Airbag assembly

• US 7,658,408 B2
• Filed: 08/03/2006
• Issued: 02/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Company Limited (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Company Limited (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Zofchak, Steven R., Burton, Dennis Ames
• Primary Examiner(s): CULBRETH, ERIC D
• Application Number:
  US11/498,954
• Publication Number:
  US 20080030008A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,286 Days
• Field of Search: 280/743.2, 280/743.1, 280/740, 280/742
• US Class Current: 280/743.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/20 Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/201 Packaging straps or envelopes for inflatable members

Abstract

A cushion wrap is secured to a front panel portion of the airbag. Opposite ends of the cushion wrap are secured to the bracket, such that one portion of the cushion wrap tethers one portion of the airbag to the bracket, while another portion of the cushion wrap tethers another portion of the airbag to the bracket. Weakened portions are formed in at least one portion of the cushion wrap such that the cushion wrap restrains one portion of the airbag less than it restrains the other. This provides the ability to control the direction of the deployment of the airbag.

Claims

1. An airbag assembly comprising:

support structure;

an airbag having a front panel opposite a rear opening, the airbag supported by the support structure; and

a wrap having a first portion secured to the front panel, and a second portion and a third portion secured to the support structure, the wrap including a first tear portion between the first portion and the second portion and a second tear portion between the first portion and the third portion, the first portion including a first edge and an opposite second edge, the second portion of the wrap contiguous with the first edge of the first portion and the third portion of the wrap contiguous with the second edge of the first portion, the first tear portion having a different tear strength from the second tear portion.

2. The airbag assembly of claim 1 wherein the support structure is inside the airbag.

3. The airbag assembly of claim 2 wherein the support structure includes a plurality of protrusions through a rear panel of the airbag, the wrap secured to the plurality of protrusions.

4. The airbag assembly of claim 3 wherein the plurality of protrusions are a plurality of threaded members.

5. The airbag assembly of claim 4 wherein the support structure is a bracket having an opening aligned with an opening though the rear panel of the airbag.

6. The airbag assembly of claim 5 wherein the first tear portion and the second tear portion each include a tear seam.

7. The airbag assembly of claim 6 installed on a steering wheel assembly, wherein the first tear portion is arranged toward an upper end of the steering wheel assembly and the second tear portion is arranged toward a lower end of the steering wheel assembly, the second tear portion configured to tear more easily than the first tear portion.

8. The airbag assembly of claim 7 wherein the tear seam of the second tear portion is weaker than the tear seam of the first tear portion.

9. The airbag assembly of claim 1 wherein the airbag is folded into a pair of stacks separated by portions of the front panel immediately adjacent a connection between the wrap and the front panel.

10. The airbag assembly of claim 1 wherein the first tear portion and the second tear portion each include a tear seam.

11. The airbag assembly of claim 1 wherein the first portion of the wrap is defined entirely between the second portion of the wrap and the third portion of the wrap.

12. The airbag assembly of claim 11 wherein the support structure is inside the airbag, and the support structure includes a plurality of protrusions through a rear panel of the airbag, the wrap directly secured to the plurality of protrusions.

13. An airbag assembly comprising:

support structure having a plurality of protrusions;

an airbag having a front panel opposite a rear opening through a rear panel, the support structure substantially inside the airbag with the protrusions extending through the rear panel of the airbag, the airbag folded into a pair of stacks on the support structure; and

a wrap having a middle portion and a pair of side portions, the side portions each connected to the middle portion by a tear portion at one end and to at least one of the protrusions at an opposite end, the middle portion secured to the front panel, a portion of the front panel at least partially separating the pair of stacks of the airbag, wherein one of the tear portions has a greater tear strength than the other of the tear portions.