Tubular gas guide element, gas generation and feed unit and curtain airbag unit

• US 7,648,162 B2
• Filed: 09/04/2007
• Issued: 01/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Brough, Matthew, Jaconelli, Hakan, McGregor, Douglas, Bradburn, Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson; Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wilhelm; Timothy
• Application Number:
  US11/849,628
• Publication Number:
  US 20080224457A1
• Time in Patent Office: 868 Days
• Field of Search: 280/730.2, 280/728.1, 280/740
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23123 Heat protection panels
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2346 Soft diffusers

Abstract

A tubular gas guide element for a side curtain airbag for guiding gas coming from a gas generator comprising at least two layers of fabric. With the use of such a gas guide, thrust of the gas inflowing into an airbag can be balanced.

Claims

1. A tubular guide element for guiding gas coming from a gas generator into a gas chamber of an airbag, the tubular guide element comprising:

a first fabric cutting with two substantially parallel first edges which are connected with each other by a connecting seam such that the first cutting forms the outer skin of a tube; and

a second fabric cutting having two third edges that are disposed opposite of each other, wherein the first and second fabric cuttings are connected with each other such that the second fabric cutting is disposed inside the tube formed by the first fabric cutting and at least one of the third edges is positioned longitudinally inside the tube spaced apart from the connecting seam so that the second fabric cutting spans across and covers at least a section of the connecting seam to protect the connecting seam from being damaged by the gas from the gas generator.

2. The tubular gas guide element according to claim 1 wherein the first fabric cutting has a rectangle shape with the two first edges and two second edges.

3. The tubular gas guide element according to claim 2 wherein the second fabric cutting has a rectangle shape with the two third edges and two fourth edges.

4. The tubular gas guide element according to claim 3 wherein the first and third edges are substantially parallel to one another.

5. The tubular gas guide element according to claim 4 wherein the first and third edges lie on top of one another.

6. The tubular gas guide element according to claim 5 wherein the second and fourth edges lie on top of one another.

7. The tubular gas guide element according to claim 3 wherein the fourth edges are longer than the second edges.

8. The tubular gas guide element according to claim 6 wherein the two first edges are sewn together to form the connecting seam such that in the area of the connecting seam a first surface of the first fabric cutting lies opposite to itself.

9. The tubular gas guide element according to claim 8 wherein one of the third edges is sewn in between the two first edges.

10. The tubular gas guide element according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of through holes are provided in the first fabric cutting.

11. A tubular gas guide element according to claim 1 for use with a substantially cylindrical gas generator, which is disposed in one end of the tubular gas guide element.

20. The tubular gas guide element according to claim 1 wherein the connecting seam is one of a sewn seam, bonded seam and welded seam.

12. A side curtain airbag unit comprising:

a deflector element including an inner layer and an outer layer both of which are made of fabric and are folded to form a cylindrical body which is held together by a first connecting line, the inner layer having two edges disposed opposite of each other wherein at least one of the edges of the inner layer is positioned longitudinally inside the cylindrical body spaced apart from the first connecting line so that the inner layer spans across and covers the first connecting line;

a gas generator for generating gas;

an airbag skin with an upper edge extending from a front end to a rear end, wherein an area of the upper edge located between the front and rear ends defines an accommodation area, wherein the gas generator is at least partially disposed within the deflector element and the deflector element is disposed within the accommodation area such that the gas from the gas generator is received by the accommodation area.

13. The side curtain airbag unit according to claim 12 wherein the first connecting line is one of a first connecting seam, bonded connection and welded connection.

14. The side curtain airbag unit according to claim 12 wherein the deflector element is made completely of fabric.

15. The side curtain airbag unit according to claim 12 wherein the inner layer defines at least one radial opening.

16. The side curtain airbag unit according to claim 15 wherein the outer layer defines at least one radial through hole.

17. The side curtain airbag unit according to claim 12 wherein an axis of the deflector element in a fully sewn but non-mounted state is inclined in relation to the upper edge of the airbag skin.

18. The side curtain airbag unit according to claim 12 wherein the deflector element has at least a portion disposed within the airbag skin and underneath the upper edge.

19. The side curtain airbag unit according to claim 12 wherein deflector element is located above the upper edge.