AIRBAG DEVICE

• US 20100276916A1
• Filed: 07/12/2010
• Published: 11/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Germany GmbH (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Takata-Petri (Sachsen) GmbH (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: WEYRICH, Christian, BREUNINGER, Martin
• Granted Patent: US 7,967,334 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23169 specially adapted for knee protection
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23192 Roof bags, i.e. protecting the occupant in a roll-over situation
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23316 Inner seams, e.g. creating separate compartments or used as tethering means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23324 Inner walls crating separate compartments, e.g. communicating with vents
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23382 Internal tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23386 External tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/08 automatically movable from an inoperative to an operative position, e.g. in a collision electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements B60R21/01
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/231 characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2338 Tethers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2342 Tear seams
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/36 using airbags

Abstract

An airbag comprises a bag which is bent in the shape of an arrow ‘<’ in a deployed state, and a connection member which is arranged on a side of the bag, facing a vehicle body, and connects the upper and lower ends of the bag with each other. A longitudinal intermediate portion of the bag projects toward a vehicle occupant. A space is defined between the projecting intermediate portion and the connection member. The head of the vehicle occupant initially comes into contact with the intermediate portion and then presses the bag toward the vehicle body. Upper and lower parts of the bag which extend upward and downward from the intermediate portion cooperate with the connection member to define a triangular space.

Claims

1. An airbag device comprising:

a side airbag having first and second side surfaces, upper and lower ends and an intermediate portion, the side airbag being configured to deploy downwardly toward a vehicle occupant; and

a member connecting the upper and lower ends of the side airbag,

wherein the side airbag is configured to inflate into a position wherein an enveloped space is defined by the first side surface and a plane containing the member, and

wherein the side airbag and member are folded before installation into a vehicle.

2. The airbag device of claim 1, wherein an unfolded vertical length of the member is smaller than an unfolded vertical length of the airbag.

3. The airbag device of claim 1, wherein a ratio of an unfolded vertical length of the airbag to an unfolded vertical length of the member is approximately 1.2 or greater.

4. The airbag device of claim 1, wherein the side airbag is pre-folded before the member is folded such that a pre-folded vertical length of the airbag is equalized to an unfolded vertical length of the member.

5. The airbag device of claim 4, wherein the side airbag is pre-folded by folding an intermediate portion of the airbag onto a side of the airbag opposite of a side facing the member.

6. The airbag device of claim 4, wherein the side airbag is pre-folded by folding two intermediate portions of the airbag onto a side of the airbag opposite of a side facing the member.

7. The airbag device of claim 6, wherein the two intermediate portions of the airbag share a common surface.

8. The airbag device of claim 6, wherein the two intermediate portions of the airbag are at a spaced distance from each other.

9. The airbag device of claim 1, wherein the side airbag is pre-folded before the member is folded such that the pre-folded airbag and the unfolded member form two layers of equal length.

10. The airbag device of claim 9, wherein one layer is formed of one portion of the side airbag while another layer is formed by another portion of the side airbag and the member.

11. The airbag device of claim 1, wherein the airbag and member are separately folded.

12. The airbag device of claim 11, wherein the side airbag is rolled and the member is zig-zag folded.

13. The airbag device of claim 11, wherein the side airbag is folded such that the member is folded in a central portion and the member is folded again such that the central portion of the member is placed onto the side airbag.

14. The airbag device of claim 1, wherein, after the side airbag is pre-folded, the side airbag and member are rolled, zig-zag folded, or a combination thereof.

15. A method of folding an airbag device comprising:

pre-folding a side airbag connected to a member, wherein the side airbag has first and second side surfaces, upper and lower ends and an intermediate portion, wherein the side airbag is configured to deploy downwardly toward a vehicle occupant, wherein the member connects the upper and lower ends of the side airbag, wherein the side airbag is configured to inflate into a position wherein an enveloped space is defined by the first side surface and a plane containing the member, and

folding the side airbag and member after the side airbag is pre-folded.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein an unfolded vertical length of the member is smaller than an unfolded vertical length of the airbag.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein a ratio of an unfolded vertical length of the airbag to an unfolded vertical length of the member is approximately 1.2 or greater.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of pre-folding the side airbag causes a pre-folded vertical length of the airbag to be equalized to an unfolded vertical length of the member.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of pre-folding the side airbag comprises folding an intermediate portion of the airbag onto a side of the airbag opposite of a side facing the member.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of pre-folding the side airbag comprises folding two intermediate portions of the airbag onto a side of the airbag opposite of a side facing the member.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the two intermediate portions of the airbag share a common surface.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the two intermediate portions of the airbag are at a spaced distance from each other.

23. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of folding the side airbag and member comprises folding the side airbag and member so as to be rolled, zig-zag folded, or a combination thereof.

24. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of folding the side airbag and member comprises rolling the side airbag and zig-zag folding the member.

25. The method of claim 15, further comprising pre-folding the member such that the member is pre-folded in a central portion and the member is pre-folded again such that the central portion of the member is placed on the pre-folded side airbag.