Patent ID: 7748738
Filing Date: 2010-07-06
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. An airbag module, comprising: an inflatable airbag cushion having a cushion membrane with a first cushion vent, a diffuser having a first diffuser vent, wherein the diffuser is positioned and configured to re-direct inflation gas from an inflator to the first diffuser vent, and wherein the diffuser is positioned and configured to provide an aligned configuration between the first diffuser vent and the first cushion vent when deployment of the airbag is obstructed such that the gas rapidly exits the inflatable airbag cushion via the first cushion vent, and a tether extending between the cushion membrane and the diffuser such that upon deployment of the inflatable airbag cushion with obstruction, the tether does not fully extend and gas continues to be directed via the first diffuser vent toward the first cushion vent to prevent the airbag cushion from fully expanding, and upon deployment of the inflatable airbag cushion without obstruction, the tether extends sufficiently to pull the diffuser such that the first diffuser vent moves from the aligned configuration with respect to the first cushion vent to a misaligned configuration, which reduces the flow of gas directed toward the first cushion vent via the first diffuser vent and increases the flow of gas into the inflatable airbag cushion to enable the inflatable airbag cushion to fully expand.