Airbag apparatus and related method

• US 20040164530A1
• Filed: 02/18/2004
• Published: 08/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Sunabashiri, Yukisada
• Granted Patent: US 7,114,744 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23316 Inner seams, e.g. creating separate compartments or used as tethering means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23386 External tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/237 characterised by the way they are folded

Abstract

An airbag apparatus for a vehicle is provided with an airbag whose upper end portion is fixed to a vehicle body over a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body between an upper portion of the vehicle body and an interior member in a vehicle compartment and which is adapted to develop in a curtain-like shape downwardly, an inflator adapted to generate gas fed to the airbag, a folded portion formed by folding the airbag, and a turned-back portion formed by turning back a portion of the airbag positioned between the upper end portion and the folded portion so as to be provided with a first turned-back portion positioned on the side of the vehicle compartment and a second turned-back portion positioned between the first turned-back portion and the folded portion. At least one of the first turned-back portion and the second turned-back portion is turned in between the folded portion and the vehicle body.

Claims

1. An airbag apparatus for a vehicle, comprising:

an airbag whose upper end portion is fixed to a vehicle body over a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body between an upper portion of the vehicle body and an interior member in a vehicle compartment and which is adapted to develop in a curtain-like shape downwardly;

an inflator adapted to generate gas fed to the airbag;

a folded portion formed by folding the airbag; and

a turned-back portion formed by turning back a portion of the airbag positioned between the upper end portion and the folded portion so as to be provided with a first turned-back portion positioned on the side of the vehicle compartment and a second turned-back portion positioned between the first turned-back portion and the folded portion, at least one of the first turned-back portion and the second turned-back portion being turned in between the folded portion and the vehicle body.

2. The airbag apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the second turned-back portion is set to be longer than the first turned-back portion such that an upper portion of the second turned-back portion is turned in between the folded portion and the vehicle body.

3. The airbag apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the airbag has a plurality of inflating chambers arranged in a longitudinal- direction of the vehicle and a gas introducing passage which communicates with inlets at upper ends of the inflating chambers, respectively, and which extends along the longitudinal direction, and the second turned-back portion includes the inlets of the inflating chambers.

4. The airbag apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the folded portion has a rolled shape obtained by winding the airbag from the lower end of the airbag toward the side portion of the vehicle compartment and folding the same.

5. The airbag apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the first turned-back portion and the second turned-back portion press and open the interior member by inflation of the first turned-back portion and the second turned-back portion prior to inflation of the folded portion.

6. The airbag apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the folded portion inflates so as to be close to the side portion of the vehicle compartment.

7. A winding method of an airbag for a vehicle whose upper end portion is fixed to a vehicle body along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle between an upper portion of the vehicle body and an interior member in a vehicle compartment and which is adapted to develop downward in a curtain shape, the method comprising:

folding the airbag to form a folded portion; and

turning back a portion of the airbag between the upper end portion of the airbag and the folded portion to form a turned-back portion so as to be provided with a first turned-back portion positioned on the side of the vehicle compartment and a second turned-back portion positioned between the first turned-back portion and the folded portion, at least one of the first turned-back portion and the second turned-back portion being turned in between the folded portion and the vehicle body.