Airbag arrangement

• US 20040026909A1
• Filed: 02/20/2003
• Published: 02/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
• Original Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
• Inventors: Rensinghoff, Volker
• Granted Patent: US 7,108,279 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/732
• 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 21/203 in steering wheels or steering columns
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/205 in dashboards
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/206 in the lower part of dashboards, e.g. for protecting the knees
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/231 characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration

Abstract

An airbag arrangement for a vehicle having a driver'"'"'s airbag is disclosed. The airbag arrangement has an airbag module having an airbag between the steering wheel and the instrument panel of the vehicle. In the event of a crash, the airbag is deployed between the steering wheel and the instrument panel and, as a result, supports the steering wheel. The effect achieved by this is that the driver'"'"'s airbag is better positioned with regard to the vehicle occupant, since deformation of the steering wheel by the forces acting on the driver'"'"'s airbag in the event of a crash is prevented or reduced by means of the airbag. The inflated airbag can extend as far as the windshield of the vehicle. As a result, the forces introduced into the steering wheel in the event of a crash are also conducted away into the windshield. In addition, contact of a vehicle occupant not wearing his/her seatbelt with the can be prevented by suitably defining the size of the inflated airbag.

Claims

1. An airbag arrangement for a vehicle, comprising an airbag module arranged in a region between a steering wheel and an instrument panel of the vehicle, the airbag module having an airbag, and the airbag configured to inflate into a position between the steering wheel and the instrument panel.

2. The airbag arrangement of claim 1, wherein the airbag is configured to inflate into a position that extends above a steering column of the vehicle.

3. The airbag arrangement of claim 1, wherein the airbag is configured to inflate into a position that extends along a steering column of the vehicle and at least partially fills a gap between the instrument panel and the steering wheel.

4. The airbag arrangement of claim 1, wherein the airbag module is integrated in the instrument panel.

5. The airbag arrangement of claim 1, wherein the airbag is configured to inflate upwardly into a position between the steering column and a windshield of the vehicle.

6. The airbag arrangement of claim 5, wherein the airbag is in contact with the windshield of the vehicle.

7. The airbag arrangement of claim 1, wherein the airbag is configured to inflate into a position that extends around a steering column into a gap below the steering column between the instrument panel and a vehicle seat in order to contact the knees of a vehicle occupant.

8. The airbag arrangement of claim 1, wherein the airbag is configured to inflate into a position where the airbag comes into contact with a top region of a rim of the steering wheel and supports the rim.

9. The airbag arrangement of claim 1, wherein the airbag is configured to inflate into a position where a region of the airbag comes into contact with a steering wheel rim, and wherein the airbag includes a supporting element in the region of the airbag which comes into contact with the steering wheel rim.

10. The airbag arrangement of claim 9, wherein the supporting element is formed by a reinforcement integrated in the airbag.

11. The airbag arrangement of claim 10, wherein the reinforcement includes multiple layers of material.

12. The airbag arrangement of claim 10, wherein the reinforcement includes an insert of material.

13. The airbag arrangement of claim 12, wherein the insert is plastic or rubber.