Air bag module with actuatable vent part

摘要

An apparatus ( 10 ) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( 14 ). An inflation fluid source ( 18 ) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating an inflatable volume ( 16 ) of the protection device ( 14 ). The apparatus ( 10 ) also includes a reaction plate ( 20 ) that includes at least one vent opening ( 40 ) and a retainer ( 60 ) that is connectable with the reaction plate ( 20 ). A vent part ( 80 ) has a first condition blocking inflation fluid flow through the at least one vent opening ( 40 ) and a second condition permitting inflation fluid flow through the at least one vent opening. The apparatus ( 10 ) further includes actuatable means ( 120 ) for moving the vent part ( 80 ) from one of the first and second conditions to the other of the first and second conditions. The vent part ( 80 ) has a portion ( 104 ) that maintains the vent part in the other of the first and second conditions when moved to the other of the first and second conditions.