SIDE AIRBAG APPARATUS AND METHOD

• US 20090079171A1
• Filed: 09/24/2007
• Published: 03/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America Incorporated (Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Dix, Jeffery Carl, Mueller, Joseph, Bowers, Ronald Alonzo
• Granted Patent: US 7,766,379 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/730.200
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/23138 specially adapted for side protection B60R21/23184, B60R21/232 take precedence

Abstract

An inflatable side airbag restraint for use in passenger vehicles. The airbag includes a relief portion providing clearance for the arm and elbow of an occupant or test device which reduces or eliminates lateral compression of the arm on the chest and abdomen regions of an occupant or test device.

Claims

1. An inflatable airbag for use in a passenger vehicle comprising:

a first layer;

a second layer positioned over the first layer, the first and second layers connected to one another about a periphery and defining a relief portion along a forward edge of the airbag such that during inflation of the airbag the relief portion provides a clearance between the forward edge of the airbag and a seated occupant arm to reduce contact of the airbag on the occupant arm.

2. The side airbag of claim 1 wherein the relief portion comprises a recess wherein the first and second layers are removed in an area extending into a first chamber from the forward edge while substantially maintaining a full lateral depth of the inflated airbag adjacent the occupant shoulder.

3. The side airbag of claim 2 wherein the recess is arcuate-shaped having a first point along the forward edge positioned above a passenger shoulder center axis, a second point positioned along the forward edge positioned below the shoulder center axis, and an inner recess point positioned toward the first chamber from the first and second points.

4. The side airbag of claim 3 wherein the first point is positioned about 35 millimeters above and about 130 millimeters forward of the shoulder center axis.

5. The side airbag of claim 3 wherein the second point is positioned about 139 millimeters below and about 95 millimeters forward of the shoulder center axis.

6. The side airbag of claim 3 wherein the inner recess point is positioned about 55 millimeters below and about 87 millimeters forward of the shoulder center axis.

7. The side airbag of claim 1 wherein the relief portion is positioned between a shoulder center axis and an occupant elbow along an arm longitudinal axis.

8. The side airbag of claim 1 further comprising an expansible first chamber and an expansible second chamber defined by the first and second layers, the first chamber positioned above the second chamber and including the relief portion.

9. The side airbag of claim 8 wherein the first chamber comprises a larger volume than the second chamber.

10. An inflatable side airbag for use in passenger vehicle comprising:

an inflatable side airbag deployable between a vehicle panel and an occupant shoulder and arm, the airbag including a forward edge defining a recess extending rearward from the forward edge and positioned between a shoulder center axis and an occupant elbow such that during inflation of the airbag the recess provides a clearance between the airbag forward edge and the occupant arm to reduce contact between the airbag forward edge and the occupant arm while substantially maintaining a full lateral depth of the airbag adjacent the occupant'"'"'s shoulder.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the airbag comprises a first layer and a second layer connected to the first layer about a periphery defining a first expansible chamber.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the recess comprises a arcuate-shaped area extending rearward from the forward edge wherein the first and the second layers are removed, the recess defining a first point and a second point along the forward edge and an inner point positioned rearward of the first and the second points.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the first point is positioned above an occupant shoulder center axis and the inner point and the second point are positioned below the shoulder center axis.

14. The airbag of claim 12 further comprising a lower portion positioned below the recess inner point such that on inflation of the airbag the occupant arm is forced in a direction at least partially vertical.

15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein during inflation the airbag applies a principal lateral force on the occupant shoulder rearward of the shoulder center axis.

16. A method for using an inflatable side airbag in a passenger vehicle to reduce lateral contact of an inflating airbag on the arm of a seated occupant, the method comprising:

providing an inflatable side airbag deployable between a side panel of a vehicle and an occupant shoulder and arm,

inflating the side airbag thereby expanding the airbag in a lateral direction toward the passenger shoulder and arm; and

providing a clearance along a forward edge of the inflating airbag positioned between the occupant shoulder and elbow to reduce lateral contact by the airbag on a portion of the occupant arm during inflation of the airbag.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the method step of providing a clearance further comprises removing a portion of the airbag from the forward edge extending rearward defining a relief in the airbag.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of applying a principal lateral force by the inflating airbag on the occupant shoulder in an area rearward of a shoulder center axis.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of substantially maintaining a full lateral depth of the airbag adjacent the occupant shoulder.

20. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of directing the occupant arm in at least a partially vertical direction during inflation of the airbag.