Gas bag module

• US 6,595,549 B2
• Filed: 07/11/2001
• Issued: 07/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Fellhauer, Joachim, Bohn, Stefan
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fleming, Faye M.
• Application Number:
  US09/903,021
• Publication Number:
  US 20020005632A1
• Time in Patent Office: 741 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.2, 280/730.1, 280/732, 280/743.1, 280/743.2, 280/728.3, 280/731
• US Class Current: 280/743.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/21543 with emblems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2165 characterised by a tear line for defining a deployment opening
• 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 21/233 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

Abstract

A gas bag module comprises a gas bag which has a front wall for the impact of an occupant. The gas bag is formed by a gas bag wall of several fabric parts. At least one of the fabric parts forms the front wall having an opening from which, in an inflated state of the gas bag, a depression originates, which is formed in that a center section of the gas bag wall on inflation is prevented from a free movement and is held back. The gas bag has around the depression an annular chamber which is to be filled. The opening is constructed in a slit shape.

Claims

1. A gas bag module comprising an inflatable gas bag having a front wall for the impact of an occupant,

said gas bag being formed by a gas bag wall,

said gas bag wall being made of several fabric parts,

at least one of said fabric parts forming said front wall,

said front wall having a through opening extending through said front wall and from which, in an inflated state of said gas bag, a depression originates,

said through opening being constructed in a slit shape in a top view of said front wall,

said gas bag, in said inflated state, having a filled annular chamber extending around said depression, said depression being formed in that, upon inflation of said gas bag, a center section of said gas bag wall is prevented from any free movement.

2. The gas bag module according to claim 1 wherein said slit is straight-lined and elongated in a top view of said front wall.

3. The gas bag module according to claim 1 wherein said slit in a top view of said front wall is constructed in a shape selected from the group consisting of a V shape, a T shape, an H shape and a cross shape.

4. The gas bag module according to claim 1 wherein said slit in a top view of said front wall is C-shaped.

5. The gas bag module according to claim 1 wherein said depression is defined by one of said fabrics parts, said fabric parts having a shape and said through opening having a geometry which are coordinated with each other such that, in said inflated state of said gas bag, said depression is at least almost closed in the vicinity of said through opening by sections of said depression defining fabric part facing each other.

6. The gas bag module according to claim 5 wherein on said sections of said depression defining fabric part facing each other, a holding means is provided which holds said sections against each other on contact.

7. The gas bag module according to claim 6 wherein said holding means is a hook and eye closure.

8. The gas bag module according to claim 1 wherein said depression is defined by one of said fabric parts, said through opening in said front wall at least at radially outermost points having an equal radial distance from an edge of said depression defining fabric part.

9. The gas bag module according to claim 1 wherein one of said fabric parts is attached to said front wall and extends around said slit and has said center section.

10. A gas bag module comprising an inflatable gas bag having a front wall for the impact of an occupant,

said gas bag being formed by a gas bag wall,

said gas bag wall being made of said front wall sewn to a rear wall, a first fabric piece sewn to the front wall and a second fabric piece sewn to the first fabric piece,

said front wall having a through opening extending through said front wall, said first fabric piece being sewn to a rim of said through opening, said first and second fabric pieces defining a depression in said gas bag wall upon inflation of said gas bag,

said through opening being constructed in a slit shape in a top view of said front wall,

said gas bag, in said inflated state, having a filled annular chamber defined by said gas bag wall, said chamber extending around said depression, said second fabric piece having a center section which, upon inflation of said gas bag, is prevented from any free movement and is located at the bottom of said depression.