Vehicle occupant restraint device

• US 20020149181A1
• Filed: 06/03/2002
• Published: 10/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Dannenhauer, Reiner, Eyrainer, Heinz, Heilig, Alexander
• Granted Patent: US 6,702,322 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/730.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0004 Frontal collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23107 the bag being integrated in a multi-bag system
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23169 specially adapted for knee protection
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23382 Internal tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2615 for diverting the gas into a plurality of bags
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2617 Curtain bag nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/231 characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/1952 Transmission of tensioning power by cable; Return motion locking means therefor

Abstract

A restraint device for an occupant in a vehicle having a steering wheel, a dashboard with a lower end limiting a footwell, an A-pillar and a windshield, comprises a first gas bag for protecting the thorax area of a vehicle occupant, and a second gas bag for supporting the first gas bag. The second gas bag has a deployed condition and extends at least partly over the windshield of the vehicle in the deployed condition.

Claims

1. A restraint device for an occupant in a vehicle having

a steering wheel, a dashboard with a lower end limiting a footwell, an A-pillar and a windshield, said device comprising

a first gas bag for protecting the thorax area of a vehicle occupant, and

a second gas bag for supporting said first gas bag,

said second gas bag having a deployed condition, and

said gas bag extending at least partly over the windshield of the vehicle in said deployed condition.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second gas bag is arranged such that, in its deployed condition, it is supported at said windshield.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the deployed condition, said second gas bag extends over at least a portion of said A-pillar of said vehicle.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1 for a vehicle having a roof liner, wherein said second gas bag is accommodated in said roof liner of the vehicle.

5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second gas bag is accommodated in the region of said dashboard of the vehicle.

6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second gas bag is accommodated in the region of said A-pillar of the vehicle.

7. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second gas bag substantially extends over the entire width of said windshield.

8. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a traction system is provided, which pulls away said second gas bag in its deployed condition from said windshield after a vehicle collision.

9. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first gas bag is accommodated in said steering wheel of the vehicle.

10. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first gas bag is accommodated in said dashboard of the vehicle.

11. The device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said first gas bag is accommodated in a lower region of said dashboard limiting said footwell.

12. The device as claimed in claim 10, wherein a third gas bag is provided, which is deployed in said footwell of the vehicle.

13. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is provided a gas generator for inflating more than one of said gas bags.

14. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a multi-stage gas generator is provided for inflating said first gas bag.