Vehicle with an airbag device connected to interior fittings

• US 6,938,916 B2
• Filed: 02/19/2003
• Issued: 09/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Rade, Rene, Veigl, Manfred, Lang, Rudiger, Sommer, Karl-Heinz, Tiefenthaler, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): English, Peter C.
• Application Number:
  US10/369,208
• Publication Number:
  US 20040119272A1
• Time in Patent Office: 930 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.3, 280/732, 280/728.2, 280/730.1, 280/736, 280/741
• US Class Current: 280/728.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2646 the reacting substances being supported by the inflatable member walls, or by a flexible support within it

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle with an airbag device covered by part of an interior fitting, comprising an airbag disposed behind the interior fitting part and a gas generator which is pyrotechnically connected to the airbag. A cord-type gas generator (20) is used as a gas generator and is disposed inside the airbag (18). The cord-type gas generator (20) is placed lengthways within a U-shaped recess in the interior fitting which opens upon inflation of the airbag device.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle comprising an airbag device covered by a part of an interior fitting designed to be opened upon inflation of the airbag device, wherein the interior fitting comprises a recess disposed in the part of the interior fitting designed to be opened and the airbag device comprises an airbag and a cord gas generator, and wherein the cord gas generator is disposed within an interior portion of the airbag and positioned within the recess.

2. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the airbag comprises airbag fabric, and wherein a portion of the airbag fabric is fastened directly to the part of the interior fitting to fix the airbag.

3. The motor vehicle according to claim 2, further comprising a supporting structural part which, in combination with the part of the interior fitting, defines an intermediate space, wherein the airbag is laid in the intermediate space and wherein an end of the airbag accommodates the cord gas generator and is disposed in the recess, wherein the interior fitting comprises an outer skin having a preferential break line extending along the recess, wherein the recess is U-shaped and defines a flap in the interior fitting which opens upon inflation of the airbag, and wherein the flap comprises a hinge line about which the flap pivots.

4. The motor vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the hinge line comprises a groove disposed on an inner side of the interior fitting which weakens the interior fitting.

5. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a supporting structural part which, in combination with the part of the interior fitting, defines an intermediate space, wherein the airbag is laid in the intermediate space and wherein an end of the airbag accommodates the cord gas generator and is disposed in the recess.

6. The motor vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the end of the airbag disposed in the recess is integrated into a portion of the interior fitting adjacent to the recess and fastened thereby.

7. The motor vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the interior fitting comprises an outer skin under which a foam layer is disposed and wherein the airbag comprises airbag fabric and a portion of the airbag fabric near the end of the airbag is incorporated into the foam layer.

8. The motor vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the portion of the airbag fabric near the end of the airbag is glued to portion of the interior fitting.

9. The motor vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the part of the interior fitting has an inside surface and an outside surface, and wherein the airbag comprises airbag fabric and a portion of the airbag fabric lying in the intermediate space is glued to the inside surface.

10. The motor vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the part of the interior fitting combined with the supporting structural part form a constriction adjacent the recess and between the intermediate space and the recess, wherein airbag fabric passes through the constriction.

11. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein an end of the airbag accommodates the cord gas generator and is disposed in the recess, wherein the airbag comprises a constriction dividing the end of the airbag to accommodate the cord gas generator.

12. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the interior fitting comprises an outer skin having a preferential break line extending along the recess.

13. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the recess which accommodates the cord gas generator is U-shaped and defines a flap in the part of the interior fitting which opens upon inflation of the airbag and wherein the flap comprises a hinge line about which the flap pivots.

14. The motor vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the hinge line comprises a groove disposed on an inner side of the interior fitting which weakens the interior fitting.