Airbag and method of manufacturing airbags

• US 20060192369A1
• Filed: 01/11/2006
• Published: 08/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Taylor, Ian, Phillips, Marc, Puccetti, Yves
• Granted Patent: US 7,425,019 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• 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 21/2338 Tethers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2346 Soft diffusers

Abstract

The present invention relates to an airbag and a process for manufacturing an airbag. The airbag includes a distribution element for the gas of a gas generator, to which at least one multi-layer chamber is fluidly connected through outflow openings of the distribution element. The distribution element includes an acceptance device for the gas generator and is cut out of an airbag material and is sewn to form a hollow body At least two connecting seams are provided to connect the layers of the chambers separately with one layer each of the distribution element.

Claims

1. A side impact airbag for use in a motor vehicle to protect the head and shoulder area of a vehicle occupant comprising:

a distribution element for gas of a gas generator and at least one inflatable chamber which is formed of at least two fabric layers of the airbag and which can be filled with the gas of the gas generator, the inflatable chamber being fluidly coupled with outflow openings of the distribution element which also includes at least one acceptance device for the gas generator sewn onto the airbag, wherein the distribution element is cut from an airbag material and is sewn into the form of a hollow body and includes at least two connecting seams which separately connect the layers of the chambers with one layer respectively of the distribution element.

2. An airbag according to claim 1, wherein the chambers are formed as a single woven piece of fabric material.

3. An airbag according to claim 1, wherein a closing seam connects the two layers of the distribution element and the connecting seams are at a distance separated from the closing seam.

4. An airbag according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of inflatable chambers are sewn onto the distribution element.

5. An airbag according to claim 4, wherein the chambers are sewn onto the distribution element separately from one another.

6. An airbag according to claim 5, wherein a connecting fabric is located between the inflatable chambers.

7. An airbag according to claim 1, wherein the distribution element and the inflatable chambers are manufactured of airbag materials having different physical characteristics.

8. An airbag according to claim 1 wherein the distribution element is formed of several elements.

9. An airbag according to claim 7, wherein the elements of the distribution element are made of airbag materials having different physical characteristics.

10. An airbag according to claim 1, wherein the connecting seam extends over the entire length of the inflatable chambers.

11. An airbag according to claim 1, wherein the distribution element airbag material has a higher temperature resistance in the area of the acceptance device than in the area of the outflow openings.

12. An airbag according to claim 1, wherein the distribution element is coupled to the inflatable chambers along a bottom section with the outflow openings.

13. An airbag according to claim 1, wherein connection points are provided on the distribution element for fixing the airbag to an interior of the vehicle.

17. An airbag according to claim 11, wherein the airbag material has a higher tear resistance in the area of the acceptance device.

18. An airbag according to claim 12, wherein the chambers and outflow openings are arranged along a top section of the distribution element.

14. A process for manufacturing an airbag for use in a motor vehicle comprising:

a distribution element for gas of a gas generator and at least one inflatable, multi-layer chamber, which can be filled with the gas of the gas generator, the chamber being fluidly coupled with outflow openings of the distribution element, which also includes at least one acceptance device for the gas generator sewn onto the airbag, wherein one layer each of the at least one chamber is sewn to the distribution element by means of one connecting seam respectively and the distribution element is closed with a closing seam, forming a hollow body.

15. The process according to claim 14, wherein the connecting seams are implemented at a distance from the closing seam.

16. The process according to claim 14, wherein the at least one chamber is closed with a circumferential seam after formation of the closing seam.