LOAD PATH CONTROL FOR INFLATABLE AIRBAG

摘要

The airbag cushion (20) is secured to a housing (22) by a retaining member (36). The retaining member (36) is configured to secure an attachment region (32) of the airbag cushion (20) to the housing (22) by the use of fasteners (38) which create a clamping force. The clamping force is highest adjacent the fasteners (38) and is lowest at positions between the fasteners (38). Thus, a high clamp region is created adjacent the fasteners (38) and a low clamp region is created at positions distant from the fasteners (38). As the airbag cushion (20) is inflated, a load force puts tension on the attachment region (32) of the airbag cushion (20) potentially ripping the airbag cushion (20) out from the low clamp regions. A load controlling cutout is positioned within the attachment region (32) and between the fasteners (38). The load controlling cutout is configured to shift the load force the low clamp region to the high clamp region during inflation of the inflatable region.