Side impact protection device for an occupant of a vehicle

• US 6,106,004 A
• Filed: 05/15/1998
• Issued: 08/22/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dr Ing hc F Porsche AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: Dr Ing hc F Porsche AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Heinz, Martin, Trick, Fred
• Primary Examiner(s): Hurley, Kevin
• Assistant Examiner(s): McKinley, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US09/079,388
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 280/729, 280/742, 280/728.1, 280/743.1, 280/740, 280/730.2, 280/736
• US Class Current: 280/729
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23324 Inner walls crating separate compartments, e.g. communicating with vents
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/23138 specially adapted for side protection B60R21/23184, B60R21/232 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/239 characterised by their venting means

Abstract

A side impact protection device for an occupant of a vehicle includes an air bag which is divided by an interior partition into two chambers situated above one another. The lower chamber interacts with a gas generator. A primary opening having a relatively large cross-section is formed at the partition. So that an optimal functioning of both chambers of the air bag is always ensured during the inflation, at least one other opening with a relatively small cross-section is provided on the partition next to the primary opening situated outside the radiation area of the gas generator. The other opening extends at a distance to the primary opening and acts as a pressure relief valve when the lower chamber of the air bag is inflated.

Claims

1. A side impact protection device for an occupant of a vehicle, comprising:

an air bag which is divided into two chambers situated above one another,

an interior partition by which the air bag is divided into said two chambers, a lower of said chambers communicating with a gas generator, at least a portion of said partition being approximately horizontally aligned in an inflated condition,

said partition defining a primary opening communicating said two chambers, said primary opening being situated outside of a radiation area of the gas generator,

at least one of said air bag and said partition defining a first secondary opening communicating said two chambers, said first secondary opening being spaced from said primary opening and acting as a pressure relief valve during inflation of the lower chamber of the air bag,

said partition, at an end thereof opposite the primary opening, ending in front of a circumferential seam of the air bag to define a second secondary opening.

2. A side impact protection device according to claim 1, wherein said primary opening has a relatively large cross-section, and each of said secondary openings has a relatively small cross-section.

3. A side impact protection device according to claim 1, wherein the first secondary opening is defined at a lower edge of said partition when folded-together and above the gas generator.

4. A side impact protection device according to claim 1, wherein said end of the partition opposite the primary opening is spaced at a distance from said circumferential seam of the air bag.

5. A side impact protection device according to claim 1, wherein the primary opening is oblong and has rounded end areas.

6. A side impact protection device according to claim 1, wherein the primary opening has a relatively large length and a small width.

7. A side impact protection device according to claim 1, wherein another end of the partition adjacent the primary opening is pulled down in a curved manner.

8. A side impact protection device according to claim 1, wherein said first secondary opening, in the event of a high load on the air bag, exposes a large opening by weakening the partition.

9. A side impact protection device according to claim 1, wherein said second secondary opening has a cross-sectional area within the range of 4%-6.67% of a cross-sectional area of the primary opening, and said first secondary opening has a cross-sectional area within the range of 0.28%-2.5% of the cross-sectional area of the primary opening.

10. A side impact protection device according to claim 3, wherein said end of the partition opposite the primary opening is spaced at a distance from said circumferential seam of the air bag.

11. A side impact protection device according to claim 3, wherein said first secondary opening is approximately circular with a diameter of 10±

5 mm.

12. A method of manufacturing an air bag for a side impact protection device for an occupant of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

attaching first and second layers together at peripheral edges to define an interior space therebetween;

attaching an interior partition to each of said layers to divide said interior space into an upper chamber and a lower chamber, said interior partition defining a primary opening communicating said upper and lower chambers, at least one of said air bag and said partition defining a first secondary opening communicating said upper and lower chambers, said first secondary opening being smaller than said primary opening, being spaced from said primary opening, and acting as a pressure relief valve during inflation of the lower chamber of the air bag, said partition, at an end thereof opposite the primary opening, ending in front of a circumferential seam of the air bag to define a second secondary opening.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the first secondary opening is defined at a lower edge of said partition when folded-together.

14. A method according to claim 12, wherein said end of the partition opposite the primary opening is spaced at a distance from said circumferential seam of the air bag.

15. A method according to claim 12, wherein said first secondary opening is approximately circular with a diameter of 10±

5 mm.

16. A method according to claim 12, wherein the primary opening is oblong and has rounded end areas.

17. A method according to claim 12, wherein the primary opening has a relatively large length and a small width.

18. A method according to claim 12, wherein an end of the partition adjacent the primary opening is pulled down in a curved manner.

19. A method according to claim 12, wherein said first secondary opening, in the event of a high load on the air bag, exposes a large opening by weakening the partition.

20. A method according to claim 12, wherein said second secondary opening has a cross-sectional area within the range of 4%-6.67% of a cross-sectional area of the primary opening, and said first secondary opening has a cross-sectional area within the range of 0.28%-2.5% of the cross-sectional area of the primary opening.

21. A method according to claim 13, wherein said end of the partition opposite the primary opening is spaced at a distance from said circumferential seam of the air bag.