Passive airbag venting

An airbag apparatus with a passive venting assembly, comprising:

• an inflatable airbag with a panel, the panel including a first vent opening to enable escape of inflation fluid out of the airbag;
• a valve sheet including a second vent opening movable relative to the first vent opening;
• and
• a tear tab extending from a portion of the valve sheet to temporarily retain the valve sheet to the panel, the tear tab breaking when the airbag is inflated to a predetermined inflation level to move the second vent opening relative to the first vent opening, wherein the tear tab includes a first end originating from an edge of the second vent opening, and a second end coupled to the panel,
• wherein the valve sheet includes a section of excess valve sheet, the tear tab maintaining the excess valve sheet section in a folded or looped configuration, and wherein breaking of the tear tab permits the excess valve sheet section to unfold or move.

An airbag apparatus comprising:

• a fabric panel including a first vent opening configured to allow inflation gas to escape from the airbag therethrough;
• and
• a valve assembly configured to block the vent opening,
• wherein the valve assembly is configured so that when the airbag begins to inflate the vent opening is not blocked, and when the airbag deploys to a predetermined position, the valve assembly closes the vent opening,
• wherein the valve assembly includes a slidable valve sheet overlying the first vent opening and a valve guide to guide movement of the valve sheet relative to the fabric panel, and wherein opposite first and second ends of the valve sheet are fixed to the panel during and after inflation, wherein the valve sheet includes a second opening moveable relative to the first vent opening, and wherein the valve guide includes a third opening alignable with the first vent opening, and
• wherein the valve guide is a portion of the valve sheet, wherein the portion of the valve sheet comprising the valve guide and the third opening is folded over and overlaps a portion of the valve sheet comprising the second opening when the airbag is in the uninflated state.

An airbag apparatus, comprising:

• an inflatable airbag with a panel, the panel including at least one vent opening to enable escape of inflation fluid out of the airbag;
• a vent valve connected to the panel and including a valve sheet including at least one valve opening, the vent valve being moveable between a first position where the at least one valve opening is in alignment with the at least one vent opening and a second position where the at least one valve opening is at least partially misaligned with the at least one vent opening to at least partially close the at least one vent opening, and wherein the vent valve is in its first position until deployment of the airbag beyond a threshold which moves the vent valve to its second position;
• wherein the valve sheet is folded within the interior of the airbag when the vent valve is in its first position, and movement of the airbag when deployed beyond the threshold at least partially unfolds or extends the valve sheet to move the vent valve to its second position;
• wherein the valve sheet folded onto itself provides a first portion and a second portion with a fold between the first and second portions, at least one of the first portion and the second portion are connected to the panel, and at least one of the first and second portions including the at least one valve opening that is aligned with the at least one vent opening when the vent valve is in its first position,
• wherein the valve sheet is extended when the airbag is deployed beyond the threshold to lengthen one of the first and second portions so that the at least one valve opening is moved relative to and at least partially out of alignment with the at least one vent opening, which increases pressure in the airbag during inflation,
• wherein the vent valve further includes an envelope positioned over a portion of the valve sheet to overlap the valve sheet, the envelope including a second vent opening alignable with the first vent opening, wherein the envelope is an integral component of the valve sheet, and
• wherein the envelope is a portion of the valve sheet, wherein the portion of the valve sheet comprising the envelope and the second vent opening is folded over and overlaps a portion of the valve sheet comprising the at least one valve opening when the airbag is in the uninflated state.

An airbag apparatus, comprising:

• an inflatable airbag with a panel, the panel including at least one vent opening to enable escape of inflation fluid out of the airbag;
• a vent valve connected to the panel and including a valve sheet including at least one valve opening, the vent valve being moveable between a first position where the at least one valve opening is in alignment with the at least one vent opening and a second position where the at least one valve opening is at least partially misaligned with the at least one vent opening to at least partially close the at least one vent opening, and wherein the vent valve is in its first position until deployment of the airbag beyond a threshold which moves the vent valve to its second position;
• wherein the valve sheet is folded within the interior of the airbag when the vent valve is in its first position, and movement of the airbag when deployed beyond the threshold at least partially unfolds or extends the valve sheet to move the vent valve to its second position;
• wherein the vent valve is configured so that in the first position, inflation gases are discharged out of the airbag through the at least one valve opening, and wherein the vent valve is configured so that in the second position, the at least one vent opening is blocked by the vent valve to prevent escape of inflation gases and to increase pressure in the airbag as the airbag deploys towards an occupant seated correctly in a vehicle seat,
• wherein the vent valve further includes an envelope positioned over a portion of the valve sheet to overlap the valve sheet, the envelope including a second vent opening alignable with the first vent opening, wherein the envelope is an integral component of the valve sheet, and.
• wherein the envelope is a portion of the valve sheet, wherein the portion of the valve sheet comprising the envelope and the second vent opening is folded over and overlaps a portion of the valve sheet comprising the at least one valve opening when the airbag is in the uninflated state.