Side airbag module with an internal guide fin

• US 20080100043A1
• Filed: 11/01/2006
• Published: 05/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Erickson, David, Pexton, Jamison, Sundmark, Hakan
• Granted Patent: US 7,641,226 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/162 Means for diverting, destroying or blocking the bag in case of dangerous deployment, e.g. during rescue operations or use of rear-facing children seats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/201 Packaging straps or envelopes for inflatable members
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/207 in vehicle seats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2342 Tear seams
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/26 characterised by the inflation fluid source or means to control inflation fluid flow arrangement or mounting thereof to the vehicle B60R21/20; blasting cartridges for producing gas under pressure in general F42B3/04; initiators or igniters therefor F42B3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/261 with means other than bag structure to diffuse or guide inflation fluid

Abstract

A side airbag module for use in a motor vehicle. The module includes a gas generator attached to a folded airbag. The folded airbag unfolds into an interior of the motor vehicle when the gas generator is activated. A large guide fin is disposed within an interior of the airbag such that the airbag is disposed around the guide fin. The guide fin is connected to a component attached to the motor vehicle.

Claims

1. A side impact airbag module for use in a motor vehicle, the module comprises a gas generator attached to a folded airbag, the folded airbag adopted to unfold into an interior of the motor vehicle when the gas generator is activated, a guide fin is disposed within an interior of the airbag, the guide fin being connected to a component attached to the motor vehicle.

2. The side airbag module according to claim 1, wherein a shape of the guide fin is substantially the same as a shape of the folded airbag.

3. The side airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the guide fin includes a first and second plate spaced a distance apart from one another to form a gas guide channel therebetween communicating with the gas generator, at a rear end opposite an expansion direction of the folded airbag the two plates are connected to one another by a connecting wall configured to surround an exterior of the gas generator, the connecting wall is attached to the gas generator to secure the guide fin to the gas generator.

4. The side airbag module according to claim 3, wherein the plate positioned toward an outside of vehicle when the side airbag module is installed in the vehicle is longitudinally longer than a shorter plate positioned toward the inside of the vehicle and the folded airbag is packed within a packing space along the outside plate and in front of the shorter plate.

5. The side airbag module according to claim 3, wherein the guide fin includes two identical plates arranged substantially parallel to one another.

6. The side airbag module according to claim 3, wherein the gas guide channel is completely formed between the two plates of the guide fin.

7. The side airbag module according to claim 3, wherein the plates of the guide fin are formed of a thin walled material.

8. The side airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the guide fin is made of a flexible material.

9. The side airbag module according to claim 8, wherein the flexible material of the guide fin includes a plastic material.

10. The side airbag module according to claim 9, wherein the plastic material of the guide fin is selected to lose rigidity at a temperature lower than an activation temperature of the gas generator, resulting in a neutral response by the side airbag module in the event that the gas generator is activated by high temperatures.

11. The side airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the airbag is arranged over the guide fin and is secured in place to the guide fin before unfolding.

12. The side airbag module according to claim 11, wherein the airbag secured in place by means of at least one tear seam.

13. The side airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the gas generator is formed as an axially extending gas generator oriented along a height of the guide fin.

14. The side airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the folded airbag disposed about the guide fin includes an exterior cover.

15. The side airbag module according to claim 14, wherein the exterior cover is made of a second flexible material that includes a shrinkable foil.

16. The side airbag module according to claim 1, wherein at least one bolt penetrates through a plate arranged on the inner side of vehicle and through the component fixed to the vehicle to secure the airbag module to the component.

17. The side airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the component is a portion of a seat frame of a vehicle seat, the vehicle seat being attached to the motor vehicle.