Airbag apparatus

• US 7,909,356 B2
• Filed: 09/25/2008
• Issued: 03/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Company Limited (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Company Limited (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Ochiai, Yasuo, Ilda, Takashi, Yamanaka, Makoto, Mizuno, Yoshio
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson; Paul N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Freedman; Laura
• Application Number:
  US12/232,909
• Publication Number:
  US 20090085330A1
• Time in Patent Office: 908 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.2, 280/730.1, 280/730.2
• US Class Current: 280/730.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0011 Rear collision or recoiling bounce after frontal collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/161 characterised by additional means for controlling deployment trajectory
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23153 specially adapted for rear seat passengers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2612 Gas guiding means, e.g. ducts
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/214 in roof panels
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/26 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 airbag apparatus includes an airbag that has a first portion and a second portion. The airbag is folded such that the first portion approaches the second portion. The folded airbag has an elongated shape extending along a first direction. An inlet 12a is formed in the airbag 5. By receiving the supply of gas through the inlet 12a, the folded airbag 5 is inflated while being deployed in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, such that the first portion moves away from the second portion. The inlet 12a is arranged in a part of the folded airbag 5 that is located in a trailing side in the second direction. A first attachment portion 16 is provided in the same part of the folded airbag 5. A second attachment portion 27 is provided in each of the ends of the folded airbag 5. The folded airbag 5 is installed in a ceiling of a vehicle 2 by means of the first attachment portion 16 and the second attachment portions 27. When the airbag 5 is being deployed and inflated, the second attachment portions 27 function to apply an outward tension along the first direction to the airbag 5.

Claims

1. An airbag apparatus comprising an airbag, wherein:

the airbag includes a first portion and a second portion,

the airbag is folded prior to being deployed by folding the airbag such that the first portion approaches the second portion, and the folded airbag has an elongated shape extending along a first direction,

the airbag has an inlet, wherein, when receiving supply of gas through the inlet, the folded airbag is inflated while being deployed in a second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction, such that the first portion moves away from the second portion,

in the folded airbag, the inlet is arranged in a trailing position in the second direction,

a first attachment portion is provided in the trailing position of the folded airbag,

a second attachment portion is provided in each of the ends of the folded airbag,

the folded airbag is installed between a roof panel and a roof headlining in a ceiling of a vehicle from below by the first attachment portion and the second attachment portions,

the second attachment portions are fixed to the ceiling, and

when the airbag is being deployed and inflated, the second attachment portions function to apply an outward tension along the first direction to the airbag, wherein

the second attachment portions each include a coupling portion extending from one of the ends of the folded airbag, and a fixation portion that is provided at a distal end of the coupling portion and is fixed to the vehicle ceiling, and

each second attachment portion extends outward along the first direction.

2. The airbag apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the folded airbag is installed in the vehicle ceiling in a state where the outward tension along the first direction is applied to the airbag by the second attachment portions.

3. The airbag apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an inner tube is provided in a portion of the airbag that is close to the inlet, the inner tube conducting the gas, which is supplied into the airbag through the inlet, outward along the first direction.

4. The airbag apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a third attachment portion is provided at a part of the folded airbag, which part is located on a leading side in the second direction, and wherein the folded airbag is installed in the vehicle ceiling by not only the first attachment portion and the second attachment portions but also the third attachment portion.

5. An airbag apparatus comprising an airbag, wherein:

the airbag includes a first portion and a second portion,

the airbag is folded prior to being deployed by folding the airbag such that the first portion approaches the second portion, and the folded airbag has an elongated shape extending along a first direction,

the airbag has an inlet, wherein, when receiving supply of gas through the inlet, the folded airbag is inflated while being deployed in a second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction, such that the first portion moves away from the second portion,

in the folded airbag, the inlet is arranged in a trailing position in the second direction,

a first attachment portion is provided in the trailing position of the folded airbag,

a second attachment portion is provided in each of the ends of the folded airbag,

the folded airbag is installed between a roof panel and a roof headlining in a ceiling of a vehicle from below by the first attachment portion and the second attachment portions,

the second attachment portions are fixed to the ceiling, and

when the airbag is being deployed and inflated, the second attachment portions function to apply an outward tension along the first direction to the airbag, wherein

the second attachment portions each include a coupling portion extending from one of the ends of the folded airbag, and a fixation portion that is provided at a distal end of the coupling portion and is fixed to the vehicle ceiling, and

each second attachment portion is joined to one of the ends of the folded airbag over a width that is greater than or equal to half the width of the folded airbag.

6. An airbag apparatus comprising an airbag, wherein:

the airbag includes a first portion and a second portion,

the airbag is folded prior to being deployed by folding the airbag such that the first portion approaches the second portion, and the folded airbag has an elongated shape extending along a first direction,

the airbag has an inlet, wherein, when receiving supply of gas through the inlet, the folded airbag is inflated while being deployed in a second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction, such that the first portion moves away from the second portion,

in the folded airbag, the inlet is arranged in a trailing position in the second direction,

a first attachment portion is provided in the trailing position of the folded airbag,

a second attachment portion is provided in each of the ends of the folded airbag,

the folded airbag is installed between a roof panel and a roof headlining in a ceiling of a vehicle from below by the first attachment portion and the second attachment portions,

the second attachment portions are fixed to the ceiling, and

when the airbag is being deployed and inflated, the second attachment portions function to apply an outward tension along the first direction to the airbag, wherein a wiring harness passes through a section on a leading side of the folded airbag in the second direction, and wherein the apparatus further includes a guide member that guides the airbag being deployed and inflated such that the airbag does not interfere with the wiring harness.