Airbag device

• US 7,673,901 B2
• Filed: 06/09/2006
• Issued: 03/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Aita, Keiko, Shimizu, Yosuke, Hanawa, Akifumi, Yamamoto, Shinobu
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson; Paul N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Freedman; Laura
• Application Number:
  US11/449,704
• Publication Number:
  US 20060279072A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,369 Days
• Field of Search: 280/729, 280/743.1, 280/743.2
• US Class Current: 280/743.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23324 Inner walls crating separate compartments, e.g. communicating with vents
• 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 has a front panel positioned on an occupant side when inflated, and a rear panel of substantially the same shape as the front panel positioned on an opposite side to the occupant. Furthermore, an inflation restricting section, which restricts the inflated shape of the airbag, is formed by drawing together and fixing a portion of the front panel. When the airbag is inflated, the occupant side of the airbag is pulled inwards, thereby forming a cavity on the occupant side.

Claims

1. An airbag device configured to protect an occupant inside a vehicle by inflating an airbag, comprising:

a first airbag adapted to face said occupant when inflated said first airbag having a front panel positioned on an occupant side when inflated, and a rear panel positioned on an opposite side to said occupant when inflated, said front and rear panels being shaped substantially the same as each other; and

an inflation restricting section which restricts an inflated shape of said first airbag, formed by cutting away a part of said front panel to form an opening in the front panel with an edge, and then closing said opening to form the inflation restricting section with a closed edge, wherein

a cavity is formed on said occupant side when said first airbag is inflated, said cavity extending vertically, wherein said opening is formed in two locations left-right symmetrical when viewed from said occupant side.

2. An airbag device according to claim 1, wherein

opposing left and right edges of said opening are stitched together to close said opening.

3. An airbag device according to claim 1, wherein a depth in a forward and rearward direction of said cavity is at least 50 mm.

4. An airbag device according to claim 1, wherein said front panel and said rear panel are connected by stitching peripheral portions thereof together.

5. An airbag device according to claim 1, wherein said opening is formed in an eye shape extending substantially in the vertical direction.

6. An airbag device configured to protect an occupant inside a vehicle by inflating an airbag, comprising:

a first airbag adapted to face said occupant when inflated, said first airbag having a front panel positioned on an occupant side when inflated, and a rear panel positioned on an opposite side to said occupant when inflated, said front and rear panels being shaped substantially the same as each other;

an inflation restricting section which restricts an inflated shape of said first airbag, formed by cutting away a part of said front panel to form an opening in the front panel with an edge, and then closing said opening to form the inflation restricting section with a closed edge, wherein

a cavity is formed on said occupant side when said first airbag is inflated, said cavity extending vertically;

an inflatable second airbag within said cavity, wherein said second airbag is formed so as to not completely fill said cavity, and to not project further towards said occupant side than a frontmost surface of said first airbag, and,

wherein opposing left and right edges of said opening are stitched together to close said opening and said opening is formed in two locations left-right symmetrical when viewed from said occupant side.

7. An airbag device according to claim 6, wherein

said front panel and said rear panel are connected by stitching peripheral portions thereof together.

8. An airbag device according to claim 6, wherein

said opening is formed in an eye shape extending substantially in the vertical direction.

9. An airbag device according to claim 6, wherein

an end of said second airbag nearest to said occupant side is located at least 50 mm further away from said occupant side than an end of said first airbag nearest to said occupant side.