Side gas bag module

• US 6,601,871 B2
• Filed: 09/27/2001
• Issued: 08/05/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Fischer, Anton
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ilan, Ruth
• Application Number:
  US09/965,286
• Publication Number:
  US 20020036396A1
• Time in Patent Office: 677 Days
• Field of Search: 280/730.2, 280/736, 280/741, 280/742, 280/730.1
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23324 Inner walls crating separate compartments, e.g. communicating with vents
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2615 for diverting the gas into a plurality of bags
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2617 Curtain bag nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/201 Packaging straps or envelopes for inflatable members
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/26 characterised by the inflation fluid source or means to control inflation fluid flow arrangement or mounting thereof to the vehicle B60R21/20; blasting cartridges for producing gas under pressure in general F42B3/04; initiators or igniters therefor F42B3/10

Abstract

The invention relates to a side gas bag module comprising a gas generator, a gas bag having an elongated shape in its folded condition for covering at least one side window of a motor vehicle and a protective sleeve having longitudinal ends which sleeve surrounds the gas bag in its folded condition. The gas bag has at least one restraint chamber and at least two fittings. The gas generator has at least two gas conduits which are connected with the fittings. The fittings project out from the protective sleeve between the longitudinal ends of the protective sleeve.

Claims

1. A side gas bag module comprising:

an elongated gas generator,

a gas bag having an elongated shape in its folded condition for covering at least one side window of a motor vehicle, and

a protective sleeve having longitudinal ends which sleeve surrounds said gas bag in its folded condition, said gas bag having at least one restraint chamber and at least two fittings,

said gas generator having at least two gas conduits which radially protrude together from the same side of said gas generator and diverge towards their free ends and are connected with said fittings,

said fittings projecting out from said protective sleeve at locations between said longitudinal ends of said protective sleeve and open into said at least one chamber at an obtuse angle with respect to each other,

said at least two conduits defining radially enclosed elongate passages for transporting gas emerging from said gas generator upon inflation of said gas bag.

2. The gas bag module as claimed in claim 1, wherein in said folded condition said gas bag forms an elongated package, and wherein said fittings and said gas generator are disposed close to a middle of said package as seen transverse to a longitudinal direction.

3. The gas bag module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said gas generator is disposed above or below said gas bag in said folded condition thereof when mounted to said vehicle.

4. The gas bag module as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one slot is provided in said protective sleeve, said fittings extending through said at least one slot.

5. The gas bag module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said gas generator has a compensating chamber which is connected with said gas conduits, said compensating chamber being for equalizing gas pressure emerging from said gas generator upon inflation of said gas bag before gas is directed through said two diverging conduits.

6. The gas bag module as claimed in claim 1, wherein both fittings open into the same restraint chamber.

7. The gas bag module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said gas bag has a gas bag wall which has projections that form said fittings.