Self-centering airbag and method for manufacturing and tuning the same
US6439600B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 13, 2000 |
| Grant date | Aug 27, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 13, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R21/239
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The disclosed invention relates to self-centering airbags, restraint systems that use them and the methods for manufacturing and tuning them. Sculpturing, which includes forming at least one cutout in the airbag, is used to form an airbag that when deployed, has a centerline that is not necessarily centered about the point at which the airbag is fixed to a structure (the fixation point). The self-centering airbag can be used as part of a restraint system, wherein the self-centering airbag is embedded within a structure such as a safety belt. Because the centerline of the self-centering airbag can be adjusted, the self-centering airbag does not need to be embedded in the safety belt in a location that, when worn by a passenger, is central with respect to the relevant part of the passenger's body. The location of the deployed self-centering airbag's centerline can also be adjusted or tuned by varying the distance between the self-centering airbag centerline and the fixation point, the angle at which the self-centering airbag is attached to a structure, and the method by which the self-centering airbag is folded in preparation for deployment.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.