AIRBAG DEVICE

• US 20100102542A1
• Filed: 11/28/2007
• Published: 04/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Autoliv Development AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Nakajima, Yutaka, Shimizu, Yosuke, Kobori, Eri, Tanmachi, Ken
• Application Number:
  US12/522,063
• Publication Number:
  US 20100102542A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/743.200
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23316 Inner seams, e.g. creating separate compartments or used as tethering means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23382 Internal tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2395 comprising means to control the venting
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/233 comprising a plurality of individual compartments; comprising two or more bag-like members, one within the other B60R21/232 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2338 Tethers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/239 characterised by their venting means

Abstract

[PROBLEMS] To cushion impact acting on an occupant who is not in a regular position. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] When an abnormality occurs, an airbag device (1) inflates and expands in front of an occupant and absorbs an impact from the front of a vehicle. An airbag (2) to which gas from an inflator is supplied in an abnormality is provided with a vertical recess (2c) facing the head (Ph) of the occupant (P). The recess (2c) is located at the center, in the right and left direction of the vehicle, of an occupant restriction surface (2b) formed at a position facing the occupant (P) sitting on the seat during inflation and expansion. At least one fixed vent (2ea, 2eb) and at least one variable vent (2fan, 2fb) are provided at each of opposite sidewalls (2da, 2db). The fixed vent (2ea, 2eb) has an invariant opening area, and the variable vents (2fan 2fb) has an opening area variable depending on the sitting position of the occupant (P) during expansion. The recess (2c) and the opposite sidewalls (2da, 2db) are coupled in the airbag (2) by shape control members (3a,3b). [EFFECT] Even an occupant of out of position or an occupant not wearing a seat belt can be received relatively flexibly, and trouble caused on the occupant by the airbag is reduced.

Claims

1. An airbag device comprising:

an inflator which injects gas upon an occurrence of a predetermined event;

an airbag which inflates and expands when the gas is supplied from the inflator, the airbag being provided with a vertical recessed member facing a head of an occupant, the vertical recessed member being disposed at a center portion of an occupant restraint surface measured in a right to left direction of a vehicle, the occupant restraint surface being formed at a position facing the occupant sitting in a seat during the inflation and expansion of the airbag, and

at least one fixed vent having an opening which has a substantially constant area and at least one variable vent having an opening area that changes according to the sitting position of the occupant during deployment, the at least one fixed vent and variable vent disposed in each of two sidewalls of the airbag,

wherein, the recessed member and the two sidewalls are coupled inside the airbag by a shape control member.

2. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the shape control member is a fabric coupling a vertical center portion of the recessed member and a vertical intermediate portion of the two sidewalls.

3. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the fixed vent and the variable vent of the two sidewalls are disposed approximately symmetrically right and left, respectively.

4. The airbag device according to claim 1, further comprising a cylindrical member attached to the variable vent and a tether which connects anoccupant restraint surface and the variable vent inside the airbag.

5. The airbag device according to claim 3, further comprising a cylindrical member attached to the variable vent and a tether which connects an occupant restraint surface and the variable vent inside the airbag.

6. The airbag device according to claim 4, wherein the cylindrical member is provided with a tube that protrudes from the two sidewalls on a base end side to either an outside or an inside of the airbag, the base end side being attached to the variable vent, wherein the tether is attached so as to feely slide at a tip portion of the tube.

7. The airbag device according to claim 5, wherein the cylindrical member is provided with a tube that protrudes from the two sidewalls on a base end side to either an outside or an inside of the airbag, the base end side being attached to the variable vent, wherein the tether is attached so as to feely slide at a tip portion of the tube.

8. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein a convex chest restraint surface is further formed below the recessed member.

9. The airbag device according to claim 3, wherein a convex chest restraint surface is further formed below the recessed member.

10. The airbag device according to claim 4, wherein a convex chest restraint surface is further formed below the recessed member.

11. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the airbag is formed with a single chamber.

12. The airbag device according to claim 3, wherein the airbag is formed with a single chamber.

13. The airbag device according to claim 4, wherein the airbag is formed with a single chamber.

14. The airbag device according to claim 8, wherein the airbag is formed with a single chamber.