Patent · US Expired

Air bag cushion with fabric diffuser

US5494314A · kind A · utility

45Cited by
14References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 21, 1994
Grant dateFeb 27, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 21, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60R21/2346
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A device is provided for controlling the forward momentum of the front surface of an automotive air bag cushion during deployment thereof. A diffuser is installed inside the air bag cushion near the gets inlet and substantially perpendicular to the flow of gas from the inflator. The diffuser results in reduced forward momentum of the front part of the air bag cushion thus permitting the lower portion of the air bag cushion to deploy toward the occupant of the vehicle so that initial contact of the air bag is made with the lower torso of an occupant. The cushion is thereby moved into a lower position in front of the occupant's torso more quickly than an air bag cushion equipped without a diffuser. The diffuser of this invention also provides secondary filtration of particulate matter from the gas stream.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.