# US 6,390,501 B1 · Variable profile air bag restraint > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,390,501 B1 - Document ID: US6390501B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 09/672,409 - Filed: 2000-09-28 - Granted: 2002-05-21 - Earliest claimed: 1999-11-12 - Assignees: Delphi Technologies, Inc.; General Motors Corporation - Inventors: Gary R. Greib; Michael John Wolanin; Scott David Thomas - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6390501B1 ## 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 21/01516: {using force or pressure sensing means} - B60R 21/01538: {for image processing, e.g. cameras or sensor arrays} - B60R 21/01554: {Seat position sensors} - B60R 21/2338: Tethers - B60R 21/276: with means to vent the inflation fluid source, e.g. in case of overpressure {(B60R21/30 takes precedence; venting means on inflatable member walls B60R21/239)} - B60R 21/205: in dashboards - B60R 21/2171: {specially adapted for elongated cylindrical or bottle-like inflators with a symmetry axis perpendicular to the main direction of bag deployment, e.g. extruded reaction canisters (B60R21/2176 takes precedence)} - B60R 2021/161: {characterised by additional means for controlling deployment trajectory} - B60R 2021/23382: {Internal tether means} - B60R 2021/23386: {External tether means} - B60R 2021/2765: {comprising means to control the venting} - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract An air bag assembly for cushioning restraint of an occupant in a vehicle during an impact event. The air bag assembly includes an inflator activatable to discharge inflation gas upon the occurrence of predetermined vehicle conditions and an air bag cushion in fluid communication with the inflator such that upon discharge of inflation gas from the inflator the air bag cushion is inflated to a deployed state from a location of deployment in substantially opposing relation to the occupant. One or more profile restraining tether elements extend from locations on the air bag cushion to a releasable anchor structure so as to shorten the operative length of the profile restraining tether elements. An actuation mechanism activatable in response to a signal from a sensor measuring occupant conditions is used to release the tether elements from the releasable anchor thereby extending the operative profile of the air bag cushion upon the occurrence of predetermined occupant conditions. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An air bag assembly for cushioning restraint of an occupant in a vehicle during an impact event, the air bag assembly comprising: an inflator activatable to discharge inflation gas upon the occurrence of predetermined vehicle conditions; an air bag cushion in fluid communication with the inflator such that upon discharge of inflation gas from the inflator the air bag cushion is inflated to a deployed state from a location of deployment in substantially opposing relation to the occupant; one or more profile restraining tether elements extending from locations on the air bag cushion to a releasable anchor structure so as to shorten the operative length of the profile restraining tether elements, and an actuation mechanism activatable based upon measurements from one or more sensors measuring conditions of the occupant during activation of the inflator to release the profile restraining tether elements from the releasable anchor structure upon the occurrence of predetermined occupant conditions thereby extending the operative profile of the air bag cushion, wherein the air bag assembly further comprises an actuatable variable inflation device to control the amount of inflation gas discharged into the air bag cushion and wherein the actuatable variable inflation device comprises a moveable member alignable with a vent opening within a housing in which the inflator is disposed, the moveable member being moveable relative to the vent opening upon activation of the actuation mechanism thereby adjusting the effective venting area of the vent opening during deployment of the air bag cushion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The invention according to claim 1, wherein the moveable member is moveable relative to the vent opening upon activation of the actuation mechanism thereby closing the vent opening during deployment of the air bag cushion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The invention according to claim 1, wherein the moveable member is moveable relative to the vent opening upon activation of the actuation mechanism thereby opening the vent opening during deployment of the air bag cushion. ### Claim 4 An air bag assembly for cushioning restraint of an occupant in a vehicle during an impact event, the air bag assembly comprising: an inflator activatable to discharge inflation gas upon the occurrence of predetermined vehicle conditions; an air bag cushion in fluid communication with the inflator such that upon discharge of inflation gas from the inflator the air bag cushion is inflated to a deployed state from a location of deployment in substantially opposing relation to the occupant; one or more profile restraining tether elements extending from locations on the air bag cushion to a releasable anchor structure so as to shorten the operative length of the profile restraining tether elements, the releasable anchor structure including a moveable retaining pin holding the profile restraining tether elements in place; and an actuation mechanism comprising a moveable plunger and a pyrotechnic initiator activatable during activation of the inflator, wherein the moveable plunger is operatively connected to the retaining pin such that upon activation of the initiator, the initiator generates pressure against the plunger moving the plunger away from the initiator such that the retaining pin is moved relative to the profile restraining tether elements thereby releasing the profile restraining tether elements from the releasable anchor structure. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The invention according to claim 4, wherein the profile restraining tether elements are releasably anchored to the retaining pin by a ring extending over the retaining pin. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The invention according to claim 5, wherein a mooring line is attached to the retaining ring thereby limiting movement of the retaining ring subsequent to the release of the profile restraining tether elements from the releasable anchor structure. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The invention according to claim 4, wherein the air bag assembly further comprises an actuatable variable inflation device to control the amount of inflation gas discharged into the air bag cushion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The invention according to claim 7, wherein the actuatable variable inflation device comprises a moveable member alignable with a vent opening within a housing in which the inflator is disposed, the moveable member being moveable relative to the vent opening upon activation of the actuation mechanism thereby closing the vent opening in conjunction with the release of the tether elements to increase the amount of inflation gas discharged into the air bag cushion. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The invention according to claim 7, wherein the actuatable variable inflation device is actuated in conjunction with the release of the profile restraining tether elements by means of a single pyrotechnic initiator thereby directing additional inflation gas into the air bag upon release of the profile restraining tether elements. ### Claim 10 An air bag assembly for cushioning restraint of an occupant in a vehicle during an impact event, the air bag assembly comprising: an inflator activatable to discharge inflation gas upon the occurrence of predetermined vehicle conditions, the inflator being supported within a housing having a wall including at least one vent opening; an air bag cushion having an interior surface in fluid communication with the inflator such that upon discharge of inflation gas from the inflator the air bag cushion is inflated to a deployed state from a location of deployment in substantially opposing relation to the occupant, one or more elongated profile restraining tether elements extending from points on the interior surface of the air bag cushion and releasably anchored to an anchor structure by a moveable retaining pin thereby shortening the operative length of the profile restraining tether elements; an actuatable variable inflation device to control the amount of inflation gas discharged into the air bag, the actuatable variable inflation device including a pyrotechnic initiator activatable in response to a signal from a sensor measuring the position of the occupant during activation of the inflator and a moveable plunger operatively connected to the retaining pin and to a vent blocking member alignable with the vent opening within the housing such that upon activation of the pyrotechnic initiator, the pyrotechnic initiator generates pressure against the plunger moving the plunger away from the initiator such that the retaining pin is moved relative to the profile restraining tether elements thereby releasing the profile restraining tether elements and such that the vent blocking member at least partially covers the vent opening within the housing thereby directing additional inflation gas into the air bag in conjunction with the release of the profile restraining tether elements. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The invention according to claim 10, wherein the sensor measuring the position of the occupant comprises an optical scanner. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The invention according to claim 10, wherein the sensor measuring the position of the occupant comprises a position sensor within a seat occupied by the occupant. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The invention according to claim 10, wherein the profile restraining tether elements are releasably anchored to the anchor structure by a retaining ring extending over the pin element. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The invention according to claim 13, wherein a mooring line is attached to the retaining ring thereby limiting movement of the retaining ring.