Airbag system

• US 7,661,699 B2
• Filed: 05/29/2008
• Issued: 02/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Takata - Petri AG (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Takata - Petri AG (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Rist, Holger, Spath, Martin, Buhrlen, Karl-Heinz, Soll, Reiner
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson; Paul N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Coker; Robert A
• Application Number:
  US12/155,112
• Publication Number:
  US 20080309055A1
• Time in Patent Office: 628 Days
• Field of Search: 280/729, 280/730.2, 280/740, 280/742
• US Class Current: 280/729
• 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

Abstract

An airbag system for a motor vehicle including a gas bag having first and second chambers. The system includes an inflator and a arranged in the connecting portion so that gas is guided into both the first and second chambers. The system includes at least one protective layer extending from the mass flow divider into the first chamber. Upon inflation of the gasbag, an inner pressure in the first chamber is significantly higher than an inner pressure in the second chamber, and wherein the protective layer comprises a flexible material deformed by the inner pressure in the first chamber to prevent gas from flowing from the first chamber through the connecting portion into the second chamber.

Claims

1. An airbag system for a motor vehicle, comprising:

an inflatable gasbag having at least a first and a second chamber connected to each other along a connecting portion;

an inflator for inflating the first and second chambers of the gasbag; and

a mass flow divider associated with the inflator and arranged in the connecting portion of the gasbag such that gas ejected by the inflator is guided into both the first and second chambers of the gasbag by the mass flow divider,

wherein at least one protective layer extends from the mass flow divider into the first chamber to protect at least a portion of the first chamber from the gas guided into the first chamber by the mass flow divider,

wherein upon inflation of the gasbag, an inner pressure in the first chamber is significantly higher than an inner pressure in the second chamber,

wherein the protective layer comprises a flexible material deformed by the inner pressure in the first chamber to prevent gas from flowing from the first chamber through the connecting portion into the second chamber, and

wherein upon inflation of the gasbag, the inner pressure in the first chamber leads to deformation of the protective layer so that the protective layer closes the connecting portion of the gasbag.

2. The airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the protective layer assists the mass flow divider in guiding the gas into the first chamber.

3. The airbag system according to claim 2, wherein the protective layer prevents gas ejected by the inflator and guided into the first chamber by the mass flow divider from flowing against at least a portion of a covering of the first chamber.

4. The airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the first chamber is at least partially defined by a seam and the protective layer protects at least a portion of the seam from the gas flow guided into the first chamber.

5. The airbag system according to claim 4, wherein the protective layer prevents gas emerging from the inflator and guided into the first chamber by the mass flow divider from flowing against parts of the seam that defines the first chamber of the gasbag.

6. The airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the protective layer comprises a fabric.

7. The airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the protective layer has a U-shaped cross section.

8. The airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the protective layer is formed as a hollow sleeve.

9. The airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the protective layer is tubular.

10. The airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the protective layer comprises a flexible layer, opposite sides of the flexible layer being at least partially connected to form a tubular design.

11. The airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the protective layer comprises two flexible layers at least partially connected to form a tubular design.

12. The airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the protective layer comprises a coating.

13. The airbag system according to claim 12, wherein the protective layer defines an interior surface and an outer surface, the interior surface of the protective layer being provided with the coating.

14. The airbag system according to claim 12, wherein the protective layer defines an interior surface and an outer surface, the exterior surface of the protective layer being provided with the coating.

15. The airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the protective layer is at least partially disposed inside the mass flow divider.

16. The airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the protective layer is disposed outside the mass flow divider.

17. The airbag system according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the protective layer extending into the first chamber has an opening through which gas may pass into the first chamber.

18. The airbag system according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the protective layer extending into the first chamber comprises a closed end.

19. The airbag system according to claim 17, wherein the closed end is formed by sewing or folding the portion of the protective layer extending into the first chamber.

20. The airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the protective layer is connected to the inflator.

21. The airbag system according to claim 20, wherein the protective layer is fastened by a screw or clamp.

22. The airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the protective layer is connected to the mass flow divider.

23. The airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the protective layer is connected to the gasbag.

24. The airbag system according to claim 23, wherein the protective layer is connected to the gasbag by a seam or an adhesive.

25. The airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the protective layer is connected to the connecting portion of the gasbag.

26. The airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the mass flow divider comprises a hollow sleeve.

27. The airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the mass flow divider is tubular.

28. The airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the mass flow divider and the protective layer are two separate parts.

29. The airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the mass flow divider is dimensionally stable.

30. The airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the mass flow divider comprises a substantially rigid material.

31. The airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the mass flow divider comprises a flexible material.

32. The airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the mass flow divider comprises attachment structures permitting a connection to the inflator or another part of the airbag system.

33. The airbag system according to claim 32, wherein the protective layer is connected to the mass flow divider by a seam or an adhesive.

34. The airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the protective layer is bent backwards, thereby closing the connecting portion of the airbag.