Airbag device

• US 7,344,152 B2
• Filed: 11/05/2004
• Issued: 03/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2003
• 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: Matsumura, Shinzo
• Primary Examiner(s): SINGH-PANDEY, ARTI R
• Application Number:
  US10/981,543
• Publication Number:
  US 20050098987A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,229 Days
• Field of Search: 428/34.1, 442/76, 280/731
• US Class Current: 280/731
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/203 in steering wheels or steering columns
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/231 characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/13 Hollow or container type article [e.g., tube, vase, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2139 Coating or impregnation specified as porous or permeable to a specific substance [e.g., water vapor, air, etc.]

Abstract

An airbag device for protecting a vehicle occupant. The airbag device includes an airbag module including an airbag. The airbag module is configured to be disposed on a steering wheel body of a steering wheel of the vehicle. The ratio of a weight of the airbag device to a weight of the steering wheel body is no less than approximately 1:6 and no greater than approximately 1:2.

Claims

1. An airbag device for protecting an occupant of a vehicle, comprising;

an airbag module including an airbag;

wherein the airbag module is configured to be disposed on a steering wheel body of a steering wheel of the vehicle; and

wherein a ratio of a weight of the airbag device to a weight of the steering wheel body is no less than approximately 1;

6 and no greater than approximately 1;

2.

2. The airbag device of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the weight of the airbag device to the weight of the steering wheel body is less than about 1:

5.

3. The airbag device of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the weight of the airbag device to the weight of the steering wheel body is less than about 1:

4.

4. The airbag device of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the weight of the airbag device to the weight of the steering wheel body is less than about 1:

3.

5. The airbag device of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the weight of the airbag device to the weight of the steering wheel body is less than about 1:

2.9.

6. The airbag device of claim 1, wherein the airbag is a driver side airbag.

7. The airbag device of claim 1, wherein the airbag includes a fabric formed from yarns having a denier of no greater than 500.

8. The airbag device of claim 1, wherein the airbag includes a fabric formed from yarns having a denier of no greater than 400.

9. The airbag device of claim 1, wherein the airbag includes a fabric formed from yarns having a denier of no greater than 300.

10. The airbag device of claim 1, wherein the airbag includes a fabric formed from yarns having a denier of 200 to 250.

11. The airbag device of claim 1, wherein the airbag includes a low permeability material.

12. The airbag device of claim 11, wherein the low permeability material comprises plastic.

13. The airbag device of claim 11, wherein low permeability material comprises an elastomer.

14. The airbag device of claim 13, wherein the elastomer is resin.

15. The airbag device of claim 11, wherein the low permeability material is tightly woven.

16. The airbag device of claim 1, wherein the airbag includes a coating.

17. The airbag device of claim 16, wherein the coating is disposed on the airbag such that the amount of coating to airbag surface area does not exceed 150 grams of coating to 1 square meter of airbag surface area.

18. The airbag device of claim 16, wherein the airbag includes only one layer of coating.

19. The airbag device of claim 16, wherein the airbag includes two layers of coating.

20. The airbag device of claim 1, wherein the airbag includes a first panel and a second panel.

21. The airbag device of claim 20, wherein the first panel and the second panel are joined at a periphery of the first panel and a periphery of the second panel.

22. The airbag device of claim 1, wherein the airbag is configured to deploy toward a front portion of the occupant.

23. The airbag device of claim 1, wherein a portion of the airbag overhangs a main body of the airbag, and wherein the overhung portion overhangs toward the occupant.