Gas bag module

• US 7,100,943 B2
• Filed: 03/23/2004
• Issued: 09/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Koch, Ralf, Ritter, Philipp
• Primary Examiner(s): Dunn, David R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Spisich, George D.
• Application Number:
  US10/806,650
• Publication Number:
  US 20040188992A1
• Time in Patent Office: 896 Days
• Field of Search: 280/743.2, 280/743.1, 280/731
• US Class Current: 280/743.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23382 Internal tether means
• 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 21/2338 Tethers

Abstract

A gas bag module comprises a gas bag with a gas bag wall having a front wall serving as an impact surface for an occupant, where, in an inflated state of said gas bag, the front wall has a centric orifice as a transition to an indentation. The indentation is formed by restraining a center section of the gas bag wall during inflation and preventing the center section from moving freely. The orifice is surrounded by a stabilizer defined by a closed ring in a region of the orifice and the stabilizer is a part separate from the gas bag wall.

Claims

1. A gas bag module comprising a gas bag (12) with a gas bag wall having a front wall (14) serving as an impact surface (32) for an occupant, in an inflated state of said gas bag, said front wall (14) having a centric orifice (30) as a transition to an indentation (28), said indentation (28) being formed by restraining a center section of said gas bag wall during inflation and preventing said center section from moving freely, said orifice (30) being surrounded by a stabilizer (34) formed by a closed ring lying in a region of said orifice (30), said stabilizer (34) being a part separate from said gas bag wall.

2. The gas bag module according to claim 1, wherein said stabilizer (34) is a band.

3. The gas bag module according to claim 1, wherein said stabilizer (34) is a fabric ring.

4. The gas bag module according to claim 1, wherein said stabilizer (34) is arranged in a channel (38) formed at said front wall (14).

5. The gas bag module according to claim 4, wherein said channel (38) is formed by a fabric strip (36) annularly surrounding said orifice (30), which is secured to said front wall (14) of said gas bag (12).

6. The gas bag module according to claim 4, wherein said stabilizer (34) is displaceable relative to a wall of said channel (38).

7. The gas bag module according to claim 1, wherein a cover (25) having a stationary section (26) stationary upon bursting of said cover (25) is provided, said stabilizer (34) and said stationary section (26) of said cover (25) being coordinated with each other in such a manner such that said stabilizer (34) surrounds said stationary section (26) in a folded state of said gas bag and is moved outwards away from said stationary section (26) during deployment.

8. The gas bag module according to claim 1, wherein said indentation (28) is confined by a section (29) of said gas bag wall integrally connected to said front wall (14).

9. The gas bag module according to claim 1, wherein said front wall (14) is connected to a rear wall (16) of said gas bag (12) via at least one limiting strap (40) which co-determines a shape of said gas bag (12) in said inflated state.

10. A gas bag module comprising a gas generator (20) and a gas bag (12) with a gas bag wall having a front wall (14) serving as an impact surface (32) for an occupant, in an inflated state of said gas bag, said gas bag wall having a center section comprising an indentation when said gas bag is in said inflated state and said center section is restrained and prevented from moving freely, said front wall (14) having a centric orifice (30) as a transition to said indentation (28), said orifice (30) being surrounded by a stabilizer (34) comprising a closed ring lying in a region of said orifice (30), said stabilizer (34) being a part separate from said gas bag wall.

11. The gas bag module according to claim 10, wherein said stabilizer (34) entirely moves outwardly away from said gas generator (20) during inflation of said gas bag (12).