Side gas bag module

Details Side gas bag module Side gas bag module

2001-09-27

2003-08-05

Dickson, Paul N. (Department: 3616)

Land vehicles

Wheeled

Attachment

C280S736000, C280S742000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06601871

ABSTRACT:

This invention relates to a side gas bag module.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Side gas bags, so-called window bags, are often folded to form an elongated package and are arranged along a roof contour of a vehicle. A gas generator, which in the case of restraint supplies gas for inflating the gas bag, may be disposed at the front or rear end of the package. This technique is employed above all for gas bags which extend approximately from the A-column to the C-column of the vehicle and cover more or less the entire region of the side windows. Such gas bags either have one large restraint chamber or a plurality of restraint chambers disposed one beside the other.
The gas must cover large distances from the gas generator, in order to reach the end of the gas bag remote from the gas generator. To reduce the inflation time of the gas bag and to protect the gas bag fabric against high loads resulting from the hot, highly pressurized gas, gas lances made of metal are used, which extend through the gas bag and fill the remote end of the gas bag or a further restraint chamber. This gas lance must be introduced into the gas bag before the same is folded, which renders manufacture more expensive.
It is also known to dispose a gas generator in the middle of a gas bag module with a gas bag folded to form a tube. The gas generator has gas conduits, which are each connected with individual restraint chambers of the gas bag. Since the gas generator lies inside the tubular gas bag package, the gas generator must be incorporated before folding the gas bag, which makes folding the gas bag a complex process.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the invention to provide an inexpensive gas bag module.
This is achieved in a side gas bag module which comprises a gas generator, a gas bag having an elongated shape in its folded condition for covering at least one side window of a motor vehicle and a protective sleeve having longitudinal ends which sleeve surrounds the gas bag in its folded condition. The gas bag has at least one restraint chamber and at least two fittings. The gas generator has at least two gas conduits which are connected with the fittings. The fittings project out from the protective sleeve between the longitudinal ends of the protective sleeve i.e. through the outer shell. The gas bag can be folded without inserting a gas generator or a gas lance. After having been folded, the gas bag is packed into a protective sleeve, so that a tubular package is obtained. The fittings of the gas bag project from the protective sleeve not at the longitudinal ends of gas bag and protective sleeve, but between the longitudinal ends. Via the fittings and the gas conduits, the gas bag is connected with the gas generator, so that the gas generator need not inflate the gas bag from a longitudinal end. Favorably, the fittings are disposed close to each other and are rather short. Via the fittings, various portions of the gas bag are quickly inflated. The term fitting is to be understood as a connection between two parts.
Preferably, slots are provided in the protective sleeve. The fittings of the gas bag project through these slots, in order to be connected with the gas conduits. The slots form openings which are so small that the gas bag nevertheless is protected against being soiled and damaged.
In the folded condition, the gas bag preferably forms a tubular gas bag package, and the fittings and the gas generator are disposed close to the middle of the package as seen transverse to the longitudinal direction. In this way, a gas generator can preferably be mounted above or below the folded gas bag, e.g. in the region of the B-column of the vehicle. The distances to be covered by the gas for filling the gas bag are short, and the inflation time is reduced.
The fittings preferably open into different restraint chambers of the gas bag. Since each connection is associated to a gas conduit of the gas generator, a division of the gas flows into the restraint chambers can be achieved, so that chambers of different sizes can specifically be filled. Moreover, dividing the gas stream among two fittings reduces the load acting on the gas bag fabric. A gas lance can be omitted.
To ensure a uniform distribution of the gas among the fittings, the gas generator may have a compensating chamber which is connected with the gas conduits. In this case, the gas flows from the gas generator first of all into the compensating chamber and from there into the gas conduits, whereby it is ensured that the same pressure exists upstream of both gas conduits.
It is another object of the invention to fill a gas bag in a rapid, simple and inexpensive way.
In a gas bag module as mentioned above this is achieved in that both fittings open into the same restraint chamber. By the division among two fittings, a large gas volume can quickly be introduced into the chamber, without the gas bag fabric surrounding the inlet opening being strained too much.
Another advantage consists in that the gas stream can specifically be directed into the chamber by choosing the angle at which the fittings open into the gas bag. It is particularly favorable when the fittings open into the restraint chamber at an obtuse angle. This can effect a rapid deployment of the gas bag, as the gas stream impinges on the folded gas bag on a wide surface area.
Preferably, the gas generator and the fittings are disposed centrally with respect to the folded gas bag, so that a gas lance can be omitted.
Preferably, the gas generator has a compensating chamber which is connected with the gas conduits in order to ensure that the gas pressure is the same in both fittings.


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U.S. Mueller patent application Publication No. US 2001/0045729 A1, Publication Date Nov. 29, 2001 entitled Air Bag Device, Production Method of an Air Bag Device, Activation Method of an Air Bag Device Vehicle with an Air Bag Device.
Pending U.S. Brucker et al. patent application Ser. No. 09/536,901, filed Mar. 28, 2000 entitled an Inflatable Protective Cushion for Side Impact Protection.
U.S. Fischer patent application Ser. No. 09/732,228, filed Dec. 7, 2000 entitled Vehicle Occupant Restraint System, Attorney Docket No. TRW(REPA)5637.

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