Gas bag restraint system

• US 6,425,603 B1
• Filed: 04/28/2000
• Issued: 07/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Eschbach, Ernst
• Primary Examiner(s): Culbreth, Eric
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bottorff, Christopher
• Application Number:
  US09/560,991
• Time in Patent Office: 823 Days
• Field of Search: 280/743.2, 280/743.1, 280/748, 280/728.1, 180/271
• US Class Current: 280/743.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23382 Internal tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01554 Seat position sensors
• 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 21/2338 Tethers

Abstract

The invention relates to a gas bag restraint system for vehicle occupants which comprises a gas bag having a maximum unfolding distance and a vehicle seat associated with the system. The gas bag restraint system further comprises a gas bag delimiting device which delimits the maximum unfolding distance of the gas bag towards the occupant as a function of a position of the vehicle seat.

Claims

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

a gas bag having a maximum unfolding distance,

a vehicle seat associated with said system, and

a gas bag delimiting device which delimits said maximum unfolding distance of said gas bag towards said occupant as a function of a position of said vehicle seat,

said gas bag having a gas bag wall and said gas bag delimiting device having at least one adjustable limiting strap connected with said gas bag wall which allows adjustment of the distance between said gas bag wall and said occupant,

said gas bag delimiting device being coupled to said vehicle seat so that said limiting strap, prior to a deployment of said gas bag, being fixedly displaced by displacement of said vehicle seat.

2. The gas bag restraint system according to claim 1, wherein said gas bag delimiting device is coupled electrically with said vehicle seat which is associated with said system.

3. The gas bag restraint system according to claim 1, wherein a mechanical coupling is present between said gas bag delimiting device and said vehicle seat.

4. The gas bag restraint system according to claim 3, wherein said limiting strap is coupled mechanically with said vehicle seat.

5. The gas bag restraint system according to claim 1, wherein a dashboard is provided and said limiting strap is arranged inside said gas bag and extends towards said dashboard.

6. The gas bag restraint system according to claim 1, wherein a steering wheel is provided and said limiting strap is arranged inside said gas bag and extends towards said steering wheel.

7. The gas bag restraint system according to claim 1, wherein said gas bag delimiting device delimits said maximum unfolding distance of said gas bag as a function of a sitting position of said occupant.

8. The gas bag restraint system according to claim 1, wherein said gas bag is a front gas bag.

9. A gas bag restraint system for a vehicle occupant, comprising:

a gas bag having a maximum unfolding distance,

a vehicle seat associated with said system,

a gas bag delimiting device which delimits said maximum unfolding distance of said gas bag towards said occupant as a function of a-position of said vehicle seat,

a steering wheel, and

a Bowden cable system,

said gas bag having a gas bag wall and said gas bag delimiting device having at least one adjustable limiting strap connected with said gas bag wall,

said limiting strap being arranged inside said gas bag and extending towards said steering wheel,

said Bowden cable system establishing a mechanical coupling between said limiting strap and said vehicle seat.

10. A gas bag restraint system for a vehicle occupant, said system comprising:

a gas bag having a maximum unfolding distance,

a vehicle seat and a steering wheel associated with said system,

a gas bag delimiting device which delimits said maximum unfolding distance of said gas bag towards said occupant as a function of a position of said vehicle seat, and

a Bowden cable system,

said gas bag having a gas bag wall and said gas bag delimiting device having at least one adjustable limiting strap arranged inside said gas bag wall and extending towards said steering wheel and connected with said gas bag wall,

said Bowden cable system comprising at least one Bowden cable extending from said vehicle seat towards said steering wheel and from behind the latter to an opening which opens up in said steering wheel on unfolding of said gas bag.

11. A gas bag restraint system for a vehicle occupant, said system comprising:

a gas bag having a maximum unfolding distance,

a vehicle seat and a steering wheel associated with said system,

a gas bag delimiting device which delimits said maximum unfolding distance of said gas bag towards said occupant as a function of a position of said vehicle seat, and

a Bowden cable system,

said gas bag having a gas bag wall and said gas bag delimiting device having at least one adjustable limiting strap arranged inside said gas bag wall, extending towards said dashboard and connected with said gas bag wall,

said Bowden cable system comprising at least one Bowden cable extending from said vehicle seat towards said dashboard and from behind the latter to an opening which opens up in said dashboard on unfolding of said gas bag.