Air bag with adaptive venting

US7954850B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS INC. · US

Inventors

• Kurt F. Fischer · Leonard, US
• Heather R. Kramer · Chesterfield Township, US
• Amit Sharma · Palo Alto, US
• Alberto Rodriguez · Rochester Hills, US
• Douglas M. Gould · Lake Orion, US
• Angelo J. Adler · Shelby Charter Township, US
• Eyad Nayef · Yokohama, JP

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 30, 2007
• Grant date: Jun 7, 2011
• Expiry date: May 7, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60R2021/2395
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) that includes a first panel (160) with at least one first vent opening (142). A second panel (144) secured to the first panel (160) includes a base portion (150) and a door portion (156). The base portion (150) includes at least one second vent opening (200) and is folded to position the door portion (156) between the first panel (160) and the base portion (150). The door portion (156) has an open condition positioned away from the vent openings (142, 200) permitting inflation fluid to vent through the vent openings. The door portion (156) has a closed condition positioned between the first and second vent openings (142, 200) blocking inflation fluid from venting through the first and second vent openings. The door portion (156) is movable to the closed condition when the protection device (14) deploys. The door portion (156) has a generally triangular configuration with a base merging with the base portion (150) of the door panel (144) and first and second edge portions (264) that extend away from the base and converge at a terminal end (224) of the door portion.