Airbag inflation-controlling member

摘要

A vehicle airbag (12) includes an inflatable bag (20) and an inflation-controlling member (40) which is coupled to the bag (20). The inflation-controlling member (40) includes a releasable connection (42) and a stretchable section (44). The releasable connection (42) remains intact during initial stages of the inflation process so that the inflation-controlling member (40) extends to an initial length Linitial and the bag (20) assumes an initial shape. The releasable connection (42) releases during intermediate stages of the inflation process so that the inflation-controlling member (40) extends to an intermediate length Lintermediate and the bag (20) assumes an initial shape. The stretchable section (44) stretches during the final stages of the inflation process so that the inflation-controlling member (40) extends to a final length Lfinal and the bag (20) assumes a final shape.