Directional device for deployment of an airbag

• US 20080203709A1
• Filed: 01/31/2008
• Published: 08/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LISA Drã¤Xlmaier GmbH (Fritz Dräxlmaier Holding GmbH)
• Original Assignee: LISA Drã¤Xlmaier GmbH (Fritz Dräxlmaier Holding GmbH)
• Inventors: Schlemmer, Christian
• Granted Patent: US 8,181,986 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/728.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/161 characterised by additional means for controlling deployment trajectory
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2165 characterised by a tear line for defining a deployment opening

Abstract

A directional device for the deployment of an airbag comprises a deflection element that directs airbag deployment, said element on actuation of the airbag exerting a pressure on said airbag which is directed away from the windscreen during the entire airbag deployment phase such that the airbag is directed away from the windscreen on its deployment. The directional device prevents damage/destruction of the windscreen on actuation of the airbag and thus improves protection of the vehicle occupants. The directional device is also capable of being variably fixed and replaceable in an airbag configuration/covering and may also optionally be integrated therein such that simplification of the development or series production of the airbag configuration is achieved.

Claims

1. Directional device for the deployment of an airbag having a flexible deflection element that directs airbag deployment, said element on actuation of the airbag exerting a targeted pressure there upon and influencing the direction during the entire airbag deployment phase.

2. Directional device according to claim 1 wherein the deflection element is pivotable about a rigid hinge.

3. Directional device according to claim 2 wherein the deflection element is pivotable on actuation of the airbag into no more than one position in which the deflection element is essentially parallel to the windscreen.

4. Directional device according to claim 1, wherein the directional element has an essentially L-shaped cross-section, the long section of which forms the deflection element and the short section of which is an attachment section.

5. Directional device according to claim 4 wherein a fin projects out of the attachment section of said directional device.

6. Directional device according to claim 1, wherein the deflection element'"'"'s directing function is predetermined by the degree of flexibility of the directional device.

7. Directional device according to claim 1, wherein the deflection element has a stiffening rib.

8. Directional device according to claim 1, wherein said directional device is capable of being fixed to the instrument panel substrate, to an airbag firing channel formed beneath the instrument panel substrate or to an airbag module containing the folded airbag or of being integrated therein and the deflection element exerts a pressure away from the windscreen.

9. Directional device according to claim 8 wherein said directional device has an attachment that can be converted from detachable to non-detachable.

10. Directional device according to claim 1, wherein said directional device comprises one or a plurality of material components or of a composite material including one or a plurality thereof whereby the material components are selected from the group of thermosetting materials or thermoplastics.

11. Directional device according to claim 10 wherein the one or a plurality of material components or of a composite material including one or a plurality thereof comprises a filling material such as fiberglass or inserts comprising knitted fabrics, non-woven systems, oscillatable metal or glass mats.

12. Directional device according to claim 1 wherein said directional device includes a gliding layer.