Land vehicles – Wheeled – Attachment
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-08
2001-12-04
Dickson, Paul N. (Department: 3618)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Attachment
C280S728300
Reexamination Certificate
active
06325410
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to an inflatable side impact protection system for an occupant of a vehicle having a side-panel and a window-section in the side-panel.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Side impact protection systems that are to protect the pelvic region or the thorax region of the vehicle occupant are either integrated laterally in the backrest or in the side panel (i.e. in the vehicle door or, in the case of a two- or three-door vehicle, in the region of the rear-seat occupants in the side panel itself). The known gas bag modules are very thick when the gas bag is packed because the gas bag is folded in several directions and has a compressed pack volume. When unfolding it either emerges from the backrest and unfolds towards the front or from the side-panel covering which has a predetermined opening line. The known side gas bags for the thorax and pelvic regions have a considerable depth in the inflated state (horizontal, transverse to the direction of travel) and therefore there is a risk of, for example, sleeping occupants who have placed themselves against the side panel being injured by the deploying gas bag. Also, the covering which might tear open represents a certain potential danger because it also moves in the direction towards the occupants.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a side impact protection system which, in so-called OOP (Out Of Position) positions, creates a lesser potential hazard. Furthermore, the protection system according to the invention is distinguished by better means of accommodating it in the side panel.
This is accomplished in a protection system which comprises a gas bag which when packed has a specific pack length, a gas generator for inflating the gas bag, and a side-panel covering. The side-panel covering has an upper end piece which terminates the covering at a lower edge of the window section. The gas bag when packed is arranged under the end piece and in a deployed state covers the vehicle side panel over a large area to a side of at least one of the thorax and pelvic region of the occupant in order to protect the thorax and/or the pelvic region. The end piece is constructed, at least over sections, as a flap which, when swung open, defines a downward pointing ejection channel for the gas bag. The protection system according to the invention is distinguished by a wide-area side gas bag whose direction of deployment is largely defined by the end piece. The main direction of deployment is downward, i.e. aimed essentially parallel to the door and not, as in the known side gas bags for the thorax and pelvic region, in the direction towards the occupant. The deployed gas bag extends from the upper end piece downward. The gas bag according to the invention thus preferably has a wide area and little thickness in the inflated state so that the hazard presented to the occupants is reduced.
The end piece has preferably a lower edge which is releasably held in place on the remainder of the side-panel covering. The upper end piece, which is usually made of plastic not covered by textile fabric and represents a separate part of the entire side-panel covering, must usually be attached in any case to the lower edge. The redesign of the previously known side-panel covering is therefore only slightly affected by the protection system according to the invention.
In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the releasable attachment is a trim strip of the side-panel covering, that is another part which is already known and provided, behind which the lower edge of the end piece extends and which clamps the lower edge.
As mentioned above, the gas bag according to the invention should be designed with a wide area, or to be more precise it should extend at least up to the armrest in the side panel and, in the longitudinal direction, preferably at least over approximately half the length of the related side panel.
In the packed state, the gas bag should have an elongated shape which results in a small pack thickness and facilitates its accommodation.
The thickness of the module (gas generator, gas bag, and possibly housing) can be reduced by arranging the gas generator outside of the gas bag. A gas conveying tube which might be provided connects the gas generator to the interior of the gas bag.
The deployment time and the risk of being hit by the deploying gas bag can be reduced even further by the flap having a length which is at least equal to the pack length of the gas bag. This means that the gas bag can emerge from the side panel over its entire pack length, thereby reducing its deployment time.
The side impact protection system according to the invention is integrated according to the preferred embodiment in the side-panel covering in such a way that it forms together with the side-panel covering a completely preassembled unit.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5308112 (1994-05-01), Hill et al.
patent: 5324072 (1994-06-01), Olson et al.
patent: 5868421 (1999-02-01), Eyrainer
patent: 5979932 (1999-11-01), Jourdaine et al.
patent: 6010150 (2000-01-01), Amann
patent: 6073959 (2000-06-01), Heinz et al.
patent: 6086091 (2000-07-01), Heinz et al.
patent: 6106005 (2000-08-01), Heinz et al.
patent: 433069 (1995-03-01), None
patent: 29603316 (1996-08-01), None
patent: 29604892 (1996-10-01), None
JP 5-4553 Patents Abstracts of Japan, M-1416, May 25, 1993, vol. 17, No. 268.
Dickson Paul N.
Fleming Faye M.
Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell Tummino & Szabo L.L.P.
TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
LandOfFree
Side impact protection system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Side impact protection system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Side impact protection system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2557201