Airbag assembly

• US 20080030008A1
• Filed: 08/03/2006
• Published: 02/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Company Limited (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Company Limited (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Burton, Dennis Ames, Zofchak, Steven R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,658,408 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/20 Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/201 Packaging straps or envelopes for inflatable members

Abstract

A cushion wrap is secured to a front panel portion of the airbag. Opposite ends of the cushion wrap are secured to the bracket, such that one portion of the cushion wrap tethers one portion of the airbag to the bracket, while another portion of the cushion wrap tethers another portion of the airbag to the bracket. Weakened portions are formed in at least one portion of the cushion wrap such that the cushion wrap restrains one portion of the airbag less than it restrains the other. This provides the ability to control the direction of the deployment of the airbag.

Claims

1. An airbag assembly comprising:

support structure;

an airbag having a front panel opposite a rear opening, the airbag supported by the support structure; and

a wrap having a first portion secured to the front panel, and a second portion and a third portion secured to the support structure, the wrap including a first tear portion between the first portion and the second portion and a second tear portion between the first portion and the second portion, the first tear portion having a different tear strength from the second tear portion.

2. The airbag assembly of claim 1 wherein the support structure is inside the airbag.

3. The airbag assembly of claim 2 wherein the support structure includes a plurality of protrusions through a rear panel of the airbag, the wrap secured to the plurality of protrusions.

4. The airbag assembly of claim 3 wherein the plurality of protrusions are a plurality of fasteners.

5. The airbag assembly of claim 4 wherein the support structure is a bracket having an opening aligned with an opening through the rear panel of the airbag.

6. The airbag assembly of claim 5 wherein the first tear portion and the second tear portion each include a tear seam.

7. The airbag assembly of claim 6 installed on a steering wheel assembly, wherein the first tear portion is arranged toward an upper end of the steering wheel assembly and the second tear portion is arranged toward a lower end of the steering wheel, the second tear portion configured to tear more easily than the first tear portion.

8. The airbag assembly of claim 7 wherein the tear seam of the second tear portion is weaker than the tear seam of the first tear portion.

9. The airbag assembly of claim 1 wherein the airbag is folded into a pair of stacks separated by portions of the front panel immediately adjacent the connection between the wrap and the front panel.

10. An airbag assembly comprising:

a holding member;

an airbag having a front panel opposite a rear opening, the airbag supported by the holding member; and

a wrap secured to the front panel between a first portion of the airbag and a second portion of the airbag, the wrap secured over the first portion of the airbag and to the holding member, such that the second portion of the airbag would begin to deploy before the first portion of the airbag.

11. The airbag assembly of claim 10 wherein the wrap does not restrain the second portion of the airbag.

12. The airbag assembly of claim 10 wherein the wrap also extends from its connection to the front panel to the bracket over the second portion of the airbag.

13. The airbag assembly of claim 12 wherein the wrap includes a first tear portion corresponding to the first portion of the airbag and a second tear portion corresponding to the second portion of the airbag, the first tear portion having a greater tear strength from the second tear portion.