Airbag for a passenger protection device

• US 7,165,783 B2
• Filed: 08/10/2005
• Issued: 01/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Takata Corporation (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Takata Corporation (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Weyrich, Christian, Breuninger, Martin, Karlbauer, Ulrich
• Primary Examiner(s): CULBRETH, ERIC D
• Application Number:
  US11/202,924
• Publication Number:
  US 20060033314A1
• Time in Patent Office: 531 Days
• Field of Search: 280/730.2, 280/749
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/161 characterised by additional means for controlling deployment trajectory
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23107 the bag being integrated in a multi-bag system
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23386 External tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/08 automatically movable from an inoperative to an operative position, e.g. in a collision electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements B60R21/01
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2338 Tethers

Abstract

An airbag for a passenger protection device affords optimum protection to a passenger while being produced using only a small amount of material and, therefore, in an economical manner. This is achieved by providing the airbag with at least two partial airbags that are fluidically connected to each other. At least one tensioning device draws the at least two partial airbags towards each other, thereby tensioning them together.

Claims

1. An airbag for a passenger protection device, the airbag comprising:

at least two partial airbags that are connected to each other in terms of airflow; and

at least one tensioning device that is configured to pull the at least two partial airbags toward each other and to secure the at least two partial airbags to each other,

wherein the tensioning device at least one has a tensioning cable,

wherein a first end of the cable is fastened to the airbag in a connecting region between the two partial airbags,

wherein a second end of the cable is fastened to an end, which is away from the connecting region, of a first of the two partial airbags, and

wherein a second of the at least two partial airbags is indirectly or directly connected to the tensioning cable.

2. The airbag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second partial airbag has a guide through which the tensioning cable is pulled.

3. The airbag as claimed in claim 2, wherein the guide is formed by a gastight opening in the second partial airbag.

4. The airbag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guide is formed by a loop that is fastened to the second partial airbag.

5. The airbag as claimed in claim 2, wherein the airbag is a head side airbag.

6. The airbag as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first partial airbag is configured to be fastened in a region between front and rear vehicle pillars, and wherein the second partial airbag is configured to be fastened in a region of a roof strut of the motor vehicle.

7. The airbag as claimed in claim 6, wherein the partial airbags are configured such that, when inflated, the first partial airbag to configured to extend along the front or rear vehicle pillar and the second partial airbag is configured to extend essentially vertically downward from the roof strut.

8. The airbag as claimed in claim 6, wherein the airbag has at least three partial airbags, of which a primary is configured to be fastened in the region of the front vehicle pillar, a secondary is configured to be fastened in the region of the roof strut, and a tertiary is configured to be fastened in the region of the rear vehicle pillar.

9. The airbag as claimed in claim 8, wherein there are two tensioning devices, wherein a first of the two tensioning devices is configured to be provided in a front motor vehicle region and is configured to secure the primary and secondary partial airbags to each other, and wherein a second of the two tensioning devices is configured to secure the secondary and tertiary partial airbags to each other.

10. The airbag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tensioning device is provided in a central region of the airbag.

11. The airbag as claimed in claim 10, wherein the central region of the airbag is configured to be arranged in a region of a central vehicle pillar of the motor vehicle.

12. The airbag as claimed in claim 10, wherein the tensioning device is configured to be arranged in the region of an upper belt deflection of the motor vehicle.

13. An airbag for a passenger protection device, the airbag comprising:

at least two partial airbags that are connected to each other in terms of airflow; and

at least one tensioning device that is configured to pull the at least two partial airbags toward each other and to secure the at least two partial airbags to each other,

wherein the airbag has a fabric sail in a region of each of the at least one tensioning device.

14. The airbag as claimed in claim 13, wherein each fabric sail covers an opening in the region of the airbag that is formed by the associated tensioning device.

15. The airbag as claimed in claim 14, wherein the airbag has at least one supporting element that is configured to be provided adjacent a lower edge of an associated side window, and wherein each of the at least one supporting element is configured to prevent the airbag from being deflected into regions of the associated side windows in the event of an accident.

16. The airbag as claimed claim 15, wherein window cords of the associated side windows of a motor vehicle are configured to remain partially open in the event of the accident.

17. The airbag as claimed in claim 13, wherein each fabric sail is essentially triangular.

18. The airbag as claimed in claim 13, wherein each fabric sail is configured to be anchored to one of the partial airbags by an associated tensioning device.

19. The airbag as claimed in claim 13, wherein the airbag has a plurality of fabric sails.