Inflatable gas bag for restraining systems in vehicles

• US 5,333,903 A
• Filed: 01/17/1992
• Issued: 08/02/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: TRW Repa GmbH
• Original Assignee: TRW Repa GmbH
• Inventors: Kissendorfer, Hans, Eyrainer, Heinz
• Primary Examiner(s): FERRITER, KARIN L
• Application Number:
  US07/822,074
• Time in Patent Office: 928 Days
• Field of Search: 280/743, 280/728, 280/730, 280/732, 280/731, 280/739
• US Class Current: 280/743.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2342 Tear seams
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/239 characterised by their venting means

Abstract

An inflatable gas bag for restraining systems in vehicles consists of a jacket portion and two side portions sewn thereto. A fold is arranged on the one side portion. The fold is separated from the remaining part of the gas bag by a seam along a separating line extending transversely of the ejection direction. The seam is so dimensioned in its tearing strength that on reaching a predetermined value of the gas bag internal pressure the fold tears. By the fold the expansion direction of the gas bag can be controlled within a relatively wide range. At the same time in desired manner the ejection width and ejection velocity are reduced. Finally, the fold also controls a relief opening which is formed in one of the superimposed wall portions of the fold.

Claims

1. An inflatable gas bag for restraining systems in a vehicle having an interior enclosed by a wall, said wall comprising a jacket portion and two side portions sewn thereto, a gas inlet in said jacket portion, said jacket portion including a lower section extending in a generally flat condition from said gas inlet, a generally straight section extending upwardly from said gas inlet, and an arched section extending from said upwardly extending section to said lower section when said gas bag is in a completely inflated state, a fold only in one of said side portions comprising two superimposed wall portions held together in engagement with each other along a separating line separating the interior of said gas bag from a volume defined by said fold, said superimposed wall portions being held together by a holding means and said holding means being so dimensioned in strength that on reaching a predetermined value of gas bag internal pressure said holding means releases said fold, said wall having an asymmetrical form in the completely inflated state, and said fold being disposed in said one side portion in a position and orientation to control the direction of expansion of said gas bag such that said gas bag tends to be unfolded upon inflation in a first direction centrally towards a vehicle occupant while the internal pressure of said gas bag is below the predetermined value and expanding in a second direction transverse to the first direction when the gas bag internal pressure exceeds the predetermined value and said holding means releases said fold.

2. The gas bag according to claim 1, wherein said holding means is formed by at least one seam arranged along said separating line.

3. The gas bag according to claim 1, wherein said holding means is formed by an adhesive connection.

4. The gas bag according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said superimposed wall portions of said fold is provided with at least one relief opening.