AIRBAG SYSTEM

• US 20080129020A1
• Filed: 12/03/2007
• Published: 06/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Johansson, Jack, Bostrom, Ola
• Granted Patent: US 7,594,675 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/207 in vehicle seats

Abstract

The invention relates to an airbag arrangement in a motor vehicle comprising an airbag and a gas generator, which fills the airbag with gas after being activated, the airbag being arranged between two neighboring seating positions for vehicle occupants. The airbag is arranged in an openable lid of a center console or in an openable armrest.

Claims

1. An airbag arrangement in a motor vehicle comprising, an airbag and a gas generator that fills the airbag with gas after being activated, the airbag being disposed between two adjacent seats for vehicle occupants, wherein the airbag is disposed in one of a lid of a center console and an armrest.

2. The airbag arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the gas generator is disposed within the one of the lid and the armrest.

3. The airbag arrangement according to claim 1, wherein when the airbag is in a folded-up state, the airbag is disposed above the gas generator.

4. The airbag arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the one of the lid and the armrest have a base surface formed therein, and the airbag is fastened to the base surface.

5. The airbag arrangement according to claim 1 further comprises a frame, and wherein the airbag is fastened to the one of the lid and armrest by the frame.

6. The airbag arrangement according to claim 1 further comprising a cover, and wherein when the airbag is in a folded-up state, the airbag is surrounded by the covering having at least one predetermined tear line formed therein.

7. The airbag arrangement according to claim 6, wherein at least one film hinge, is formed in the covering.

8. The airbag arrangement according to claim 1 further comprising at least one retaining strap configured to prevent the airbag from bulging in a direction of one of the vehicle occupants when seated in one of the seats, the retaining strap being disposed in the airbag.

9. The airbag arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the airbag has a base region, the vertical extension of which corresponds to an abdominal area of the vehicle occupant when seated in one of the seats, the airbag in an unfolded state having a width which is substantially the same as the width of the one of the lid and the armrest.

10. The airbag arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the airbag in the unfolded state, is wider above the base region in a direction of one of the vehicle occupants when seated in one of the seats.

11. The airbag arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the airbag has a trapezoidal cross section in an unfolded state, with a narrower base line disposed adjacent the one of the lid and the armrest and a wider base line being disposed opposite the narrower base line.

12. The airbag arrangement according to claim 11, wherein an end portion of the airbag having the wider base line formed therein extends towards one of the vehicle occupants when seated in one of the seats.

13. The airbag arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the airbag is one of clipped and screwed to the one of the lid and the armrest.

14. The airbag arrangement according claim 1, wherein the airbag has a filling pressure of at least 1 bar greater than atmospheric pressure when in a filled state.

15. The airbag arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the airbag has a volume in the range of about 6 to 15 liters.

16. The airbag arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the airbag has an unfolding time of more than about 30 ms in response to activation of the gas generator.

17. The airbag arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the airbag and the gas generator are configured such that the airbag is filled with at least about 1 bar of overpressure only after more than 40 ms after activation of the gas generator.

18. The airbag arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the one of the lid of the center counsel and the armrest is openable.