Airbag device vehicle interior lining for covering an airbag device, seat with an airbag device and activation method of an airbag device

• US 6,299,197 B1
• Filed: 12/30/1998
• Issued: 10/09/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Inova GmbH - Technische Entwicklungen
• Original Assignee: Inova GmbH - Technische Entwicklungen
• Inventors: Mueller, Olaf
• Primary Examiner(s): CULBRETH, ERIC D
• Application Number:
  US09/222,774
• Time in Patent Office: 1,014 Days
• Field of Search: 280/743.2, 280/728.3, 280/730.2
• US Class Current: 280/728.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0011 Rear collision or recoiling bounce after frontal collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2074 in head rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23382 Internal tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2633 with a plurality of inflation levels
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/207 in vehicle seats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2165 characterised by a tear line for defining a deployment opening
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2338 Tethers

Abstract

The present invention relates to an air bag system having an air bag and a covering which contains at least one tearing thread in an outlet area of the air bag for opening the covering. The tearing thread is a thread of a woven fabric and/or of a seam of the covering in the outlet area of the air bag. Tearing devices are provided which, in the outlet area of the air bag from the covering, are applied to the at least one tearing thread and are coupled to the air bag system. When the air bag system is triggered, the tearing devices weaken or open up the covering before or during inflation of the air bag by severing the at least one tearing thread. Furthermore, the invention relates to an interior vehicle covering which is suitable as a covering of the air bag system, a seat equipped with such a covering and air bag system, and a triggering process of an air bag system situated under a covering.

Claims

1. Air bag system comprising:

an air bag,

a movable part of the air bag system,

a covering which contains at least one tearing thread in an outlet area of the air bag for opening the covering, said tearing thread being at least the thread of one of a woven fabric and a seam of the covering in the outlet area of the air bag,

a tearing device including a plurality of severing devices, said severing devices, in the outlet area of the air bag for opening the covering, engaging with the at least one tearing thread at spaced locations,

said tearing device being coupled to the movable part of the air bag system so that, when the air bag system is triggered, the movable part moves, in response thereto, pulling the tearing device and the severing devices to sever the at least one tearing thread at spaced locations to weaken and facilitate opening up of the covering during inflation of the air bag.

2. Air bag system according to claim 1, wherein the covering is any of a seat cover of a seat bottom part, a seat cover of a seat backrest, a headrest covering, a headrest cheek covering, a dashboard covering, a door covering, and a roof ceiling.

3. Air bag system according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of tearing devices are provided, each containing severing devices which are engaged with the at least one tearing thread of the covering.

4. Air bag system according to claim 1, wherein the severing devices comprise any of a severing thread, a severing string or a severing wire.

5. Air bag system according to claim 4, wherein the severing devices, in the outlet area of the air bag from the covering, are sewn in with the at least one tearing thread.

6. Air bag system according to claim 1, wherein a lid of an air bag module housing constitutes said movable part.

7. Air bag system according to claim 1, wherein the coupling of the tearing device to the movable part of the air bag system is ensured by a direct engagement.

8. Air bag system according to claim 1, wherein the air bag is any of a thorax air bag in a seat backrest, a thorax air bag in a seat bottom part, a head air bag in a headrest, a frontal air bag in a dashboard, a side air bag in a vehicle door, a side air bag in a vehicle side part, a side air bag in a seat headrest cheek and a roof air bag at a vehicle roof.

9. Interior vehicle covering for covering an air bag system including a movable part that moves in response to triggering of the air bag system, comprising:

at least one tearing thread in an outlet area of an air bag of the air bag system,

a plurality of severing devices sewn together at spaced locations with the at least one tearing thread, said severing devices being coupled to the movable part of the air bag system so that, in response to triggering of the air bag system, the movable part pulls the severing devices to sever the at least one tearing thread at a plurality of locations to weaken and facilitate opening up of the covering during inflation of the air bag.

10. Interior vehicle covering according to claim 9, wherein the severing devices comprise any of a severing thread, a severing string or a severing wire.

11. Interior vehicle covering according to claim 9, wherein the covering is any of a seat cover of a seat bottom part, a seat cover of a seat backrest, a headrest covering, a headrest cheek covering, a dashboard covering, a door covering and a roof ceiling.

12. Seat having an air bag system, comprising one of a seat covering and a headrest covering according to claim 9.

13. Triggering process of an air bag system including a movable part and an inflatable air bag under a covering comprising the steps of:

providing at least one tearing thread in the covering, the at least one tearing thread being a thread of one of a woven fabric and a seam of the covering in an outlet area of the air bag,

triggering the air bag system to cause movement of the movable part and inflation of the air bag, and

positively severing, in response to triggering of the air bag, the at least one tearing thread at a plurality of spaced locations with a tearing device coupled to the movable part, said tearing device including a plurality of severing devices that engage the at least one tearing thread at the plurality of spaced locations and effect severing when moved with the movable part thereby to weaken and facilitate opening of the covering during inflation of the air bag.

14. Triggering process according to claim 13, wherein severing of the at least one tearing thread in a plurality of locations leads to a run weakening of the covering in the outlet area of the air bag.