U.S. patent application number 09/858952 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-22 for side airbag arrangement for a vehicle and a side airbag module thereof, and a vehicle incorporating thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to TAKATA (Europe) Vehicle Safety Technology GmbH. Invention is credited to David, Patrick, Maidel, Jochen.
Application Number | 20010042975 09/858952 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7642470 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010042975 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
David, Patrick ; et
al. |
November 22, 2001 |
Side airbag arrangement for a vehicle and a side airbag module
thereof, and a vehicle incorporating thereof
Abstract
A vehicle has an airbag arrangement, which has an airbag module
mounted to or integrated with the vehicle door. The module has a
housing in which at least one inflatable airbag stored in the
module in a folded state. The housing has an elongated outlet
opening that extends substantially the entire length of the
inflated airbag, and a support section that supports and braces the
airbag, in the inflated state, under pressure against the support
section so that the airbag becomes self-supporting. The inner
peripheral region of the outlet opening can form the support
section. Alternatively, the inner peripheral region of an outlet
opening formed in a door panel can form the support section. The
self-supporting air bag is particularly applicable for a
convertible or topless vehicle.
Inventors: |
David, Patrick; (Ulm,
DE) ; Maidel, Jochen; (Ulm, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Lyle Kimms
FOLEY & LARDNER
Washington Harbour
3000 K Street, N.W., Suite 500
Washington
DC
20007-5109
US
|
Assignee: |
TAKATA (Europe) Vehicle Safety
Technology GmbH
|
Family ID: |
7642470 |
Appl. No.: |
09/858952 |
Filed: |
May 17, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
280/730.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 21/23138 20130101;
B60R 21/21 20130101; B60R 2021/0006 20130101; B60R 2021/0072
20130101; B60R 2021/23169 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/730.2 |
International
Class: |
B60R 021/22 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 17, 2000 |
DE |
100 24 293.6 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A side airbag arrangement for a motor vehicle, comprising: an
airbag module integrated with a door of the vehicle, the airbag
module having an elongated outlet opening and a support section;
and an inflatable airbag stored in the airbag module, in a folded
state, wherein the outlet opening is dimensioned to extend
substantially over the entire length of the airbag, in an inflated
state thereof, through which the airbag exits the airbag module as
the airbag inflates, wherein the support section exclusively braces
the airbag in the inflated state so that the airbag becomes
self-supporting.
2. A side airbag arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
support section comprises a peripheral area of the outlet
opening.
3. A side airbag arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the door
has a door panel that has a complementary outlet opening and the
support section comprises at least a peripheral area of the
complementary outlet opening.
4. A side airbag arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
airbag is substantially airtight to maintain pressure sufficient to
protect the passenger, in the inflated state, for at least five
seconds for a vehicle rollover protection.
5. A side airbag arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
airbag in the inflated state is dimensioned to extend over more
than a half the length of the door.
6. A side airbag arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the
airbag in the inflated state is dimensioned to extend substantially
over the entire length of the door.
7. A side airbag arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
airbag module has a base opposite the outlet opening, the airbag
being secured to the airbag module at one of the base and an inner
periphery of the outlet opening.
8. A side airbag arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
airbag is connected to the airbag module exclusively via the
support section.
9. A side airbag arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
airbag further includes an additional protection section that
extends beneath a plane of a door parapet line for protecting a
passenger's leg.
10. A side airbag arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the
additional protection section lies along an inner side the vehicle
door, in the inflated state of the airbag, for protecting a
passenger's knee.
11. A side airbag arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
airbag has a substantially U-shaped reinforcement for limiting the
inflation volume.
12. A side airbag module for a vehicle door, comprising: an airbag
housing adapted for mounting to the vehicle door; and an inflatable
airbag stored in the airbag housing, in a folded state; wherein the
airbag housing has an elongated outlet opening through which the
airbag exits as the airbag is inflated and a support section for
supporting and bracing the airbag in an inflated state, wherein the
outlet opening is dimensioned to extend substantially over the
entire length of the airbag in the inflated state, wherein the
support section exclusively supports the airbag in the inflated
state so that the airbag becomes self-supporting.
13. A side airbag module according to claim 12, wherein the support
section comprises a peripheral area of the outlet opening.
14. A side airbag module according to claim 12, wherein the airbag
or airbag with the housing is substantially airtight to maintain
pressure sufficient to protect the passenger, in the inflated
state, for at least five seconds for a vehicle rollover
protection.
15. A side airbag module according to claim 12, wherein the airbag
in the inflated state is dimensioned to extend over more than a
half the length of the door.
16. A side airbag module according to claim 15, wherein the airbag
in the inflated state is dimensioned to extend substantially over
the entire length of the door.
17. A side airbag module according to claim 12, wherein the housing
has a base opposite the outlet opening, the airbag being secured to
the airbag module at one of the base and an inner periphery of the
outlet opening.
18. A side airbag module according to claim 12, wherein the airbag
is connected to the airbag module exclusively via the support
section.
19. A side airbag module according to claim 12, wherein the airbag
further includes an additional protection section that is adapted
to extend beneath a plane of a door parapet line for protecting a
passenger's leg.
20. A side airbag module according to claim 19, wherein the
additional protection section is adapted to lie along an inner side
the vehicle door, in the inflated state of the airbag, for
protecting a passenger's knee.
21. A side airbag module according to claim 12, wherein the airbag
has a substantially U-shaped reinforcement for limiting the
inflation volume.
22. A vehicle comprising: at least one door; a seat positioned
adjacent to the door; a side airbag module comprising; an airbag
housing mounted to the vehicle door; and an inflatable airbag
stored in the airbag housing, in a folded state, wherein the airbag
housing has an elongated outlet opening through which the airbag
exits as the airbag is inflated and a support section for
supporting and bracing the airbag in an inflated state thereof,
wherein the outlet opening is dimensioned to extend substantially
over the entire length of the airbag in an inflated state thereof,
and wherein the support section exclusively supports the airbag in
the inflated state so that the airbag becomes self-supporting.
23. A vehicle according to claim 22, wherein the support section
comprises a peripheral area of the outlet opening.
24. A vehicle according to claim 22, wherein the door has a door
panel that has a complementary outlet opening, and the support
section comprises at least a peripheral area of the complementary
outlet opening.
25. A vehicle according to claim 22, wherein the airbag or the
airbag and the housing is substantially airtight to maintain
pressure sufficient to protect the passenger, in the inflated
state, for at least five seconds for a vehicle rollover
protection.
26. A vehicle according to claim 22, wherein the airbag in the
inflated state extends over more than a half the length of the
door.
27. A vehicle according to claim 26, wherein the airbag in the
inflated state extends substantially over the entire length of the
door.
28. A vehicle according to claim 22, wherein the airbag module has
a base opposite the outlet opening, the airbag being secured to the
airbag module at one of the base and an inner periphery of the
outlet opening.
29. A vehicle according to claim 22, wherein the airbag is
connected to the airbag module exclusively via the support
section.
30. A vehicle according to claim 22, wherein the airbag further
includes an additional protection section that extends beneath a
plane of a door parapet line for protecting a passenger's leg.
31. A vehicle according to claim 30, wherein the additional
protection section lies along an inner side the vehicle door, in
the inflated state of the airbag, for protecting a passenger's
knee.
32. A vehicle according to claim 22, wherein the airbag has a
substantially U-shaped reinforcement for limiting the inflation
volume.
33. A vehicle according to claim 22, wherein the vehicle is
convertible, without a B-frame.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] A side airbag arrangement for a vehicle for side protection
typically includes an airbag module integrated into a vehicle door
or its panel. The module has an airbag that inflates to protect the
passenger's head and neck areas. In this respect, the inflated
airbag needs to extend above a vehicle or door parapet line (i.e.,
the area where the window extends from the vehicle door). See for
example, German patent publication DE 295 17 373 U1.
[0002] There is still a need to improve the protection capability,
while making the construction as simple as possible. Moreover,
there is a need to protect the vehicle occupant during a lateral
rollover, particularly for convertible or roadster vehicles, which
do not have a hardtop roof. The present invention addresses these
needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to a side airbag arrangement
for a motor vehicle, a side airbag module thereof, and a vehicle
incorporating the present airbag arrangement or the airbag module.
The vehicle can be a convertible, without a B-frame or a hardtop
roof. The vehicle includes at least one door and a seat positioned
adjacent to the door. The vehicle includes an airbag module
integrated or attached to the vehicle door, such as a panel
thereof. The present side airbag arrangement thus includes the
airbag module positioned in the vehicle door.
[0004] The airbag module has an elongated outlet opening, a support
section, and an inflatable airbag stored in the airbag module, in a
folded state. In particular, the airbag module has a housing
mountable or mounted to the vehicle door or its panel. The airbag
is stored in the housing. The housing can have the elongated outlet
opening through which the airbag exits as the airbag is inflated
and the support section for supporting and bracing the airbag in
the inflated state.
[0005] The outlet opening is dimensioned to extend substantially
over the entire length of the airbag in the inflated state. The
support section can exclusively support the airbag in the inflated
state so that the airbag becomes self-supporting.
[0006] The support section can comprise a peripheral area of the
outlet opening. Alternatively, the door panel can have a
complementary outlet opening, and the support section can comprise
at least a peripheral area of the complementary outlet opening.
[0007] The airbag can be substantially airtight to maintain
pressure sufficient to protect the passenger, in the inflated
state, for at least five seconds for a vehicle rollover
protection.
[0008] The airbag in the inflated state can be dimensioned to
extend over more than a half the length of a door. More preferably,
the airbag can extend substantially over the entire length of the
door (along the parapet line).
[0009] The module or the module housing has a base opposite the
outlet opening. The airbag can be secured to the airbag module or
the housing at one of the base and an inner periphery of the module
or housing outlet opening. The airbag can be connected to the
airbag module exclusively via the support section.
[0010] The airbag can further include an additional protection
section that extends beneath a plane of a door parapet line for
protecting a passenger's leg. The additional protection section can
lie along an inner side the vehicle door, in the inflated state of
the airbag, for protecting a passenger's knee.
[0011] The airbag can further include a substantially U-shaped
reinforcement for limiting the inflation volume or its
thickness.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
present invention will become more apparent from the following
description, appended claims, and accompanying exemplary
embodiments shown in the drawings, which are briefly described
below.
[0013] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a side view of an
embodiment of an airbag arrangement in accordance with the present
invention.
[0014] FIG. 2a schematically illustrates a sectional view of the
airbag module in accordance with the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 2b is similar to FIG. 2a, but illustrates another
embodiment of the airbag module, where the airbag is secured to the
airbag module in a different manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle (convertible or roadster
shown, i.e., without a hardtop roof and B-column) has a door 14 and
a seat 36 adjacent to it. An inner side of the door 14 has a lining
or panel 26.
[0017] The airbag arrangement includes an airbag module 28
(illustrated in phantom in FIG. 1), which has a folded airbag 12
and a gas generator 31 (see FIGS. 2a, 2b), arranged inside the door
14. The airbag shown in FIGS. 2a, 2b is in the inflated or deployed
condition. The module 28 can be integrated or mounted to the door
panel 26, which has an outlet opening 19 positioned adjacent to a
vehicle or door parapet line 16, which typically coincides with the
area where the door window (not illustrated) meets the door body.
The door panel 26 includes a cover (not illustrated) that is
removable, i.e., tom open or pivoted away by deploying the airbag
12. The cover can form a portion of an upper edge or side of the
door panel 26, along the door parapet line 16.
[0018] Referring to FIGS. 2a and 2b, the airbag module 28 has a
housing 29 having opposing walls or sidewalls 29a and a base 29b
extending between them. The housing 29 has an elongated outlet
opening 18 through which the gas generator 31 and the airbag 12 are
inserted and stored therein. The length of the opening 18 is sized
so that it extends substantially over the entire length of the
inflated airbag 12. The length of the airbag 12 means its extent
taken along (parallel to) the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. In
this respect, the airbag 12 and the outlet opening 18 can extend
substantially over the entire length of the vehicle door 14.
Because the opening 18 covers substantially the entire length of
the airbag, the airbag module 28 can stably brace the inflated
airbag, as discussed below in detail.
[0019] In the folded or stored state, the airbag 24 is located
inside the housing 29. The airbag 12 has a first side 12a that
faces the seat 36 or the passenger seated therein and a second side
12b that faces the window or outside (if the widow is rolled down)
in the inflated state of the airbag. In the inflated state, the
airbag 12 is configured to cover at least above the door parapet
line 16.
[0020] The airbag 12 can additionally have one or more column or
tubular shaped protection sections 32 that extends, in the inflated
state of the airbag, at least a region beneath the plane of the
door parapet line 16. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a vertically
extending protection section 32 (shown in phantom). With the
protection section 32, which deploys during the inflation of the
airbag 12, an additional lateral protection cushion is present
beneath the door parapet line 16. The size and position of the
protection section 32 in principle can be chosen as desired, to
provide an effective leg protection, particular a knee protection,
for the respective vehicle passenger. The protection section 32,
which extends beneath the door parapet line 16, furthermore can be
positioned so that at least the head and throat protection area of
the airbag 12, which is located above the door parapet line 16, is
secured against pivoting out of the vehicle door plane. In other
words, the protection section 32 acts as a support lever, via which
the inflated airbag 12 can be braced laterally, i.e., at a door
panel surface extending approximately parallel to the vehicle door
14.
[0021] The first and second sides 12a, 12b of the airbag 12, which
are located above the door parapet 16 in the inflated state, each
can be provided with a reinforcement 34 for controlling the airbag
volume or its inflated shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the
reinforcement comprises a substantially U-shaped reinforcement 34,
which can comprise an airbag fabric folded and sewn together along
the U-shape extending substantially parallel to the vehicle door
14, in the inflated state of the airbag. The reinforcement is
designed to limit the inflation volume of the airbag 12 to control
the expansion of the inflated airbag 12 in the direction transverse
to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, i.e., to control the
thickness of the airbag 12. With the reinforcement 34, the airbag
in the inflated state can achieve a particular shape, such as akin
to a mattress-shape.
[0022] The outlet opening 19 in the panel 26 for the airbag 12 can
be positioned substantially along or adjacent to the door parapet
line 16. The opening 19 corresponds to the shape and size of the
outlet opening 18 of the airbag module 28 and is aligned therewith.
The outlet openings 18, 19, however, need not have exactly the same
shape and size, and need not be exactly aligned with respect to one
another. In relation to the outlet opening 18 of the airbag module
28, the outlet opening 19 is configured so that it does not impair
the deployment of the airbag 12.
[0023] The periphery of the airbag module 28 that defines the
outlet opening 18 has a closed peripheral contour that forms a
support section 22 for supporting and bracing the inflated airbag
12. The airbag arrangement is configured so that, when the airbag
12 is deployed, the airbag 12 is pressed, via the gas pressure in
the airbag 12, against the support section 22 and is thus braced at
the support section 22, i.e., becomes self-supporting.
[0024] The support section 22 also can be formed by the periphery
of the door panel 26 that defines the outlet opening 19 having the
substantially same configuration as the outlet opening 18 of the
airbag module 28. In this respect, the airbag 12 itself can be
secured to the door panel 26. In this case, the airbag module 28
can be sealed against the region that bounds the outlet opening
19.
[0025] The airbag 12, in the inflated state, braced against the
support section 22, is stably positioned above the door parapet
line 16, to provide a large lateral head-protection area for the
respective vehicle passenger. The airbag 12 can be substantially
airtight to maintain pressure sufficient to protect in the inflated
state, for a sufficient duration for a vehicle rollover situation.
A protection time of at least approximately five seconds can
provide sufficient protection time in a vehicle rollover
situation.
[0026] The airbag can be connected to the vehicle door or the
airbag module, exclusively via the support section 22. Additional
apparatuses for connecting the airbag to the vehicle door or to the
airbag module are thus eliminated. The bracing of the airbag 12
using pressure against the support section is sufficient for a
stable positioning of the airbag.
[0027] The airbag 12 can be secured at the airbag module 28 in
several ways, as illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 2b, for example. FIG.
2a schematically shows the airbag module 28 without the vehicle
door and without the door panel 26. The module housing 29 can have
a U-shaped cross-section, i.e., the opposing sides 29a joined with
the base 29b. In this embodiment, the airbag 12 is secured in the
region of the module base 29b and the gas generator is located
within the airbag. The airbag 12 can be secured to the module base
29b using any conventional means. The airbag 12 thus can easily be
made airtight. Since the gas generator 31 is housed inside the
airbag 12, the module housing 29 need not be airtight. FIG. 2b
illustrates an alternative way of securing the airbag 12 to the
module housing 29. Here, the airbag is secured around an inner
periphery of the outlet opening 18 of the airbag module 28. In this
instance, the module housing 29 needs to be airtight since the
airbag is open on the housing side.
[0028] In both embodiments of FIGS. 2a and 2b, the peripheral
outlet opening area of the airbag module 28 forms the support
section 22 for the inflated airbag 12 on which the inflated airbag
12 can be braced. Thus, the airbag 12 in the inflated state is
pressed into the support section 22 of the module 28, around the
outlet opening 18 to provide a self-supporting airbag 12. Similar
configuration can be formed by connecting the airbag 12 to the
outlet opening 19 of the door panel 26, using that area as the
support section 22.
[0029] According to the present invention, through bracing or
supporting in a self-supporting manner of the airbag via the
support section 22, which has at least approximately the dimensions
of the outlet opening 18, a stable positioning of the inflated
airbag is ensured. Because the airbag 12 is braced at the support
section 22, using pressure, over a substantial portion of the
airbag length, the airbag 12 is firmly held in a stable protection
position. Accordingly, no further supports, such as, for example, a
roof frame or B-column, is required to stably maintain the inflated
airbag in position. The airbag arrangement according to the present
invention is therefore particularly suitable for convertibles and
roadsters.
[0030] The airbag arrangement according to the present invention
through pressing the airbag 12 into the support section 22 allows a
large protection surface that can extend substantially along the
entire vehicle door and thus provide a lateral protection cushion
for the head and neck areas of the respective vehicle
passenger.
[0031] The airbag arrangement also provides protection against a
vehicle rollover. Furthermore, the airbag 12 of the present airbag
arrangement can be matched with a thorax airbag, which can be
either separate or associated with the present airbag
arrangement.
[0032] A further advantage of the present invention is that the
bracing of the airbag 12 enables short and direct deployment path,
through which the deployment of the airbag need not take place
aggressively during its inflation.
[0033] Given the disclosure of the present invention, one versed in
the art would appreciate that there may be other embodiments and
modifications within the scope and spirit of the present invention.
Accordingly, all modifications attainable by one versed in the art
from the present disclosure within the scope and spirit of the
present invention are to be included as further embodiments of the
present invention. The scope of the present invention accordingly
is to be defined as set forth in the appended claims.
[0034] The disclosure of the priority application, DE 100 24 293.6,
in its entirety, including the drawings, claims, and the
specification thereof, is incorporated herein by reference.
* * * * *