AIRBAG

• US 20080054612A1
• Filed: 11/01/2007
• Published: 03/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Taylor, Ian, Bradburn, Alan, Jacobsson, Borje, Henriksson, Ola, Lindsay, Martin, Hagman, Anders
• Granted Patent: US 7,654,567 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/740
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/231 characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration

Abstract

An airbag having an airbag fabric skin (10) enclosing an interior gas space with a first edge (11) extending from a first end (11a) to a second end (11b), whereby an accommodation area (A) for a gas generator (20) is located at the first edge outside the gas spaced extending parallel the first edge (11), which exhibits an area (32) of a deflector element 930) which accommodates the gas generator. In order to ensure that the airbag unit consisting of gas generator and airbag halves in a thrust-neutral manner in case of a fire, deflector element (30) consists of a tubular, flexible element, whereby the deflector element (30) exhibits an upper and lower area (32, 36) whose lower area (36) is located inside the gas space (G). The deflector element is connected with the airbag skin in an intermediate area (34) which is located between upper and lower areas.

Claims

1. An airbag comprising:

an airbag fabric skin enclosing a gas space, with a first edge extending from a first end to a second end, whereby an accommodation area for a gas generator is located adjacent the first edge separated from the gas space extending generally parallel to the first edge, the accommodation area having deflector element which accommodates the gas generator and directs the flow of gas emitted by the gas generator upon deployment of the airbag,

the deflector element in the form of a tubular, flexible element having an upper and a lower area, whereby the lower area is located inside the gas space and the upper area receives the gas generator, and

the deflector element is connected with the airbag fabric in an intermediate area located between the upper and lower areas.

2. An airbag according to claim 1, wherein the deflector element consists of a fabric material which is rolled to form a tube.

3. An airbag according to claim 1, wherein the deflector element is in the form of a seamlessly manufactured flexible tube.

4. An airbag according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal axis of the deflector element is generally parallel to the first edge.

5. An airbag according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate area is sewn together with the airbag skin.

6. An airbag according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate area is clamped together with the airbag fabric skin by means of one or more fixing clips.

7. An airbag according to claim 2, wherein the deflector element is formed with a double wall at least in the upper area by means of overlapping fabric sections.

8. An airbag according to claim 7, wherein the deflector element is formed with the double wall only in the upper area.

9. An airbag according to claim 7, wherein the overlapping fabric sections are bonded together with an adhesive.

10. An airbag according to claim 1, wherein one or more seams are arranged in the intermediate area of the deflector element by means of which a narrowed overflow opening is formed between the upper and lower areas.

11. An airbag according to claim 10, wherein one or more seams do not penetrate the airbag skin, and surround at least a portion of the seams which connect the deflector element with the airbag fabric skin.

12. An airbag according to claim 10, wherein at least one fixing clip is located in the intermediate area of the deflector element, through which a narrowed overflow opening is formed between the upper and lower area.

13. An airbag according to claim 12, wherein two fixing clips are present.

14. An airbag according to claim 1, wherein the upper area of the deflector element is surrounded by a further fabric area.

15. An airbag according to claim 1, wherein the airbag is a side curtain airbag and the first edge is an upper edge.

16. An airbag according to claim 1, wherein the gas generator is thrust neutral if initiated to generate the gas when the gas generator is separated from the airbag skin.

17. An airbag according to claim 16, wherein the deflector element is formed of a material which will burn when exposed to high temperatures for a relatively long period which is longer than a period of time which is required for the airbag to expand upon inflation by the gas generator.

18. An airbag according to claim 17, wherein the gas generator returns to thrust neutrality upon burning of the deflector element.