Anti-submarining airbag module

• US 20040163872A1
• Filed: 12/15/2003
• Published: 08/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc. (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc. (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Lochmann, Hans, Lincoln, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 7,090,246 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/271
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23169 specially adapted for knee protection
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23176 specially adapted for foot protection
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/20 Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/207 in vehicle seats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/23184 Tubular air bags connected to the vehicle at their two extremities

Abstract

Airbag module, in particular disposed in the vehicle seat as an anti-submarining airbag module, comprising an inflator or a connection therefor, a tubular airbag, the two free ends of which are folded over at least once transversely relative to the longitudinal direction of the airbag to form loops, and wherein introducible into the loops of the airbag is a clamping member, by means of which the two layers of the folded-over parts of the airbag are brought into contact, to seal the airbag at least partially in a gastight manner.

Claims

1. Airbag module, in particular disposed in a vehicle seat as an anti-submarining airbag module, comprising

an inflator or a connection therefor,

a tubular airbag, the two free ends of which are folded over at least once transversely relative to the longitudinal direction of the airbag to form loops, and

wherein introducible into the loops of the airbag is a clamping member, by means of which the two layers of the folded-over parts of the airbag are brought into contact to seal the airbag at least partially in a gastight manner.

2. Airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the airbag module is designed without a housing.

3. Airbag module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the airbag in an inflated state presses against the clamping member so that the two layers of the airbag in the region of the folded-over parts are pressed to a greater extent against one another.

4. Airbag module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamping member is connected by a means for fastening, preferably screws, rivets or bolts, to a frame part of a vehicle.

5. Airbag module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamping member at at least one side of the airbag extends beyond the airbag.

6. Airbag module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamping member has a rod shape.

7. Airbag module according to claim 6, wherein the clamping member at at least one end is designed in the shape of a hook for engagement with the frame part.

8. Airbag module according to one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the clamping member at at least one end has a swivel device, which is connected to the frame part so as to be capable of swiveling and/or tilting relative thereto.

9. Airbag module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the ends of the folded-over parts are connected by a suitable fixing means, such as for example stitching, gluing or welding, to the airbag.

10. Airbag module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the inflator is disposed inside the airbag.

11. Airbag module according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the inflator is disposed outside of the airbag and connected by a conduit to the airbag interior in a gastight manner.

16. Use of an airbag module according to one of claims 1 to 11 as a seat airbag, wherein the airbag is disposed in the seat region and/or back rest region of a vehicle seat.

17. Use of an airbag module according to one of claims 1 to 11 as a knee airbag, wherein the airbag is disposed in the knee region and/or in the foot region behind the interior trim of a vehicle.

18. Use of an airbag module according to one of claims 1 to 11 as a foot airbag, wherein the airbag is disposed in the floor region below the floor mat and/or floor lining of a vehicle.

12. Airbag for an airbag module, wherein the airbag is formed from a portion of a seamless continuous tube and/or of seamless tubular meter goods, the free ends of which, to form loops, are folded over at least once transversely relative to its longitudinal direction and fixed to a part of the airbag.

13. Airbag for an airbag module according to claim 12, which in the inflated state substantially retains its initial circumference and its initial length.