Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

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

Abstract: An 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.

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

Abstract: 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).

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

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

Abstract: A releasable tether retention system is provided. The system includes a housing, a movable member movably mounted within the housing, and a sliding element coupled to the movable member so as to move with the movable member and so as to be extendible to an exterior of the housing to engage a tether.

Abstract: An airbag, or inflatable curtain airbag assembly, can include one or more chambers and vents. The vents can be in fluid communication with one or more of the chambers. The vents can be configured to delay passage of inflation gas from an interior of the airbag into an interior chamber or to an exterior of the airbag upon deployment of the airbag. The vents can also be configured to transition from a closed configuration to an open configuration when an internal pressure of the airbag reaches a predetermined value.

Abstract: An airbag; module including an airbag; configured to inflate between a steering wheel and a vehicle occupant and an inflator configured to provide inflation gas to the airbag. The airbag includes a first vent opening and a second vent opening, and the first and second vent openings are configured to allow venting of an inflation gas. The first vent opening and second vent opening are arranged such that the first vent opening is located above a rim of the steering wheel and the second vent opening is located below the rim of the steering wheel when the airbag is in an inflated state.

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

Abstract: An airbag device with an airbag module (1) for attachment to a structural part of a motor vehicle with a housing (2), an airbag (3) arranged therein, a gas generator (4), as well as a support (5) via which the airbag module (1) can be attached to a motor vehicle component, wherein a fastener (41) is positioned on a gas generator (4) via which the gas generator (4) can be attached to the housing (2) and/or the support (5). On the support (5) and/or on the housing (2) at least one spacer (21, 51) is provided between the housing (2) and the support (5), between the housing (2) and the gas generator (4), and/or between the support (5) and the gas generator (3), in the form of cavities in which a discharge channel (22, 52) is constructed in the plane of the intermediate area formed by the spacers (21, 51).

Abstract: An airbag unit with an airbag (10) encloses a gas compartment, an inflator, and a housing (20) containing the folded airbag. A holding device (40) having a first and a second section (42, 44) is provided, the first section (42) is connected to the housing (20), and the second section (44) can be detached from, the first section (42) upon an electrical signal. The holding device detachably fastens a tensioning element, whose first end is connected to the airbag, and its second end is connected to the housing (20) via the holding device (40) when the first and second sections (42 or 44) are connected. The holding device second section (44) is arranged inside the gas compartment, and a hole (13) is provided in the airbag (10), through which an ignition cable plug socket, an ignition lead (50) or the holding device first section (42) protrudes.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (20) of a vehicle (12) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) having a deflated condition and an inflated condition. Tear stitching (200a) interconnects portions (220a, 230a) of the protection device (14). The tear stitching (200a) includes first and second stitch lines (300, 320) positioned next to each other. The first stitch line (300) is adapted to rupture in response to tension of a first magnitude exerted on the interconnected portions (220a, 230a) while inflating to an initially deployed condition. The second stitch line (320) is adapted to remain intact and being capable itself of maintaining the protection device in the initially deployed condition subsequent to rupture of the first stitch line (300) and throughout inflation and deployment of the protection device (14).

Abstract: An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) includes at least one panel (212) of material that defines an inflatable volume (54) of the protection device. The at least one panel (212) has a portion presented toward the vehicle occupant when in an inflated and deployed condition. The protection device (14) includes at least one pleat (296, 316) formed in the at least one panel (212). The at least one pleat (296, 316) defines a cushioned portion (210) for receiving a portion of the occupant. The at least one pleat (296, 316) reduces fabric tension in the cushioned portion (210) to provide the cushioned portion with a degree of softness that is reduced over remaining areas of the protection device (14).

Abstract: A lateral partition is formed by a pair of structural fabric portions, each of which has a first peripheral portion and a second peripheral portion. The first peripheral portions of the structural fabric portions are each joined to one of main body fabric portions. The second peripheral portions of the structural fabric portions are joined to each other by a joint portion provided along the second peripheral portions. An inner tube extends over the upper inflation chamber and the lower inflation chamber, while intersecting with the lateral partition. A rear peripheral portion of a part of the inner tube is joined to the main body fabric portions by a part of the peripheral joint portion, and a front peripheral portion of the part is joined to the structural fabric portions by the joint portion.

Abstract: An active bolster has a plastic-molded, expandable front wall and a plastic-molded back wall joined around a substantially sealed perimeter with the front wall to form an inflatable bladder. The back wall includes at least one active vent and at least one substantially circumferential pleated baffle. An inflator couples an inflation gas into the inflatable bladder in response to a crash event of the vehicle. The active vent comprises a window opening in the back wall and an integrally-molded flap juxtaposed to the window opening. The flap has an undeflected position corresponding to a first flow coefficient and a deflected position corresponding to a second, nonzero flow coefficient that is less than the first flow coefficient. The flap moves from the undeflected position to the deflected position when a pressure in the inflatable bladder resulting from a passenger impact is greater than a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: An airbag assembly includes an housing, an inflator mounted in the housing, and an airbag. A vent opening is provided in the wall of the housing for venting inflation gas from the housing. A vent cover closes the vent opening so that inflation gas does not reach the vent opening. A valve member also closes the vent cover and is selectively moveable by an electric actuator to adapt the valve member to a selected degree of closure in response to sensed conditions of the occupant and the vehicle. A tether is connected to the airbag and to the vent cover to suddenly open the vent cover as the airbag reaches a certain stage in its deployment, so that the rate at which inflation gas is vented from the housing through the vent opening will be determined by the previously established selected degree of closure of the vent opening.

Abstract: In an air bag main body which inflates step by step in a first stage and a second stage by bonding its peripheral edge portion and bonding its inner side than the peripheral edge portion, a connecting member bridging between a lid member opening and closing a vent hole and a coupling member can be always set to a tension state by arranging an adjusting portion in the coupling member which defining a maximum facing distance between a front panel and a rear panel in the tension state in each of the first stage and the second stage, and whereby a closed state of the vent hole can be maintained.

Abstract: An active bolster has a plastic-molded, expandable front wall and a plastic-molded back wall joined around a substantially sealed perimeter with the front wall to form an inflatable bladder. The back wall includes at least one active vent and at least one substantially circumferential pleated baffle. An inflator couples an inflation gas into the inflatable bladder in response to a crash event of the vehicle. The active vent comprises a window opening in the back wall and an integrally-molded flap juxtaposed to the window opening. The flap has an undeflected position corresponding to a first flow coefficient and a deflected position corresponding to a second, nonzero flow coefficient that is less than the first flow coefficient. The flap moves from the undeflected position to the deflected position when a pressure in the inflatable bladder resulting from a passenger impact is greater than a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (20) of a vehicle (12) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) inflatable between a vehicle surface (36) and the vehicle occupant. A vent (160) releases inflation fluid from the protection device (14). The vent (160) includes a vent opening with a flow area that can be adjusted to throttle inflation fluid flow through the vent. A tether (150) has a first connection with the vent (160) and a second connection with the protection device (14). Tension on the tether (150) throttles the vent (160). The second connection of the tether is positioned on the protection device (14) such that deployment of the protection device throttles the vent (160) toward an actuated condition, and occupant (20) penetration into the protection device throttles the vent toward a non-actuated condition.

Abstract: An object is to prevent an airbag from bursting out toward an occupant and to inflate and deploy the airbag in a stable manner. An inner bag (30A) inflates with gas supplied from an inflator (3). An outer bag (20) inflates with the gas supplied through a flow port in the inner bag (30A). A restriction member (40A) restricts the movement of a front surface of the outer bag (20) in the occupant direction. An opening (41) in the restriction member (40A) is engaged with the outer circumference of the inflated inner bag (30A) and moves in the occupant direction along the outer circumference of the inner bag (30A) in accordance with the inflation of the outer bag (20). The restriction member (40A) moves the front surface of the outer bag (20) in accordance with the movement of the opening (41).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (20) of a vehicle (12) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) having a deflated condition and an inflated condition. The protection device (14) includes a panel (74) having a portion presented toward the occupant (20) when the protection device is in the inflated condition. A tether (60) has a first connection (78) to a first portion (80) of the panel (74) and a second connection (72) to a second portion (76) of the panel. The tether (60) is operative to limit deployment of the second portion (76) of the panel (74) in response to unrestricted deployment of the first portion (80) of the panel. The tether (60) is also operative to permit further deployment of the second portion (76) of the panel (74) in response to occupant penetration into the first portion (80) of the panel.

Abstract: An airbag with a valve device for a gaseous medium includes at least one textile layer and at least one foil that at least partially covers the textile layer such that due to the valve device at least one area of the airbag permeable by the medium can be at least partially opened when the valve device is in an open position and can be at least substantially sealed when the valve device is in a closed position.

Abstract: An airbag assembly including an airbag inflatable from a housing in operation with an occupant classification system is provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure. The occupant classification system is incorporated into a vehicle seat and is in communication with the airbag. A selectively actuatable vent formed in the airbag is opened during deployment of the airbag based on a determination from the occupant classification system.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (20) of a vehicle (12) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) inflatable between a vehicle surface (36) and the vehicle occupant. A vent (160) releases inflation fluid from the protection device (14). The vent (160) has an actuated condition and a non-actuated condition. A tether (150) has a first connection with the vent (160) and a second connection with the protection device (14). Tension on the tether (150) actuates the vent (160). The vent (160) is initially in the non-actuated condition upon initial deployment of the protection device (14). Further deployment of the protection device (14) causes the tether (150) to place the vent (160) in the actuated condition. Occupant penetration into the protection device (14) causes the tether (150) to place the vent (160) in the non-actuated condition.

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

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to control deployment of an inflatable protection device (14) includes a tether (150) having a first connection with a first portion (100, 104) of the protection device and a second connection with a second portion (102) of the protection device. A guide (156) is connected to the protection device (14). The tether (150) extends through the guide (156). The tether (150) is configured to move through the guide (156) in order to translate movement of the first portion (100, 104) of the protection device (14) in a first direction to movement of the second portion (102) of the protection device in a second direction different from the first direction.

Abstract: An occupant protection device includes (i) an electronic control unit having a control board, (ii) a parallel connection bus having two lines, (iii) multiple satellite sensors connected to the parallel connection bus, (iv) a squib connected to the parallel connection bus, and (v) an accident prevention diode located close to the squib. The control board includes an interface and a processor. Each of the satellite sensors includes a distributed system interface which is located between the two lines. The parallel connection bus is supplied with a sensor drive voltage. The electronic control unit starts to operate at least one of the occupant protection portions based on a result of the collision determination by the control board.

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

Abstract: An external airbag structure for a vehicle includes an airbag cushion disposed to develop toward a front side of a bumper from a folded state, a vent hole formed at the airbag cushion, and a variable vent cover attached to the airbag cushion to block the vent hole, wherein the variable vent cover includes a material having a heat-resisting property which is melted and torn by a temperature and/or a pressure of an internal expansion gas of the airbag cushion on expansion of the airbag cushion. The vent hole is opened to perform an effective cushion action as the airbag cushion is developed.

Abstract: A curtain airbag device capable of inflating and deploying without suffering a burst of a cushion part at an end of a cushion part protector near an inflator. The curtain airbag device includes a cushion part extending in a front to back direction of the vehicle, accommodated in a state rolled up from a lower end toward an upper end thereof, and inflating and deploying downward when gas is supplied thereto. The curtain airbag device includes an inflator for supplying gas to the cushion part from a predetermined position at the upper end of the cushion part, and an elongated protector 180 having an arc-like open curve cross section that is open downward and covering the cushion part, with an inner surface thereof making contact with the cushion part. The cross section of the protector being defined by the open curve, with an end point P of the open curve on a vehicle inner side smoothly going up at a first end near the inflator so that the open curve has an increasing distance between end points thereof.

Abstract: An airbag module for installation in a motor vehicle has an airbag made of an airbag fabric and folded up before being triggered by an inflation device. The airbag fabric has at least one slit forming an adaptive ventilation opening and a retaining strap, which at one end is held releasably on a retainer on the airbag module and at the other end is connected fixedly to the airbag. The slit (11) is cut into the airbag fabric and has two ends configured to prevent the slit (11) from tearing when pressure is applied. The retaining strap is arranged on the inside of the airbag and is guided through a securing loop (17) attached to the airbag fabric opposite the fixed end (14) of the retaining strap across the slit (11) toward the retainer.

Abstract: An inflatable airbag assembly can include an airbag cushion and a vent tube having an aperture. Portions of one or more straps can be attached to opposite sides of the vent tube, and a release mechanism can selectively retain the one or more straps. Upon deployment of the airbag cushion while the release mechanism retains the one or more straps, the one or more straps can urge the opposite sides of the vent tube toward each other to assist in closing the aperture of the vent tube.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (20) of a vehicle (12) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) having a deflated condition and an inflated condition. An anchor tether (102) is secured to the vehicle (12). A shaping tether (104) is secured to a first portion (116) of the protection device (14). A releasable connection (132) connects the anchor tether (102) and shaping tether (104). The shaping tether (104) secured to the vehicle (12) via the connection (132) with the anchor tether (102) restricting deployment of the first portion (116) of the protection device (14). The connection (132) is configured to withstand tension between the anchor tether (102) and shaping tether (104) when the protection device (14) is fully pressurized.

Abstract: Provided is a side airbag device such that locally high stress is prevented from being generated at the sewn portion between panels by high temperature and pressure gas. An inner panel is folded in half, and the upper edges thereof are sewn together by a seam so as to form an inner bag. This inner bag is placed on an outer panel, the outer panel is folded in half, and the periphery thereof is sewn by a seam. An inflator equipped with a distributor is inserted into the inner bag through openings and, and a gas jetting portion is disposed in the immediate vicinity of a communication opening.

Abstract: A side airbag device for a side collision is provided in which a first bag half body (20) on an occupant side and a second bag half body (21) on a door side are formed by sandwiching a third base fabric (19) between a first base fabric (17) on the occupant side and a second base fabric (18) on the door side, and gas supplied from an inflator (22) to the second bag half body (21) is supplied to the first bag half body (20) via a through hole (19a) formed in an end part of the third base fabric (19) that is on the side distant from the inflator (22), and therefore, after the second bag half body (21) is firstly deployed to ensure that there is the minimum necessary occupant restraint performance, the first airbag half body (20) is deployed, thereby sufficiently enhancing occupant restraint performance.

Abstract: An inflatable airbag assembly can include an airbag cushion and a vent tube having an aperture. Portions of one or more straps can be attached to opposite sides of the vent tube, and a release mechanism can selectively retain the one or more straps. Upon deployment of the airbag cushion while the release mechanism retains the one or more straps, the one or more straps can urge the opposite sides of the vent tube toward each other to assist in closing the aperture of the vent tube.

Abstract: An airbag module for a motor vehicle is provided. The airbag module comprising a gas bag, which is inflatable by means of a gas generator for the protection of a person, and a vent opening through which gas originating from the airbag module can escape, and a device for controlling the outlet cross-section of the vent opening, which comprises at least one covering member with which the vent opening can be covered, in order to at least partly close the same, and which furthermore comprises an actuating mechanism which cooperates with the covering member, in order to vary the outlet cross-section of the vent opening. The actuating mechanism includes a gas source and an element inflatable by means of the gas source, which during inflation cooperates with the covering member such that it effects a change in the outlet cross-section of the vent opening.

Abstract: A knee airbag installed in a lower portion of an instrument panel has a deployed condition wherein it extends rearward and upward. The airbag has a left lobe, a right lobe, and a central portion between and joined to the left and right lobes. A vent is formed in the reaction surface of each of the lobes to allow inflation gasses to escape from the airbag when, during a crash event, an occupant force applied forwardly against the lobes is below a threshold level. When the occupant force reaches or exceeds the threshold level, the vents are urged against the instrument panel to substantially block the escape of inflation gasses. The threshold level is selected such that a child-sized occupant standing forward of a desired passenger seating position exerts less than the threshold level.

Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag system including an airbag including a vent and a vent cover, an actuator, and a tether. The tension can be applied to the tether when the actuator has not been activated. Further, when the actuator has not been activated, the vent is closed by the vent cover due to the tension applied to the tether connected to the vent cover. The actuator is configured, once inflation gas is supplied to inflate the airbag, to reduce or release the tension applied to the tether when the actuator is activated. The vent cover is configured to remain in position when the actuator has been activated until the inflation gas forces the vent open. The vent cover is configured to maintain the vent in a closed state when the actuator has not been activated. In addition, the vent cover can be located on an exterior surface of the airbag.

Abstract: An airbag has a fabric enclosure, a vent in the fabric enclosure, and a flow control device made up of a flexible membrane fastened around part of a periphery thereof to the fabric enclosure adjacent to the vent. The membrane defines a flow passage having a free end through which inflation gas is vented to atmosphere and has a tongue extending away from the free end. The tongue has a pre-deployment position in which it overlies an inner surface of the fabric enclosure and a distal end of the tongue extends past an end of the vent closest to the free end. A first distance from the distal end of the tongue to a closest end of the vent may be shorter than a second distance from the distal end of the tongue to a closest end of fastening between the periphery of the membrane and the fabric enclosure.

Abstract: The present invention provides an airbag device that is capable of restraining a rectification cloth that switches a vent hole to an opened or closed state so as not to be twisted, and that is capable of switching the vent hole from an opened state to a closed state, and further, switching to the opened state. At an initial stage at which an airbag main body inflates and expands, the vent hole 8 is arranged between the leg portions 5, and when the airbag main body is in a predetermined internal pressure state, the vent hole is closed by means of the band-shaped portion 4. If an occupant or the like comes into contact with the airbag main body, a tense state of each of the leg portions is released, the rectification cloth is established in a slackened state, and the vent hole 8 is established in an opened state.

Abstract: Provided is a side airbag module, including (i) a gas generating means generating a hot and high-pressure gas and exhausting the gas through an outlet when a car collision occur, (ii) a side airbag cushion that is configured to be filled with the exhausted gas and is inflated from back to front at a side of a passenger, and (iii) a baffle which includes a first vent hole and is formed inside the side airbag cushion to divide the inner space of the side airbag cushion into an inner chamber and an outer chamber, wherein a second vent hole is formed in a portion of the side airbag cushion, the portion corresponding to the outer chamber, and the inner chamber is inflated first and the outer chamber is inflated later as the side airbag cushion is inflated from back to front at a side of the passenger.