Inventors:
David Schneider - Waterford MI, US
Timothy DePottey - Flint MI, US
Brian Shellabarger - Sterling Heights MI, US
Pontus Soderstrom - Rochester MI, US
International Classification:
B60R021/16
Abstract:
A multi-chamber airbag venting system which provides for channeling of inflation gas, simple internal tethers, and prevents pre-mature venting. The system includes a front panel, a rear panel, and a middle panel. The middle panel is located between the front and rear panels. The middle panel divides the interior of the airbag into a first chamber between the middle panel and the rear panel, and second chamber between the middle panel and the front panel. The panels are connected to each other along their respective circumferential peripheries. The rear panel includes an airbag mouth to allow gas to enter the airbag. The rear panel further includes a vent hole. The middle panel includes a vent hole connected to the vent hole of the rear panel to form a vent passage. The middle panel includes a middle panel passage hole positioned in the middle panel such that gas entering the airbag through the airbag mouth is channeled from the first chamber to the second chamber. The system further includes an internal tether formed by connecting a portion of the middle panel to the front panel and a portion of the middle panel to the rear panel. The system channels gas entering the first chamber through the middle panel passage hole and into the second chamber. Next, the inflation gas is channeled out of the airbag through the vent passage. In this way, the system effectively channels inflation gas, prevents pre-mature venting, and optimally protects the occupant.
