# US 2014/0197620 A1 · Multi-chamber driver airbags > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0197620 A1 - Document ID: US20140197620A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/744,225 - Filed: 2013-01-17 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-17 - Assignees: Autoliv ASP, Inc. - Applicants: Autoliv Asp, Inc. - Inventors: Patrick Dee Jamison; Christina Morris - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140197620A1 ## CPC - B60R 21/233: comprising a plurality of individual compartments; comprising two or more bag-like members, one within the other (B60R21/232 takes precedence) - B60R 21/203: in steering wheels or steering columns - B60R 21/2346: Soft diffusers - B60R 21/239: characterised by their venting means - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A driver airbag can be deployed from a steering wheel of a vehicle. The airbag can include a first inflatable chamber and a second inflatable chamber that can be deployed adjacent to the first inflatable chamber. The airbag can further include a one-way valve that controls inflation gas movement relative to at least the first inflatable chamber. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A driver airbag configured to be deployed from a steering wheel of a vehicle, the airbag comprising: a first inflatable chamber configured to be deployed adjacent to the steering wheel; a second inflatable chamber configured to be deployed adjacent to the first inflatable chamber to extend toward an occupant position of the vehicle to a greater extent than does the first inflatable chamber when the first and second inflatable chambers are inflated; and a one-way valve that permits inflation gas to enter the first inflatable chamber to fill the first inflatable chamber during deployment of the airbag, wherein the one-way valve prevents fluid communication between the first and second inflatable chambers when the one-way valve is closed, wherein the one-way valve has an inlet end in fluid communication with the second inflatable chamber and an outlet end in fluid communication with the first inflatable chamber. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The airbag of claim 1, wherein the one-way valve is configured to close when the first inflatable chamber has been filled with inflation gas to a predetermined pressure. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The airbag of claim 1, wherein the one-way valve is configured to yield a higher pressure within the first inflatable chamber as compared with a pressure within the second inflatable chamber during at least an initial stage of deployment of the airbag. ### Claim 4 (canceled) ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The airbag of claim 1, wherein the first inflatable chamber is configured to be filled with inflation gas to a first volume and the second inflatable chamber is configured to be filled with inflation gas to a second volume that is greater than the first volume, and wherein the first inflatable chamber is configured to be filled faster than the second inflatable chamber to provide a stabilizing base for the second inflatable chamber. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The airbag of claim 1, further comprising a partition separating at least a portion of the first and second inflatable chambers from each other, wherein the partition prevents inflation gas from passing therethrough from either of the first and second inflatable chambers to the other of the first and second inflatable chambers. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The airbag of claim 6, wherein the partition comprises an interrupted seam positioned between the first and second inflatable chambers, wherein the interrupted seam encircles an opening in the airbag through which inflation gas is introduced into the airbag, and wherein portions of the seam that are not interrupted prevent inflation gas from passing therethrough. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The airbag of claim 6, further comprising a front panel and a rear panel that cooperate to define at least a portion of each of the first and second inflatable chambers, wherein the partition comprises a separate piece of material that is joined to the front and rear panels. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The airbag of claim 1, further comprising a deflector that redirects inflation gas to fill the first inflatable chamber before fully filling the second inflatable chamber. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The airbag of claim 1, further comprising a deflector that is in fluid communication with each of the first and second inflatable chambers and is positioned to receive inflation gas from an inflator, and wherein the deflector is configured to at least initially direct a greater amount of inflation gas to the first inflatable chamber as compared with the second inflatable chamber. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The airbag of claim 10, wherein the deflector comprises one or more arms that extend radially outwardly relative to a portion of the airbag at which inflation gas enters the airbag, and wherein the ends of the one or more arms are in fluid communication with the first inflatable chamber to permit inflation gas to exit the arms into the first inflatable chamber. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The airbag of claim 11, wherein at least one of the one or more arms comprise one or more vents through which inflation gas can pass into the second inflatable chamber. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The airbag of claim 1, further comprising a front panel and a rear panel that cooperate to form at least a portion of each of the first and second inflatable chambers, wherein the front panel is configured to contact the steering wheel and the rear panel is configured to receive a torso of a driver when the airbag is deployed. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The airbag of claim 13, wherein the rear panel defines an opening through which inflation gas passes after the inflation gas has exited an inflator, and wherein the first chamber is spaced from and encompasses the opening. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The airbag of claim 1, wherein the first chamber is asymmetrical to provide greater support to the second chamber at a position closest to an A-pillar of the vehicle when the airbag is deployed, as compared to a position that is furthest from the A-pillar of the vehicle. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The airbag of claim 15, wherein the first chamber is asymmetrical relative to a vertical plane that passes through a portion of the airbag at which inflation gas enters the airbag, and wherein a portion of the volume of the first chamber that is configured to be on the side of the plane that is closest to an A-pillar of the vehicle when the airbag is installed in the vehicle and inflated is greater than a remaining volume of the first chamber that is on the other side of the plane. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The airbag of claim 1, wherein the first inflatable chamber is configured to rest against the steering wheel to form a base for the second inflatable chamber, and wherein the first inflatable chamber extends outwardly beyond a periphery of the steering wheel. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The airbag of claim 1, wherein a first fluid path along which inflation gas can enter the first inflatable chamber extends from an opening in the airbag through which inflation gas is introduced into the airbag to the first inflatable chamber without passing through the second inflatable chamber, and wherein a second fluid path along which inflation gas can enter the second inflatable chamber extends from the opening in the airbag through which inflation gas is introduced into the airbag to the second inflatable chamber without passing through the first inflatable chamber. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The airbag of claim 18, wherein at least a portion of each of the first and second fluid paths extend through a conduit that is defined at least in part by a deflector. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The airbag of claim 1, wherein the first inflatable chamber is devoid of vents and the second inflatable chamber comprises a vent through which inflation gas can exit the second inflatable chamber. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The airbag of claim 1, further comprising a panel configured to contact the steering wheel when the airbag is deployed, wherein the first inflatable chamber is configured to stiffen the panel as pressure within the first inflatable chamber increases. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The airbag of claim 1, wherein the first chamber is configured to be fully inflated prior to full inflation of the second chamber, and wherein the one-way valve is configured to close before the second inflatable chamber is fully inflated. ### Claim 23 A driver airbag comprising: a first inflatable chamber; a second inflatable chamber configured to be deployed adjacent to the first inflatable chamber; a deflector positioned to receive inflation gas from an inflator and to redirect a portion of inflation gas to each of the first and second inflatable chambers, wherein the deflector comprises one or more arms that extend radially outwardly relative to a portion of the airbag at which inflation gas enters the airbag, wherein the ends of the one or more arms are in fluid communication with the first inflatable chamber to permit inflation gas to exit the arms into the first inflatable chamber, and wherein the one or more arms comprise the one-way valve; and a one-way valve configured to prevent fluid communication between the first and second inflatable chambers when the one-way valve is closed. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The airbag of claim 23, wherein the airbag is configured to be deployed from a steering wheel of a vehicle, and wherein the first inflatable chamber is configured to rest against the steering wheel when inflated. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The airbag of claim 23, wherein the deflector is positioned to receive inflation gas from an inflator, and wherein the deflector is configured to at least initially direct a greater amount of inflation gas to the first inflatable chamber as compared with the second inflatable chamber. ### Claim 26 (canceled) ### Claim 27 (depends on 23) The airbag of claim 23, wherein at least one of the one or more arms comprise one or more vents through which inflation gas can pass into the second inflatable chamber. ### Claim 28 (canceled) ### Claim 29 (depends on 23) The airbag of claim 23, wherein a first fluid path along which inflation gas can enter the first inflatable chamber extends from an opening in the airbag through which inflation gas is introduced into the airbag to the first inflatable chamber without passing through the second inflatable chamber, and wherein a second fluid path along which inflation gas can enter the second inflatable chamber extends from the opening in the airbag through which inflation gas is introduced into the airbag to the second inflatable chamber without passing through the first inflatable chamber. ### Claim 30 An airbag assembly comprising: a housing configured to be mounted to a steering wheel of a vehicle; an inflator coupled to the housing; and an airbag coupled with the inflator and packaged in the housing, the airbag comprising: a first inflatable chamber configured to be deployed adjacent to the steering wheel; a second inflatable chamber configured to be deployed adjacent to the first inflatable chamber to extend toward an occupant position of the vehicle to a greater extent than does the first inflatable chamber when the first and second inflatable chambers are inflated; and a one-way valve that permits inflation gas to enter the first inflatable chamber to fill the first inflatable chamber during deployment of the airbag, wherein the one-way valve prevents fluid communication between the first and second inflatable chambers when the one-way valve is closed, wherein the one-way valve has an inlet end in fluid communication with the second inflatable chamber and an outlet end in fluid communication with the first inflatable chamber. ### Claim 31 A driver airbag configured to be deployed from a steering wheel of a vehicle, the airbag comprising: a first inflatable chamber configured to be deployed adjacent to the steering wheel; a second inflatable chamber configured to be deployed adjacent to the first inflatable chamber to extend toward an occupant position of the vehicle to a greater extent than does the first inflatable chamber when the first and second inflatable chambers are inflated; and a one-way valve that permits inflation gas to enter the first inflatable chamber to fill the first inflatable chamber during deployment of the airbag, wherein the one-way valve prevents fluid communication between the first and second inflatable chambers when the one-way valve is closed, wherein the first chamber is asymmetrical to provide greater support to the second chamber at a position closest to an A-pillar of the vehicle when the airbag is deployed, as compared to a position that is furthest from the A-pillar of the vehicle. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The airbag of claim 31, wherein the first chamber is asymmetrical relative to a vertical plane that passes through a portion of the airbag at which inflation gas enters the airbag, and wherein a portion of the volume of the first chamber that is configured to be on the side of the plane that is closest to an A-pillar of the vehicle when the airbag is installed in the vehicle and inflated is greater than a remaining volume of the first chamber that is on the other side of the plane. ### Claim 33 A driver airbag configured to be deployed from a steering wheel of a vehicle, the airbag comprising: a first inflatable chamber configured to be deployed adjacent to the steering wheel; a second inflatable chamber configured to be deployed adjacent to the first inflatable chamber to extend toward an occupant position of the vehicle to a greater extent than does the first inflatable chamber when the first and second inflatable chambers are inflated; and a one-way valve that permits inflation gas to enter the first inflatable chamber to fill the first inflatable chamber during deployment of the airbag, wherein the one-way valve prevents fluid communication between the first and second inflatable chambers when the one-way valve is closed, wherein a first fluid path along which inflation gas can enter the first inflatable chamber extends from an opening in the airbag through which inflation gas is introduced into the airbag to the first inflatable chamber without passing through the second inflatable chamber, wherein a second fluid path along which inflation gas can enter the second inflatable chamber extends from the opening in the airbag through which inflation gas is introduced into the airbag to the second inflatable chamber without passing through the first inflatable chamber, and wherein at least a portion of each of the first and second fluid paths extend through a conduit that is defined at least in part by a deflector.