With Confinement Deflation Means Patents (Class 280/739)
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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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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
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Patent number: 9227592Abstract: 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).Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2014Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT ABInventors: Marzena Polcwiartek, Mateusz Siwiaszcyk, Pawel Mikolajczyk, Sylwia Rozborska-Golec, Janusz Lagodzinski
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Patent number: 9205799Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2014Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: Takata CorporationInventors: Daisuke Shibata, Kazuhiro Harazuka, Akiko Miida, Shinichi Sugimoto
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Patent number: 9187056Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2015Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.Inventor: Hae Wook Kwon
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Patent number: 9187058Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2013Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: ASHIMORI INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventors: Naoki Yamaji, Satoshi Yamashita
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Patent number: 9150189Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2014Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.Inventors: Ryan D. Nelson, Jeffrey D. Williams, Patrick Jamison, Kent Potter
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Patent number: 9120458Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2012Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: Manufacturas Goma, S.L.Inventor: Antonio Rovira Garcia
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Patent number: 9108590Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2014Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.Inventor: Jeffrey D. Williams
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Patent number: 9073513Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2012Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Takata AGInventors: Ingo Kalliske, Marco Porstmann, Thomas Lube
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Patent number: 9073510Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2011Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Autoliv Development ABInventors: Guillaume Alenspach, Aimeric D Humieres, Sebastien Vanzieleghem, Nicolas Ganzinotti
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Patent number: 9061646Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2012Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventors: Timo Abele, Werner Freisler
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Patent number: 9050942Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2013Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.Inventors: Naohiko Ishiguro, Hitoshi Iida, Mikine Hayashi
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Patent number: 9039039Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2012Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Hitoshi Higuchi
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Patent number: 9022423Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2014Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Autoliv Development ABInventors: Naoki Hosoe, Hitoshi Koyama
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Patent number: 9022424Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2012Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Takata CorporationInventors: Atsushi Nakamura, Atsushi Noguchi, Yasuhito Miyata, Kazuhiro Shingu
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Patent number: 9016721Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2014Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Kent Potter, Jeffrey D. Williams, Patrick Jamison, Ryan D. Nelson
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Patent number: 9004531Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2014Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.Inventors: Eduardo L. Quioc, Bruce A. Stevens
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Patent number: 8979117Abstract: The restraining function of support structure airbags in particular and mechanical airbags should be able to be specifically guaranteed in a simple manner. To this end, an air cushion for an airbag of a motor vehicle is provided, having a sleeve with at least one opening and a closure element arranged on the at least one opening in order to at least partially prevent air from flowing from a first direction, Furthermore, the closure element is flexible and has a channel-shaped design at least upon the flow of air from a second direction opposite the first direction. The closure element thus has the effect of a check valve.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2009Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Daimler AGInventors: Christian Burczyk, Andreas Hirth, Lutz Quarg, Friedrich Reiter, Clark Ruedebusch
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Patent number: 8973942Abstract: An active bolster mounts at an interior trim surface of a passenger compartment in an automotive vehicle. A plastic-molded, expandable front wall deploys toward a passenger in the passenger compartment. A plastic-molded back wall is joined around a substantially sealed perimeter with the front wall to form an inflatable bladder. The back wall includes an inflator receptacle defined by a raised recess wall having an inflator aperture. An inflator with a gas outlet end and an electrical connector end is received in the inflator aperture with the gas outlet end inside the inflatable bladder. The recess wall has a predetermined thickness for substantially retaining shape during inflation of the bladder. The inflator receptacle includes a flexible seal disposed around an inner edge of the inflator aperture comprised of a flashing edge bearing against the inflator and having a thickness less than the predetermined thickness of the recess wall.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2013Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Stacey H. Raines, Sean B. West
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Patent number: 8960719Abstract: An airbag apparatus has an airbag formed by sewing fabric portions together at peripheries thereof. A periphery sewn portion of the airbag has two terminals separated from each other. The terminals are formed by leaving sections of the peripheries of the fabric portions unsewn. A surrounding sewn portion is formed about each terminal of the periphery sewn portion. The airbag has a vent hole between the terminals. The opening of the vent hole is defined by vent hole defining sections, each of which is in one of the surrounding sewn portions. Position determining portions are provided in the margin of the airbag. Each surrounding sewn portion is formed in place with reference to the corresponding position determining portion. Each position determining portion is located father from the vent hole in the circumferential direction of the margin than the vent hole defining section of the corresponding surrounding sewn portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2014Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takashi Iida, Norihisa Taya, Eiji Sato, Takayoshi Mizuno
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Publication number: 20150042082Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2013Publication date: February 12, 2015Applicant: Takata CorporationInventors: Kimihiro Koshikawa, Yoshiki Murakami
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Patent number: 8944463Abstract: An airbag for a motor vehicle includes a support structure moveable from a storage position into a restraint position and a covering by means of which a restraint volume of the airbag formed by the support structure in its restraint position is surrounded. The covering is formed as an element separate from the support structure and having passage regions in which the covering is at least substantially permeable to air in at least one direction of flow, and connecting regions that are reinforced relative thereto, in which the covering is connected to the support structure.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2011Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Daimler AGInventors: Ralf Bogenrieder, Christian Burczyk, Andreas Hirth, Friedrich Reiter
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Publication number: 20150028571Abstract: 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).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2014Publication date: January 29, 2015Inventors: Marzena Polcwiartek, Mateusz Siwiaszcyk, Pawel Mikolajczyk, Sylwia Rozborska-Golec, Janusz Lagodzinski
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Patent number: 8888128Abstract: The present invention relates to an airbag for a vehicle, including: an airbag cushion which has a vent hole formed to discharge gas flowing into the airbag cushion to the outside; a vent guide which has a guide hole formed to guide the gas flowing into the airbag cushion to the vent hole, and is disposed in the airbag cushion; and a vent cover which is disposed between the vent guide and the airbag cushion, allows the guide hole and the vent hole to be opened at an initial period of deploying the airbag cushion and at a final period of deploying the airbag cushion, and allows at least one of the guide hole and the vent hole to be closed during an intermediate period of deploying the airbag cushion.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2014Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS Co., Ltd.Inventor: Young Duk Seo
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Patent number: 8888127Abstract: A protective device (10) for protecting an occupant (7) of a vehicle (1), said protective device comprising an airbag (11) and inflation means (12) for inflating said airbag (11), the inflation means (12) being connected to the airbag (11) via a feed pipe (13) for feeding inflation fluid for the purpose of inflating the airbag (11) under predetermined conditions. This protective device further comprises expulsion means (20) for expelling said fluid, which expulsion means co-operate with at least one water detection means (15) so as to act when water is detected to remove said fluid resulting from inflation of the airbag (11), said airbag (11) being provided with a peripheral elastic strap (50) for optimizing the deflation of said airbag (11) when said expulsion means (20) allow said fluid to be removed from the airbag (11).Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2012Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Airbus HelicoptersInventor: Tomas Santana-Gallego
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Patent number: 8882143Abstract: An airbag can include a panel that defines at least a portion of an inflatable chamber. The airbag can also include a slit vent that is at least partially defined by the panel. One or more seams can encompass the slit vent and can permit the slit vent to naturally be in a closed orientation.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2013Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey D. Williams, Kent Potter
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Patent number: 8876158Abstract: An air bag apparatus includes: a base plate, two gas generators, a cover member covering the two gas generators so as to form a gap, an air bag accommodated in contact with the base plate, a hollow formed in the base plate and provided with a communication hole, the hollow accommodating the two gas generators such that a space is provided between two gas generators and another gap, for communicating with the communication hole, is formed, the air bag accommodated such that a gas inlet thereof enclose the communication hole from the other side of the base plate, the air bag, the base plate and the cover member being integrally fixed, and a sealed gas discharge path formed by the cover member and the base member, and leading from the gas discharge port of the two gas generators to the gas inlet of the air bag.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2013Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Daicel CorporationInventors: Masayuki Yamazaki, Masayuki Ueda
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Patent number: 8870223Abstract: Disclosed is an airbag apparatus for vehicles including a vent hole in an airbag cushion for discharging inflating gas. A cover is provided on an outer surface of the airbag cushion and is adjustable between a state where the cover is spaced apart from the vent hole to open it and a state where the cover comes into close contact with the vent hole to close it. A tether is connected at its first end to the cover and secured at its second end to an interior of the airbag cushion to impart a tensile force to the cover. A tether guide is provided on an inner surface of the airbag cushion to support the tether, and a sealing means is provided between the vent hole and the tether guide to support the tether, the tether passing through the sealing means.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2013Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Autoliv Development ABInventors: Jun Yeol Choi, Sung Woo Lee, Dong Young Kim
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Patent number: 8864169Abstract: A valve device for a gaseous medium of an airbag is provided. The valve device includes a textile layer, in particular a woven fabric, which is permeable with respect to the medium at least in certain regions. The valve device also includes at least one film covering the textile layer in at least one region and which forms at least one passage region of the valve device, which is at least substantially closed in a closed position of the valve device and open at least in certain regions in an at least temporary passage position of the valve device.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2011Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Daimler AGInventors: Ralf Bogenrieder, Christian Burczyk, Andreas Hirth, Lutz Quarg, Friedrich Reiter, Thomas Stegmaier
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Publication number: 20140306434Abstract: The present invention relates to an airbag for a vehicle including: an inflator which discharges high-pressure gas; an airbag cushion which has a vent hole so as to discharge a part of the high-pressure gas; a vent hole cover which is installed to shield the vent hole; and an operating unit which allows the vent hole cover to shield the vent hole when a predetermined time has passed at the time of deploying the airbag cushion, and provides advantages in that the severity of a neck injury to an occupant is reduced, and regulation satisfaction by the United States New Car Assessment Program (US-NCAP) is improved.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2014Publication date: October 16, 2014Applicant: HYUNDAI MOBIS Co., Ltd.Inventor: Rae Ick JANG