Folded rigid knee airbag
US6848715B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 26, 2002 |
| Grant date | Feb 1, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 11, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R2021/23169
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A folded rigid knee airbag for preventing the lower body portion of a vehicle occupant from being propelled forward during a collision is provided. The folded rigid knee airbag includes a back panel and a front panel attached to the back panel. Both the front panel and the back panel may be made from a rigid material, such as sheet metal. The back panel may include first and second accordion folds, and first and second vertical folds. The airbag may be in communication with an inflator. During discharge of the inflator, the accordion folds and the vertical folds unfold to form four substantially planar walls. The accordion folds and the vertical folds enable the front panel to remain substantially flat and maintain a substantially uniform cross-sectional area during inflation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.