Airbag device and method of manufacturing same

• US 20060279072A1
• Filed: 06/09/2006
• Published: 12/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv Development AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv Development AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Aita, Keiko, Shimizu, Yosuke, Hanawa, Akifumi, Yamamoto, Shinobu
• Granted Patent: US 7,673,901 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/729
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23324 Inner walls crating separate compartments, e.g. communicating with vents
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/233 comprising a plurality of individual compartments; comprising two or more bag-like members, one within the other B60R21/232 takes precedence

Abstract

An airbag has a front panel positioned on an occupant side when inflated, and a rear panel of substantially the same shape as the front panel positioned on an opposite side to the occupant. Furthermore, an inflation restricting section, which restricts the inflated shape of the airbag, is formed by drawing together and fixing a portion of the front panel. When the airbag is inflated, the occupant side of the airbag is pulled inwards, thereby forming a cavity on the occupant side.

Claims

1. An airbag device which protects an occupant inside a vehicle by inflating an airbag, comprising:

a first airbag facing said occupant, said first airbag having a front panel positioned on an occupant side when inflated, and a rear panel of substantially a same shape as said front panel positioned on an opposite side to said occupant; and

an inflation restricting section which restricts an inflated shape of said first airbag, formed by drawing together and fixing a portion of said front panel.

2. An airbag device according to claim 1, wherein

said inflation restricting section is formed by cutting away a portion of said front panel to form an opening, and then closing said opening.

3. An airbag device according to claim 2, wherein

said opening is formed in two locations left-right symmetrical when viewed from said occupant side.

4. An airbag device according to claim 1, wherein

by an action of said inflation restricting section, a cavity (depressed region) is formed on said occupant side when said first airbag is inflated and inflated.

5. An airbag device according to claim 4, wherein

a depth in a forward and rearward direction of said cavity is at least 50 mm.

6. An airbag device according to claim 1, wherein

said front panel and said rear panel are connected by stitching peripheral portions thereof together.

7. An airbag device according to claim 2, wherein said opening is formed in an eye shape extending substantially in the vertical direction.

8. An airbag device according to claim 4, further comprising:

an inflatable second airbag within said cavity, wherein said second airbag is formed so as to not completely fill said cavity, and to not project further towards said occupant side than a frontmost surface of said first airbag.

9. An airbag device according to claim 8, wherein

said inflation restricting section is formed by cutting away a portion of said front panel to form an opening, and then closing said opening.

10. An airbag device according to claim 9, wherein

said opening is formed in two locations left-right symmetrical when viewed from said occupant side.

11. An airbag device according to claim 8, wherein

said front panel and said rear panel are connected by stitching peripheral portions thereof together.

12. An airbag device according to claim 9, wherein

said opening is formed in an eye shape extending substantially in the vertical direction.

13. An airbag device according to claim 9, wherein

an end of said second airbag nearest to said occupant side is located at least 50 mm further away from said occupant side than an end of said first airbag nearest to said occupant side.

14. A method of manufacturing an airbag which protects an occupant inside a vehicle by inflating, comprising the steps of:

preparing a front panel in sheet form to be located on an occupant side when inflated, and a rear panel in sheet form of substantially the same shape as said front panel to be located on an opposite side to said occupant when inflated;

superposing said front panel and said rear panel, and stitching together peripheral edges thereof by flat seaming; and

drawing together and securing portions of said front panel so as to restrict an inflated shape of said airbag.

15. A method of manufacturing an airbag according to claim 14, wherein

an inflated shape of said airbag is restricted by cutting away a portion of said front panel to form an opening, and then closing said opening.

16. A method of manufacturing an airbag according to claim 15, wherein

said opening is formed in two locations left-right symmetrical when viewed from said occupant side.

17. A method of manufacturing an airbag according to claim 14, wherein

a cavity is formed on said occupant side when said airbag is inflated and inflated.

18. A method of manufacturing an airbag according to claim 17, wherein

a depth in a forward and rearward direction of said cavity is at least 50 mm.

19. A method of manufacturing an airbag according to claim 15, wherein

said opening is formed in an eye shape extending substantially in the vertical direction.