Lateral airbag device

• US 20070296188A1
• Filed: 06/01/2007
• Published: 12/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Takata - Petri AG (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Takata - Petri AG (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Breuninger, Martin
• Granted Patent: US 7,549,670 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0048 Head
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23316 Inner seams, e.g. creating separate compartments or used as tethering means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23576 Sewing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23595 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge

Abstract

A lateral airbag device for a vehicle includes a head airbag which, in the event of an accident of said vehicle, provides impact protection for the head of the occupant of a vehicle. The head airbag has two head chambers in order to protect the head. A first head chamber curbs the movement of the head caused by the accident when said accident occurs and a second head chamber supports the first head chamber. The first head chamber is more permeable to gas than the second head chamber.

Claims

1. A lateral airbag device for a vehicle comprising a head airbag which, in the event of an accident of the vehicle, brings about lateral impact protection for a vehicle occupant'"'"'s head, the head airbag comprising:

at least two head chambers,

wherein a first head chamber is configured to brake an accident-induced movement of the head,

wherein a second head chamber supports the first head chamber, and

wherein the first head chamber is more gas-permeable than the second head chamber.

2. The lateral airbag device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in an event of an accident, the first head chamber is deployed, facing the head, in such a manner that, in the event of an accident, the head plunges directly into the first head chamber, and the second head chamber is deployed facing away from the head.

3. The lateral airbag device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second head chamber is arranged downstream of the first head chamber, as seen in a striking direction of the head, and configured such that, in a second accident phase following a first accident phase, the second head chamber ensures lateral shielding of the head.

4. The lateral airbag device as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the event of an accident, the first head chamber is deployed facing away from the head, and the second head chamber is deployed, facing the head, in such a manner that, in the event of an accident, the head plunges into the second head chamber.

5. The lateral airbag device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second head chamber is arranged upstream of the first head chamber, as seen in the striking direction of the head, and configured such that in a second accident phase following the first accident phase, the second head chamber ensures lateral shielding of the head.

6. The lateral airbag device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first head chamber is gas-permeable and the second head chamber is impermeable to gas.

7. The lateral airbag device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first head chamber includes discharge openings which permit a gas flow to the outside.

8. The lateral airbag device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second head chambers are filled separately with gas and are separated in gas flow.

9. The lateral airbag device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second head chambers are connected to a single gas lance in such a manner that gas outlet openings of the gas lance are assigned either to the first or the second head chamber.

10. The lateral airbag device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the gas lance is composed of a fabric material.

11. The lateral airbag device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the gas lance is includes at least one valve with which the gas flow between the gas lance and the first head chamber and vice versa can be interrupted.

12. The lateral airbag device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the valve is closed when a predetermined gas pressure is reached in the first head chamber or when the gas pressure in the gas lance falls below a predetermined minimum pressure.

13. The lateral airbag device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the valve is formed by a pipe with outflow openings which are covered by an elastic sealing element.

14. The lateral airbag device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the elastic sealing element is formed by a tube or a sleeve.

15. The lateral airbag device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the valve is an electrically or pneumatically controlled valve.

16. The lateral airbag device as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a pressure sensor fitted in the gas lance and/or in or on the first head chamber, the pressure sensor being configured to measure gas pressure in the gas lance or in the first head chamber, and wherein a control device which activates the valve as a function of pressure values is connected to the pressure sensor.

17. The lateral airbag device as claimed in claim 15, wherein activation of the valve is time-controlled.

18. The lateral airbag device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the head airbag is formed from three material layers.

19. The lateral airbag device as claimed in claim 18, wherein a first material layer and a second material layer are connected to each other and form the second head chamber, and wherein a third material layer is connected to the second material layer to form the first head chamber.

20. The lateral airbag device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the third material layer is gas-permeable.

21. The lateral airbag device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the third material layer is connected to the second material layer such that at least one discharge opening is formed, through which the gas from the first head chamber can exit to the outside.

22. The lateral airbag device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the second material layer has, along a side edge connected to the first and to the third material layer, at least one material cutout which permits a gas flow to the first head chamber from a gas lance located between the first and the second material layer.

23. The lateral airbag device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the material cutout is shaped in a form of a V.

24. The lateral airbag device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the third material layer is essentially rectangular.

25. The lateral airbag device as claimed in claim 24, further comprising discharge openings formed in a region of two corners of the rectangular third material layer.

26. The lateral airbag device as claimed in claim 25, wherein the two corners are beveled.

27. The lateral airbag device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the gas lance is arranged between the first and the second material layer, and a gastight connection between the second head chamber and the gas lance takes place by a clamping connection.

28. The lateral airbag device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an outer shape and/or a protective effect of the deployed first head chamber is influenced by at least one retaining strap.

29. The lateral airbag device as claimed in claim 28, wherein the at least one retaining strap is fitted on the outside or inside of the first head chamber.