Inflatable air bag for an automotive vehicle

• US 6,168,191 B1
• Filed: 06/11/1999
• Issued: 01/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Autoliv Development AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Weston, Douglas Stephen, Webber, James Lloyd, Mahmood, Nicole M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fleming, Faye M.
• Application Number:
  US09/330,067
• Time in Patent Office: 571 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.1, 280/728.2, 280/730.1, 280/730.2, 280/743.1, 280/743.2
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23316 Inner seams, e.g. creating separate compartments or used as tethering means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23386 External tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2338 Tethers

Abstract

A side impact air bag with a self-tensioned lower edge to prevent the occupant from ejection during a rollover event or subsequent impact, A side air bag is secured to the vehicle roof rail between the front and rear pillars. A pair of tethers are secured to the air bag at a lower portion thereof and one each in turn secured to the front and rear pillars. A plurality of substantially inverted V-shaped zero length tethers extend from the lower portion to define a plurality of chambers, which when inflated cause the lower portion of the air bag to shrink and induce tension therein and to the tethers. When the side impact air bag is inflated the air bag positions itself between the occupant and vehicle window and is held in place by the tension created by the inflated sections.

Claims

1. An air bag module in an automotive vehicle comprising:

an inflatable element adapted to be inflated when connected to a gas generator and injected with pressurized gas, said inflatable element having a top edge and a lower edge, said top edge being secured to said vehicle;

said inflatable element having

a plurality of inverted substantially V-shaped zero length tethers extending upward from said lower edge and interconnecting a pair of opposite sides of said inflatable element, wherein when said inflatable element is inflated, said zero length tethers define a plurality of chambers extending between said top and lower edges.

2. The air bag according to claim 1, wherein, a first tether connects a front portion of said lower edge of said inflatable element to a front pillar of said vehicle, and a second tether connects a rear portion of said lower edge to a rear pillar of said vehicle, whereby when said inflatable element is in an inflated state said plurality of chambers are constricted together thereby reducing a distance of said lower edge and inducing tension in to said first and second tethers to positively position and retain said inflatable element relative to said vehicle.

3. The air bag according to claim 1, wherein a lower portion of said inverted substantially V-shaped zero length tethers are curved outward thereby providing a smooth contoured transition between said zero length tethers and said lower edge.

4. The air bag according to claim 2, wherein said top portion of said inflatable element is secured to said roof rail at a plurality of discrete point-wise mounting connections.

5. The air bag according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of inverted substantially V-shaped zero length tether comprises four zero length tethers defining five separate chambers.

6. The air bag according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of inverted substantially V-shaped zero length tethers comprise five zero length tethers defining six separate chambers.

7. The air bag according to claim 1, wherein said zero length tethers extend beyond a midpoint between said top and lower edges and terminates at a point distanced below said top edge to facilitate sufficient inflation of each of said chambers when injected with said pressurized gas.

8. An air bag module in an automotive vehicle comprising:

a substantially fan-shaped inflatable element adapted to be inflated when connected to a gas generator and injected with pressurized gas, said substantially fan-shaped inflatable element having a top and a lower edge;

said inflatable element having;

a plurality of zero length tethers extending from said lower edge towards said top edge in a direction generally converging on a pivot point proximate said top edge, said zero length tethers interconnecting a pair of opposites sides of said inflatable element, wherein when said inflatable element is inflated, said zero length tethers define a plurality of chambers.

9. The air bag according to claim 8, wherein said inflatable element further comprises:

a top seam portion located proximate said pivot point and interconnecting said opposite sides of said air bag.

10. The air bag according to claim 9, wherein said top seam portion has a deflector portion adapted to deflect injected gas towards a forward chamber located opposite a rear portion and said gas generator.

11. The air bag according to claim 10, wherein said plurality of zero length tethers further comprises at least one primary zero length tether and at least one secondary zero length tether, said at least one primary zero length tether extending from said lower edge generally toward said pivot point beyond said at least one secondary zero length tether and having a lateral portion further extending substantially laterally towards said forward chamber, said lateral portion of said primary zero length tether and said deflector portion of said top seam together deflecting injected gas towards said forward chamber and facilitating a uniform inflation of said inflatable element during inflation.

12. The air bag according to claim 8, wherein said lower edge is curved having a radius of curvature converging proximate said pivot point.

13. The air bag according to claim 12, wherein said top edge of said inflatable element is secured to a roof rail of said vehicle, a first tether connects a front portion of said lower edge of said inflatable element to a front pillar of said vehicle, and a second tether connects a rear portion of said lower edge to a rear pillar of said vehicle, said inflatable element, when inflated being positively positioned and retained relative to said vehicle to prevent injury to an occupant of said vehicle.

14. The air bag according to claim 13, wherein said top edge of said inflatable element is secured to said roof rail at a plurality of discrete point-wise mounting connections.

15. The air bag according to claim 11, wherein said at least one primary zero length tether comprises two primary zero length tethers, and said at least one secondary zero length tether comprises three secondary zero length tethers, at least one secondary zero length tether being disposed between said two primary zero length tether, one of said primary zero length tether being positioned on opposite sides of said top seam relative to said forward chamber.

16. An air bag module in an automotive vehicle, said air bag comprising:

a substantially fan shaped inflatable element adapted to be inflated when connected to a gas generator and injected with pressurized gas, said substantially fan-shaped inflatable element having a top edge secured to a roof rail of said vehicle and a lower edge secured to said vehicle by a first tether connecting a front portion of said lower edge to a front pillar and a second tether connecting a rear portion of said lower edge to a rear pillar, wherein when inflated said inflatable element is positioned and retained relative to said vehicle;

said inflatable element having;

a plurality of zero length tethers interconnecting a pair of opposites sides of said inflatable element, wherein when said inflatable element is inflated, said zero length tethers define a plurality of chambers, said plurality of zero length tethers including;

two primary zero length tethers extending from said lower edge generally toward a pivot point and having a lateral portion further extending towards a forward chamber located opposite a rear portion and said gas generator,

three secondary zero length tethers having a length substantially shorter than said primary zero length tethers, said secondary zero length tethers extending from said lower edge generally towards said pivot point, at least one secondary zero length tether being disposed between said two primary zero length tethers,

a top seam portion located proximate said pivot and being disposed between said two primary zero length tethers relative to said forward chamber, said lateral portion of said primary zero length tethers and said top seam portion together deflecting injected gas towards said forward chamber and facilitating a uniform inflation of said inflatable element;

wherein, said lower edge of said inflatable element is curved having a radius of curvature substantially converging on said pivot point.