Airbag device

• US 5,921,575 A
• Filed: 10/16/1997
• Issued: 07/13/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Becker Group Europe GmbH (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Becker Group Europe GmbH (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Moller, Klaus, Kretschmer, Jurgen, Schmale, Reinhard
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Application Number:
  US08/951,352
• Time in Patent Office: 635 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.2, 280/730.1, 280/730.2, 280/749
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/20 Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2176 the air bag components being completely enclosed in a soft or semi-rigid housing or cover

Abstract

An airbag device for a vehicle is described, which has an airbag consisting of an inflatable gas cushion, a gas generator for filling the airbag, a gas conduction pipe which extends through a separated region of the airbag, outlet openings in the gas conduction pipe, a profile strip with a shooting channel formed therein, in which the airbag laid in stacked folds is received in addition to the gas conduction pipe and attachment elements for holding the construction unit comprising the profile strip, airbag and gas conduction pipe.

Claims

1. An airbag device in a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle including a body having two side walls, a roof, and an A-pillar and a C-pillar extending to the roof, said airbag device comprising:

an airbag consisting of an inflatable gas cushion;

a gas generator for filling the airbag;

a gas conduction pipe which extends through a separated region of the airbag;

at least one outlet opening in the gas conduction pipe;

a profile strip, reinforced by an incorporated structure band, having a substantially U-shaped cross-section and with a shooting channel formed therein, in which the airbag is laid in stacked folds and is received, and in which the gas conduction pipe is received, wherein the profile strip with the airbag and gas conduction pipe extends along one side of the vehicle from the A-pillar to the C-pillar and is arranged on the vehicle body in a transition region from the vehicle roof and one side wall of the vehicle; and

a plurality of attachment elements for holding a construction unit comprising the profile strip, airbag and gas conduction pipe.

2. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the profile strip has two limbs and a bar connected to the limbs.

3. The airbag device according to claim 2, wherein the bar is adapted to the shape of the gas conduction pipe supported thereon.

4. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the profile strip is made as an extruded or injection-molded plastic part.

5. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the profile strip is made from a thermoplastic.

6. The airbag device according to claim 5, wherein the thermoplastic is selected from a group consisting of PP, PP-EPDM, TPE and PVC.

7. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the structure band is made of metal.

8. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the profile strip has limbs that diverge before the airbag and gas conduction pipe are introduced into the profile opening forming the shooting channel, and the limbs of the profile strip are aligned approximately parallel to one another after the airbag and gas conduction pipe have been introduced.

9. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the profile strip has means for closing one of the following:

a profile opening; and

the shooting channel.

10. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the profile strip has a continuous closure lip on an opening side.

11. The airbag device according to claim 10, wherein the closure lip has a continuous tear-open seam.

12. The airbag device according to claim 10, wherein the closure lip is formed on an edge at a free end of a limb of the profile strip and, with another edge forms a joint with a second limb of the profile strip.

13. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein a shrink tube is arranged around the gas conduction pipe and the folded airbag, which tube has a defined tear-open seam positioned in an orifice of the shooting channel.

14. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the profile strip includes limbs that have beads which can be overcome by the gas conduction pipe during assembly to secure the gas conduction pipe in its position.

15. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the gas conduction pipe and the profile strip have a configuration which follows the contour of the body of vehicle.

16. The airbag device according to claim 15, wherein the gas conduction pipe is curved.

17. The airbag device according to claim 16, wherein the profile strip is curved.

18. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the attachment elements comprise clips preassembled and arranged adjacently in a row on one of the following:

the profile strip; and

the vehicle body.

19. The airbag device according to claim 1, further comprising a band securement which defines a span line when the airbag is unfolded.