# US 10,766,449 B2 · Airbag module assembly

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- Number: US 10,766,449 B2
- Document ID: US10766449B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/202,420
- Filed: 2018-11-28
- Published: 2020-05-28
- Granted: 2020-09-08
- Earliest claimed: 2018-11-28
- Assignees: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
- Applicants: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
- Inventors: Jeffrey Young; Jheanell Johnson
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10766449B2

## CPC

- B60R 21/2035: {using modules containing inflator, bag and cover attachable to the steering wheel as a complete sub-unit (steering wheel covers with tear lines B60R21/21656; assembling of modules B60R21/217)}
- B60R 21/239: characterised by their venting means
- B60R 21/215: characterised by the covers for the inflatable member {(B60R21/2176 takes precedence)}
- B60R 21/217: Inflation fluid source retainers, e.g. reaction canisters; Connection of bags, covers, diffusers or inflation fluid sources therewith or together
- B60R 21/2338: Tethers
- B60R 21/237: characterised by the way they are folded
- B60R 2021/23384: {having ends which are movable or detachable during deployment}
- B60R 2021/2395: {comprising means to control the venting}
- B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

An airbag module assembly has an airbag cushion with at least one vent, a housing structure for receiving the airbag cushion, a housing cover for attachment to the housing structure, a vent connector connected to the vent, a pin puller mechanism with a retractable pin, and a flexible conduit extending from the airbag cushion adjacent the vent to the pin puller mechanism. The vent connector extends inside the conduit to a looped end for attachment to the retractable pin. The vent connector can be a rope or wire. The vent is initially in a closed position during deployment of the airbag. The airbag cushion is folded about the conduit during assembly and the vent connector is configured to pass through the flexible conduit when the airbag cushion is folded.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An airbag module assembly comprising:
an airbag cushion with at least one vent;
a housing structure for receiving the airbag cushion;
a housing cover for attachment to the housing structure;
a vent connector connected to the vent;
a pin puller mechanism with a retractable pin;
a flexible conduit extending from the airbag cushion adjacent the vent to the pin puller mechanism; and
wherein the vent connector extends inside the conduit to a looped end for attachment to the retractable pin.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The airbag module assembly of claim 1 wherein the vent connector is a rope or wire.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The airbag module assembly of claim 1 wherein the vent is initially in a closed position during deployment of the airbag.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The airbag module assembly of claim 1 wherein the airbag cushion is folded about the conduit during assembly.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The airbag module assembly of claim 1 wherein the vent connector is configured to pass through the flexible conduit when the airbag cushion is folded.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The airbag module assembly of claim 1 wherein the pin puller mechanism is attached to a mounting bracket or clip external of the housing structure.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The airbag module assembly of claim 1 wherein the pin puller mechanism is attached to a mounting bracket or clip inside the housing structure.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The airbag module assembly of claim 1 wherein the flexible conduit extends externally along an outer surface of the airbag cushion.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The airbag module assembly of claim 1 wherein the conduit passes through an opening in the housing.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The airbag module assembly of claim 1 wherein the conduit is fixed to the airbag cushion at an end near the vent.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The airbag module assembly of claim 1 wherein the conduit has a length extending from the attached end on the vent to the housing and sufficient to follow along the outer surface of the inflated airbag on deployment.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The airbag module assembly of claim 1 wherein the looped end of the vent connector releases from the pin on activation of the pin puller mechanism.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The airbag module assembly of claim 1 wherein the release of the vent connector allows the closed airbag vent to open to vent inflation gases.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The airbag module assembly of claim 1 wherein the pin puller mechanism has a pyrotechnic actuator.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The airbag module assembly of claim 1 wherein the pin puller mechanism has a solenoid actuator.