Side air bag system

• US 6,213,499 B1
• Filed: 07/29/1999
• Issued: 04/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Pywell, James Frederick, Elam, Ralph L., Khoudari, Bassam Georges
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DRAPER, DEANN L
• Application Number:
  US09/363,063
• Time in Patent Office: 621 Days
• Field of Search: 280/730.2, 280/730.1, 280/743.1, 280/729
• 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 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/239 characterised by their venting means

Abstract

A side air bag system for an automotive vehicle includes an inflator mounted to vehicle structure of the automotive vehicle and an air bag operatively connected to the inflator. The side air bag system includes an internal flap disposed within the air bag for inflation by the inflator and for retaining the inflation adjacent an occupant seated in the automotive vehicle.

Claims

1. A side air bag system for an automotive vehicle comprising:

an inflator mounted to a vehicle structure of the automotive vehicle;

an air bag operatively connected to said inflator and mounted to a roof rail of the automotive vehicle; and

an internal flap disposed in said air bag for inflation of a portion of said air bag and for retaining the inflation adjacent an occupant seated in the automotive vehicle.

2. A side air bag system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said air bag comprises an inboard panel and an outboard panel and being connected together.

3. A side air bag system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said internal flap comprises a first panel having a stationary portion connected to said inboard panel and a movable portion disposed adjacent said stationary portion.

4. A side air bag system as set forth in claim 1 including a diffuser connected to said inflator and extending longitudinally with a plurality of apertures to allow the gas to pass from said inflator and into said air bag.

5. A side air bag system as set forth in claim 1 including a sew line extending laterally across said air bag to separate said air bag into a first chamber and said second chamber.

6. A side air bag system as set forth in claim 5 wherein said internal flap has an opening to allow gas to enter said second chamber.

9. A side air bag system for an automotive vehicle comprising:

an inflator mounted to a vehicle structure of the automotive vehicle;

an air bag operatively connected to said inflator;

an internal flap disposed in said air bag for inflation of a portion of said air bag and for retaining the inflation adjacent an occupant seated in the automotive vehicle;

a side air bag system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said air bag comprises an inboard panel and an outboard panel and being connected together; and

wherein said inboard panel and said outboard panel have a main portion and a neck portion.

7. A side air bag system for an automotive vehicle comprising:

an inflator mounted to a vehicle structure of the automotive vehicle;

an air bag operatively connected to said inflator;

an internal flap disposed in said air bag for inflation of a portion of said air bag and for retaining the inflation adjacent an occupant seated in the automotive vehicle;

wherein said air bag comprises an inboard panel and an outboard panel and being connected together; and

wherein said inboard panel and said outboard panel are stitched together to form a fill opening.

8. A side air bag system as set forth in claim 7 wherein said internal flap comprises a plurality of panels sewn into said air bag between said inboard panel and said outboard panel at said fill opening.

10. A side air bag system for an automotive vehicle comprising:

an inflator mounted to a vehicle structure of the automotive vehicle;

an air bag operatively connected to said inflator;

an internal flap disposed in said air bag for inflation of a portion of said air bag and for retaining the inflation adjacent an occupant seated in the automotive vehicle;

wherein said internal flap comprises a first panel having a stationary portion connected to said inboard panel and a movable portion disposed adjacent said stationary portion; and

wherein said internal flap comprises a second panel having a first end connected to said inboard panel and a second end connected to said outboard panel and cooperating with said movable portion of said first panel.

11. A side air bag system as set forth in claim 10 wherein said second panel has an aperture disposed between said first end and said second end to allow gas to pass therethrough.

12. A side air bag system for an automotive vehicle comprising:

an inflator mounted to a pillar of the automotive vehicle;

an air bag operatively connected to said inflator and mounted to a roof rail of the automotive vehicle; and

said air bag having an inboard panel and an outboard panel connected to each other and an internal flap disposed between said inboard panel and said outboard panel for inflation by said inflator and for retaining the inflation adjacent a head of an occupant seated in the automotive vehicle.

13. A side air bag system as set forth in claim 12 wherein said internal flap comprises a first panel having a stationary portion connected to said inboard panel and a movable portion disposed adjacent said stationary portion.

14. A side air bag system for an automotive vchicle comprising:

an inflator mounted to a pillar of the automotive vehicle;

an air bag operatively connected to said inflator;

said air bag having an inboard panel and an outboard panel connected to each other and an internal flap disposed between said inboard panel and said outboard panel for inflation by said inflator and for retaining the inflation adjacent a head of an occupant seated in the automotive vehicle; and

wherein said inboard panel and said outboard panel are stitched together laterally to form a first chamber and a second chamber and a fill opening to allow gas to enter said second chamber.

15. A side air bag system as set forth in claim 14 wherein said internal flap comprises a plurality of panels sewn into said air bag between said inboard panel and said outboard panel at said fill opening.

16. A side air bag system for an automotive vehicle comprising:

an inflator mounted to a pillar of the automotive vehicle;

an air bag operatively connected to said inflator;

said air bag having an inboard panel and an outboard panel connected to each other and an internal flap disposed between said inboard panel and said outboard panel for inflation by said inflator and for retaining the inflation adjacent a head of an occupant seated in the automotive vehicle; and

wherein said inboard panel and said outboard panel have a main portion and a neck portion.

17. A side air bag system for an automotive vehicle comprising:

an inflator mounted to a pillar of the automotive vehicle;

an air bag operatively connected to said inflator;

said air bag having an inboard panel and an outboard panel connected to each other and an internal flap disposed between said inboard panel and said outboard panel for inflation by said inflator and for retaining the inflation adjacent a head of an occupant seated in the automotive vehicle;

wherein said internal flap comprises a first panel having a stationary portion connected to said inboard panel and a movable portion disposed adjacent said stationary portion; and

wherein said internal flap comprises a second panel having a first end connected to said inboard panel and a second end connected to said outboard panel and cooperating with said movable portion of said first panel.

18. A side air bag system as set forth in claim 17 wherein said second panel has an aperture disposed between said first end and said second end to allow gas to pass therethrough.

19. A side air bag system as set forth in claim 18 including a diffuser connected to said inflator and extending longitudinally with a plurality of apertures to allow the gas to pass from said inflator and into said air bag.

20. A side air bag system for an automotive vehicle comprising:

an inflator mounted to a pillar of the automotive vehicle;

an air bag operatively connected to said inflator and mounted to a roof rail of the automotive vehicle; and

said air bag having an inboard panel and an outboard panel to form a first chamber and a second chamber and a fill opening to allow gas from said inflator to enter said second chamber and an internal flap disposed between said inboard panel and said outboard panel adjacent said fill opening, said first chamber being inflated by the gas from said inflator and the gas entering said second chamber via said opening neck and internal flap for inflation of said second chamber and said internal flap retaining the inflation of said second chamber adjacent a head of an occupant seated in the automotive vehicle.