Abstract: An air bag (12) is inflatable by inflation fluid. A support member (20) has a first vent opening (44) for enabling flow of inflation fluid away from the bag (12). A vent member (46) is movable relative to the first vent opening (44) between a first condition in which the vent member does not close the opening that enables flow of inflation fluid away from the bag (12) and a second condition in which the vent member at least partially blocks the flow of inflation fluid through the opening and away from the bag. A tether (50) has a first portion (52) connected for movement with the bag (12) as the bag is deployed. The tether (50) is associated with the vent member (46) and causes it to move relative to the opening (44) from the first condition to the second condition as the bag (12) is deployed.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) and a vent opening (44) for directing flow of inflation fluid away from the protection device. A vent member (46) is movable between an open condition enabling flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening and a closed condition at least partially blocking flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening. A member (50) is operative to move the vent member (46) from the open condition to the closed condition in response to deployment of the protection device (12). Latching means (48) has a latched condition for maintaining the vent member (46) in the closed condition and an unlatched condition for preventing the vent member from remaining in the closed condition. Control means (102) is operative to actuate the latching means (48) selectively to the latched condition and the unlatched condition based on at least one sensed occupant condition.

Abstract: An airbag device has a bag housing case, an airbag housed in the bag housing case, a plate member provided within the airbag, and a bag pressure release mechanism. When the internal pressure of the airbag reaches a predetermined pressure, the bag pressure release mechanism opens the airbag to prevent an increase in the internal pressure of the airbag. The plate member covers the bag pressure release mechanism when the airbag is in a deflated state. When the airbag is inflated, the plate member is released from coverage of the bag pressure release mechanism by an inflating force.

Abstract: A device for deflating a gas bag includes a gas bag having a deflation opening which is closed along a breakable, predetermined line. The predetermined breaking line includes a closure element and is breakable by melting or sublimating the closure element.

Abstract: An airbag for a vehicle which is comprised of a first base cloth portion having a gas inlet opening, a second base cloth portion joined along an outer edge thereof to an outer edge of the first base cloth portion to form a gas-fillable chamber, gas escape venting which is communicable with the chamber, and a shielding connection portion. The shielding connection portion separably joins the first base cloth portion and second base cloth portion, and is formed at least at a portion of a periphery of the gas escape venting which is closest to the gas inlet opening.

Abstract: An airbag apparatus configured so that an amount of gas introduced into an airbag is varied by shifting the position of a closing member to open vent openings. The apparatus includes a mechanism for preventing gas generated by a gas generator from leaking through the vent openings when the closing member is closed. A base of the airbag is clamped between a heat shield plate and a retainer. The retainer includes vent openings and the base of the airbag covers the vent openings. The heat shield plate has openings corresponding to the vent openings for allowing gas to flow out of the retainer. The closing member has a plurality of openings, for allowing the gas to flow out, at the same disposing interval as that of the vent openings. When the airbag is not inflated, the openings are positioned so as to be out of line with the vent openings.

Abstract: A dynamically adjustable automotive air bag gas venting system including an inflatable cushion stored in a non-inflated configuration; an inflator receptive of a first command signal for initiating the inflator; a retainer plate; a base plate; a rotatable ring positioned between the base plate and the retainer plate and a pyrotechnic actuator receptive of a second command signal for initiating the pyrotechnic actuator so as to at least partially vent inflation gas from an air bag.

Abstract: A gas bag protection device comprises a gas bag which has an outer wall made of a first material. The outer wall has at least one outflow opening. A membrane made of an extensible, second material is provided which is fastened to the outer wall and covers the outflow opening in the not fully inflated state of the gas bag. The gas bag protection device further comprises a device provided outside the gas bag and serving for destroying the membrane. The gas bag and the device are arranged spaced so far apart from each other that the membrane meets the device only when a predetermined internal pressure of the gas bag has been reached.

Abstract: An airbag module capable of providing varying degrees of inflation to an airbag is disclosed. The airbag module has a housing with an interior and an exterior. A number of venting holes are located in the walls of the housing to allow gas to pass between the interior and exterior of the housing. These venting holes are sealed with a thin membrane to which an initiator is attached. The initiator is designed to create a hole in the membrane according to an input from sensors positioned within the automobile. Once the hole is created in the membrane, the gas pressure inside the housing forces the entire membrane to open and allows gas to flow out of the venting holes. The amount of gas emitted from the venting holes thus reduces the inflation of the airbag.

Abstract: An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (10) has a vent panel (40) defining a first vent opening (42) for enabling flow of inflation fluid out of the device. A vent strap (60) has a second vent opening (72) movable relative to the first vent opening (42). The vent strap (60) has opposite ends (62, 66) that are fixed when the protection device (10) is in the deflated condition. The vent strap (60) has slack (80) due to the length of the strap being greater than the distance between the locations where its opposite ends (62, 66) are fixed. One of the ends (66) of the vent strap (60) moves as the protection device (10) is inflated to remove the slack (80) and move the second vent opening (72) relative to the first vent opening (42).

Abstract: An air bag safety system for cushioning restraint of a vehicle occupant during an impact event. The safety system includes a variable depth inflatable air bag cushion having at least one vent opening. A cover element of substantially pliable material is located in overlying relation to the vent opening. The cover element is selectively displaceable relative to the vent opening in response to the inflation depth of the air bag cushion so as to adjust venting characteristics.

Abstract: An air bag safety system for cushioning restraint of a vehicle occupant during an impact event. The safety system includes a variable depth inflatable air bag cushion inflated by a gas emitting inflator within an inflator housing. A cover element of substantially pliable material is located in adjustable relation to a vent opening across a wall of the housing. The cover element is selectively displaceable relative to the vent opening in response to the inflation depth of the air bag cushion so as to adjust venting characteristics across the housing.

Abstract: An air bag module is provided for inflating an air bag cushion at dual rates in response to rapid deceleration of a motor vehicle. The air bag module includes an air bag housing for receiving an inflator. The air bag cushion is secured to a peripheral flange of the housing in a folded position. Upon actuation of the inflator, heated gas passes selectively from the inflator through a plurality of openings in the housing. A controller generates an ignition signal to the inflator in response to velocity responsive sensors. In response to the ignition signals, the inflator releases an appropriate predetermined volume of gas into the air bag cushion. The level of deployment or inflation of the air bag cushion is dependent on the actuation of a slide slidably arranged to selectively block the openings of the air bag housing to restrict gas flow to the air bag cushion. The housing further includes venting apertures to permit gas flow from the housing and thereby redirect the gas away from the air bag cushion.

Abstract: An airbag or inflatable curtain inflator for producing two differing gas flows is disposed. The inflator has a gas chamber, a first orifice, and a second orifice. The first orifice has a different effective cross-sectional area than the second orifice. The two different cross-sectional areas allow the first orifice to produce a mass flow rate of gas that is different from the second orifice. The mass flow rates of gas may be related to the volume of an inflatable curtain into which the gas is ejected. Thus, two differently sized volumes of an inflatable curtain may be simultaneously inflated with a single inflator.

Abstract: An inflatable device (10) has a vent (42) for enabling venting of inflation fluid. A patch (50) covers the vent (42). A release thread (70) releasably secures the patch (50) to the device to close the vent (42). A holding mechanism (82) has a first condition in response to a sensor (30) sensing a condition requiring venting of inflation fluid, and a second condition when venting is not required. The holding mechanism (82) when in the first condition holds the release thread (70) so that at least a portion of it pulls away from the patch (50) and the device (10), when the device inflates, thereby releasing the patch to open the vent (42). The holding mechanism (82) when in the second condition releases the release thread (70) for movement with the patch (50) in a direction away from the holding mechanism, when the device (10) inflates.

Abstract: An air bag module (100) comprising: a housing (20) including a receiving feature (20a) to receive at least a portion of an inflator (20), the inflator providing inflation gas to a cooperating air bag; this inflator being removably received in the receiving feature (20a); a holding member (40) movable between a first position and a second position, the holding member, while in the first position operatively holding an inflator (30) to a housing (20), the holding member movable between the first and the second positions under the influence of the inflator.

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 air bag assembly having an inflatable cushion selectively deployable to a controlled geometry with a controlled venting character. The venting characteristics are adjusted by selective displacement of vent blocking elements based upon measured occupant and/or crash severity characteristics such that an air bag cushion of desired volume and venting capacity is available to protect a range of occupants under different conditions during impact events of various levels of severity.

Abstract: An inflatable belt for use in a seat belt apparatus. The belt provides an increased inflation length without having to pass an inflatable bag through a belt guide. A seat belt apparatus may include the air belt which may include a webbing of which at least a part that comes into contact with an occupant is formed as a bag-like portion and the remaining part is formed as a single-band portion. The apparatus has a bag stored in the bag-like portion of the webbing in such a manner that the bag is folded along both the longitudinal direction thereof and the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction thereof. The air belt includes cover that covers the webbing. When a gas is injected into the bag the bag inflates to expand the webbing and to provide EA effect and occupant protection.

Abstract: An airbag includes a bag section having a front portion facing an occupant and a rear portion at a side opposite to the front portion when the airbag is inflated. The rear portion has a vent hole. One end of a nozzle having a hollow body is connected to a peripheral edge of the vent hole. The nozzle is arranged inside the bag section when the bag section is folded. The nozzle projects outside the bag section through the vent hole when the bag section is inflated.

Abstract: A vent for an airbag is formed by at least two intersecting cuts disposed in the airbag material. Each cut terminates at opposite ends with a rounded end portion for stress release. The cuts are preferably placed in the cushion so as to be at 45 degree angles from the warp and weave threads of a woven cushion material.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes an inflatable device (12) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant, and an inflator (14) with inflation fluid outlets (24). A vent member (30) connected with the inflator (14) has a vent wall (60) having at least one vent opening (62). A vent cover (100) includes an outer wall (110) having first and second end portions (112 and 114). The vent cover (100) has a closed condition clamped on the vent wall (60) and covering the vent opening (62), and an open condition enabling fluid flow through the vent opening. An actuatable device (130) has an unactuated condition connecting the first and second end portions (112 and 114) to maintain the vent cover in the closed condition, and an actuated condition releasing the end portions to release the vent cover to the open condition to vent inflation fluid from the apparatus (10).

Abstract: A method for determining usability of a cover material as a cover of a vehicle seat component includes determining a fabric stretch requirement for the vehicle seat component; determining actual fabric stretch of the cover material; and comparing the actual fabric stretch with the fabric stretch requirement to determine whether the cover material is satisfactory for use with the vehicle seat component as the cover.

Abstract: Airbag inflation control system and method for a vehicle including an airbag module having a housing mounted in combination with the seat back and an inflatable airbag arranged therein. An anticipatory sensor detects that an impact requiring deployment of the airbag is required based on data obtained prior to the crash and initiates inflation of the airbag in the event an impact requiring deployment of the airbag is detected prior to the start of the impact. An inflator responds to the detection by the anticipatory sensor that an impact requiring deployment of the airbag is required and inflates the airbag. The occupant may be displaced upon inflation of the airbag.

Abstract: A frontal air bag system for a vehicle includes an air bag module having a housing for mounting to vehicle structure of the vehicle and an air bag operatively connected to the air bag module. The frontal air bag system also includes an inflator disposed in the housing for inflating the air bag with an inflation gas. The frontal air bag system further includes at least one tether interconnecting the air bag and either one of the housing and the inflator to cause some of the inflation gas to vent through the housing to atmosphere.

Abstract: An air bag made of resin which can be easily produced and of which volume in the folded state is small, a first resin sheet 1 and a heat resisting sheet 3 are disposed to be superposed on each other in a mold 7. The diameter of the heat resisting sheet 3 is smaller than that of the sheet 1 so that the periphery of the sheet 1 are exposed from the heat resisting sheet 3. Resin is injected into a cavity 13 through a sprue bushing end 12 to mold a second resin sheet 2 and to bond the sheet 2 to the sheet 1.

Abstract: An air bag assembly for cushioning restraint of an occupant in a vehicle during an impact event. The air bag assembly includes an inflator activatable to discharge inflation gas upon the occurrence of predetermined vehicle conditions and an air bag cushion including an interior surface in fluid communication with the inflator such that upon discharge of inflation gas from the inflator the air bag cushion is inflated to a deployed state. At least one profile restraining tether element is operatively connected to the air bag cushion such that the profile restraining tether element restrains the expansion of the air bag cushion upon introduction of the inflation gas to the air bag cushion.

Abstract: There is disclosed a housing assembly for an air bag system with a gas emitting inflator for emitting inflation gas. The housing assembly includes a support structure for retaining the gas emitting inflator within the structure and to a vehicle if the gas emitting inflator auto-ignites upon exposure to extreme conditions.

Abstract: A multi-chamber airbag venting system which provides for channeling of inflation gas, simple internal tethers, and prevents pre-mature venting. The system includes a front panel, a rear panel, and a middle panel. The middle panel is located between the front and rear panels. The middle panel divides the interior of the airbag into a first chamber between the middle panel and the rear panel, and second chamber between the middle panel and the front panel. The panels are connected to each other along their respective circumferential peripheries. The rear panel includes an airbag mouth to allow gas to enter the airbag. The rear panel further includes a vent hole. The middle panel includes a vent hole connected to the vent hole of the rear panel to form a vent passage. The middle panel includes a middle panel passage hole positioned in the middle panel such that gas entering the airbag through the airbag mouth is channeled from the first chamber to the second chamber.

Abstract: Provided is a safer air bag system which relieves shock to the head and face of an occupant when an air bag inflates and deploys. An air bag body 1 consists of a primary air bag 2 and a secondary air bag 3 which is provided on the front surface of the primary air bag 2. When an inflator 4 is actuated, the high-pressure gas is introduced into the primary air bag 2 to inflate and deploy the primary air bag 2 and then fed into the secondary air bag 3 through gas introducing ports 6 of the primary air bag 2 so that the secondary air bag 3 inflates and deploys more slowly than the primary air bag 2. The secondary air bag 3 thus absorbs shock to the face of the occupant caused by the inflation and deployment of the primary air bag 2.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) and an inflation fluid source (18). The apparatus (10) includes a structure (14) having a vent opening (50) for directing inflation fluid away from the inflatable device (12). The apparatus (10) also includes a member (60) movable between a closed condition closing the vent opening (50) and an open condition enabling flow of inflation fluid (14) through the vent opening. The apparatus (10) includes an electrically energizable mechanism (70) to move the member (60) from the closed condition to the open condition to vent inflation fluid through the vent opening (50). The mechanism (70) can also move the member (60) from the open condition to the closed condition to inhibit venting of inflation fluid through the vent opening (50).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint system comprises a compressed gas source, a gas bag inflatable with compressed gas furnished by the compressed gas source which generates a gas flow, and a valve through which the gas is able to escape from the restraint system. Thee valve is arranged such that it is impacted by the gas flow and the valve reduces its flow cross-section upon an increase in pressure of the gas flow.

Abstract: An air bag device includes a control valve capable of opening and closing a vent hole provided in a retainer, and a sufficient opening degree of the control valve can be ensured by use of a small-sized and inexpensive actuator. For this purpose, the control valve for opening and closing the vent hole defined in the retainer supporting an inflator and an air bag in the air bag device is opened and closed by plural valve members each operated by a piezoelectric element serving as an actuator. The plurality of divided valve members of the control valve are used and hence, even if the size of the piezoelectric element for operating each of the valve members is reduced to provide a reduction in cost, a sufficient opening degree of the entire control valve is ensured.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) includes a sensor (86) for sensing a vehicle crash. An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) has a deflated condition and an inflated condition for helping to protect the vehicle occupant. An inflation fluid source (38) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid to inflate the inflatable device (12). A housing (16) directs inflation fluid under pressure from the inflation fluid source (38) toward the inflatable device (12) upon actuation of the inflation fluid source. The housing (16) has at least one burst panel (44) attached to the housing. Initiating means (76), when actuated, enables the at least one burst panel (44) to detach from the housing (16) to a condition spaced apart from the housing to enable flow of inflation fluid out of the housing through an opening (74) in the housing.

Abstract: A side impact protection device comprising an inflatable gas bag which in an inflated state at least partially covers at least one side window of a vehicle. At least one emergency opening device is provided on the gas bag, by means of which the gas bag can be vented. The invention further relates to a side impact protection device comprising an inflatable gas bag and a tensioning band by means of which the gas bag is fastened to the vehicle. A separation device is provided by which the fastening, via the tensioning band, of the gas bag to the vehicle can be released.

Abstract: An air bag deployment system for a vehicle having an air bag cushion having at least one pyrotechnic vent, an inflator in communication with the air bag cushion for inflating the air bag cushion, at least one sensor, and a restraint control module electrically connected to the pyrotechnic vent and the at least one sensor. The restraint control module being operative to receive and analyze a signal from the at least one sensor and to signal the pyrotechnic vent to deploy thereby allowing gas to vent from inside the air bag cushion.

Abstract: A dynamically adjustable automotive air bag gas venting system including an inflatable cushion stored in a non-inflated configuration; an inflator receptive of a first command signal for initiating the inflator; a retainer plate; a base plate; a rotatable ring positioned between the base plate and the retainer plate and a pyrotechnic actuator receptive of a second command signal for initiating the pyrotechnic actuator so as to at least partially vent inflation gas from an air bag.

Abstract: An airbag apparatus configured so that an amount of gas introduced into an airbag is varied by shifting the position of a closing member to open vent openings. The apparatus includes a mechanism for preventing gas generated by a gas generator from leaking through the vent openings when the closing member is closed. A base of the airbag is clamped between a heat shield plate and a retainer. The retainer includes vent openings and the base of the airbag covers the vent openings. The heat shield plate has openings corresponding to the vent openings for allowing gas to flow out of the retainer. The closing member has a plurality of openings, for allowing the gas to flow out, at the same disposing interval as that of the vent openings. When the airbag is not inflated, the openings are positioned so as to be out of line with the vent openings.

Abstract: An air bag assembly having an inflatable cushion selectively deployable to a controlled geometry with a controlled venting character. The venting characteristics are adjusted by selective displacement of vent blocking elements based upon measured occupant and/or crash severity characteristics such that an air bag cushion of desired volume and venting capacity is available to protect a range of occupants under different conditions during impact events of various levels of severity.

Abstract: An airbag device can stabilize an impact absorbing action when an airbag deploys. In the airbag, a front surface portion is coupled with a rear surface portion by straps so that a deployed-shape of the airbag is restricted when the airbag expands. Each of the straps has a tearable portion having a sufficient length. When the internal pressure of the airbag exceeds a predetermined pressure, the tearable portions are torn so as to increase the lengths of the straps, whereby the restriction of the airbag is eased. The internal pressure of the airbag is sufficiently increased before an occupant plunges to the airbag to smoothly absorb an impact simultaneously with the plunge of the occupant, and thereafter, the impact is smoothly absorbed as well.

Abstract: The adaptive airbag system is an invention that because of its unique design, will adjust an overload valve opening resistance force such that the airbag is capable of more aggressive deployment in response to a more aggressive requirement indication and such that the airbag is capable of less aggressive deployment in response to a less aggressive requirement indication. Because the adaptive airbag system employs an inflator enclosing adjustable reaction canister rather than a uniquely designed inflator per application, the invention provides for greater economies of scale in inflator production. The invention also provides for readily reprogrammable deployment parameters post airbag to vehicle installation. The invention is principally intended to avoid dangerous overly aggressive deployments such as for children and small statured adults, without sacrificing sufficiently aggressive deployments such as for larger or non seatbelted adults.

Abstract: An airbag includes first and second base cloths and a middle base cloth arranged therebetween for defining first and second compartments in the airbag. Gas communicating ports are arranged in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the middle base cloth to ensure gas communication between the two compartments. Four ring-shaped fixing portions are arranged around a gas introduction port to connect the second and middle base cloths, one of which has an exhaust port formed inside.

Abstract: An air bag device mounted on a steering wheel comprises a holding unit connected to a boss portion of the steering wheel. An inflater is held by the holding unit. The inflater includes a gas ejection portion. First and second fabrics have peripheral portions sewed together to constitute a bag structure. A gas inlet opening is formed in the first fabric. The gas inlet opening has the gas ejection portion of the inflater passed therethrough, so that the gas inlet opening is exposed to the interior of the bag structure. A third fabric is smaller in size than the first and second fabrics. The third fabric is installed in the bag structure in a manner to cover over the gas ejection portion of the inflater. A plurality of sewed points are provided by which the first and third fabrics are sewed together. A plurality of gas flow passages are provided between the first and third fabrics. Each gas flow passage is defined between neighboring two of the sewed points.

Abstract: An airbag has a slit group arranged in a flexible peripheral wall. The slit group is formed by arranging a plurality of slits intermittently along one line. As an inflating gas flows into the airbag so that the internal pressure of the airbag rises, portion designed to rupture between the slits ruptures to open a vent hole in the area of the slit group for discharging the inflating gas. At the peripheral edges of the individual slits of the peripheral wall, there are portions which are solidified after melting. In this airbag, the shape holdability is retained at the peripheral edges of the slits. Therefore, the effective area and the opening timing of the vent hole is uniform for every airbag.

Abstract: An air bag, formed by sewing two basic fabrics at a sewing portion, is accommodated within a module case in a state in which the air bag has been fixed to a holder of an inflater at rear-side base portions and folded up into a bellows-like shape at a front-side foldable portions. The base portion of the left basic fabric, which is remote from a center pillar and a front door of a vehicle, has a section between two points b and c, which defines a surplus section. When the foldable portions of the air bag are expanded, the foldable portions can be moved toward an inner surface of a side of the vehicle body by the surplus section b and c and hence, the air bag can be deployed obliquely forwardly to reliably penetrate into a space between the center pillar, as well as the front door, and an occupant.

Abstract: A safety device for a motor vehicle has a gas generator, an airbag and at least one orifice through which gas flows. The state of fill of the airbag adjusts automatically to each load case by providing an orifice having a duct shape at least in a partial region. The flow resistance in this partial region adjusts automatically as a function of the velocity of the gas flow flowing through the orifice.

Abstract: A venting arrangement for an inflatable curtain cushion is disclosed. The inflatable curtain cushion includes a pair of fabric layers that are themselves gas permeable. The fabric layers have an impermeable coating on the interior surface of fabric layers. One or more vents are provided by bonding a portion of the fabric layers together at the impermeable coating. Separation of the bonded fabric layers causes delamination of the coating from one of the fabric layers. Exposure of the underlying permeable fabric allows venting of inflation gas. The bonded fabric layers separate when gas pressure within the inflatable curtain cushion exceeds a threshold pressure. The number and size of the vents can vary depending upon the permeability of the underlying fabric layer and the desired deflation rate.

Abstract: Variable deployment performance by controlling the quantity and fluid flow path of the inflator gas into or out of an air bag module according to the present invention. The air bag module includes a vent opening and a cushion retainer diffuser including a plurality of diffuser openings which permits fluid communication between an annular cavity and an air bag cushion. The vent opening provides a fluid path for the inflator gas to flow from the annular cavity to outside of the air bag module. For full level deployment, the vent opening is closed and therefore the inflator gas is not permitted to flow away from the air bag module but instead flows into the air bag cushion. For low level deployment, the volume of inflator gas which flows into the air bag cushion is controlled by selecting the ratio between the cross-sectional area of the diffuser openings and the cross-sectional area of the vent opening.

Abstract: An air bag is formed of a panel portion with a gas introducing port, a partition wall situated inside the panel portion for partitioning an inside of the panel portion into a first chamber located on a front side of an automobile and a second chamber located on a rear side of the automobile, a gas passage situated between the first chamber and the second chamber, and at least one vent hole formed in the panel portion at the second chamber. An air bag device includes, in addition to the air bag, a retainer for retaining the air bag, an inflator for expanding the air bag, and a lid for covering the retainer. In case a collision speed is small or the passenger is relatively small, the passenger can be received by the air bag with a soft touch. In case the collision speed is large or the passenger is large, the passenger can be securely received by the first and second chambers.