IP Library Granted Patent US 11,858,451
Granted Patent B2
US 11,858,451 · App. 17/677,107 · Granted Jan 2, 2024

Airbag module having a vertical restrictor

Inventor: William J. Barnes (Waterford, MI)
Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
B60R21/2338B60R21/205B60R21/2342B60R2021/23382
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,858,451
App. No.
17/677,107
Granted
Jan 2, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

An airbag module having a retainer, an airbag cushion affixed to the retainer, an inflator, affixed to the retainer, to inflate the airbag cushion and a vertical restrictor disposed inside the airbag cushion. The vertical restrictor being affixed to the airbag, cushion and to the retainer and configured to limit a distance the airbag cushion travels in a vertical direction during inflation.

Claims (31)

1. An airbag module comprising:

a retainer;

an airbag cushion affixed to the retainer;

an inflator, affixed to the retainer, to inflate the airbag cushion;

a vertical restrictor disposed inside the airbag cushion, the vertical restrictor being affixed to the airbag cushion and to the retainer; and

a horizontal restrictor disposed inside the airbag cushion, the horizontal restrictor being affixed to the airbag cushion at a first end and to the vertical restrictor at a second end,

wherein the horizontal restrictor is configured to limit a distance the airbag cushion travels towards a seat during inflation, and

wherein the vertical restrictor is configured to limit a distance the airbag cushion travels in a vertical direction during inflation.

2. The airbag module of claim 1 , wherein the vertical restrictor includes a folded portion secured by one or more stitches configured to separate during inflation of the airbag cushion.

3. The airbag module of claim 1 , wherein a length of the vertical restrictor is determined based on a distance between a point at which the vertical restrictor affixes to the retainer and a windshield of a vehicle containing the airbag module.

4. The airbag module of claim 3 , wherein the length of the vertical restrictor is further determined based on an elasticity of the vertical restrictor.

5. The airbag module of claim 1 , wherein the vertical restrictor includes an aperture configured to receive a portion of the inflator.

6. The airbag module of claim 1 , further comprising a low-risk deployment flap configured to control a trajectory of the airbag cushion during inflation, the low-risk deployment flap includes a first end fixed to the retainer and a second end placed atop of the airbag cushion.

7. The airbag module of claim 1 , wherein the vertical direction is a direction perpendicular to a top surface of the inflator.

8. A vehicle comprising:

a windshield;

a passenger seat;

a dashboard located in front of the passenger seat; and

an airbag module disposed beneath the dashboard, the airbag module comprising:

a retainer;

an airbag cushion affixed to the retainer;

an inflator, affixed to the retainer, to inflate the airbag cushion; and

a vertical restrictor disposed inside the airbag cushion, the vertical restrictor being affixed to the airbag cushion and to the retainer; and

a horizontal restrictor disposed inside the airbag cushion, the horizontal restrictor being affixed to the airbag cushion at a first end and to the vertical restrictor at a second end,

wherein the horizontal restrictor is configured to limit a distance the airbag cushion travels towards the passenger seat during inflation,

wherein the vertical restrictor is configured to ensure the airbag cushion does not break the windshield during inflation.

9. The vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the vertical restrictor includes a folded portion secured by one or more stitches configured to separate during inflation of the airbag cushion.

10. The vehicle of claim 8 , wherein a length of the vertical restrictor is determined based on a distance between a point at which the vertical restrictor affixes to the retainer and the windshield.

11. The vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the length of the vertical restrictor is further determined based on an elasticity of the vertical restrictor.

12. The vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the vertical restrictor includes an aperture configured to receive a portion of the inflator.

13. The vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the airbag module further comprises a low-risk deployment flap configured to control a trajectory of the airbag cushion during inflation, the low-risk deployment control flap including a first end fixed to the retainer and a second end placed atop of the airbag cushion.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 22, 2022
From: BARNES, WILLIAM J.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 059064/0920 →
Continuity (1)
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