Frontal air bag system

• US 6,116,644 A
• Filed: 07/29/1999
• Issued: 09/12/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Gimbel, Hans-Peter, Viano, David Charles, Gopal, Madana
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WINNER, TONY H
• Application Number:
  US09/363,061
• Time in Patent Office: 411 Days
• Field of Search: 280/743.1, 280/730.2, 280/730.1, 280/743.2, 280/749, 280/751, 280/753, 280/748
• US Class Current: 280/743.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0004 Frontal collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0006 Lateral collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0009 Oblique collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0018 Roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0072 Convertible cars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23107 the bag being integrated in a multi-bag system
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23123 Heat protection panels
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23382 Internal tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23386 External tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2612 Gas guiding means, e.g. ducts
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/231 characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/23138 specially adapted for side protection B60R21/23184, B60R21/232 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge

Abstract

A frontal air bag system for a vehicle including an inflator mounted to vehicle structure and a frontal air bag operatively connected to the inflator and mounted to an A-pillar and header of the vehicle. The frontal air bag system also includes a wrap air bag at least partially continuous with the frontal air bag. The frontal air bag and the wrap air bag are mounted to an A-pillar of the vehicle. The frontal air bag and the wrap air bag are inflated by the inflator and the frontal air bag is extended downward and in front of an occupant seated in the vehicle and the wrap air bag is extended above the frontal air bag.

Claims

1. A frontal air bag system for a vehicle comprising:

an inflator mounted to vehicle structure;

a frontal air bag operatively connected to said inflator; and

a wrap air bag at least partially continuous with said frontal air bag, said frontal air bag and said wrap air bag being mounted to an A-pillar and header of the vehicle, wherein said frontal air bag and said wrap air bag are inflated by said inflator and said frontal air bag is extended downward and in front of an occupant seated in the vehicle and said wrap air bag is extended above and to an outboard side of said frontal air bag.

2. A frontal air bag system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said frontal air bag comprises at least one panel made of a porous fabric material.

3. A frontal air bag system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said wrap air bag comprises at least one panel made of a coated fabric material.

4. A frontal air bag system as set forth in claim 1 including a tubular channel in the A-pillar extending between said inflator and said frontal air bag.

5. A frontal air bag system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said inflator is remotely located on the vehicle structure from the A-pillar.

6. A frontal air bag system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said wrap air bag has a side segment and an upper segment forming a generally triangular shape.

7. A frontal air bag system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said wrap air bag includes a plurality of tubular sections extending longitudinally and a plurality of ribs spacing said tubular sections laterally.

8. A frontal air bag system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said frontal air bag and said wrap air bag are mounted to the A-pillar and header on a driver side of the vehicle.

9. A frontal air bag system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said frontal air bag and said wrap air bag are mounted to the A-pillar and header on a passenger side of the vehicle.

10. A frontal air bag system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said wrap air bag is generally rectangular in shape.

11. A frontal air bag system as set forth in claim 1 including an orifice to allow said wrap air bag the inflated before said frontal air bag and a one-way valve to hold inflation pressure in said wrap air bag.

12. A frontal air bag system for a convertible type vehicle comprising:

an inflator remotely mounted to vehicle structure;

a tubular channel connected to said inflator and extending along an A-pillar of the vehicle;

a frontal air bag operatively connected to said tubular channel and mounted to the A-pillar; and

a wrap air bag connected to the frontal air bag and mounted to the A-pillar, wherein said frontal air bag and said wrap air bag are inflated by said inflator and said frontal air bag is extended downward and in front of an occupant seated in the vehicle and said wrap air bag is extended above said frontal air bag.

13. A frontal air bag system as set forth in claim 12 wherein said air bag is mounted to the A-pillar on a driver side of the vehicle.

14. A frontal air bag system as set forth in claim 12 wherein said air bag is mounted to the A-pillar on a passenger side of the vehicle.

15. A frontal air bag system as set forth in claim 12 wherein said wrap air bag has a side segment and an upper segment forming a generally triangular shape.

16. A frontal air bag system as set forth in claim 12 wherein said wrap air bag includes a plurality of tubular sections extending longitudinally and a plurality of ribs spacing said tubular sections laterally.

17. A frontal air bag system as set forth in claim 12 wherein said air bag comprises a first panel and a second panel being connected together and generally rectangular in shape.

18. A frontal air bag system as set forth in claim 12 wherein said wrap air bag comprises at least one panel made of a coated fabric material.

19. A frontal air bag system as set forth in claim 18 wherein said frontal air bag comprises at least one panel made of a porous fabric material.

20. A frontal air bag system for a convertible type vehicle comprising:

an inflator remotely mounted to vehicle structure;

a tubular channel connected to said inflator and extending along an A-pillar of the vehicle;

a frontal air bag having at least one panel made of a porous fabric material and being operatively connected to said tubular channel, said frontal air bag being mounted adjacent to the A-pillar; and

a wrap air bag having at least one panel made of a coated fabric material connected to said frontal air bag and mounted to the A-pillar, said wrap air bag having a side segment and an upper segment forming a generally triangular shape with a plurality of tubular sections extending longitudinally and a plurality of ribs spacing said tubular sections laterally, wherein said frontal air bag and said wrap air bag are inflated by said inflator and said frontal air bag is extended downward and in front of an occupant seated in the vehicle and said wrap air bag is extended above said frontal air bag.

21. A frontal air bag system for a vehicle comprising:

a first inflator mounted to vehicle structure;

a frontal air bag operatively connected to said first inflator;

a second inflator mounted to vehicle structure; and

a wrap air bag operatively connected to said second inflator, wherein said frontal air bag and said wrap air bag are mounted either one of jointly or separately to an A-pillar and header of the vehicle, wherein said frontal air bag and said wrap air bag are inflated by said first inflator and said second inflator, and said frontal air bag is extended downward and in front of an occupant seated in the vehicle and said wrap air bag is extended above and to an outboard side of said frontal air bag.