Air Bag with Fill Hose and Method of Assembly

• US 20090051149A1
• Filed: 08/07/2008
• Published: 02/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc. (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc. (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Kalandek, Bruce A., Horton, James A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,007,002 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/730.200
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23538 Sewing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2612 Gas guiding means, e.g. ducts
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/231 characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration
• 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

Abstract

An air bag module (60) including an inflatable air bag (50) having a first region formed by opposing edge borders (102, 104) of two facing panels or panel pieces (52, 54), the first region initially open to receive a gas distribution hose (40), the gas distribution hose comprising a tubular portion (42) and a flat portion (44) integrally formed with the tubular portion, the tubular portion configured to receive inflation gas at one portion and having openings (49) therein to permit the egress of inflation gas; the flat portion of the hose located between the opposing edge borders of the facing panels; and a seam or seams (110) extending through the facing borders to join the flat portion of the hose between the facing edge borders in a gas tight manner.

Claims

1. An air bag module (60) resistant to twisting, comprising an air bag assembly (20), having a folded air bag (50) and a distribution tube or hose (40) installed within the air bag,

the gas distribution tube or hose (40) comprising a tubular portion (42) and a ribbed portion (44) integrally formed with the tubular portion, the tubular portion configured to receive inflation gas at one portion thereof and also having exit openings (49) therein to permit the egress of inflation gas;

the ribbed portion of the hose located proximate an end or border of the air bag (50), the air bag having two such ends or borders (102,104); and

one or more seams (100, 114, 14) extend through an end or border region (102, 104) to join the ribbed portion of the hose.

2. The air bag module according to claim 1 wherein the ribbed portion of the tube is sandwiched between two border regions (102, 104).

3. The air bag module according to claim 1 wherein the weave density of the ribbed portion is at least twice that of the tubular portion.

4. The air bag module according to claim 1 wherein the ribbed portion is thicker than the tubular portion.

5. The air bag module according to claim 1 wherein the air bag (50) is folded or rolled into a compact configuration and placed proximate the tubular portion of the hose.

6. The air bag module according to claim 5 further including a cover (22) wrapped about the folded air bag.

7. The air bag module according to claim 5 wherein the cover includes two top edges and wherein one top edge is proximate one side of the ribbed section and the other top edge is proximate the other side of the ribbed section.

8. The air bag module according to claim 7 wherein the top edges of the cover, the ribbed section and the air bag are joined together by seams extending through the cover, ribbed section and air bag.

9. The air bag module according to claim 8 wherein material forming the air bag includes an extension (52a) wrapped about the ribbed section and sewn thereto.

14. The module according to claim 1 including an inflator connected to one end of the hose.

15. The module according to claim 14 wherein a segment of the ribbed portion of the hose proximate the inflator is cut away and wherein a clamp is used to secure the hose to the inflator.

10. An air bag module (60) comprising an inflatable air bag (50) having a first region formed by opposing borders (102, 104) of two facing panels or panel pieces (52, 54), the first region initially open to receive a gas distribution hose placed therebetween;

the gas distribution hose (40) comprising a tubular portion (42) and a flat portion (44) integrally formed with the tubular portion, the tubular portion configured to receive inflation gas at one portion and having openings (49) therein to permit the egress of inflation gas;

the flat portion of the hose located between the opposing borders of the facing panels; and

a seam or seams (100, 113, 114) extending through the facing borders to join the flat portion of the hose between the facing edge borders in a gas tight manner.

11. The module according to claim 10 wherein the flat portion and the tubular portion of the hose are portions of an integrally woven fabric tube.

12. The module according to claim 11 including a tearable cover (22) wrapped about the air bag and hose.

13. The module according to claim 12 wherein the air bag is rolled or folded and located adjacent the hose, with the tearable cover wrapped about the rolled or folded air bag.