Variable volume airbag cushion
US5803495A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 22, 1996 |
| Grant date | Sep 8, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 22, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R2021/2633
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A variable volume airbag cushion. The cushion includes a front wall having a central region for contacting the passenger, and a periphery. This periphery is connected to a periphery of a rear wall. The rear wall includes a central inlet operatively connected to a gas generator. The generator provides gas to initially inflate the volume defined between the front wall and rear walls. The rear wall includes at least one pleat therein, with the pleat held by a frangible connection such as a tear seam. It is preferred that the pleat be folded over to lie against the remainder of the rear wall, and secured thereto, again by a frangible connection. The pleats reduce the size of the rear wall, and therefore the volume between the front and rear walls. The frangible connections will rupture above a predetermined gas pressure in the cushion. This permits the rear wall to expand to its full size, increasing the volume between the front and rear walls. The cushion may therefore compensate for increase gas production due to higher ambient temperatures, or may be used with an adaptive gas generator which produces larger or smaller amounts of gas based upon various conditions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.