Abstract: An inflatable airbag cushion assembly with a release device for electronic communication with a sensor in a vehicle. The cushion assumes two different configurations depending on the occupant's position. The configurations are achieved via tethers along with closeable vent(s) to control cushion pressure.

Abstract: An airbag device includes an outer shell forming an airbag and having a vent hole, a restriction member for restricting gas flow through the vent hole, a first chamber having the vent hole, a second chamber, the inner panel partitioning the airbag into the first and second chambers and having a communication portion, and a tether member for connecting the restriction member and the inner panel. Gas is introduced into the first chamber and then into the second chamber. When the first chamber is filled with gas and the inner panel is tensioned, the tension exceeding a predetermined value is applied to the restriction member so that the vent hole is substantially closed. When the first chamber is not filled with gas and the inner panel loosens, the tension applied to the restriction member does not reach the predetermined value so that the vent hole is opened.

Abstract: Intended is to always provide effective impact reduction by releasing gas at a timing of pushing into airbag. An airbag (10) has a vent hole (18) in one side end portion. One end of a third base fabric (20) is sewn to the airbag (10) through a first sewn portion (23) that closes the vent hole (18), and the other end of the third base fabric 20 is sewn to the other side end portion of the airbag (10) through a second sewn portion (24). The first sewn portion (23) has weaker binding force by sewing than the second sewn portion (24) so that the first sewn portion (23) is separated to open the vent hole (18) when tension force is applied from the third base fabric (20) to the first and second sewn portions (23) and (24).

Abstract: An airbag cushion is disclosed for use in automotive protective systems. The airbag cushion includes a tube that may be restricted to prevent gas venting. A cord having a plurality of stoppers is coupled to the tube. Upon airbag deployment, the cord extends until taut or extends until the cushion encounters an obstruction. If pulled taut, the cord incrementally tightens the tube and restricts gas venting. If the cushion encounters an obstruction, the cord remains lax and the tube is able to vent gas.

Abstract: A gas bag module (10) for a vehicle occupant restraint device includes a gas generator (14) for filling a gas bag (16), and a gas conduit device arranged inside the module. The gas conduit device forces a predetermined, uniform flow direction at least on a portion of the gas emerging from the gas generator (14).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) includes an inflatable occupant protection device (38) and a support member (56) having a vent opening (78) through which inflation fluid may flow. A vent member (106) is movable relative to the support member (56) for varying a flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening (78). The vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) also includes a tether (144) for moving the vent member (106) and an actuatable mechanism (170) that has a first condition preventing the tether (144) from moving the vent member (106) and a second condition enabling the tether (144) to move the vent member (106).

Abstract: An inflatable airbag is disclosed which defines an inflatable chamber. The airbag generally includes an inner elastic membrane provided in the peripheral wall of the airbag and a vent-hole formed through the elastic membrane. An outer membrane is provided on the outside of the airbag that extends across at least part of the inner membrane and the vent-hole. The outer membrane defines a pucker over the inner membrane and the vent-hole. The pucker is open so as to define an outlet flow path from the vent-hole when the inner membrane is spaced from the pucker. The inner membrane is configured to stretch and seal against the pucker around the vent-hole when the internal pressure within the inflatable chamber exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A system for controlling an inflation output in an inflatable cushion of an air bag module, comprising: a first sensing device, the first sensing device being an electronic sensing device configured to detect the presence of an object proximate to the air bag module, when the inflatable cushion is in an un-inflated state, the first sensing device providing a suppression signal when an object is detected within an area proximate to the air bag module; a second sensing device, the second sensing device being a mechanical sensing device configured to detect whether a leading edge of the inflatable cushion has made contact with an object prior to the leading edge reaching a predetermined distance from the air bag module during inflation of the inflatable cushion, the second sensing device being disposed within the inflatable cushion and is configured to cause the inflation output provided to the inflatable cushion to be varied when the leading edge of the inflatable cushion has made contact with an object prior t

Abstract: An air bag device of the present invention includes an bag member formed by a circular front-side cloth and a circular reverse-side cloth which are sewn together at their outer peripheral edge portions. The air bag device is provided with an annular lid member for closing a plurality of gas discharge portions formed in the reverse-side cloth. Therefore, in this air bag device, the bag member can be instantaneously inflated and expanded to effectively restrain the passenger and also to effectively absorb an impact energy acting on the passenger.

Abstract: The airbag apparatus includes an airbag, a tether, a vent mechanism and an actuator. When the actuator is activated, a portion of the tether is retained by a movable member of the actuator to reduce the degree of protrusion of the airbag while the vent mechanism is released from the movable member to open up a vent opening and increase emission of inflation gas. When the actuator is inactive, the portion of the tether is detached from a position where the portion would otherwise be retained by the movable member to increase the degree of protrusion of the airbag while the vent mechanism is retained by the movable member to close off the vent opening and reduce the emission of gas. Further, the actuator may be activated at a delayed timing to open up the vent opening to increase the gas emission after the tether is configured to increase the protruding degree of the airbag.

Abstract: A gas bag module for a vehicle occupant restraint device comprises a gas bag and a discharge arrangement in fluid connection with said gas bag. The discharge arrangement has a discharge opening, through which gas can escape from the gas bag, and at least one element made of an electrically activatable polymer actuator to expose and/or alter the discharge opening upon activation of said polymer actuator.

Abstract: An airbag apparatus includes an air bag, the airbag including an inflator opening, a vent hole provided at a side of the inflator opening, and a vent hole cover which closes the vent hole, wherein the vent hole cover has a strip-shaped closure part which covers the vent hole, and an extending part which extends towards the inflator opening from a longitudinal intermediate part of the closure part, and both ends of the closure part are joined to the airbag at rupture joining parts which are configured to rupture at the time of deployment of the airbag.

Abstract: An airbag apparatus with adaptive inflation characteristics vents inflation gas prior to full airbag deployment to afford proper protection for an out-of-position occupant. A vent opening in the casing is controlled by a movable control section of the airbag itself. The control section has a control opening that is registered with the vent opening when the airbag is uninflated, or when it is partially inflated, such as when the airbag encounters an out-of-position occupant. For a properly positioned occupant, the control section moves to cover the vent opening as the airbag becomes fully inflated to block the escape of gas from the casing.

Abstract: An air bag system includes an inflator, an inflatable air bag, an air bag housing substantially surrounding the air bag, and a vent-modifying mechanism operatively connected to the housing. The housing defines a vent. The vent-modifying mechanism includes a vent blocker movable from a first position to a second position to adjust inflation fluid flow through the vent, and a retention member retaining the vent blocker in the first position. A sensing tether extending between the air bag and the retention member is operable to selectively release the retention member. An inflation fluid responsive member movable between a restricting position and an unrestricting position may also be included. The inflation fluid responsive member at least partially blocks the housing vent in the restricting position, and is movable to an unrestricting position in response to pressure of inflation fluid.

Abstract: An airbag assembly is disclosed for use in an automobile. The disclosed airbag assembly adaptively vents gas from the interior of the airbag depending on whether an obstruction is encountered during airbag deployment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle airbag assembly and method for deployment. An inflator is connected to an airbag wherein the inflator generates gases that cause inflation of the airbag. A housing substantially encloses the airbag and the inflator. The housing includes a vent hole for venting gases. An airbag tether is included having at least a first and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the airbag and the second end is attached to a venting member. The venting member, being configured to cover the vent hole, is moveable with respect to the housing. During a first airbag deployment stage, the venting member is forced away from the vent hole as the inflator generates gases. An actuator releases the second end of the airbag tether from the venting member during a second airbag deployment stage for the passage of gases through the vent hole.

Abstract: An airbag and an airbag apparatus in which a vent hole is in a closed state or a slightly open state until an occupant plunges into the airbag and the vent hole becomes to an open state or a widely open state when the occupant plunges into the airbag. The inside of the airbag 10 is partitioned by inner panels 22A, 22B into a first chamber 1 centrally located and a second chamber surrounding the first chamber 1. A vent hole 18 is formed in a rear panel 14 to allow the communication between the second chamber 2 and the outside of the airbag. A lid member 60 is provided to cover the vent hole 18 from the inside of the rear panel 14. A tether (tethering member) 70 connects the lid member 60 and the inner panels 22A, 22B. When the airbag 10 is inflated, the tether 70 is tensioned to prevent the lid member 60 from moving out of the airbag 10.

Abstract: An airbag module for a motor vehicle includes an airbag, an inflow orifice, a continuously running marginal region, a gas generator, a generator carrier having a base and emerging from an output orifice, a surface defined by the marginal region, and a continuous running wall protruding from the base. The wall has at least one first outflow orifice through which gas emerging from the gas outlet orifice of the gas generator can pass into the outside space of the airbag module. A cylindrical ring with a clearance is arranged displaceably on the wall in a movement direction running around the wall. The clearance is able to be brought into congruence with the outflow orifice as a result of a displacement of the cylindrical ring in the movement direction to open the first outflow orifice.

Abstract: A side impact restraint device for protection of an occupant (20a; 20b), sitting on a vehicle seat (10) in a motor vehicle, includes a gas bag (14). The gas bag (14) unfolds between a lateral structure (12) of the vehicle and the occupant (20a; 20b). The gas bag has an outflow opening (24) which is arranged in a region (26) of the gas bag (14) facing the occupant (20a: 20b). The vertical position of the outflow opening (24) is selected so that it is not covered by the upper body of a small occupant (20a).

Abstract: An actuatable fastener (50) includes a body (80) including a head (82) and a shank (84). The body (80) includes an interior chamber (120) partially defined by a side wall (132) extending from the head (82) into the shank (84) and an end wall (138) positioned in the shank. A member (140) is disposed in the chamber (120). An initiator (160) is actuatable to produce combustion products in the chamber (120) that act on the member (140) to move the member in a first direction in the chamber to strike the end wall (138). The member (140) strikes the end wall (138) creating a fracture (222) in the shank (84) separating at least a portion of the shank from a remainder (220) of the shank. The combustion products moving the member (150) beyond the fracture (222) at least a predetermined distance (226) to move the portion of the shank (84) at least the predetermined distance from the remainder (220) of the shank.

Abstract: A gas generator, in particular for a vehicle occupant restraint system, has a rigid outer housing (12), a chamber (14) formed in the outer housing (12), in which a compressed gas is present at least upon activation of the gas generator (10), a component immovable (20; 34; 62), at least one outflow opening (22) formed in the component immovable (20; 34; 62) relative to the outer housing (12), and at least one substantially flat, resilient element (26), which is clamped inside the outer housing (12) and rests against the immovable component (20; 34; 62) at least in its normal position. In its normal position, the resilient element (26) closes a flow path between the chamber (14) and external surroundings of the gas generator (10) and is deformed elastically under the influence of compressed gas, whereby it clears a flow cross-section (30) whose size is increasing with increasing pressure.

Abstract: An inner part of an airbag is partitioned into a first chamber and a second chamber by first and second inner panels. In a rear panel, a venthole for allowing the second chamber to communicate with an outer part of the airbag is provided. A lid member covers the venthole and is combined with the rear panel in a vicinity of the venthole by a tear seam. The lid member is connected to the second inner panel by a tether. At an initial stage of airbag expansion, the venthole is covered by the lid member. When the airbag is expanded more than a predetermined amount, the lid member is stretched by the second inner panel via the tether, and released from the venthole so as to open the venthole. The airbag facilitates prompt deployment without a loss in shock-absorbing characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an airbag for automotive vehicles with a gas venting regulation device assembled around a venting opening (11) comprising a first part (15) joined to the inflatable cushion (13) covering the venting opening (11), formed by an elastic area (31) and a non-elastic area (33) with a plurality of openings (17, 19) for the passage of gas; a second rigid part (21) joined to the inflatable cushion (13) and to said first part (15), with a projecting neck (23) forming a gas outlet mouth; and in which at least one part of said non-elastic area (33) is arranged such that when the first part (15) is deformed as a result of the internal pressure in the inflatable cushion during its deployment, the passage of gas through said openings (17) is completely or partially sealed by said projecting neck (23.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle airbag assembly and method for deployment. An inflator is connected to an airbag wherein the inflator generates gases that cause inflation of the airbag. A housing substantially encloses the airbag and the inflator. The housing includes a vent hole for venting gases. An airbag tether is included having at least a first and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the airbag and the second end is attached to a venting member. The venting member, being configured to cover the vent hole, is moveable with respect to the housing. During a first airbag deployment stage, the venting member is forced away from the vent hole as the inflator generates gases. An actuator releases the second end of the airbag tether from the venting member during a second airbag deployment stage for the passage of gases through the vent hole.

Abstract: An air bag includes a wall defining an interior in which a gas is received to inflate the air bag, and at least one vent opening through the wall and a vent valve carried by the wall. The vent valve has at least one valve opening, and the vent valve is moveable between a first position where the valve opening is aligned with at least one vent opening and a second position where the valve opening is at least partially misaligned with at least one vent opening to at least partially close the vent opening. The vent valve is in its first position until deployment of the air bag beyond a threshold which moves the vent valve to its second position.

Abstract: An airbag canister vent is attached to or resides within an airbag module of an automobile. The module has a housing, within which resides a gas generator, an airbag, a tether cord, and a housing vent valve configured to close in accordance with the tether length that connects the airbag and the housing vent valve. The tension or any slack in the tether is governed by the discharge distance of the airbag from the canister. The canister vent may be a rotating disk that gradually closes as the airbag moves toward a seat occupant or a movable ball valve with a tether pin that remains open until the bag is discharged far enough from the canister to pull a tether pin from the ball causing the pressurized gas in the canister to forcibly lodge the ball against the vent hole wall thereby forming a seal and closing the valve.

Abstract: In an airbag (2), a length extending from a sewn portion (10) to a right periphery of a presser plate (13) is set such that a length (L1) is shorter than a length (L2) wherein the length (L2) is at an attachment side base cloth (3) side and the length (L1) is at a cloth-like piece (9) side. When the airbag (2) is expanded in emergency situations, the attachment side base cloth (3) is expanded while it moves away outwardly from the cloth-like piece (9), thereby opening a vent hole (8), so that the airbag (2) is eased in abrupt expansion directing toward an occupant. When the airbag (2) becomes a sufficient size to protect the occupant, it bends instantaneously a retaining plate (17) to release the parallel portion (9B) of the cloth-like piece (9) from the presser plate (13), so that the cloth-like piece (9) is brought into intimate contact with the attachment side base cloth (3) to close the vent hole (8), thereby protecting the occupant with reliability.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint device having a gas bag module includes a gas generator for inflating a gas bag, at least one discharge opening that is formed in a rigid component of the gas bag module, through which gas that is produced by the gas generator and conveyed into the gas bag can be discharged, and at least one closing device for the discharge opening. The closing device has an adjusting device and a plurality of covers of different pressure sensitivities. A specific one of said covers is placed in front of the discharge opening by the adjusting device even before the gas bag module is activated, so as to close the discharge opening until a pre-established gas bag interior pressure is reached that is associated with the specific cover, and, when this interior pressure is exceeded, to at least partially release the discharge opening through bursting.

Abstract: An airbag module includes a housing having at least one aperture for releasing gas from an interior of the housing during inflation of an airbag. The airbag module also includes a member configured for movement between a first position in which the member impedes the flow of gas through the at least one aperture and a second position in which the member does not impede the flow of gas through the at least one aperture. A pyrotechnic device is attached to the member for directing a burst of gas toward a fixed surface to cause the member and the pyrotechnic device to move between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: The application relates to an airbag with a venting assembly. An air bag cushion can include at least one panel and a tether that forms the venting assembly. The tether can include an attachment portion to attach the tether to a panel of the air bag cushion, an opening, at least one passive vent, and a discrete vent. The passive venting system can be formed by folding the tether over upon itself so that the opening and vents substantially lie above and below one another.

Abstract: An airbag comprising a bag (11) that can be inflated with the gas provided by a gas generator when the vehicle experiences a collision, with a venting device (13) comprising first a first gas discharge opening (15) and a sealing member (17) thereof intended to break due to the effect of the pressure inside the inflatable bag (11), and second a part (19) with a second opening (21) of a smaller surface area than the first opening (15), which is fixed to the inside portion of the inflatable bag (11) and of the sealing member (17), acting as an airbag venting area once the sealing member (17) of the first opening (15) breaks.

Abstract: An air-bag is provided with a controllable vent, for example a tube, which is normally maintained in a closed condition by being retained by a clamp. The clamp is opened in response to a signal from a sensor. The clamp may be opened when it is desired for the air-bag to have a “soft” inflation, thus permitting a relatively high rate of flow of gas exiting from the air-bag.

Abstract: A reversibly deployable energy absorbing assembly includes a rigid support structure having at least one inlet and at least one outlet; a flexible covering sealingly engaged with the rigid support structure to define an inflatable interior region; a gas source in fluid communication with the at least one inlet; an inlet control valve positioned intermediate the gas source and the at least one inlet; and an actively controlled pressure relief valve in fluid communication with the at least one outlet. The inlet control valve and the pressure relief valve are adapted to provide a response suitable for use in vehicle impact management.

Abstract: An airbag with a venting assembly. An airbag can include a panel with at least one vent opening and a valve sheet with at least one vent opening and at least one tear tab. The panel and valve sheet can be arranged so that the vent openings of the panel and the vent openings of the valve sheet are configured to align with one another for a period of time during deployment of the airbag. The tear tabs can be configured to break during deployment of the airbag.

Abstract: The airbag apparatus includes an airbag, a tether, a vent mechanism and an actuator. When the actuator is activated, a portion of the tether is retained by a movable member of the actuator to reduce the degree of protrusion of the airbag while the vent mechanism is released from the movable member to open up a vent opening and increase emission of inflation gas. When the actuator is inactive, the portion of the tether is detached from a position where the portion would otherwise be retained by the movable member to increase the degree of protrusion of the airbag while the vent mechanism is retained by the movable member to close off the vent opening and reduce the emission of gas. Further, the actuator may be activated at a delayed timing to open up the vent opening to increase the gas emission after the tether is configured to increase the protruding degree of the airbag.

Abstract: An airbag module for a motor vehicle comprises an inflatable gas bag; a gas generator for inflating the gas bag; a valve for letting gas out of the gas bag; a moveable actuating element for the valve, which can be actuated in order to open the valve; and a trigger mechanism which is used to actuate the actuating element by producing pressure. The trigger mechanism releases a compressed gas in order to actuate the actuating element, the gas directly acting upon a pressure attach surface of the actuating element.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment of the present invention an airbag device is provided. The airbag device comprises an airbag having at least one chamber, which can be filled with gas by a gas generator, and a ventilation opening in fluid communication with the chamber. The ventilation opening is sealed by an airbag section, which is detachably mounted to a fastening member, and is configured as an insertion opening for the gas generator.

Abstract: An air-bag arrangement includes an air-bag and a gas generator to supply gas to inflate the air-bag. The gas generator is hingedly connected to a support and is hingedly movable between a closed position in which the gas generator extends across and closes an aperture, and a second position in which the apertured is opened to permit the flow of gas from the air-bag. The gas generator is initially retained in position by a retainer the retainer being actuable, in response to a signal, to enable the gas generator to move hingedly to the open position.

Abstract: An airbag assembly including one or more elongate tether elements that extend through vent openings along travel paths from anchoring locations such that the tether elements extend in sliding relation through the vent openings. The gas emission capacity of the vent openings may be adjustable based on internal cushion pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generator, including: a housing having a gas discharge port closed, from the inside thereof, by a closing member; an ignition device accommodated inside the housing; and a gas generating agent ignited and burnt by activation of the ignition device to generate combustion gas, wherein the gas discharge port consists of a plurality of gas discharge port groups or a plurality of gas discharge ports, the plurality of gas discharge port groups or the plurality of gas discharge ports are opened by different pressures, respectively, among the plurality of gas discharge port groups or the plurality of gas discharge ports, at least the gas discharge port group or the gas discharge port that is opened by the highest pressure is covered with a cooling member from the outside.

Abstract: A passenger protection apparatus is mounted on a vehicle, and includes a detecting device for foreseeing and detecting a collision of the vehicle; a passenger protection device to be situated between a passenger and the vehicle for protecting the passenger upon the collision; a driving device for driving the passenger protection device reversibly in a direction approaching the passenger and a direction away from the passenger; and a control device for controlling the driving device according to the detecting device. The control device controls the driving device to move the passenger protection device prior to the collision from a first position to a second position closer to the passenger than the first position when the detecting device foresees the collision. The control device controls the driving device to move the passenger protection device from the second position to the first position when the collision is avoided.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10d) includes an inflatable occupant protection device (300) and a support member (316). A vent opening (350) extends through the support member (316). A vent member (360) is associated with the vent opening (350). The vent member (360) initially closes the vent opening (350). Inflation fluid moves the vent member (360) relative to the support member (316) for enabling a flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening (350). A tether (386) extends between the inflatable occupant protection device (300) and the vent member (360). The tether (386) is responsive to inflation of the inflatable occupant protection device (300) away from the support member (316) by more than a predetermined distance for moving the vent member (360) relative to the support member (316) for reducing the flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening (350).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) helps protect an occupant (16) of a vehicle (12). The apparatus (12) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) that is inflatable to help protect the vehicle occupant (16). A vent opening (52) directs flow of inflation fluid away from the protection device (14). A vent member (60) is movable between an open condition enabling flow of inflation fluid away from the protection device (14) through the vent opening (52) and a closed condition at least partially blocking flow of inflation fluid away from the protection device through the vent opening. A panel (80) receives and transfers the force of inflation directed into the protection device to the vent member to urge the vent member toward the closed condition.

Abstract: An airbag ring for mounting an airbag assembly to an instrument panel including an airbag ring portion having a first aperture. The first aperture being dimensioned to allow an airbag to pass through the first aperture during airbag deployment and a duct mounting portion integral with the airbag ring portion, the duct mounting portion having a second aperture.

Abstract: A gas bag module includes a gas bag, a gas generator, a first and a second fastening element, a section of the gas bag being fastened between the first and the second fastening elements, and a discharge opening for diverting gas generated by the gas generator and introduced into the gas bag. The discharge opening can be brought from a closed state into an opened state and comprises at least one opening in the first and in the second fastening elements. A section of the gas bag extends over the discharge opening in the closed state and the gas bag is exposed towards an interior of the gas bag in a region of the discharge opening. Means are provided which partially destroy the gas bag in the region of the discharge opening, in order to uncover the discharge opening.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) includes an inflatable occupant protection device (12) and a support member (40) having a vent opening (50) through which inflation fluid may flow. The apparatus (10) also includes a mechanism (58) for controlling a flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening (50). Inflation fluid pressure within the inflatable occupant protection device (12) tends to move the mechanism (58) for increasing a flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening (50). The mechanism (58) is responsive to inflation of the inflatable occupant protection device (12) beyond a predetermined distance for restricting the flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening (50). The apparatus (10) further includes a locking member (96) for blocking the mechanism (58) from increasing the flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening (50) after the inflatable occupant protection device (12) has inflated beyond the predetermined distance.

Abstract: An air bag module (30) is disclosed having an air bag (50) and a tether (52) and an active brake (70, 80) for controlling the length of the tether in correspondence with the size of the occupant to be protected.

Abstract: An air bag includes a wall defining an interior in which a gas is received to inflate the air bag, and at least one vent opening through the wall and a vent valve carried by the wall. The vent valve has at least one valve opening, and the vent valve is moveable between a first position where the valve opening is aligned with at least one vent opening and a second position where the valve opening is at least partially misaligned with at least one vent opening to at least partially close the vent opening. The vent valve is in its first position until deployment of the air bag beyond a threshold which moves the vent valve to its second position.

Abstract: An airbag cushion is disclosed for use in automotive protective systems. The airbag cushion includes at least one closeable flap vent for re-directing gas out of the cushion when an obstruction is encountered. The airbag cushion also includes a tether for controlling the closeable flap vent.

Abstract: An airbag cushion is disclosed for use in automotive protective systems. The airbag cushion includes at least one laced vent for re-directing gas out of the cushion when an obstruction is encountered.