초록 ▼

An airbag for use in a vehicle occupant protection system has a venting mechanism which allows inflation gas to vent from an inflation chamber through an expandable venting member. The expandable venting member has an inner surface defining an extension of the inflation chamber. The venting member i

An airbag for use in a vehicle occupant protection system has a venting mechanism which allows inflation gas to vent from an inflation chamber through an expandable venting member. The expandable venting member has an inner surface defining an extension of the inflation chamber. The venting member is formed of a gas permeable material and is expandable from a first compressed configuration to a second expanded configuration in response to the inflation pressure in the inflation chamber. While in the compressed configuration the venting member is retained by a retaining member that is not permeable to the inflation gas and has a frangible portion. When the inflation pressure in the airbag reaches a preselected level the frangible portion of the retaining member breaks and the venting member is expanded through the broken portion of the retaining member by the inflation gas. In the expanded configuration the venting member allows the inflation gas to vent to the atmosphere.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An inflatable airbag comprising:airbag material having an outer surface and an inner surface, said inner surface defining an inflation chamber into which inflation gas is directed to inflate the airbag, said airbag material having a ventilation opening therein for venting

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An inflatable airbag comprising:airbag material having an outer surface and an inner surface, said inner surface defining an inflation chamber into which inflation gas is directed to inflate the airbag, said airbag material having a ventilation opening therein for venting inflation gas form the inflation chamber, said ventilation opening having a peripheral edge;a venting member secured to said airbag material in the region of the peripheral edge of said ventilation opening, said venting member comprising a gas permeable material having an outer surface and an inner surface, said inner surface defining an extension of the inflation chamber, said venting member being expandable from a first compressed configuration inside the inflation chamber to a second configuration which extends outside the inflation chamber; and,a retaining member for retaining said venting member in said first configuration, the retaining member having a frangible region which is located at least partially in juxtaposition with the ventilation opening in the airbag material and the venting member, the frangible region of the retaining member being breakable when the inflation pressure in the airbag reaches a preselected level and the venting member being expandable in response to the inflation pressure in said inflation chamber to said second configuration extending through the broken portion of the retaining member and beyond the outer surface of the airbag material, the retaining member sealing said ventilation opening until the frangible region is broken.