Apparatus and method for airbag inflation gas distribution
US6755436B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 26, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jun 29, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 26, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R2021/2359
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides a system and method for distributing inflation gases within an airbag cushion. Such a cushion may have one or more protection zones configured to inflate to protect vehicle occupants. An inflation channel maybe enclosed by one or more of the protection zones, and may be attached to a mounting surface within a protection zone. The inflation channel may be connected to an inflator, and may have a plurality of holes along its length, sized or spaced apart in a manner selected to provide a comparatively even flow rate of inflation gas to all parts of the cushion during inflation. Additionally, the inflation channel may have a gas outlet extension along which the holes are disposed; the gas outlet extension may have a tapered shape configured to collapse under external pressure to prevent backflow of inflation gases into the inflation channel. The inflation channel may be easily manufactured in a number of ways, including extrusion of a polymeric workpiece with a slit along its length. The slit may be intermittently closed to form the gas outlet extension with the holes, without the need for punching or drilling.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.