Gas bag restraint system for vehicle occupants

• US 6,196,575 B1
• Filed: 07/23/1998
• Issued: 03/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Lang, Norbert, Ellerbrok, Norbert
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FISCHMANN, BRYAN R
• Application Number:
  US09/121,510
• Time in Patent Office: 957 Days
• Field of Search: 280/743.1, 280/735, 280/729, 280/741, 280/736, 280/741.2
• 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 2021/26058 using a combination of inflators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2633 with a plurality of inflation levels
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01512 Passenger detection systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01536 using ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/233 comprising a plurality of individual compartments; comprising two or more bag-like members, one within the other B60R21/232 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2342 Tear seams
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/264 using instantaneous generation of gas, e.g. pyrotechnic B60R21/268 takes precedence

Abstract

A gas bag restraint system for vehicle occupants, comprises a gas bag with an interior having a first and a second chamber. The gas bag has an outer wall delimiting the interior of the gas bag and at least one dividing wall in the interior for separating the first and the second chambers in a fully inflated state of the gas bag. The dividing wall is gas-permeable at least during fully inflating of the gas bag to reach a fully inflated state of the gas bag. The system further comprises a multiple-stage gas generator which is communicated with the first chamber and which is able to produce different internal pressures of the gas bag.

Claims

1. A gas bag restraint system for vehicle occupants, comprising:

a gas bag with an interior having a first and a second chamber,

said gas bag having an outer wall delimiting said interior of said gas bag and at least one dividing wall in said interior for permanently separating said first and said second chambers,

said dividing wall being gas-permeable at least while said gas bag is inflating to reach a fully inflated state of said gas bag,

a multiple-stage gas generator which is permanently communicated with said first chamber and which is able to produce different internal pressures of said gas bag, and

holding means which prevent unfolding of a part of said outer wall delimiting said second chamber before reaching a predetermined internal pressure of said gas bag, and which permit full inflation of said second chamber after said predetermined internal pressure of said gas bag has been reached.

2. The gas bag restraint system according to claim 1, wherein said dividing wall has at least one through-flow opening.

3. The gas bag restraint system according to claim 1, wherein said dividing wall is of a gas-permeable material.

4. The gas bag restraint system according to claim 1, wherein said part of said outer wall delimiting said second chamber, is taut when only said first chamber is inflated.

5. The gas bag restraint system according to claim 1, wherein said part of said outer wall delimiting said second chamber have folded and superimposed sections, and wherein said holding means comprise at least one tear seam, which connects to each other said folded and superimposed sections.

6. The gas bag restraint system according to claim 5, wherein said tear seam connects said outer wall with said dividing wall.

7. The gas bag restraint system according to claim 6, wherein said dividing wall has at least one through-flow opening and wherein said tear seam extends in a U- or n-shape and close to said through-flow opening.

8. The gas bag restraint system according to claim 6, wherein said dividing wall has at least one through-flow opening and wherein at least two substantially parallel tear seams are provided.

9. The gas bag restraint system according to claims 6, wherein said dividing wall has at least one through-flow opening and wherein a tear seam is provided, surrounding said through-flow opening.

10. The gas bag restraint system according to claim 1, wherein, in a state in which only said first chamber is inflated, said part of said outer wall delimiting said second chamber has an unfolded and a folded region, said holding means connecting at least said folded region of said outer wall with said dividing wall.

11. The gas bag restraint system according to claim 1, wherein said multiple-stage gas generator produces gas in at least two stages which are identical in terms of output and are able to be activated separately from each other.

12. The gas bag restraint system according to claim 1, wherein several ignition units are provided and wherein said multiple-stage gas generator can produce different internal pressures in said gas bag as a function of a chronological staggering in time between activation of said several ignition units.

13. The gas bag restraint system according to claim 12, wherein a control unit and also sensors connected therewith are provided, said control unit being coupled with said multiple-stage gas generator and being able to activate one or several ignition units as a function of the data determined by said sensors.

14. The gas bag restraint system according to claim 12, wherein said system is arranged in a vehicle having a longitudinal direction and comprising a seat belt and wherein said sensors can determine at least one of the following data:

state of belt application;

impact intensity of the vehicle in the case of a collision;

weight of a vehicle occupant who is to be restrained;

position of a vehicle occupant who is to be restrained, in said longitudinal direction of said vehicle; and

position of a vehicle occupant who is to be restrained, transversely to said longitudinal direction of said vehicle.

15. The gas bag restraint system according to claim 14, wherein said sensors are several ultrasonic sensors arranged in said vehicle, which determine the position of said vehicle occupant.

16. The gas bag restraint system according to claim 15, wherein said sensors scan at least the position of one of the following body parts of the occupant:

head and upper body;

chest and pelvis; and

thigh region.

17. The gas bag restraint system according to claim 1, wherein said outer wall of said gas bag is a blank cut in one piece.

18. The gas bag restraint system according to claim 1, wherein said gas bag has an inflation orifice delimited by a rim of said gas bag, and wherein said dividing wall has a section reinforcing said rim.

19. The gas bag restraint system according to claim 1, wherein said dividing wall is permanently gas-permeable.

20. The gas bag restraint system according to claim 1, wherein several dividing walls separating more than two chambers are provided.