Side gas bag module for a vehicle occupant protection system

• US 6,923,471 B2
• Filed: 11/08/2002
• Issued: 08/02/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Sälzle, Günther
• Primary Examiner(s): English, Peter C.
• Application Number:
  US10/290,822
• Publication Number:
  US 20030090092A1
• Time in Patent Office: 998 Days
• Field of Search: 280/730.2, 280/728.2, 280/728.3, 280/730.1
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/161 characterised by additional means for controlling deployment trajectory
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2176 the air bag components being completely enclosed in a soft or semi-rigid housing or cover
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge

Abstract

A side gas bag module for a vehicle occupant protection system comprises an elongated housing that has first and second side pieces which are joined by means of a back and have edges as well as inner faces lying opposite each other. The module further comprises a gas bag arranged folded in the housing as well as at least one flap provided on the edge of the first side piece remote from the back, which flap is pivotally connected via a hinge with the first side piece. At least a major part of the flap, before an activation of the gas bag module, is arranged inside the housing and adjoins the inner face of the second side piece.

Claims

1. A side gas bag module for a vehicle occupant protection system, said side gas bag module comprising:

a gas bag; and

an elongated housing containing said gas bag in a folded condition, said elongate housing having a first side piece and a second side piece, said first side piece being joined to said second side piece by a spine portion, said first side piece having a first edge opposite said spine portion and a first inner face adjacent said gas bag, said second side piece having a second edge opposite said spine portion and a second inner face adjacent said gas bag,

said first edge of said first side piece defining at least one substantially rigid flap, said flap being pivotally associated with said first side piece by a hinge,

at least a part of said flap, before an activation of said gas bag module, being arranged inside said elongate housing and adjoining said second inner face of said second side piece.

2. The side gas bag module as set forth in claim 1 wherein said flap lies against said second inner face of said second side piece.

3. The side gas bag module as set forth in claim 1 wherein said hinge is a film hinge.

4. The side gas bag module as set forth in claim 1 wherein said gas bag, in said folded condition, lies against said flap and presses said flap against said second inner face of said second side piece.

5. The side gas bag module as set forth in claim 1 wherein, with an activation of said gas bag module, said flap is moved out from an interior of said elongate housing and remains connected to said first side piece.

6. The side gas bag module as set forth in claim 5 wherein said flap, with an activation of said gas bag module, covers a projecting vehicle contour.

7. The side gas bag module as set forth in claim 5 wherein said flap, with an activation of said gas bag module, determines an unfolding direction of said gas bag.

8. The side gas bag module as set forth in claim 1 wherein a spacing between said first edge and said second edge is less than a spacing between said first side piece and said second side piece proximate to said spine portion.

9. The side gas bag module as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one latching connection is provided between said first edge and said second edge.

10. The side gas bag module as set forth in claim 1 wherein said elongate housing, viewed a long said spine portion, has a defined length, said flap not extending entirely across said defined length.

11. The side gas bag module as set forth in claim 10 wherein several flaps are provided successively on said first edge of said first side piece remote from said spine portion.

12. The side gas bag module as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first side piece has a closure section, said closure section closing an outlet opening of said elongate housing, said outlet opening being disposed opposite said spine portion, said flap being pivotally connected to said closure section.

13. The side gas bag module as set forth in claim 12 wherein a swivel axis of said flap adjoins said second edge of said second side piece.

14. A side gas bag module for a vehicle occupant protection system, said side gas bag module comprising:

a gas bag;

an elongated housing containing said gas bag in a folded condition, said elongate housing having a first side piece and a second side piece, said first side piece being joined to said second side piece by a spine portion, said first side piece having a first edge opposite said spine portion and a first inner face adjacent said gas bag, said second side piece having a second edge opposite said spine portion and a second inner face adjacent said gas bag; and

at least one flap provided on said first edge of said first side piece, said flap being pivotally connected with said first side piece by a hinge,

at least a part of said flap, before an activation of said gas bag module, being arranged inside said elongate housing and adjoining said second inner face of said second side piece,

said flap having a full surface laying against said second inner face of said second side piece, said full surface being angled towards said first side piece.

15. A side gas bag module for a vehicle occupant protection system, said side gas bag module comprising:

a gas bag inflatable along a side of a vehicle;

an elongated housing for extending along the side of the vehicle, said elongate housing containing said gas bag in a folded condition, said elongate housing having a first side piece and a second side piece, said first side piece being joined to said second side piece by a spine portion, said first side piece having a first edge opposite said spine portion and a first inner face adjacent said gas bag, said second side piece having a second edge opposite said spine portion and a second inner face adjacent said gas bag; and

at least one flap provided on said first edge of said first side piece, said flap being pivotally connected with said first side piece by a hinge to enable said flap to pivot relative to said first edge of said first side piece,

at least a part of said flap, before an activation of said gas bag module, being arranged inside said elongate housing and adjoining said second inner face of said second side piece.