With Confinement Deflation Means Patents (Class 280/739)
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Patent number: 11541841Abstract: Disclosed is an airbag apparatus capable of safely protecting a passenger by increasing the width of an airbag cushion in a leftward-rightward direction when the passenger comes into contact with the airbag cushion. The airbag apparatus includes: a first tether disposed inside the airbag cushion in a forward-backward direction, and a second tether disposed inside the airbag cushion in the leftward-rightward direction and connected to the first tether. When the passenger comes into contact with the airbag cushion upon deployment of the airbag cushion, the width of the airbag cushion in the leftward-rightward direction is increased.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2021Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATIONInventor: Jun Yeol Choi
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Patent number: 11543511Abstract: A radar apparatus includes an antenna configured to radiate a first electromagnetic wave in a first radiation angle range including a first direction and radiates a second electromagnetic wave in a second radiation angle range including a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a circuit configured to detect a target in each of the first direction and the second direction on the basis of a first reflected signal of the first electromagnetic wave and a second reflected signal of the second electromagnetic wave, which are received by the antenna.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2020Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Tomohiro Murata, Hidekuni Yomo
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Patent number: 11518335Abstract: A vehicle steering system including a yoke type steering wheel. An airbag module located in the steering wheel and including an inflator and an airbag. The airbag is configured to inflate into two configurations. In the first configuration the airbag is fully inflated into a circular configuration and in the second configuration the airbag inflates into a u-shaped configuration. The u-shaped configuration is formed by a tether connected at a first end to the airbag and at a second end to a tether release device. The tether release device is configured to stay connected to the tether when the driver is determined to be in an out of position (OOP) condition.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2020Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS ACQUISITION LLCInventor: Doug Osterfeld
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Patent number: 11433847Abstract: The airbag comprises an outer skin (20) having a first opening (26), a flap (32) being at least indirectly attached to the outer skin (20), and a tether (37). The first end of the tether is attached to a flap (32) and the second end (37b) of the tether is detachably attached to a holding element (16). When the airbag is deployed and the tether (37) is under tension, the flap (32) covers the first opening (26) at least partially such that the ventilation device is in a closed or throttled first state. When the airbag is deployed and the tether (37) is not under tension because the second end (37b) of the tether is detached from the holding element, the flap (32) covers the first opening (26) less than in in the first state, such that the ventilation device is in second state. The flap (32) is located between the outer skin (20) and an additional layer (34) having a second opening (36) at least partially overlapping the first opening (26).Type: GrantFiled: July 4, 2019Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: Autoliv Development ABInventor: Laurent Hellot
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Patent number: 11414043Abstract: An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes an airbag comprising a vent having a closed condition blocking inflation fluid flow through the vent, and an opened condition permitting inflation fluid to flow through the vent. The vent includes a vent opening formed in a panel of the airbag and a vent flap connected to the airbag panel adjacent to the vent opening. The vent flap is configured to block inflation fluid flow through the vent opening in the closed condition of the vent, and to permit inflation fluid flow through the vent opening in the opened condition of the vent. The vent flap includes a plurality of folds configured to form one or more pleats in the vent flap. The vent flap is held extending across and covering the vent opening in the closed condition of the vent. The vent flap is released and uncovers the vent opening in the open condition of the vent.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2020Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: ZF PASSIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS US INC.Inventor: Douglas Gould
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Patent number: 11383666Abstract: A side airbag (SAB) of a vehicle includes: a main chamber disposed in a seat to be deployed from a side surface portion of the seat and, when deployed, configured to cover at least one of a thoracic region, an abdomen region, or a pelvis region of an occupant; a main inflator configured to supply gas to the main chamber to deploy the main chamber; and an auxiliary chamber communicating with the main chamber to allow the gas inside the main chamber to be supplied to an interior of the auxiliary chamber and connected to the main chamber to be deploy above the main chamber.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2020Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATIONInventors: Joo Seon Yoo, Hyock In Kwon, Hyo Shub Shin
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Patent number: 11377063Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag for a vehicle occupant restraint system, comprising an airbag panel (16) defining an inflatable airbag volume as well as including a front panel portion (18) and a rear panel portion (20), a tether (22) extending in the interior of the airbag (14) across the inflatable airbag volume, a discharge orifice (24) which is formed in the rear panel portion (20) of the airbag panel (16), as well as a first closing tab (26) and a second closing tab (28) for closing the discharge orifice (24), wherein the tether (22) extends from a first tether end (32) tightly connected to the front panel portion (18) in the direction of the discharge orifice (24) to an opposite second tether end (34), wherein the first closing tab (26) extends from a first tab end (36) tightly connected to the rear panel portion (20) to a second tab end (38) tightly connected to the second tether end (34), wherein the second closing tab (28) is fastened on the rear panel portion (20) adjacent to the discharge orificType: GrantFiled: October 14, 2019Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignees: DALPHI METAL ESPANA S.A., SAFELIFE INDUSTRIAL DE COMPOMENTES DE SEGURANCA AUTOMOVEL S.A., TRW AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS GMBHInventors: Thomas Lind, Stefan Sapountzis, Ramon Bana Castro, Bartolomeu Franco, Alexandra Baibas Calvo, Diogo Goncalves Rocha
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Patent number: 11338752Abstract: An airbag module has an airbag and a gas generator, between which a gas supply with a valve arrangement is arranged. The valve arrangement has an electrically actuatable pilot valve and a hydraulic transmission arrangement for amplifying a stroke action of the pilot valve.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2019Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBHInventors: Matthias Bleeck, Christoph Aumueller
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Patent number: 11292423Abstract: A side inflatable airbag assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. Inflatable airbag assemblies may provide protection for an occupant in a vehicle collision event. In a side collision event, or other event producing lateral movement of the occupant relative to the vehicle, the disclosed inflatable airbag assembly may receive and support the occupant during ride-down so as to prevent or minimize injury resulting from impact with a vehicle sidewall. An inflatable airbag cushion of the inflatable airbag assembly comprises a valve with an aperture and a vent flap that has a strong connection and a weak connection to the inflatable airbag cushion. The disclosed airbag may differentially support the occupant by providing varied degrees of support for the shoulder, pelvis, and torso, which may be particularly beneficial to an elderly occupant whose bones may be more susceptible to some injury types and modes as a result of age-incident health issues.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2020Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventor: Nathaniel Lee Gerlach
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Patent number: 11214228Abstract: An airbag device includes an airbag formed with a discharge portion. The discharge portion includes: an opening portion; a tack portion around the opening portion; and a regulating belt portion disposed on a peripheral edge of the opening portion to regulate opening and closing of the opening portion. When the inflation of the airbag is completed, the tack portion is maintained in a folded state by the regulating belt portion due to tension acting on the regulation belt portion, so that a closed state of the opening portion is capable of being maintained, and when the tension does not act on the regulating belt portion, the folded state is released and the opening portion is brought into an open state.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2020Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.Inventors: Keita Suzuki, Takuya Hiraiwa, Shinichi Ishida
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Patent number: 11130468Abstract: An active vent mechanism for an airbag apparatus that includes a first vent hole formed in an airbag and a patch capable of releasing and closing the first vent hole. A portion of the patch is coupled to the outer surface of the airbag. The airbag apparatus includes a coupling member having one end coupled to the patch and the other end entering the airbag and coupled to the airbag. A portion of the patch or a portion of the coupling member penetrates through an opening in the vicinity of the first vent hole. The airbag apparatus includes a substantially cylindrical regulating member into which the coupling member is inserted inside the airbag. The regulating member has a first end coupled to the inner surface of the airbag so as to surround the opening inside the airbag and a second end coupled to the coupling member in a sealed state.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2018Date of Patent: September 28, 2021Assignee: Autoliv Development ABInventors: Yutaka Baba, Kazuki Morita
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Patent number: 11124149Abstract: An airbag having an exhaust hole and an opening/closing control device configured to control opening and closing of the exhaust hole are provided. The airbag includes a bag body, and a discharge portion having the exhaust hole, the discharge portion is configured to maintain a blocked state of the exhaust hole by being drawn into the bag body at the time of inflation of the bag body in a state where connection between a connection member and the opening/closing control device is maintained, and to be inflated by protruding from the bag body at the time of inflation of the bag body in a state where the connection between the connection member and the opening/closing control device is released to open the exhaust hole. A dummy inflation portion inflated to partially protrude from the bag body is formed at a position approximately symmetrical to the discharge portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2019Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.Inventors: Takuya Hiraiwa, Shinichi Ishida, Keita Suzuki
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Patent number: 11117542Abstract: A covering member is attached to a case body, on which an actuator detachably holding the other end portion of a tether having one end portion connected to an airbag is mounted, and covers the actuator. The covering member includes an opposing portion that opposes at least a part of the actuator in an attachment direction D to the case body. The covering member includes a side surface portion that is formed to extend from the opposing portion in the attachment direction D and is locked and held by being pushed into the case body in the attachment direction D.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2019Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: NIHON PLAST CO., LTD.Inventors: Kei Sano, Ryosuke Muramatsu, Shoji Sugiyama
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Patent number: 11097681Abstract: A vehicle seat having an airbag unit for protecting a passenger sitting rear of the vehicle seat. The deployed airbag (30) extends from the rear side of the backrest of the vehicle seat into the vehicle rear direction. A support surface (32) of the airbag (30) is positioned above the attachment between the airbag unit (20) and the backrest and an impact surface (34) of the airbag (30) is located in front of a rear seated passenger. The airbag is relatively small and high positioned such that the impact surface (34) is positioned to exclusively contact the head of the passenger. In the state in which the airbag (30) is fully deployed but free of outer forces, the impact surface (34) defines an impact plane (IP) and a support surface (32) defines a support plane (SP). The impact plane (IP) and the support plane (SP) enclose a first angle (a) between 5° and 90°.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2017Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT ABInventor: Ralf Zauritz
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Patent number: 10974683Abstract: A safety airbag, comprising: an airbag (2) having a side air curtain (21) and a front air bag (22); an gas-guiding bag (3), which guides gas generated from a gas generator (4) into the airbag (2); and a backflow prevention assembly (7), which is connected to the gas-guiding bag (3) and which may prevent the gas in the front air bag (22) from flowing back to the side air curtain (21) when the front air bag (22) is extruded. The safety airbag may protect a occupant's head and effectively lessen the impact on the head or neck of the occupant.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2017Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignees: Yanfeng Automotive Safety Systems Co., Ltd., Shanghai Lingang Joyson Safety Systems Co., Ltd.Inventor: Xiao Zhuang
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Patent number: 10953839Abstract: An airbag device includes: an airbag having an exhaust hole capable of discharging a part of the inflation gas introduced therein upon opening; and an opening/closing control device capable of controlling opening/closing of the exhaust hole. The airbag has: a flexible bag main body; a discharge part having the exhaust hole; and a coupling member. Peripheral edges of a pair of peripheral wall constituting parts are joined to form the bag main body and the discharge part. Discharge part forming portions, which constitute the discharge part, partially protrude in the peripheral wall constituting parts, respectively. An opening, which constitutes the exhaust hole, is formed in a region, which is closer to a tip end-side of the discharge part than seal parts crimped to each other when the discharge part is pulled into the bag main body.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2019Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.Inventors: Motoyuki Tanaka, Takuya Hiraiwa
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Patent number: 10773679Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2018Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.Inventors: Ga Ram Jeong, Hae Kwon Park, Seok Min Lee, Rae Ick Jang
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Patent number: 10773680Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2019Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Seiji Hioda
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Patent number: 10696266Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2017Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Mark L. Enders, Quin Soderquist
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Patent number: 10647287Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2018Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.Inventors: Takanori Komatsu, Wataru Miura, Hiroyuki Nakanishi, Koji Kawamura
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Patent number: 10543804Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2017Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Fumiharu Ochiai, Hiroshi Hanjono, Kanichi Fukuda
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Patent number: 10358110Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2017Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: NIHON PLAST CO., LTD.Inventors: Masahiro Ooka, Yohei Kiuchi, Akihiko Yamami, Yuta Inaba
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Patent number: 10131316Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2015Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbHInventors: Daniele Aranzulla, Martin Burkhardtsmaler
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Patent number: 10131315Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2016Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Martin Haas, Jr., Thomas Reiter, David Keyser
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Patent number: 10023147Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2017Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventor: Hyock In Kwon
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Patent number: 10011243Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2016Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Deepak Patel, Srinivas Reddy Malapati, Dinkar Sadashiv Karanth, Srividya Mudumbi, Zhibing Deng
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Patent number: 9994191Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2012Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: TAKATA AGInventors: Ingo Kalliske, Dieter Markfort, Walter Kisler, Tobias Pausch, Norman Steinke
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Patent number: 9873402Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2015Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: NIHON PLAST CO., LTD.Inventor: Chiari Saito
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Patent number: 9845069Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2016Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Elizabeth G. Owen
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Patent number: 9776594Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2015Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.Inventor: Kurt L. Gammill
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Patent number: 9738242Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2016Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.Inventors: Naohiko Ishiguro, Mikine Hayashi, Kenichi Fukurono, Kenji Sasaki
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Patent number: 9738243Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2016Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Osamu Fukawatase, Atsushi Nakashima
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Patent number: 9725065Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2015Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Raj S. Roychoudhury, John A. Young
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Patent number: 9713996Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2016Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hae Kwon Park, Byung Ho Min
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Patent number: 9714000Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2015Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.Inventors: Douglas L. Osterfeld, James P. Karlow, Bruce A. Stevens
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Patent number: 9676364Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2015Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.Inventor: Jeffrey Daniel Williams
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Patent number: 9650012Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2016Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.Inventors: Naohiko Ishiguro, Mikine Hayashi, Kenichi Fukurono, Kenji Sasaki
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Patent number: 9573555Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2015Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.Inventor: Rae Ick Jang
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Patent number: 9573556Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2015Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.Inventor: Seok Hoon Ko
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Patent number: 9561774Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2014Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: James Chih Cheng, Dean M. Jaradi, Mohammed Omar Faruque
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Patent number: 9555763Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2013Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT ABInventor: Christoph Goertz
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Patent number: 9499119Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2015Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.Inventors: Naohiko Ishiguro, Mikine Hayashi
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Patent number: 9469268Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2015Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: Takata CorporationInventor: Shinichi Sugimoto
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Patent number: 9428141Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2015Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.Inventor: Hae Wook Kwon
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Patent number: 9376081Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2014Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corp.Inventor: Jun Yeol Choi
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Patent number: 9352721Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2015Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.Inventor: Rae Ick Jang
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Patent number: 9333939Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2013Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: TAKATA CORPORATIONInventors: Kimihiro Koshikawa, Yoshiki Murakami
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Patent number: 9327674Abstract: 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).Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2014Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems, Inc.Inventors: Kurt F. Fischer, Yohann Le Norcy, Oscar Ugarte
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Patent number: 9321427Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2015Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Udo Ivenz, Markus Springsklee, Ulrich Koestler, Tim Rudolph, Walter Meierhofer
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Patent number: 9272685Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2014Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.Inventors: Kurt F. Fischer, Yohann Le Norcy, Oscar Ugarte, Douglas Gould