US 2008/0290637 A1 · AIRBAG FOR PROTECTION OF A VEHICLE OCCUPANT

Abstract

In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides a side airbag for protection of a vehicle occupant. The side airbag is adapted to be inflated by gas from an inflator. The side airbag comprises a side panel which forms an exterior of the side airbag. The side panel defines a vent hole for venting the gas to outside the side airbag. A closing panel is disposed about the vent hole. The closing panel is configured such that the vent hole is unobstructed to vent the gas during inflation of the side airbag until the side airbag is substantially inflated. The side and closing panels cooperate to obstruct the vent hole with the closing panel such that the gas is substantially not vented. When the side airbag is obstructed from substantially inflating, for example due to the proximity of an out-of-position occupant, the vent hole remains unobstructed to vent the gas.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A side airbag for protection of an occupant of a vehicle adapted to be inflated by gas from an inflator, wherein when inflated the side airbag positions between the occupant and a side of the vehicle, the side airbag comprising:

a side panel forming an exterior of the side airbag and defining a vent hole for venting the gas to outside the side airbag;
and
a closing panel disposed about the vent hole, the closing panel configured such that the vent hole is unobstructed to vent the gas during inflation of the side airbag until the side airbag is substantially fully inflated, wherein the side and closing panels cooperate to obstruct the vent hole with the closing panel such that the gas is substantially not vented through the vent hole, wherein when the side airbag is obstructed from substantially fully inflating the vent hole remains unobstructed to vent the gas.

A side airbag system for protection of an occupant of a vehicle that is mounted in a seat for the occupant, the system comprising:

an inflatable side airbag stored in a deflated condition and when inflated the side airbag positions between the occupant and a side of the vehicle, the side airbag including:
a side panel forming an exterior of the side airbag and defining a vent hole;
a closing panel joined to the side panel at two opposed locations disposed about the vent hole;
and
an inflator disposed within the side airbag and for inflating the side airbag with gas, wherein the vent hole is unobstructed to vent the gas to outside the side airbag during inflation of the side airbag until the side airbag is substantially inflated, wherein the side and closing panels cooperate to obstruct the vent hole with the closing panel such that the gas is substantially not vented through the vent hole, wherein when the side airbag is obstructed from substantially fully inflating the vent hole remains unobstructed to vent the gas.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Airbag for protection of a vehicle occupant

Life of this patent

Airbag for protection of a vehicle occupant

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25