Side gas bag module for a vehicle occupant protection system

• US 20030090092A1
• Filed: 11/08/2002
• Published: 05/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Salzle, Gunther
• Granted Patent: US 6,923,471 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/161 characterised by additional means for controlling deployment trajectory
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2176 the air bag components being completely enclosed in a soft or semi-rigid housing or cover
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge

Abstract

A side gas bag module for a vehicle occupant protection system comprises an elongated housing that has first and second side pieces which are joined by means of a back and have edges as well as inner faces lying opposite each other. The module further comprises a gas bag arranged folded in the housing as well as at least one flap provided on the edge of the first side piece remote from the back, which flap is pivotally connected via a hinge with the first side piece. At least a major part of the flap, before an activation of the gas bag module, is arranged inside the housing and adjoins the inner face of the second side piece.

Claims

1. A side gas bag module for a vehicle occupant protection system, said side gas bag module comprising

an elongated housing that has first and second side pieces which are joined by means of a back and have edges as well as inner faces lying opposite each other,

a gas bag arranged folded in said housing and

at least one flap provided on said edge of said first side piece remote from said back, which flap is pivotally connected via a hinge with said first side piece,

the improvement comprising that at least a major part of said flap, before an activation of said gas bag module, is arranged inside said housing and adjoins said inner face of said second side piece.

2. The side gas bag module according to claim 1, wherein said flap lies against said inner face of said second side piece.

3. The side gas bag module according to claim 1, wherein said flap is fastened to said housing by means of a film hinge.

4. The side gas bag module according to claim 1, wherein said gas bag in said folded state lies against said flap and presses it against said inner face of said second side piece.

5. The side gas bag module according to claim 1, wherein with an activation of said gas bag module, said flap is moved out from an interior of said housing and remains connected with said first side piece.

6. The side gas bag module according to claim 5, wherein said flap is arranged such that with an activated gas bag module it covers a projecting vehicle contour.

7. The side gas bag module according to claim 5, wherein said flap is arranged such that with an activated gas bag module it co-determines an unfolding direction of said gas bag.

8. The side gas bag module according to claim 1, wherein a spacing between said edges of said first and second side pieces is smaller than a spacing of said two side pieces in a region of said back.

9. The side gas bag module according to claim 1, wherein at least one latching connector is provided on said edges of said side pieces remote from said back, via which said side pieces can be fastened to each other.

10. The side gas bag module according to claim 1, wherein said housing, viewed along said back, has a defined length and said flap does not extend entirely across said defined length.

11. The side gas bag module according to claim 10, wherein, as viewed in a direction parallel to said back, several flaps are provided successively on said edge of said first side piece remote from said back.

12. The side gas bag module according to claim 1, wherein said first side piece and said flap consist of different materials.

13. The side gas bag module according to claim 1, wherein said first side piece has a closure section, which closes an outlet opening of said housing lying opposite said back and on which said flap is pivotally fastened.

14. The side gas bag module according to claim 13, wherein a swivel axis of said flap adjoins said edge of said second side piece remote from said back.

15. The side gas bag module according to claim 1, wherein said flap lies with its full surface against an inner face of a section of said second side piece, which section is angled towards said first side piece.