Land vehicles – Wheeled – Attachment
Reexamination Certificate
2001-07-11
2003-07-22
Dickson, Paul N. (Department: 3616)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Attachment
Reexamination Certificate
active
06595549
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to a gas bag module for restraining an occupant of a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Annular gas bags have the advantage that the center section is prevented from a movement towards the occupant by remaining fastened to the module. The restraint is then effected by means of the annular front wall around the depression. The depression itself is not filled with gas and is open towards the exterior. Such gas bags, which as front gas bags are either housed in the steering wheel or in the instrument panel, also are expected to have excellent restraint values. The depression is to be as small as possible to have a large surface for restraining the occupant.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a gas bag module, more precisely a front bag module for restraining an occupant in the case of a front impact, in which module the depression at least partially, preferably even completely closes itself. The gas bag module according to the invention comprises a gas bag which has a front wall for the impact of an occupant. The gas bag is formed by a gas bag wall of several fabric parts. At least one of the fabric parts forms the front wall with an opening from which, in an inflated state of the gas bag, a depression originates, which depression is formed in that a center section of the gas bag wall on inflation is prevented from a free movement and is held back. The gas bag has around the depression an annular chamber which is to be filled. The opening is constructed in a slit shape.
Whereas in so-called annular gas bags known hitherto, the opening in the front wall was always in the form of a circle, the invention makes provision to construct this as a slit, so that the cut of the front wall brings about the closing of the depression.
According to the preferred embodiment, the slit is straight-lined and elongated.
However, furthermore, it can also be constructed in a V-, T-, H-shape, in the form of a double T or in a cross shape.
Furthermore, a C-shaped slit can also be provided.
According to the preferred embodiment, the cut of the fabric parts and the geometry of the opening are coordinated with each other such that the depression in the vicinity of the opening is at least almost, preferably completely closed in the fully inflated state of the gas bag, by sections of the fabric part defining the depression lying against each other.
The gas bag therefore preferably closes by itself close to the opening, the fabric parts being able to lie against each other over a large area in the region of the depression, so that in the inflated state the depression is no longer visible.
In order to further support the closing, it is possible to provide a holding means at the sections which lie against each other, which holding means holds the sections against each other on contact. Such a holding means can, for example be a hook and eye closure or VELCRO™ tape or other holding or bonding elements. The background to this embodiment is as follows. The unfolding process is a dynamic process. The gas bag will first unfold radially obliquely outwards, so that the slit becomes a large opening. Then the fabric parts which form the depression fall radially inwards and opposite sections of the fabric parts strike onto each other. The depression is now closed. However, a rebounding of the fabric can occur, so that the depression is opened again. This process can even lead to a certain pulsing of the depression, i.e. a repeated opening and closing. So that it is achieved that a closed front wall is available as impact surface for the occupant, the holding means is provided, which is to eliminate the pulsing.
In the gas bag module according to the invention, it is to be noted that the module covering frees an annular outlet opening, whereby a central part of the covering, which lies over the center section, is not moved outwards on opening of the covering.
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Bohn Stefan
Fellhauer Joachim
Fleming Faye M.
TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
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