Tethered Actuation Unit for Airbag Module

Abstract

A tethered actuation unit (50) is provided, comprising an actuator (60) and a housing (80). The actuator is configured to form a connection with a tether (40) such that the tether can be released in response to actuation of the actuator. The housing is configured to receive the actuator. The housing includes a tether channel (150) configured to allow the tether to extend through it. The tether channel includes sidewalls (156, 158, 160) configured to receive and engage the tether along a portion of its length when the tether extends at an angle from the housing. The sidewalls of the tether channel are configured to limit movement of the tether in response to airbag deployment, thereby limiting the tension applied to the actuator via the tether to a predetermined range in a non-orthogonal direction relative to the central axis (A) of the actuator.

Description

[0001] Related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 17 / 376,393, filed July 15, 2021. The subject matter of these applications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to a vehicle safety system including an airbag module. More specifically, this invention relates to a tether actuation unit that can form part of the airbag module. In one example implementation, the tether actuation unit can be actuated to release the tether, thereby aiding in controlling the deployment of the airbag. Background Technology

[0004] It is known to provide inflatable vehicle occupant protection devices (such as airbags) to help protect vehicle occupants. Airbags can be deployed in response to events in which occupants are expected to be protected (such as a collision with the vehicle, a vehicle crash, a vehicle rollover, or a combination thereof).

[0005] A frontal collision refers to a collision event in which a vehicle experiences an impact at its front. These frontal collisions cause the front-seat occupants to move forward within the vehicle toward structures such as the steering wheel (driver's side occupant) and / or the dashboard (passenger side occupant).

[0006] An oblique collision is a collision that occurs at an angle or offset. An oblique collision is when a vehicle strikes an angled surface or another vehicle traveling in an angled, non-parallel direction. An offset collision is when a vehicle strikes a vehicle or other object whose front end does not completely overlap with its own. In their respective cases, an oblique collision causes the occupants to move in the vehicle in an oblique direction (e.g., tilted), with both forward and lateral components.

[0007] To help protect vehicle occupants involved in a frontal collision, vehicles may be equipped with front airbags. On the passenger side of the vehicle, the front airbag typically deploys from a housing located within the vehicle's dashboard. On the driver's side of the vehicle, the front airbag typically deploys from a housing located within the steering wheel.

[0008] It may be desirable to control the deployment of front airbags in response to vehicle and / or occupant conditions at the time of deployment. For example, the deployment of front airbags can be controlled by selectively actuating the airbag vents. In this case, it may be desirable to selectively actuate the airbag vents in response to occupant conditions sensed at the time of deployment to expel inflation fluid from the front airbags. An example of this could be selectively actuating the airbag vents in response to seat positions sensed at the time of deployment. For example, the airbag vents could be actuated in response to sensing that the vehicle seat is forward, which may indicate the presence of a smaller occupant positioned close to the steering wheel and / or dashboard. If the seat is sensed to be rearward, it may indicate the presence of a larger occupant, and the vents may remain unacted.

[0009] As another example, it might be desirable to control the shape or size of front airbags in response to the type of vehicle collision that causes deployment. For instance, a front airbag may include inflatable portions or chambers configured to help protect an occupant moving in response to an oblique impact. These chambers may deploy in response to a collision sensor indicating an oblique impact. These chambers may remain in a non-deployed state in response to a collision sensor indicating a frontal impact.

[0010] The above examples represent only two scenarios where it might be desirable to control airbag deployment. Many other scenarios exist where it might be desirable to control airbag deployment. Furthermore, it might be desirable to control the deployment of airbags other than the front airbag. For example, it might be desirable to control the deployment of side airbags, curtain airbags, knee airbags, seatbelt airbags, etc. Summary of the Invention

[0011] This invention relates to a tether actuation unit for controlling the operation of an airbag tether. The tether actuation unit secures a tether to a vehicle (e.g., an airbag module). The tether is also connected to a portion of the airbag to control its deployment. In an unactuated state, the tether actuation unit maintains the connection between the tether and the vehicle. In an actuated state, the tether actuation unit releases the connection between the tether and the vehicle.

[0012] In one example implementation, the tether actuation unit may be connected to the front airbag module. In this example implementation, the tether actuation unit may be connected to the housing (e.g., the reaction vessel) or a portion of the housing. The tether connected to the tether actuation unit may also be connected to a portion of the airbag (e.g., the exhaust port or inflatable chamber). In response to sensed vehicle conditions, the airbag control unit can selectively actuate the tether actuation unit to control airbag deployment by manipulating the exhaust port / chamber.

[0013] According to one aspect, a tethered actuation unit includes an actuator and a housing. The actuator is configured to form a connection with a tether such that the tether can be released in response to actuation of the actuator. The housing is configured to receive the actuator. The housing includes a tether channel configured to allow the tether to extend through it. The tether channel includes sidewalls configured to receive and engage the tether along a portion of its length when the tether extends at an angle from the housing. The sidewalls of the tether channel are configured to limit movement of the tether in response to airbag deployment, thereby limiting the tension applied to the actuator via the tether to a predetermined range in a non-orthogonal direction relative to the central axis of the actuator.

[0014] According to another aspect, the sidewalls of the tether channel are also configured to allow the tether to apply tension to the actuator along an angle range orthogonal to the actuator's central axis. This angle range orthogonal to the actuator's central axis can be greater than the range in non-orthogonal directions relative to the actuator's central axis.

[0015] According to another aspect, the sidewalls of the tether channel may include outwardly curved sidewalls that help define the range of angles orthogonal to the central axis of the actuator to which the tether can apply tension to the actuator.

[0016] According to another aspect, the outwardly curved sidewalls can be configured to prevent stress from rising at the portion of the tether that engages with the shell.

[0017] According to another aspect, the tethered passage can have an outward-expanding configuration.

[0018] According to another aspect, the sidewalls of the tether channel may include closely spaced parallel sidewalls that help define a range of angles that the tether can apply tension to the actuator, which are not orthogonal to the central axis of the actuator.

[0019] According to another aspect, closely spaced parallel sidewalls can be configured to prevent the actuator from being damaged by tension applied to it via a tether.

[0020] According to another aspect, the shell can be configured to connect with the airbag shell, and the tether channel can be configured to extend through an opening in the airbag shell and into the shell chamber of the airbag shell.

[0021] According to another aspect, the shell can be configured to connect to the outer surface of the airbag shell.

[0022] According to another aspect, the housing may include clips configured to be received in openings in the airbag housing to connect the tethered actuation unit to the airbag housing.

[0023] According to another aspect, the housing may include feet configured to engage with the outer surface of the airbag housing.

[0024] According to another aspect, the actuator may include a tether loop portion configured to secure a loop-shaped portion of the tether. The housing may be configured such that the loop portion aligns with the tether channel when the housing and actuator are assembled together.

[0025] According to another aspect, a device for helping to protect vehicle occupants includes an airbag, a tether actuation unit, and a tether connected to the tether actuation unit and a portion of the airbag. The tether actuation unit has an inactive state that maintains connection with the tether and an actuated state that releases the connection between the tether actuation unit and the tether to help control the deployment of the airbag.

[0026] According to another aspect, the tether can be connected to the airbag chamber. The tether can restrict chamber deployment when the tether actuation unit is inactive. The tether can release the chamber to deploy when the tether actuation unit is activated.

[0027] According to another aspect, the tether can be connected to the airbag deflation port. The tether can maintain the airbag deflation port in either an open or closed state when the tether actuation unit is not activated. The tether can release the airbag deflation port to the other of the open or closed states when the tether actuation unit is activated.

[0028] According to another aspect, the airbag module includes equipment for helping to protect vehicle occupants. This equipment includes an airbag, a tether actuation unit, and a tether connected to the tether actuation unit and a portion of the airbag. The tether actuation unit has an inactive state maintaining connection to the tether and an actuated state releasing the connection between the tether actuation unit and the tether to help control airbag deployment. The airbag module also includes an inflator for inflating the airbag and an airbag housing for supporting the airbag, inflator, tether actuation unit, and tether for integral installation in the vehicle.

[0029] According to another aspect, the airbag housing may include a reaction canister configured for installation in the dashboard on the passenger side of the vehicle.

[0030] According to another aspect, a vehicle safety system includes the aforementioned airbag module, at least one sensor, and an airbag control unit operatively connected to an inflator, a tether actuation unit, and at least one sensor. The airbag control unit is configured to recognize the occurrence of a vehicle collision in response to a signal received from at least one sensor. The airbag control unit is further configured to actuate the inflator in response to detecting a vehicle collision, and to selectively actuate the tether actuation unit in response to a condition detected via at least one sensor. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 The diagram illustrates a vehicle safety system including an airbag module with a tether actuation unit, based on a sample configuration.

[0032] Figure 2 This is a 3D view based on an example configuration, showing a portion of an airbag module equipped with a tethered actuation unit.

[0033] Figure 3 and Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A reverse end view of a portion of the airbag module.

[0034] Figure 5 This is an exploded 3D view of the tethered actuation unit.

[0035] Figure 6 This is an exploded side view of the tethered actuation unit.

[0036] Figure 7 It is the overall upper edge of the tethered actuation unit. Figure 2 The cross-sectional view taken from line 7-7 in the diagram.

[0037] Figure 8 and Figure 9 It is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the function of the tethered actuation unit. Detailed Implementation

[0038] This invention relates to a tether actuation unit for controlling airbag tether operation. The tether actuation unit can be implemented in any vehicle safety system, wherein airbag deployment is controlled by selectively actuating the tether. Selective actuation means controlling airbag deployment by selectively releasing the tether from its connection to the vehicle (e.g., to the housing). Therefore, the tether actuation unit is used to anchor the tether to the vehicle, and the tether actuation unit can be actuated to release the tether from this anchored state.

[0039] Through this operation, the tether actuator can be used to control the release of inflation fluid through the airbag vent, or to control the deployment of one or more airbag chambers. These implementations are not intended to be limiting. The tether actuator can be used to selectively control tether release to help control any aspect of airbag deployment or airbag module functionality and / or airbag module performance.

[0040] Figure 1 An example implementation of a tethered actuation unit is shown. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle safety system 10 includes an airbag module 20. The airbag module 20 includes an airbag 22 and an inflator 24 that provides inflation fluid for inflating the airbag. The airbag module also includes a tether 40 for assisting in controlling the deployment of the airbag 22. In this regard, the tether 40 can assist in controlling the deployment of the airbag 22 by controlling the operation of the airbag vent 26 or the deployment of the airbag's inflatable chamber 28.

[0041] A tether actuation unit (“TAU”) 50 controls the actuation of the tether 40. More specifically, the TAU 50 connects the tether 40 to the airbag module 20 and controls the actuation of the tether by releasing the connection. In the case of the exhaust port 26 described above, the exhaust port may be a normally open exhaust port held open by the tether 40 and configured to close in response to the TAU 50 releasing the tether. Alternatively, the exhaust port 26 may be a normally closed exhaust port held closed by the tether 40 and configured to open in response to the TAU 50 releasing the tether. In the case of the chamber 28 described above, the tether 40 may be configured to restrict the deployment of the chamber while being connected to the TAU 50. In this case, actuating the TAU 50 releases the tether 40, thereby allowing the chamber 28 to deploy.

[0042] The vehicle safety system 10 also includes an airbag control unit (“ACU”) 12, operable to simultaneously control the inflator 24 and the TAU 50. The vehicle safety system 10 also includes one or more sensors 14 for sensing vehicle status and / or occupant status. Sensors 14 may include vehicle motion and relative distance sensors, such as accelerometers, radar sensors, laser sensors, camera sensing systems, and ultrasonic sensors. Sensors 14 also include vehicle status sensors, such as seatbelt sensors, seat sensors, occupant presence sensors, and camera sensing systems.

[0043] The ACU 12 is operable to determine the occurrence of an event that would require the airbag 22 to deploy based on signals and information obtained via sensor 14. The ACU 12 is configured to actuate the inflator 24 in response to determining that such an event has occurred. The ACU 12 is also configured to determine the vehicle condition and / or occupant condition upon sensing that an event has occurred, and to determine whether to actuate the TAU 50 to control the deployment of the airbag 22.

[0044] For example, if an occupant is positioned close to the airbag module 20 during deployment, it may be desirable to expel the inflation fluid from the airbag 22. In this case, the ACU 12 can (e.g., via a seat position sensor or camera sensor) determine that the occupant is in a forward position and control the operation of the TAU 50 to expel the inflation fluid from the airbag 22 through the vent 26. With the vent 26 normally open, the ACU 12 can keep the TAU 50 in an inactive state, preventing the tether 40 from being released and keeping the vent open. With the vent 26 normally closed, the ACU can actuate the TAU 50 to release the tether 40, causing the vent to open.

[0045] As another example, if a larger occupant is positioned spaced apart from the airbag module 20 during deployment, it may be desirable to prevent inflation fluid from escaping from the airbag 22. In this case, the ACU 12 can (e.g., via a seat position sensor or camera sensor) determine that the larger occupant is in a rearward position and control the operation of the TAU 50 to prevent inflation fluid from escaping through the vent 26. With the normally closed vent 26, the ACU 12 can hold the TAU 50 in an inactive state, preventing the tether 40 from being released and keeping the vent closed. With the normally open vent 26, the ACU can actuate the TAU 50 to release the tether 40, causing the vent to close.

[0046] As another example, if an oblique impact is detected during deployment, it may be expected that the airbag chamber 28 will deploy. Upon detecting an oblique impact, the ACU12 can actuate the TAU 50 to release the tether 40, causing the chamber 28 to release for inflation and deployment.

[0047] Figures 2 to 4 An example implementation of TAU 50 in airbag module 20 is shown. Airbag module 20 includes an airbag housing in the form of a reaction vessel 100. Figures 2 to 4In the example implementation, airbag module 20 is a passenger front airbag module configured for installation in the dashboard on the passenger side of the vehicle. This implementation of the passenger front airbag module is for illustrative purposes and does not imply limitation on the implementation of TAU 50. TAU 50 can be implemented in any airbag module where tether actuation is desired to aid in controlled deployment. The reaction canister 100 is shown rear-side up, with TAU 50 mounted on the rear wall 102 of the canister. Of course, TAU 50 can be mounted in different locations on the reaction canister 100.

[0048] The reaction vessel 100 includes an inflation device opening 120 and a plurality of fastener receiving holes 122, the inflation device opening being configured to receive an inflation device 24 (in Figures 2 to 4 (Not shown in the image), the plurality of fastener receiving holes are used to receive inflation device studs for securing the inflation device to the reaction vessel 100 and assembling the airbag module 20. The rear wall 102, together with the side wall 104, defines a housing chamber 106 configured to receive the airbag 22 in a folded and stored state (in...). Figures 2 to 4 (Not shown in the image). Multiple retaining clips 110 extend from the upper edge 112 of the reaction vessel 100. These retaining clips 110 are configured to secure the cover (not shown) to the reaction vessel 100 to enclose the airbag 22 within the shell chamber 60.

[0049] refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 The TAU 50 includes an actuator 60 and a TAU housing 80. The actuator 60 can be any actuator structure configured to maintain connection with the tether 40 while being actuated to release the connection with the tether. In the example configuration shown in the figure, the actuator 60 is a pyrotechnic actuator that uses pyrotechnic filler to break the actuator and release the tether 40.

[0050] Actuator 60 includes a body portion 62 containing pyrotechnic filler material. Electrical connector 64 is connectable to wiring to operatively connect actuator 60 to ACU 12. An igniter (not shown), such as a detonator, is electrically connected to connector 64 and is actuable to ignite the pyrotechnic filler.

[0051] The actuator 60 also includes a tether loop 70 configured to receive the loop portion 42 of the tether 40 to secure the tether to the TAU 50. The profile of the tether loop 70 may be configured to have a curved, generally U-shaped surface (when viewed in cross-section), which helps to eliminate engagement of the tether 40 with obvious or sharp edges that could lead to increased stress in the tether material.

[0052] The TAU housing 80 is configured to receive and support the actuator 60 via a connection (such as an interference fit or a snap-fit ​​connection). To facilitate this connection, the TAU housing 80 may include a clip 82 fitted onto a head portion 66 of the actuator 60. The clip 82 may include a head portion 84 configured to receive in a corresponding slot 86 in the housing 80. The clip 82 may also include a pair of arms 90 configured to deflect and snap into a recess defined by a lip 92 when mounted in the housing 80. This snap-fit ​​engagement between the arms 90 and the lip 92 secures the arms, the clip 82, and thus the actuator 60 within the housing 80.

[0053] The TAU housing 80 includes a tether opening 94 through which the tether 40 extends when assembled with the TAU 50. To assemble the TAU 50 with the tether 40, the loop end 42 of the tether is positioned and located in a collar 70 around the actuator 60. The remainder of the tether 40 passes through the tether opening 94 in the TAU housing 80. With the clip 82 fitted onto the head 66 of the actuator 60, the actuator, clip, and tether 40 assembly are mounted in the TAU housing 80. A snap-fit ​​engagement between the arm 90 and the lip 92 secures the actuator 60 within the housing 80, thereby securing the tether 40 to the TAU 50.

[0054] The TAU housing 80 includes feet 126 and clips 128. The feet abut against the rear wall 102 of the reaction vessel 100, and the clips extend through and engage with openings 124 in the rear wall of the reaction vessel. Retention tabs 130 extend through the rear wall 102, facilitating initial positioning of the TAU 50 on the reaction vessel 100 and securing the TAU to the reaction vessel once installed. The feet 126 and clips 128 complete the connection between the TAU housing 80 (and therefore the TAU 50) and the reaction vessel 100. The connection between the TAU 50 and the reaction vessel 100 anchors the tether 40 to the reaction vessel 100, the airbag module 20, and the vehicle.

[0055] refer to Figure 7 The reaction vessel 100 includes a tether opening 132 that extends through the rear wall 102 and aligns with the actuator collar 70 when the TAU 50 is installed. This allows the tether 40 to extend through the rear wall 102 and into the housing chamber 106, in which the tether can be connected to the airbag 22, for example, to the exhaust port 26 and / or chamber 28 (see [link to other equipment]). Figure 1 )connect.

[0056] To help prevent damage to the tether 40, the TAU housing 80 includes a tether channel 150 through which the tether extends. The tether channel 150 has a mouth 152 formed by and extending from a tether opening 94. The tether channel 150 has an outwardly flared configuration with an open end 154 through which the tether 40 extends. A curved sidewall 160 extends between the mouth and the open end 154 of the tether channel 150.

[0057] The tether opening 132 through the rear wall 102 is configured to allow installation of the tether channel 150. In the assembled state of the TAU 50, the tether loop 70 on the actuator 60 is configured to align with the tether opening 94 and the tether channel 150 of the TAU housing 80. As described above, because the tether 40 is configured to extend through the tether opening 94 in the assembled state of the TAU 50, the tether also extends through the tether channel 150 in the assembled state. This is in Figure 6 and Figure 8 The best example shown is in the middle.

[0058] Because the tether 40 can be configured to assist in controlling the deployment of the airbag 22 in various ways, it should be understood that the direction in which the tether extends from the TAU 50 to the housing chamber 106 of the reaction vessel 100 can vary. For example, if the tether 40 and TAU 50 are configured to control the deployment of the airbag chamber 28 positioned laterally on the airbag 22, the tether can extend obliquely from the TAU 50 (e.g., relative to the rear wall 102 of the reaction vessel 100). If the tether 40 and TAU 50 are configured to control the actuation of the exhaust port 26, the tether can extend from the TAU 50 at a smaller angle or vertically relative to the rear wall 102 of the reaction vessel 100. This is in Figure 8 As shown in the image.

[0059] The sidewall 160 defines a wide angle range within which the tether 40 can extend from the tether channel 150 of the TAU housing 80 around the TAU axis A. (Reference) Figure 8 The tether at 40 is shown extending orthogonally from TAU 50 and perpendicularly to the rear wall 102 of the reaction vessel 100. The tether is also shown at 40' and 40" extending from TAU 50 at opposite angular extremes. Of course, the tether 40 can extend from TAU 50 at any angle between these extremes. As the angle of the tether 40 changes and it approaches these extremes, the tether engages and follows the curved profile of the sidewall 160. Figure 8 As can be seen, the tether 40 is given a wide range within which the tether can extend orthogonally from TAU 50 relative to the TAU axis A.

[0060] The outwardly curved profile of the sidewall 160 is configured such that the tether 40 engages the sidewall along a portion of its length, rather than at specific or discrete contact points. This engagement avoids the potential for stress build-up on the tether 40 that could result from discrete contact with edges, corners, or other abrupt surfaces of the TAU housing 80. This curved, distributed engagement helps eliminate stress build-up on the tether by maintaining the distribution of deployment force along its length. Therefore, the TAU 50, and particularly the tether channel 150, helps prevent damage and / or breakage of the tether during deployment, especially in collision scenarios where the tether 40 is configured to maintain connection with the airbag 22, i.e., when the TAU 50 remains in an unactuated state.

[0061] refer to Figure 9 The front wall 156 and rear wall 158 of the tether channel 150 can respectively restrict the movement of the tether 40 in a direction non-orthogonal to the TAU axis A. This is advantageous because a force applied to the TAU 50 in a direction non-orthogonal to the TAU axis A may damage the TAU. The front wall 156 and rear wall 158 are configured to limit this non-orthogonal tension by limiting the angle at which the tether 40 can apply a force to the TAU 50. By doing so, the tether channel 150 can be configured to limit the non-orthogonal tension within a predetermined limit or range. For example, the tether channel can be configured to limit the non-orthogonal tension applied to the TAU 50 through the tether 40 to ±5°, ±10°, ±15°, etc. In addition, the range of non-orthogonal tension limitation can be non-uniform around 0°, for example, 5° in one direction and 15° in the opposite direction.

[0062] Advantageously, the TAU 50, by implementing the tether channel 150, can help eliminate the need for application-specific airbag module configurations. The TAU 50 can accommodate a wide range of orthogonal movement of the tether 40 while avoiding stress escalation. The TAU housing 80 (specifically the tether channel 150) limits non-orthogonal movement of the tether 40 that could potentially damage the TAU 50.

[0063] Due to the advantages described above, the TAU 50 can remain in the same position on the reaction vessel 100 despite having different functions. Although different implementations of the TAU (e.g., vent and chamber) may require different installations of the TAU on the reaction vessel, the TAU 50 (including the tether channel 150) allows for installation in the same position on the vessel while allowing for different ranges of extension of the tether 40 at different angles.

[0064] From the above description of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize the applications, improvements, changes, and modifications that can be made to the invention. For example, it should be understood that the configuration of the illustrated tether channel 150 (i.e., the curvature of the sidewall 160, the size of the opening end 154, etc.) can be varied to accommodate various tether configurations and angles of tether extension. The appended claims are intended to cover such applications, improvements, changes, and modifications that fall within the scope of the art.

Claims

1. A tethered actuation unit, comprising: An actuator configured to form a connection with a tether, such that the tether can be released in response to actuation of the actuator; as well as A housing configured to receive the actuator, the housing including a tether channel configured to allow the tether to extend through the tether channel, the tether channel including a sidewall configured to receive and engage the tether along a portion of its length when the tether extends at an angle from the housing; The sidewalls of the tether channel are configured to restrict the movement of the tether in response to airbag deployment, thereby limiting the tension applied to the actuator via the tether within a predetermined range in a non-orthogonal direction relative to the central axis of the actuator. The sidewalls of the tether channel include outwardly curved sidewalls that help define an angular range orthogonal to the central axis of the actuator to which the tether can apply tension. The sidewalls of the tether channel also include closely spaced parallel sidewalls that help define an angular range non-orthogonal to the central axis of the actuator to which the tether can apply tension.

2. The tethered actuation unit as described in claim 1, wherein, The sidewalls of the tether channel are also configured to allow the tether to apply tension to the actuator along an angle range orthogonal to the central axis of the actuator, wherein the angle range orthogonal to the central axis of the actuator is greater than the range of non-orthogonal directions relative to the central axis of the actuator.

3. The tethered actuation unit as described in claim 1, wherein, The outwardly curved sidewalls are configured to prevent stress elevation at the portion of the tether that engages with the housing.

4. The tethered actuation unit as described in claim 1, wherein, The tethering channel has an outward-expanding configuration.

5. The tethered actuation unit as described in claim 1, wherein, The closely spaced parallel sidewalls are configured to prevent the actuator from being damaged by tension applied to it via the tether.

6. The tethered actuation unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The housing is configured to connect to the airbag housing, and the tether channel is configured to extend through an opening in the airbag housing and into the housing chamber of the airbag housing.

7. The tethered actuation unit as described in claim 6, wherein, The housing is configured to connect to the outer surface of the airbag housing.

8. The tethered actuation unit as described in claim 7, wherein, The housing includes a clip configured to be received in an opening in the airbag housing to connect the tethered actuation unit to the airbag housing.

9. The tethered actuation unit as described in claim 8, wherein, The housing includes feet configured to engage with the outer surface of the airbag housing.

10. The tethered actuation unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein, The actuator includes a tether loop portion configured to secure a loop portion of the tether, and the housing is configured such that the loop portion aligns with the tether channel when the housing and the actuator are assembled together.

11. A device for assisting in the protection of vehicle occupants, the device comprising: airbags; The tethered actuation unit as described in claim 1; as well as A tether, which is connected to the tether actuation unit and to a portion of the airbag; The tether actuation unit has an inactive state that maintains connection with the tether and an actuation state that releases the connection between the tether actuation unit and the tether, in order to help control the deployment of the airbag.

12. The device as claimed in claim 11, wherein, The tether is connected to the chamber of the airbag. When the tether actuation unit is not activated, the tether restricts the chamber from unfolding. When the tether actuation unit is activated, the tether releases the chamber to unfold.

13. The device as claimed in claim 12, wherein, The tether is connected to the airbag exhaust port. When the tether actuation unit is not activated, the tether maintains the airbag exhaust port in one of the open and closed states. When the tether actuation unit is activated, the tether releases the airbag exhaust port to the other of the open and closed states.

14. An airbag module, comprising: The device as described in claim 11; An inflation device for inflating the airbag; as well as An airbag housing for supporting the airbag, the inflation device, the tether actuation unit, and the tether, for installation as a whole in a vehicle.

15. The airbag module as claimed in claim 14, wherein, The airbag housing includes a reaction canister configured for installation in the dashboard on the passenger side of the vehicle.

16. A vehicle safety system, comprising: The airbag module as described in claim 14; At least one sensor; as well as An airbag control unit, which is operatively connected to the inflation device, the tether actuation unit, and the at least one sensor; The airbag control unit is configured to identify the occurrence of a vehicle collision in response to a signal received from the at least one sensor, and the airbag control unit is further configured to actuate the inflation device in response to detecting the vehicle collision, and to selectively actuate the tether actuation unit in response to a condition detected by the at least one sensor.

Images