ONE-DIRECTIONAL VALVE FOR MULTI-CHAMBER AIRBAGS

摘要

An airbag can include a first cushion portion that defines a first inflatable chamber and a second cushion portion that is connected to the first cushion portion and defines a second inflatable chamber. The first inflatable chamber can receive inflation gas from an inflator to expand the first cushion portion, and the second cushion portion can receive inflation gas from the first inflatable chamber to expand the second cushion portion. A one-directional valve permits inflation gas to flow from the first inflatable chamber to the second inflatable chamber and restricts backflow of inflation gas from the second inflatable chamber to the first inflatable chamber.

主权项

1. An airbag assembly comprising:
a first cushion portion that defines a first inflatable chamber that is configured to receive inflation gas from an inflator to expand the first cushion portion from a compact state to a deployed state, the first cushion portion including a cushion side panel defining a cushion vent aperture to vent inflation gas; a second cushion portion coupled to the first cushion portion, wherein the second cushion portion defines a second inflatable chamber that is configured to receive inflation gas from the cushion vent aperture of the first inflatable chamber to expand the second cushion portion from a compact state to a deployed state; and a one-directional valve that permits flow of inflation gas through the cushion vent aperture from the first inflatable chamber to the second inflatable chamber and restricts flow of inflation gas from the second inflatable chamber to the first inflatable chamber, the one-directional valve comprising:
a first valve layer including a valve aperture corresponding to the cushion vent aperture, wherein the first valve layer is disposed within the second inflatable chamber and secured to a cushion sidewall adjacent the cushion vent aperture, with the valve aperture and the cushion vent aperture aligned; anda second valve layer overlaying the first valve layer over the valve aperture, wherein the second valve layer is secured to the first valve layer along one or more edges of the second valve layer and unsecured to the first valve layer along at least one edge of the second valve layer to form a valve opening between the first valve layer and the second valve layer, wherein the first valve layer and the second valve layer part at the valve opening to allow inflation gas to flow from the valve aperture into the second inflatable chamber, and wherein the second valve layer collapses onto the first valve layer to close the valve opening when a pressure in the second inflatable chamber exceeds a pressure in the first inflatable chamber to restrict gas flow from the second cushion portion into the first cushion portion.