a vent hole formed on the airbag body and configured of a slit, the vent hole communicating between the inside and an outside of the airbag body, the slit being formed so as to be directed from the outer peripheral portions toward central portions of the two base cloths over the two base cloths.

Abstract: An airbag device that can limit the movement of a strap outside an airbag even when the other end of the strap is released is provided. An airbag device includes an airbag 2 that is folded in a normal state and deployed in case of emergency, an inflator 3 that supplies gas to the airbag 2, a retainer 4 that secures the airbag 2 and the inflator, and a strap-retaining device 6 that retains a strap 5, which is connected to a portion of the airbag 2 at one end 51 thereof, at the other end 52 of the strap 5 in a releasable manner. The airbag device further includes a strap-restraining tether 7, which is connected to the strap 5 at one end 71 thereof and to the airbag 2 at the other end 72 thereof. The strap-restraining tether 7 limits the movement of the free end of the strap 5 that has been released.

Abstract: An airbag device for stably controlling gas discharge and restraining an occupant in a vehicle. A first vent hole, for discharging gas from the airbag, is formed in a portion of the airbag, and one end of a tubular discharge restricting member is connected to the first vent hole. Once the airbag is inflated and deployed to a predetermined extent or more, the first vent hole is closed by the discharge restricting member. Prior to deployment, at least a portion of the airbag is folded in a bellows shape to form a folded portion. The connecting portion between the discharge restricting member and the first vent hole is positioned in a trough portion of the folded portion. The other end of the discharge restricting member is stored so as to face the outer side and not to protrude beyond an outer edge of the folded portion.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present invention incorporates a tether release system within a conventional airbag system or a conventional vehicle occupant protection system. Release of an associated tether may simultaneously open a vent on an associated airbag. A housing contains an actuator contained within the housing for actuation of the tether release system upon receipt of a crash detection signal, for example. A first moving member is configured for receipt of a propulsive force emanating from the actuator upon actuation of the tether release system. A movable tether release member is contained within the housing wherein the movable tether release member operably communicates with the first moving member upon actuation of the tether release system, for release of an associated tether.