Knee airbag with passive venting for out of position occupant protection
US8590928B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 18, 2011 |
| Grant date | Nov 26, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 16, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R2021/2395
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A knee airbag installed in a lower portion of an instrument panel has a deployed condition wherein it extends rearward and upward. The airbag has a left lobe, a right lobe, and a central portion between and joined to the left and right lobes. A vent is formed in the reaction surface of each of the lobes to allow inflation gasses to escape from the airbag when, during a crash event, an occupant force applied forwardly against the lobes is below a threshold level. When the occupant force reaches or exceeds the threshold level, the vents are urged against the instrument panel to substantially block the escape of inflation gasses. The threshold level is selected such that a child-sized occupant standing forward of a desired passenger seating position exerts less than the threshold level.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.