Airbag assemblies with adaptive venting

摘要

A front airbag assembly deployable from a steering wheel or instrument panel of a vehicle. The airbag assembly includes an airbag cushion and an outer panel that is coupled to the airbag cushion to form a channel. The venting capacity of some airbag assemblies can be modulated without input from an electrical sensor. In some circumstances, the venting capacity of the airbag assembly can vary based on whether and where a vehicle occupant strikes the outer panel of the airbag assembly.

主权项

1. An airbag assembly comprising:
an airbag cushion configured to deploy in a generally rearward direction to cushion an occupant during a collision event, the airbag cushion comprising one or more vents to allow air to pass out of the airbag cushion; and an outer panel coupled to the airbag cushion to receive air that is directed out the airbag cushion through the one or more vents during deployment of the airbag assembly and direct the air away from the one or more vents and into a cabin of a vehicle, and a tether comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the outer panel and the second end is attached to an interior surface of the airbag cushion; wherein the outer panel is configured to attenuate the rate of air flow out of the one or more vents during a collision event based on where the front-seat occupant strikes the outer panel.