Apparatus and method for airbag inflation gas distribution

The present invention provides a system and method for distributing inflation gases within an airbag cushion (10) . Such a cushion (10) may have one or more protection zones (40,42) configured to inflate to protect vehicle occupants. An inflation channel (90) may be enclosed by one or more of the protection zones (40,42), and may be attached to a mounting surface (116) within a protection zone (40,42). The inflation channel (90) may be connected to an inflator (24), and may have a plurality of holes (92) along its length, seized or spaced apart in a manner selected to provide a comparatively even flow rate of inflation gas to all parts of the cushion during inflation. Additionally, the inflation channel (90) may have a gas outlet extension along which holes are disposed; the gas outlet extension may have a tapered shape configured to collapse under external pressure to prevent backflow of inflation gases into the inflation channel (90).