Gas bag module

• US 6,581,964 B2
• Filed: 05/18/2001
• Issued: 06/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Braunschädel, Axel
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): To, Toan C
• Application Number:
  US09/861,225
• Publication Number:
  US 20020030355A1
• Time in Patent Office: 767 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.2, 280/730.1, 280/331, 280/733, 280/735, 280/743.2
• US Class Current: 280/743.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/21543 with emblems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/203 in steering wheels or steering columns
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/21656 Steering wheel covers or similar cup-shaped covers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/217 Inflation fluid source retainers, e.g. reaction canisters; Connection of bags, covers, diffusers or inflation fluid sources therewith or together
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/231 characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2342 Tear seams
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/33 Arrangements for non-electric triggering of inflation electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements B60R21/01

Abstract

The invention relates to a gas bag module comprising a gas bag which has, with respect to its inflated sate, a front wall including a middle portion. The middle portion features a depression in an inflated state of the gas bag, by a restraining means being provided which engages the middle portion and at least partly prevents the same from moving in a direction out of the gas bag module. The restraining means is formed such that it is able to release the middle portion after an initial restraint.

Claims

1. A gas bag module comprising:

a gas bag which has, with respect to its inflated state, a front wall including a middle portion, said middle portion featuring a depression in an inflated state of said gas bag, by a restraining means being provided which engages said middle portion and at least partly prevents said middle portion from moving in a direction out of said gas bag module,

said restraining means releasing said middle portion after an initial restraint,

said restraining means comprising a drive for releasing said middle portion,

at least one sensor being provided as well as a control coupled with said at least one sensor, said drive being able to be actuated by said control dependent on values detected by said sensor.

2. The gas bag module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sensor is a sensor which detects a position of said occupant to be restrained.

3. The gas bag module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control is designed such that it actuates said drive for releasing said middle portion only when an occupant is disposed approximately in a central seating position.

4. The gas bag module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said restraining means comprises a loop attached to an inside of said middle portion and a retaining ring in which said loop is suspended, one of said loop and retaining ring being destroyed upon an initial restraint of said middle portion.

5. The gas bag module as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a gas generator and a holding member surrounding gas generator, said holding member being engaged by said restraining means.

6. The gas bag module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said restraining means is selectively destroyed or released during deployment of said gas bag, in order to release said middle portion.

7. The gas bag module as claimed in claim 6, wherein said restraining means has a limiting strap which is attached to said middle portion.

8. The gas bag module as claimed in claim 7, wherein said limiting strap has a tear seam which is destroyed for releasing said middle portion.

9. The gas bag module as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a gas generator, said restraining means being destroyed by hot gas from said gas generator.

10. The gas bag module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said restraining means comprises a latching connection which is released.