AIRBAG CONFIGURATION FOR A VEHICLE SEAT AND VEHICLE SEAT HAVING THE AIRBAG CONFIGURATION

• US 20100084840A1
• Filed: 09/28/2009
• Published: 04/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: SVANBERG, Henrik, BOWALLIUS, Maria, OHLSSON, Gunnar
• Granted Patent: US 8,371,609 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/728.300
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2076 Removable covers with tear seams
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/201 Packaging straps or envelopes for inflatable members
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/207 in vehicle seats

Abstract

An airbag configuration is provided for a vehicle seat having an airbag that can be expanded by a gas upon the activation. The airbag configuration is covered by a cover that covers the airbag relative to the surroundings in the inactivated state, the cover having a target weakened area that is implemented to open the cover upon the activation and permit the airbag to expand into the surroundings, and having a connector, the connector connected to the cover in the target weakened area, the connector being fastened in a fastening area to the airbag.

Claims

1. An airbag configuration for a vehicle seat, comprising:

an airbag that can be expanded by a gas upon an activation;

a cover that covers the airbag relative to surroundings in an inactivated state, the cover having a target weakened area that is implemented in order to open the cover upon the activation and permit the airbag to expand into the surroundings; and

a connector coupled to the cover in the target weakened area and fastened to the airbag in a fastening area.

2. The airbag configuration according to claim 1, wherein the target weakened area is implemented as a seam.

3. The airbag configuration according to claim 1, wherein the target weakened area is implemented as a glued joint.

4. The airbag configuration according to claim 1, wherein the connector implemented as a seam.

5. The airbag configuration according to claim 1, wherein the connector is implemented as a glued joint.

6. The airbag configuration according to claim 2, wherein the connector is fastened to the seam on an edge area of the cover.

7. The airbag configuration according to claim 1, wherein the connector is implemented from a flexible material.

8. The airbag configuration according to claim 1, wherein the connector is fastened to the airbag using a seam in the fastening area.

9. The airbag configuration according to claim 1, wherein the connector is a plurality of tabs.

10. The airbag configuration according to claim 1, further comprising a protective envelope that encloses at least one of the airbag, the connector a plurality of tabs extending through openings in the protective envelope.

11. The airbag configuration according to claim 1, wherein the connector comprises a target disconnection point implemented to disconnect upon the activation of the airbag after an opening of the target weakened area.

12. The airbag configuration according to claim 1, wherein the fastening area is situated in a body area of the airbag.

13. The airbag configuration according to claim 1, wherein the fastening area is situated at a position on the airbag that is positioned inside the cover after an expansion of the airbag.

14. The airbag configuration according to claim 1, wherein the airbag is rolled up in the inactivated state, the connector fastened to the airbag in an area that connects an attachment point of the airbag to a gas generator to a rolled-up section.

15. The airbag configuration according to claim 14, wherein the rolled-up section is situated on one side of the target weakened area and the connector is situated on a second side of the target weakened area.

16. The vehicle seat according to claim 14, wherein the target weakened area is oriented parallel to a longitudinal extension of a backrest of the vehicle seat.

17. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the airbag is integrated in the vehicle seat in a soft pack.

18. A vehicle seat, comprising:

an airbag that can be expanded by a gas upon an activation;

a cover that covers the airbag relative to surroundings in an inactivated state, the cover having a target weakened area that is implemented in order to open the cover upon the activation and permit the airbag to expand into the surroundings; and

a connector coupled to the cover in the target weakened area and fastened to the airbag in a fastening area.