Airbag For Installation In A Motor Vehicle

• US 20080023945A1
• Filed: 02/04/2005
• Published: 01/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hauser, Stefan, Zauritz, Ralf
• Granted Patent: US 7,862,076 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/729
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23107 the bag being integrated in a multi-bag system
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23324 Inner walls crating separate compartments, e.g. communicating with vents
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23332 using independent bags, one within the other
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23382 Internal tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/23138 specially adapted for side protection B60R21/23184, B60R21/232 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/239 characterised by their venting means

Abstract

In order to achieve improved protection of the occupants of a motor vehicle, a side airbag is proposed which, when necessary, provides different hardnesses depending on the size of the vehicle occupant. The airbag includes at least one main chamber and at least one auxiliary chamber. The main chamber and auxiliary chamber are connected with each other via a connecting opening. Furthermore, an outflow opening is present from which gas can flow out of the airbag. The outflow opening is included in the auxiliary chamber. A closing element is provided which, when the auxiliary chamber meets an obstacle during or after expansion of the airbag, blocks or throttles the gas flow through the outflow opening.

Claims

1. A side impact airbag for installation in a motor vehicle comprising:

at least one main chamber and at least one auxiliary chamber, whereby the main chamber and the auxiliary chamber are connected with each other by means of a connecting opening;

wherein the auxiliary chamber includes an outflow opening and a closing element configured to block or throttle a gas flow through the outflow opening if the auxiliary chamber meets an obstacle during expansion of the airbag.

2. An airbag according to claim 1, wherein the main chamber is arranged adjacent to a thorax area of a vehicle occupant, and the auxiliary chamber is positioned on top of the main chamber.

3. An airbag according to claim 2, wherein a pelvic chamber is located on the bottom of the main chamber, adjacent to a pelvic area of a vehicle occupant.

4. An airbag according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary chamber includes an inner chamber with an inner fabric layer and an outer chamber with an outer fabric layer;

the outer fabric layer being connected in sections with a fabric of the main chamber and the connecting opening being located between an outer fabric layer and the fabric of the main chamber;

the inner fabric layer includes a valve opening, through which the gas flow can stream from the outer chamber into the inner chamber and from there to the outflow opening.

5. An airbag according to claim 4, wherein a section of the outer fabric layer is configured as a closing element for the valve opening.

6. An airbag according to claim 4 wherein the inner and outer fabric layers of the auxiliary chambers are basically tubular in shape.

7. An airbag according to claim 1 wherein the closing element is formed by a covering fabric.

8. An airbag according to claim 1 further comprising two auxiliary chambers.

9. An airbag according to claim 8, wherein each of the two auxiliary chambers include at least two inner fabric layers and the at least two inner fabric layers lie opposite one another such that when the airbag is fully expanded, an open intermediate layer is present between the two inner fabric layers.

10. An airbag according to claim 9, wherein the two auxiliary chambers are connected with each other by an outer tether.

11. An airbag according to claim 9 wherein the outflow openings of the two auxiliary chambers end in an intermediate area.

12. An airbag according to claim 9 further comprising an exterior cover of the airbag being manufactured of two fabric sections.

13. An airbag according to claim 9 further comprising two outer and two inner fabric layers wherein all four fabric layers are joined to each other in a connection area.