초록 ▼

An inflatable airbag assembly includes first and second walls sealably connected to define an inflatable bladder having an interior volume that is operable between inflated and deflated states. At least one pleat is defined within at least one of the first and second walls, and defines an expanded p

An inflatable airbag assembly includes first and second walls sealably connected to define an inflatable bladder having an interior volume that is operable between inflated and deflated states. At least one pleat is defined within at least one of the first and second walls, and defines an expanded portion of the interior volume. First and second slits are defined within the first wall that define a vent in communication with the expanded portion of the interior volume, wherein the vent defines an open position with the inflatable bladder in the deflated state, and wherein the vent moves to a closed position as the inflatable bladder operates to the inflated state.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An inflatable airbag assembly comprising: first and second walls sealably connected to define an inflatable bladder having an interior volume that is operable between deflated and inflated states;at least one pleat defined within at least one of the first and second walls, the at least one pleat

1. An inflatable airbag assembly comprising: first and second walls sealably connected to define an inflatable bladder having an interior volume that is operable between deflated and inflated states;at least one pleat defined within at least one of the first and second walls, the at least one pleat defining an expanded portion of the interior volume; andfirst and second slits separately defined within the first wall that define a self-actuating flow restrictor in communication with the expanded portion of the interior volume, wherein the self-actuating flow restrictor defines an open position with the inflatable bladder in the deflated state, and wherein the self-actuating flow restrictor moves to a closed position as the inflatable bladder operates to the inflated state, wherein the first and second slits are separated by portions of the first wall. 2. The inflatable airbag assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one pleat includes first and second pleats. 3. The inflatable airbag assembly of claim 2, wherein the first and second slits are defined in the first pleat. 4. The inflatable airbag assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second slits are distal from one another. 5. The inflatable airbag assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second slits are substantially parallel. 6. The inflatable airbag assembly of claim 1, wherein when the self-actuating flow restrictor is in the open position, the self-actuating flow restrictor includes a first surface curvature and an area of the pleat adjacent to the self-actuating flow restrictor includes a second surface curvature, the first surface curvature being different than the second surface curvature, wherein the first and second surface curvatures define at least one opening in the pleat, and wherein when the self-actuating flow restrictor is in the closed position, the self-actuating flow restrictor and the area of the pleat adjacent to the self-actuating flow restrictor each include a third surface curvature such that the at least one opening in the pleat is substantially closed. 7. The inflatable airbag assembly of claim 1, wherein the inflatable bladder includes a plurality of self-actuating flow restrictors, wherein each of the plurality of self-actuating flow restrictors includes first and second slits. 8. An inflatable airbag assembly comprising: an inflatable bladder operable between deflated and inflated states and having an interior volume; andat least one vent in communication with the interior volume and defined by first and second slits discontinuously and separately defined in the bladder, wherein the vent defines an open position with the bladder in the deflated state, and wherein the vent moves to a closed position as the bladder operates to the inflated state. 9. The inflatable airbag assembly of claim 8, further comprising: at least one pleat defined within the inflatable bladder, wherein the first and second slits are defined within the at least one pleat. 10. The inflatable airbag assembly of claim 8, wherein the first and second slits are distal from one another. 11. The inflatable airbag assembly of claim 10, wherein the first slit is parallel with the second slit. 12. The inflatable airbag assembly of claim 9, wherein when the vent is in the open position, the vent includes a first surface curvature and an area of the at least one pleat adjacent to the vent includes a second surface curvature, the first surface curvature being different than the second surface curvature, wherein a difference between the first and second surface curvatures defines at least one opening in the pleat, and wherein when the vent is in the closed position, the vent and the area of the at least one pleat adjacent to the vent each include a third surface curvature such that the at least one opening in the at least one pleat is substantially closed. 13. The inflatable airbag assembly of claim 8, wherein the vent is integral with the inflatable bladder. 14. The inflatable airbag assembly of claim 8, wherein the inflatable bladder includes a plurality of vents. 15. An inflatable airbag assembly comprising: first and second walls sealably connected to define a bladder; andfirst and second slits defined within the first wall, wherein an operable portion of the first wall between the first and second slits operates between an open position defined when the bladder is deflated, to a closed position defined when the bladder is at least partially inflated, the operable portion having opposing sides that directly engage the first wall. 16. The inflatable airbag assembly of claim 15, further comprising: at least one pleat defining a folded surface within one of the first and second walls when the bladder is deflated, wherein the at least one pleat moves to form a substantially unfolded surface as the bladder is inflated, wherein the movement of the at least one pleat to form the unfolded surfaces exerts a tensioning force on each of the opposing sides of the operable portion. 17. The inflatable airbag assembly of claim 15, wherein the operable portion of the first wall between the first and second slits defines a self-actuating flow restrictor in communication with an interior volume of the bladder when the operable portion is in the open position. 18. The inflatable airbag assembly of claim 15, wherein when the operable portion is in the open position, the operable portion includes a first surface curvature and an area of the first wall adjacent to the operable portion includes a second surface curvature, the first surface curvature being different than the second surface curvature, wherein a difference between the first and second surface curvatures defines at least one opening in the first wall, and wherein when the operable portion is in the closed position, the operable portion and the area of the first wall adjacent to the operable portion each include a third surface curvature such that the first wall is substantially free of the at least one opening. 19. The inflatable airbag assembly of claim 15, wherein the first and second slits are distal from one another. 20. The inflatable airbag assembly of claim 19, wherein the first slit is substantially parallel with the second slit.