Airbag cushions with gas deflectors and optional venting for out-of-position conditions

An airbag module, comprising:

• an inflatable airbag cushion comprising
• a cushion membrane that defines an interior of the inflatable airbag cushion,
• at least one closeable vent configured to optionally vent gas out of the interior of the inflatable airbag cushion via a vent aperture;
• a tether comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the closeable vent and the second end is positioned such that the tether is slack and the closeable vent is open when deployment of the inflatable airbag cushion is initiated, such that the tether does not fully extend and the closeable vent remains open when obstruction is encountered after deployment of the inflatable airbag cushion, and such that the tether extends and at least partially closes the closeable vent upon deployment of the inflatable airbag cushion without obstruction;
• and
• a gas deflector positioned in the interior of the inflatable airbag cushion to direct inflation gas from an inflator,
• wherein the gas deflector has an arm that terminates at an opening defined by a rim and at least a portion of the rim is attached to the cushion membrane at a location that permits gas to be re-directed from an inflator to the closeable vent and such that the arm of the gas deflector and the closeable vent move together during expansion of the inflatable airbag cushion, and
• wherein at least a portion of the rim is unattached to the cushion membrane so that the tether moves through the opening and gas can be re-directed out of the gas deflector and into the interior of the inflatable airbag cushion when the closeable vent is closed.

An airbag module, comprising:

• an inflatable airbag cushion comprising
• a cushion membrane that defines an interior of the inflatable airbag cushion,
• at least one closeable vent configured to optionally vent gas out of the interior of the inflatable airbag cushion via a vent aperture;
• a tether comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the closeable vent and the second end is anchored to the cushion membrane such that the tether is slack and the closeable vent is open when deployment of the inflatable airbag cushion is initiated, such that the tether does not fully extend and the closeable vent remains open when obstruction is encountered after deployment of the inflatable airbag cushion, and such that the tether extends and at least partially closes the closeable vent upon deployment of the inflatable airbag cushion without obstruction;
• and
• a gas deflector positioned in the interior of the inflatable airbag cushion to direct inflation gas from an inflator,
• wherein the gas deflector has an arm that permits gas to be re-directed from an inflator to the closeable vent,
• wherein the arm of the gas deflector and the closeable vent are configured to move together during expansion of the inflatable airbag cushion,
• wherein the arm has an opening that permits gas to be re-directed into the interior of the inflatable airbag cushion when the closeable vent is closed and permits the tether to moveably extend from the closeable vent to the cushion membrane.