Air-bag occupant protection device

• US 7,422,235 B2
• Filed: 05/21/2004
• Issued: 09/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Svenbrant, Emma, Wollin, Séverine
• Primary Examiner(s): To; Toan C
• Application Number:
  US10/558,335
• Publication Number:
  US 20070152430A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,572 Days
• Field of Search: 280/730.1, 280/730.2, 280/743.1, 280/743.2, 280/740
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23316 Inner seams, e.g. creating separate compartments or used as tethering means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23386 External tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2171 specially adapted for elongated cylindrical or bottle-like inflators with a symmetry axis perpendicular to the main direction of bag deployment, e.g. extruded reaction canisters B60R21/2176 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/23138 specially adapted for side protection B60R21/23184, B60R21/232 take precedence
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/26 characterised by the inflation fluid source or means to control inflation fluid flow arrangement or mounting thereof to the vehicle B60R21/20; blasting cartridges for producing gas under pressure in general F42B3/04; initiators or igniters therefor F42B3/10

Abstract

An air-bag (1) having an inflatable region forming two chambers (3,4) divided by a seam (5). The seam extends towards a back part (6) of the air-bag. A gas generator unit (14,15) is located between the end of the seam (5) and the back part (6) of the air-bag. A strap (21) passes through an aperture (8) formed in a terminal part of the seam (5) to draw the terminal part of the seam to the gas generator unit (14,15) thus effectively sealing the two chambers (3,4). The chambers (3,4) may be inflated to different pressures.

Claims

1. An air-bag comprising, the air-bag having an inflatable region, the inflatable region being separated into two chambers by a seam which extends substantially across the air-bag, a space being left between a termination of the seam and a part of the air-bag to accommodate a gas-generator unit, the space being dimensioned sufficiently to enable the gas-generator unit to be inserted into the space, a strap associated with the seam to embrace at least partially the gas-generator unit and to draw the seam termination toward the gas-generator unit.

2. An air-bag according to claim 1, wherein the gas-generator unit is a cylindrical unit provided with two protruding studs, the air-bag having two apertures to receive the studs.

3. An air-bag according to claim 1, wherein the gas-generator unit is a cylindrical unit and incorporating a tubular gas-deflector, the gas-deflector having gas outlets at each end thereof and being positioned within the air-bag so that gas from one end of the gas-deflector will enter one of the two chambers and gas from the other end of the gas-deflector will enter the other of the two chambers.

4. An air-bag according to claim 3 wherein the seam dividing the two chambers is provided with a seam aperture, the strap extending through the seam aperture and embracing the gas-generator unit.

5. An air-bag according to claim 1 wherein the strap is secured to the air-bag and partially embraces the gas generator unit.

6. An air-bag according to claim 5 wherein the strap is positioned in the interior of the air-bag.

7. An air-bag according to claim 5 wherein the strap is positioned on the exterior of the air-bag.

8. An air-bag according to any claim 1 wherein the strap is formed of two strap parts, each of the strap parts being secured to the air-bag, on a respective side of the air-bag, each strap part partially embracing the gas-generator unit.

9. An air-bag according to claim 1 wherein the strap is secured to the seam.

10. An air-bag according to claim 1 wherein the strap is provided with at least one aperture to be engaged with a protruding stud provided on the gas-generator and when the at least one aperture engages with the stud, the seam termination is drawn toward the gas-generator unit.

11. An air-bag according to claim 1, incorporating at least one further third chamber forming two pairs of chambers, each adjacent pair of chambers being separated by a respective seam, each seam having a respective strap associated with it.