Airbag apparatus

• US 7,971,901 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2008
• Issued: 07/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Toyota Motor East Japan, Inc. (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kanto Auto Works Limited (Toyota Motor Corporation), Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Mochiduki, Mitsuru, Tomitaka, Akihiro, Misawa, Kazumasa
• Primary Examiner(s): To; Toan C
• Application Number:
  US12/677,775
• Publication Number:
  US 20100314859A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,026 Days
• Field of Search: 280/730.2, 280/743.1, 280/743.2
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23161 specially adapted for protecting at least two passengers, e.g. preventing them from hitting each other
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/207 in vehicle seats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/23138 specially adapted for side protection B60R21/23184, B60R21/232 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge

Abstract

An airbag apparatus is provided by which, when an airbag collides with an occupant, the occupant can receive a reaction force from the airbag. An airbag apparatus (10A to 10B) inflates between two seats arranged in a vehicle width direction (20L, 20R, 21L, 21R) to protect an occupant (P). The airbag apparatus (10A to 10B) includes an inflator (12) and a folded airbag (11). When gas is jetted from the inflator (12) at a side collision, the airbag (11) is allowed to inflate and is abutted to a vehicle interior (35) to thereby suppress the move of the airbag (11) when the airbag (11) collides with the body of the occupant (P).

Claims

1. An airbag apparatus inflating between two seats arranged in a vehicle width direction to protect an occupant, comprising:

an inflator and a folded airbag, wherein

the inflator and the airbag are provided at an inner side of a seat back to inflate the airbag between the two seats,

the airbag is configured so that an upper end is abutted to a ceiling by a gas jetted from the inflator, and

the gas jetted from the inflator into the airbag causes the airbag to abut to a vehicle interior thereby suppressing the move of the airbag when the occupant pushes the airbag.

2. The airbag apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the upper end of the airbag has an expansion margin so that the airbag can inflate to a position higher than the ceiling.

3. The airbag apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the upper end has an expansion margin so that the inflated airbag is abutted to the ceiling even when the seat back is set in a reclined status.

4. The airbag apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the upper end has an expansion margin so that the inflated airbag is abutted to the ceiling even when the seat is set at any front-and-rear position.

5. An airbag apparatus inflating between two seats arranged in a vehicle width direction to protect an occupant, comprising:

an inflator and a folded airbag, wherein

the inflator and the airbag are stored in a position higher than a surface of a seat cushion to inflate the airbag between the two seats, and

a gas jetted from the inflator into the airbag causes the airbag to abut to a vehicle interior thereby suppressing the move of the airbag when the occupant pushes the airbag.