Inflatable airbag

• US 20060017267A1
• Filed: 07/26/2005
• Published: 01/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nxgen Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Nxgen Technologies LLC
• Inventors: Fink, Michael F.
• Granted Patent: US 7,784,822 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/730.200
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23316 Inner seams, e.g. creating separate compartments or used as tethering 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 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/239 characterised by their venting means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/26 characterised by the inflation fluid source or means to control inflation fluid flow arrangement or mounting thereof to the vehicle B60R21/20; blasting cartridges for producing gas under pressure in general F42B3/04; initiators or igniters therefor F42B3/10

Abstract

An inflatable side curtain airbag for a passenger vehicle is provided. The airbag incorporates a new diode design that restricts gas flow, creating a plurality of substantially isolated cells. A delivery tube delivers gas to the cells through a plurality of outlet orifices that open to the cells. Upon inflation of the cells with a gas, flow of gas between each of the plurality of substantially isolated cells is restricted during occupant loading

Claims

1. An inflatable airbag assembly for a passenger vehicle, said airbag assembly comprising:

an airbag having a plurality of substantially isolated cells;

a delivery tube having a plurality of outlet orifices, the plurality of outlet orifices opening to the plurality of substantially isolated cells;

wherein at least one outlet orifice is configured to supply a gas to each of the plurality of substantially isolated cells; and

wherein, upon inflation of the cells with the gas, flow of gas between each of the plurality of substantially isolated cells is restricted during occupant loading.

2. The airbag assembly of claim 1 wherein at least one orifice includes a scoop configured to direct gas through the orifice.

3. The airbag assembly of claim 2 wherein each orifice includes a scoop configured to direct gas through the orifice.

4. The airbag assembly of claim 3 wherein the scoops are staggered about the delivery tube.

5. The airbag assembly of claim 1 wherein the delivery tube and the airbag form a tight fit between adjacent substantially isolated cells.

6. The airbag assembly of claim 5 wherein the effective flow area between adjacent cells is less than about 0.5 square inches.

7. The airbag of claim 6 wherein the effective flow area between adjacent cells is less than about 0.25 square inches.

8. The airbag assembly of claim 1 wherein an extended output inflator supplies the gas.

9. The airbag assembly of claim 8 wherein the operating pressure of the plurality of substantially isolated cells upon inflation is about 20 to 40 kilopascals.

10. The airbag assembly of claim 1 wherein the delivery tube is rigid.

11. The airbag assembly of claim 1 wherein the delivery tube is flexible.

12. The airbag assembly of claim 11 wherein the flexible delivery tube is constructed of a fabric.

13. The airbag assembly of claim 8 wherein the percent by weight of a large molecule gas within the extended output inflator is between 10% and 40% when the required fill time is about 15-20 milliseconds.

14. The airbag assembly of claim 8 wherein the percent by weight of a large molecule gas within the extended output inflator is about 50% when the required fill time is about 40 milliseconds.

15. The airbag assembly of claim 13 wherein the large molecule gas is argon.

16. An inflatable side curtain airbag assembly for protecting an occupant of a passenger vehicle, said airbag assembly comprising:

an airbag having a plurality of substantially isolated cells formed by joining together a first layer and a second layer;

a delivery tube having a plurality of outlet orifices, the plurality of outlet orifices opening to the plurality of substantially isolated cells;

wherein at least one outlet orifice is configured to supply a gas to each of the plurality of substantially isolated cells;

wherein, upon inflation of the cells with the gas, flow of gas between each of the plurality of substantially isolated cells is restricted during occupant loading; and

wherein at least two of the cells are located adjacent to one another.

17. The airbag assembly of claim 16 wherein the effective flow area between adjacent cells is less than about 0.5 square inches.

18. The airbag assembly of claim 17 wherein the effective flow area between adjacent cells is less than about 0.25 square inches.

19. The airbag assembly of claim 16 wherein the first layer and the second layer are stitched together using thread to form a stitched seam.

20. The airbag assembly of claim 19 wherein the stitched seam is sealed.

21. The airbag assembly of claim 19 further comprising a reinforcing layer in high stress areas of the stitching.

22. The airbag assembly of claim 16 wherein the first layer and the second layer are joined using a one piece woven construction.

23. The airbag assembly of claim 16 wherein the first layer and second layer are comprised of fabric.

24. The airbag assembly of claim 23 wherein the fabric is a coated fabric.

25. The airbag assembly of claim 19 wherein a needle tension used to create the stitches is about 2 to 4 times greater than a bobbin tension.

26. An inflatable airbag assembly for a passenger vehicle, said airbag comprising:

an airbag having a plurality of substantially isolated cells;

a delivery tube having a plurality of outlet orifices, the plurality of outlet orifices opening to the plurality of substantially isolated cells;

wherein at least one outlet orifice is configured to supply a gas to each of the plurality of substantially isolated cells;

wherein, upon inflation of the cells with the gas, flow of gas between each of the plurality of substantially isolated cells is restricted during occupant loading; and

wherein at least one of the plurality of substantially isolated cells is configured to inflate before another cell.

27. The airbag assembly of claim 26 wherein at least one orifice includes a scoop configured to direct gas through the orifice.

28. The airbag assembly of claim 26 wherein each orifice includes a scoop configured to direct gas through the orifice.

29. The airbag assembly of claim 28 wherein the scoops are staggered about the delivery tube.

30. The airbag assembly of claim 28 wherein the configuration of the scoops determines which of the at least one of the plurality of substantially isolated cells is configured to inflate before another cell.

31. An occupant restraint system for use in a passenger vehicle, said system comprising:

an extended output inflator;

a sensor configured to send a signal to the extended output inflator at a desired time;

a delivery tube having a plurality of outlet orifices, wherein the delivery tube is connected to the extended output inflator;

an airbag having a plurality of substantially isolated cells, the plurality of outlet orifices opening to the plurality of substantially isolated cells;

wherein at least one outlet orifice is configured to supply a gas to each of the plurality of substantially isolated cells; and

wherein, upon inflation of the cells with the gas, flow of gas between each of the plurality of substantially isolated cells is restricted during occupant loading.

32. A side curtain airbag assembly having a reinforcing layer to reduce gas leakage, said side curtain airbag assembly comprising:

a side curtain airbag having a first layer and a second layer, the first layer and the second layer being stitched together to form the airbag, the airbag having an interior and an exterior;

a reinforcing layer mounted about at least part of the stitching securing the first layer to the second layer;

wherein the reinforcing layer is adjacent the exterior of the airbag; and

wherein the reinforcing layer, first layer, and second layer are stitched together.