CN112550207A

CN112550207A - Vehicle airbag assembly

Info

Publication number: CN112550207A
Application number: CN202011016414.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 米甲·扬·斯维尼尔斯基; 马科斯·约翰·斯科特·瓦尔德
Original assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Current assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Priority date: 2019-09-26
Filing date: 2020-09-24
Publication date: 2021-03-26
Also published as: GB2587385A; DE102020122117A1; GB201913872D0; GB2587385B

Abstract

A vehicle airbag assembly is provided. This assembly includes: an inflator; and an airbag configured to deploy from a roof structure of the vehicle to inflate over an interior surface of the vehicle to cushion a collision between a vehicle occupant and the interior surface during a vehicle collision, wherein the airbag comprises: a first chamber configured to extend from the roof structure across an interior surface of the vehicle when the first chamber is inflated, and a second chamber arranged relative to the first chamber such that inflation of the first chamber acts to increase an interior volume of the second chamber, wherein the second chamber includes a valve that allows ambient air to be drawn into the second chamber as the volume of the second chamber increases.

Description

Vehicle airbag assembly

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to vehicle airbag assemblies and in particular, but not exclusively, to vehicle airbag assemblies that improve the positioning of an airbag within a vehicle.

Background

It is desirable to increase the space within a vehicle (e.g., a motor vehicle) available to occupants. One option for increasing the space available to the occupant is to narrow and/or adjust the position of the interior trim portion of the front of the vehicle, including the instrument panel.

The front passenger airbag and its inflator are typically disposed in the interior trim portion of the front portion. Any reduction in the size of the interior trim portion of the front portion and/or changes in its position within the vehicle interior may conflict with the requirements of the airbag assembly packaging and/or the requirements of guiding and supporting the deployment of the front airbag.

Disclosure of Invention

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a vehicle airbag assembly, including:

an inflator; and

an airbag configured to deploy from a structure of a vehicle (e.g., a roof structure) to inflate over an interior surface of the vehicle (e.g., formed by a windshield of the vehicle) to cushion a collision between an occupant of the vehicle and the interior surface during the collision of the vehicle, wherein the airbag comprises:

a first chamber configured to extend from the structure across an interior surface of the vehicle when the first chamber is inflated; and

a second chamber arranged relative to the first chamber such that inflation of the first chamber acts to increase the internal volume of the second chamber, wherein the second chamber includes a valve that allows ambient air, for example from outside the airbag assembly, to be drawn into the second chamber as the volume of the second chamber increases.

The airbag may be configured to substantially fill a space between the interior surface and the interior trim portion when the airbag is inflated. The interior trim portion may include an instrument panel of the vehicle.

The second chamber may be arranged such that the second chamber is not inflated by the inflator. For example, the interior of the second chamber may be fluidly isolated from the inflator, such as by the chamber of the airbag.

The first chamber may be configured to deploy against an interior trim portion of the vehicle such that, for example, a wall of the first chamber engages the interior trim portion when the first chamber is inflated. Thus, the first chamber may fix the position of the inflated airbag within the vehicle interior.

The first chamber may be configured to inflate primarily in a first direction. The primary direction of inflation of the chamber of the airbag may be defined as the direction in which the rate of increase in the size of the chamber is greatest during inflation of the airbag. The primary inflation direction may be defined in a plane perpendicular to the transverse direction of the airbag assembly. The first chamber is configured to extend at least partially across a surface of the second chamber, such as a rear surface of the second chamber (relative to the vehicle assembly), when the airbag is inflated.

The airbag may also include one or more third chambers. The third chamber is configured to extend across one or more surfaces of the second chamber when the airbag is inflated, the surface of the second chamber that is spanned by the third chamber being substantially perpendicular to the surface of the second chamber that is spanned by the first chamber. For example, the third chamber may be configured to extend at least partially across a lateral face or side of the second chamber. The airbag may include two or more third chambers that are spaced from one another in a transverse direction of the airbag (e.g., along the width of the first and fourth chambers, such as a direction perpendicular to a primary inflation direction of the first chamber). The third chamber may be configured as a lateral side of the airbag.

The airbag may further comprise a fourth chamber. The fourth chamber may be configured to be inflated by an inflator. The fourth chamber may be configured to inflate primarily in a direction having a component perpendicular to the primary inflation direction of the first chamber.

The fourth chamber may be arranged such that expansion of the fourth chamber acts to increase the internal volume of the second chamber. For example, the second chamber may be formed between the first chamber and the fourth chamber. The fourth chamber may be configured such that the fourth chamber inflates primarily in the second direction, e.g. in a direction parallel to the inner surface. The airbag may be configured such that the fourth chamber is in contact with at least a portion of the interior surface after inflation of the airbag.

The airbag may be configured such that the fourth chamber inflates during airbag deployment before the other chambers inflate. For example, the airbag may be configured such that the first chamber and/or the third chamber are inflated by the inflator after the fourth chamber is at least partially inflated. The airbag may be configured such that inflation gas passes through the fourth chamber to the first chamber and/or the third chamber. The airbag may be configured to allow inflation gas to pass through the fourth chamber to the first and third chambers when the fourth chamber is at least partially inflated.

The second chamber is disposed in a volume defined between the first chamber and the fourth chamber, for example between a plane parallel to a main inflation direction of the first chamber and a plane parallel to a main inflation direction of the fourth chamber.

The airbag, when inflated, may be substantially prismatic, for example substantially triangular prism shaped. The second chamber may be arranged in the interior of, for example, a prism.

The first and fourth chambers may define prismatic sides extending between the prismatic bases. The third chamber may define a prismatic base surface. The prismatic base surfaces may be spaced from each other in the transverse direction of the airbag. In other words, the prism shape may extend in the lateral direction of the vehicle. The third chamber may form a prismatic base surface. The third chamber may be disposed between the first chamber and the fourth chamber. The third chamber may be inflated at the base surface of the prism shape in the transverse direction of the airbag.

The airbag may be configured such that the fourth chamber is disposed between the second chamber and the interior surface of the vehicle when the airbag is inflated. The airbag may be configured such that the second chamber is disposed between the first chamber and an interior surface of the vehicle when the airbag is inflated. In other words, the first chamber may be disposed on the opposite side of the second chamber from the interior surface, for example, between the second chamber and the passenger compartment of the vehicle when the airbag is inflated.

The airbag may be made from a single sheet of material, such as a woven material (e.g., fabric) that is arranged (e.g., folded) to form one or more chambers of the airbag.

A vehicle assembly, the assembly may comprise:

a roof structure;

disposed adjacent an interior surface of the roof structure;

an interior trim portion disposed on an opposite side of the interior surface from the roof structure; and

the above-mentioned air bag assembly.

The airbag may be configured to inflate relative to the interior surface and the interior trim portion of the vehicle assembly such that an occupant moving toward the interior surface initially impacts the first chamber of the airbag during a collision.

To avoid unnecessary duplication of work in the specification and repetition of text, some features are described only in connection with one or more aspects or embodiments of the present invention. However, it will be appreciated that features described in relation to any aspect or embodiment of the invention may also be used with any other aspect or embodiment of the invention where technically feasible.

Drawings

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a vehicle assembly including an airbag assembly in accordance with an arrangement of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the vehicle assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of the vehicle assembly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a vehicle assembly including an airbag assembly according to another arrangement of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the vehicle assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the vehicle assembly shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrating a cut through the airbag assembly; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle assembly including an airbag assembly according to another arrangement of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure relates to airbag assemblies for vehicles such as motor vehicles, e.g., cars, vans, trucks, motorcycles, etc., industrial or agricultural vehicles, e.g., tractors, fork lifts, dozers, excavators, etc., ships, airplanes, or any other type of vehicle.

Referring to fig. 1, 2, and 3, the vehicle assembly 2 includes a roof structure 4, an interior trim portion 6 (e.g., an instrument panel), and an interior surface 8 (e.g., an interior surface formed by a windshield of a vehicle). The vehicle assembly 2 further includes an airbag assembly 100 in accordance with the arrangement of the present disclosure.

The airbag assembly 100 may be mounted on or within the roof structure 4. When installed and before the airbag is deployed, the airbag assembly 100 may be covered by the roof trim portion 5. The roof trim portion 5 may be configured to break or rupture and/or be displaced by the airbag upon deployment (e.g., inflation) of the airbag so that the airbag may inflate away from the roof structure 4. As shown, the interior surface 8 may be disposed between the roof structure 4 (e.g., the location on the roof structure where the airbag assembly 100 is mounted) and the interior trim portion 6. In other words, the airbag assembly 100 may be installed on the side of the inner surface 8 opposite to the interior trim portion 6.

The airbag assembly 100 includes an airbag 110 and an inflator 120. The airbag 110 includes an inflatable cushion that is deployable (e.g., inflated) so as to extend over at least a portion of the interior surface 8 and optionally at least a portion of the interior trim portion 6. In this manner, the inflated airbag may be positioned to cushion the impact between a vehicle occupant and the interior surface 8 and/or interior trim portion 6, for example, during a vehicle collision. As shown in fig. 2, the airbag 110 may have a width extending in the lateral direction of the vehicle so as to cushion an impact between an occupant and the inner surface 8 and/or the interior trim portion 6 across the width of the vehicle assembly 2.

The airbag 110 may be substantially prismatic, for example triangular, in shape when the airbag 110 is inflated. The prism shape includes base surfaces 110a located on laterally opposite sides of the airbag 110, and

side surfaces

110b, 110c, 110d extending between the base surfaces, for example, in the lateral direction of the airbag 110. In the arrangement shown, the sides form the front side 110b, rear side 110c and bottom side 110d (relative to the vehicle assembly 2 to which the airbag is mounted) of the airbag.

Although the airbag is described in this specification as being prismatic, it will be appreciated that due to the nature of the inflation of the airbag, the surfaces of the airbag (e.g. the base and sides forming the prism) may be curved or non-flat, e.g. convex.

Furthermore, although in the arrangement shown the airbag 110 is substantially triangular in cross-section (in a plane perpendicular to the transverse direction of the airbag). In other arrangements, however, the airbag 110 may have a cross-section of any other shape, such as square, rectangular, circular (e.g., circular or oval), trapezoidal, or parallelogram. Further, the airbag 110 may be shaped according to the available space between the inner surface 8 and the interior trim portion 6, for example, so as to substantially fill the space between the inner surface 8 and the interior trim portion 6. Thus, the cross-sectional shape of the prism may vary across the width of airbag 110 (e.g., between base surfaces 110a of the prism shape).

The airbag 110 includes a plurality of

inflation cells

112, 114, 116, 118, and, as described in detail below, an inflator 120 is configured to provide inflation gas during airbag deployment to inflate one or more of the chambers in order to deploy the airbag 110.

The airbag 110 may be formed from a single sheet of material, such as a woven material (e.g., fabric), that is arranged (e.g., folded) to form a chamber of the airbag. The material of the airbag may form the walls of the airbag chamber. When the airbag chambers are formed adjacent to one another, the adjacent walls of the airbag chambers may be formed from a single layer of material forming the airbag, or the walls of each adjacent chamber may be formed from layers of individual materials that are connected to one another or are arranged in contact with one another.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, an airbag 110 in accordance with one or more arrangements of the present disclosure includes a first chamber 112. The first chamber 112 may be disposed in fluid communication with an inflator 120. Thus, the first chamber 112 is arranged to be inflated by the inflator 120 during deployment of the airbag.

The first chamber 112 is configured such that the first chamber is primarily in a first direction D during airbag deployment₁And (4) inflating upwards. As shown in fig. 1, a first direction D₁May have a component in a forward and downward direction relative to the vehicle assembly 2.

The primary direction in which the airbag chamber inflates (i.e., the primary direction of inflation of the airbag chamber) may be defined as the direction in which the size of the airbag increases by the greatest proportion during inflation of the airbag chamber. The main inflation direction may be defined in a plane perpendicular to the vehicle transverse direction. In other words, lateral inflation of the airbag chamber may not be considered.

The first chamber 112 may be configured to deploy against the interior trim portion 6. In other words, the first chamber 112 may be configured to engage the interior trim portion 6 when the airbag is inflated. Thus, the first chamber 112 may fix the position of the airbag 110 within the vehicle interior. For example, friction between the wall of the first chamber 112 and the interior trim portion 6 may act to resist movement of the airbag 110 relative to the interior trim portion, where the airbag 110 would otherwise be displaced from its position, for example.

The airbag 110 also includes a second chamber 114. The second chamber 114 may be configured such that it is not inflated by the inflator 120 during deployment of the airbag 110. The second chamber 114 may be fluidly isolated from the inflator 120, such as by the chamber of the airbag.

The second chamber 114 is disposed relative to the first chamber 112 such that inflation of the first chamber 112 acts to increase the internal volume of the second chamber 114. For example, the second chamber 114 may be adjacent to the first chamber 112. The first chamber 112 may extend across a surface of the second chamber 114, such as a rear surface of the second chamber, when the airbag inflates. Thus, inflating the first chamber 112 may act to stretch the back wall of the second chamber 114, thereby increasing the internal volume of the second chamber 114.

The second chamber 114 includes a valve 114a, the valve 114a allowing ambient air, for example from the vehicle interior, to be drawn into the second chamber 114 due to the increase in volume of the second chamber. Thus, the second chamber is configured to be inflated with ambient air as the first chamber 112 is inflated by the inflator 120. The valve 114a may be a one-way valve that prevents air entering the second chamber from exiting the second chamber through the valve 114 a.

By configuring the first and

second chambers

112, 114 such that inflation of the first chamber 112 causes air to be drawn into the second chamber 114, the total volume of the airbag when fully inflated may be greater than the volume of inflation gas produced by the inflator 120. Thus, in contrast to an airbag that is fully inflated by gas in an inflator, airbag assembly 100 may be configured such that airbag 110 may be inflated, for example, using a particular sized inflator (e.g., configured to produce a particular volume of inflation gas) to extend to a greater proportion of interior surface 8 and/or interior trim portion 6 of the vehicle, and/or from a location that is further from interior surface 8 and/or interior trim portion 6.

As shown, the second chamber 114 may be disposed adjacent the interior surface 8 of the vehicle 2, e.g., in contact with the interior surface 8, when the airbag 110 is inflated. The first chamber 112 may be disposed on a side of the second chamber 114 opposite the inner surface. In other words, the second chamber may be located between the first chamber 112 and the interior surface 8 of the vehicle. Thus, airbag 110 is configured such that occupant 300, shown in FIG. 3, moves toward the interior surface during a crash, first impacting first chamber 112 of airbag 110.

In some arrangements, the second chamber 114 may be configured such that the walls of the second chamber engage the interior trim portion 6 when the second chamber is inflated. The airbag 110 is configured such that the position of the airbag in the vehicle interior is fixed due to the engagement between the wall of the second chamber 114 and the interior trim portion 6.

The airbag 110 may also include one or more third chambers 116. The third chamber 116 may be configured to be inflated by the inflator 120 during deployment of the airbag 110. For example, the third chamber 116 may be disposed in fluid communication with the inflator 120.

In some arrangements, the airbag 110 may be configured such that the third chamber 116 is inflated with an inflation gas that passes through the first chamber 112 to the third chamber 116. The airbag 110 is configured to inflate (e.g., begin to inflate) the third chamber 116 upon at least partial inflation of the first chamber 112, for example, by a predetermined amount. For example, the third chamber 116 may be fluidly connected to the first chamber 112 through an opening in a wall between the first and third chambers that opens upon at least partial deployment of the wall-forming material as the first chamber 112 inflates.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the third chamber 116 may be arranged to extend over one or more (e.g., each) surface of the second chamber 114 that is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the second chamber 114 over which the first chamber 112 extends. For example, the first chamber 112 may be arranged to extend above the rear surface (relative to the vehicle) of the second chamber 114 and the third chamber 116 may be arranged to extend across a lateral surface or side of the second chamber 114 when the airbag is inflated.

The airbag 110 may include two or more third chambers 116 that are spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction of the airbag (e.g., along the width of the first and second chambers). The width of the first and second chambers may be the dimension of the chambers in a direction perpendicular to the primary inflation direction of the first chamber 112. As shown, the third chamber 116 may form a lateral side of the airbag 110, such as the prismatic base 110a of the airbag. In the arrangement shown, the airbag 110 includes two third chambers 116 for forming opposite lateral sides of the airbag 110.

The airbag 110 may be configured such that inflation of the third chamber 116 serves to increase the internal volume of the second chamber 114. For example, inflating the third chamber 116 may stretch the side walls of the second chamber 114 along its length (e.g., in the longitudinal direction of the airbag 110). Thus, inflating the third chamber 116 may increase the width of the second chamber 114 (e.g., in the lateral direction of the vehicle 2) over the entire longitudinal length of the airbag 110. In particular, inflation of the third chamber 116 may increase the width of the second chamber 114 at the longitudinal end of the airbag distal from the first chamber 112.

One or more of the third chambers 116 may be configured to engage the interior trim portion 6 when the third chambers 116 are inflated in order to fix the position of the airbag 110 within the vehicle. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the third chambers 116 may be configured to engage additional trim portions or structural components of the vehicle located, for example, on one side of the airbag 110 in the transverse direction of the vehicle assembly when the airbag is inflated. For example, one or more of the third chambers may be configured to engage the a-pillar 7 of the vehicle to fix the position of the airbag within the vehicle.

In the arrangement shown in figures 1 to 3, the air-bag 110 comprises four chambers. More specifically, the airbag 110 shown in fig. 1-3 includes a first chamber 112, a second chamber 114, and two third chambers 116.

Referring to fig. 4-6, in another arrangement of the present disclosure, the airbag 110 may further include a fourth chamber 118. Thus, the airbag 110 shown in fig. 4-6 includes five chambers. Specifically, the airbag 110 includes a first chamber 112, a second chamber 114, two third chambers 116, and a fourth chamber 118.

The fourth chamber 118 may be disposed in fluid communication with the inflator 120 such that the fourth chamber 118 is inflated by the inflator during deployment of the airbag 110.

As shown in FIG. 4, the fourth chamber 118 may be configured to be primarily along the second direction D₂And (6) inflating. Second direction D₂Substantially parallel to the interior surface 8 of the vehicle assembly 2. In other words, the fourth chamber 118 may be configured to inflate primarily along the inner surface 8, for example across the windshield.

In some arrangements, the fourth chamber 118 may be configured to engage the interior trim portion 6 when the fourth chamber 118 is inflated to fix the position of the airbag within the vehicle interior.

The airbag 110 may be configured such that the first chamber 112 and the fourth chamber 118 inflate substantially simultaneously. The first chamber 112 and the fourth chamber 118 may begin to inflate simultaneously during inflation of the airbag. Alternatively, one of the first chamber 112 and the fourth chamber 118 may begin inflation before the other of the first chamber 112 and the fourth chamber 118 inflates. In the arrangement shown, the airbag 110 is configured such that the fourth chamber 118 begins to inflate before the first chamber 112 begins to inflate. The first chamber 112 may begin to inflate after the fourth chamber 118 is at least partially or substantially fully inflated. The first chamber 112 may be inflated via an opening 118a to the fourth chamber 118, which opening 118a opens upon partial deployment of the material forming the wall between the first and fourth chambers during inflation of the fourth chamber 118.

The airbag 110 is configured such that expansion of the fourth chamber 118 serves to increase the internal volume of the second chamber 114. The fourth chamber 118 may extend across the front surface (relative to the vehicle) of the second chamber 114 when the airbag 110 is inflated. Thus, inflation of the fourth chamber 118 may be used to tighten the front wall of the second chamber 114. As shown, the second chamber 114 may be formed between the first chamber 112 and the fourth chamber 118. In other words, the first chamber 112 and the fourth chamber 118 may form opposing walls of the second chamber.

As described above, the airbag 110 may be substantially prismatic. The prismatic base surface 110a may be formed by a lateral surface of the airbag 110, for example by a wall of the third chamber 116 of the airbag. The first and

fourth chambers

112, 118 may form the prismatic rear and

front sides

110c, 110b, respectively.

The second chamber 114 may be disposed within the prismatic interior, for example, between the first chamber 112, the third chamber 116, and the fourth chamber 118. The second chamber 114 may be disposed in a primary inflation direction (e.g., first direction D) with the first and fourth chambers₁And a second direction D₂) In the volume between the parallel planes. Further, the volume of the second chamber 114 may be configured to be located between planes or surfaces of the third chamber 116 that are located on laterally opposite sides of the second chamber 114. As shown, the walls of the second chamber 114 may formThe bottom side 110d of the airbag.

As shown in fig. 5 and 6, the third chamber 116 may extend between the first and fourth chambers, for example, across the prismatic base 110a of the airbag 110. When the airbag includes the fourth chamber 118, the airbag 110 may be configured to inflate the third chamber 116 with inflation gas from an inflator 120 that passes through the fourth chamber 118.

The airbag 110 may be configured such that the third chamber 116 begins to inflate after the fourth chamber 118 is at least partially or substantially fully inflated. For example, the third chamber 116 may be inflated through one or more openings 118b formed in the wall between the fourth and third chambers, the openings 118b opening between the chambers upon at least partial deployment of the material forming the wall during inflation of the fourth chamber 118. The third chamber 116 may be inflated in the lateral direction of the vehicle at the base 110a of the prism.

As described above, the fourth chamber 118 may be configured to inflate or begin to inflate before the first chamber 112 begins to inflate. Thus, the fourth chamber 118 may be the first chamber to inflate or begin inflation during airbag deployment.

Referring to fig. 7, in some arrangements, the airbag 110 may further include a laterally extending chamber 700 configured to extend laterally from other chambers of the airbag to a more central region of the vehicle interior. Accordingly, the laterally extending chamber 700 may be arranged to cushion a collision between an occupant and the interior surface 8 and/or a more central portion of the interior trim portion 6 during a vehicle collision. In some arrangements, the laterally extending chamber 700 may be arranged to cushion a collision between an occupant in a center seat of the motor vehicle and the interior surface 8 and/or the interior trim portion 6.

As shown, the laterally extending chamber 700 may extend laterally from a side of the airbag formed by the third chamber 116, such as from the third chamber. The airbag 110 may include an opening 702 between the first chamber 112 or the third chamber 118 and the laterally extending chamber 700, such as an opening formed in a wall of the airbag between the chambers. The transversely extending chamber 700 may be inflated with inflation gas that passes through the first chamber 112 and/or the third chamber 116, the inflation gas passing through the openings 702 to the transversely extending chamber 700. In some arrangements, the airbag may be configured, for example, by the location and/or configuration of the opening 702, such that the laterally extending chamber 700 begins to inflate when the first chamber 112 and/or the third chamber 116 are at least partially inflated or substantially fully inflated.

The following additional numbered inventive statements are also included in the description and form a part of the present disclosure:

statement 1. a vehicle airbag assembly, the assembly comprising:

an inflator; and

an airbag configured to deploy from a roof structure of a vehicle to inflate over an interior surface of the vehicle to cushion a collision between a vehicle occupant and the interior surface during a vehicle collision, wherein the airbag comprises:

a first chamber configured to extend from the roof structure across an interior surface of the vehicle when the first chamber is inflated; and

a second chamber arranged relative to the first chamber such that inflation of the first chamber acts to increase the internal volume of the second chamber, wherein the second chamber comprises a valve that allows ambient air to be drawn into the second chamber as the volume of the second chamber increases.

Statement 2. the airbag assembly of statement 1, wherein the first chamber is configured to deploy against an interior trim portion of the motor vehicle to fix a position of the inflated airbag within the vehicle interior.

Statement 3. the airbag assembly according to statement 1 or 2, wherein the airbag further comprises one or more third chambers configured to extend across one or more surfaces of the second chamber that are substantially perpendicular to the surface of the second chamber across which the first chamber extends when the airbag inflates.

Statement 4. the airbag assembly according to statement 3, wherein the airbag includes two or more third chambers that are spaced apart from each other in a transverse direction of the airbag.

Statement 5. the airbag assembly according to any of statements 1-4, wherein the airbag further comprises a fourth chamber that is inflated by the inflator, wherein the fourth chamber is configured to inflate primarily in a direction having a component that is perpendicular to the primary inflation direction of the first chamber.

Statement 6. the airbag assembly of statement 5, wherein the fourth chamber is configured such that inflation of the fourth chamber acts to increase the internal volume of the second chamber.

Statement 7. the airbag assembly according to

statement

5 or 6, wherein the fourth chamber is configured such that the fourth chamber inflates primarily in a direction parallel to the surface of the inner surface.

Statement 8. the airbag assembly according to any of statements 5-7, wherein the airbag assembly is configured to inflate the fourth chamber prior to inflation of the other chambers during airbag deployment.

Statement 9. the airbag assembly of any of statements 5-8, wherein the second chamber is disposed in a volume defined between the first chamber and the fourth chamber.

Statement 10. the airbag assembly of any of statements 5-9, wherein the first chamber and the fourth chamber inflate to define sides of a prism shape, wherein the second chamber is at least partially disposed in the prism shape.

Statement 11. the airbag assembly according to any of statements 5-10, wherein the airbag is configured such that the fourth chamber is disposed between the second chamber and the interior surface upon inflation of the airbag.

Statement 12. the airbag assembly according to any of statements 4-11 as dependent on statement 3, wherein the third chamber inflates between the first chamber and the fourth chamber.

Statement 13. the airbag assembly according to statements 11 and 12, wherein the third chamber defines a prismatic base surface.

Statement 14. an airbag assembly according to any of the preceding statements, wherein the airbag is configured such that the second chamber is disposed between the first chamber and an interior surface of the vehicle upon inflation of the airbag.

Statement 15. an airbag assembly according to any of the preceding statements, wherein the airbag is formed from a single sheet of material arranged to form one or more chambers of the airbag.

Statement 16. a vehicle assembly, comprising:

a roof structure;

disposed adjacent an interior surface of the roof structure;

an airbag assembly of any of the preceding claims.

Statement 17. the vehicle assembly according to statement 16, wherein the airbag is configured to inflate relative to the interior surface and the interior trim portion of the vehicle assembly such that an occupant moving toward the interior surface initially impacts the first chamber of the airbag during the impact.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that although the invention has been described by way of example with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it is not limited to the examples disclosed and that alternative examples may be constructed without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle airbag assembly, the assembly comprising:

an inflator; and

an airbag configured to deploy from a roof structure of the vehicle to inflate over an interior surface of the vehicle to cushion a collision between an occupant of the vehicle and the interior surface during the collision of the vehicle, wherein the airbag comprises:

a first chamber configured to extend from the roof structure across the interior surface of the vehicle when the first chamber is inflated; and

2. The airbag assembly of claim 1, wherein the first chamber is configured to deploy against an interior trim portion of a motor vehicle, thereby securing the position of the inflated airbag within the vehicle interior.

3. The airbag assembly of claim 1 wherein the airbag further comprises one or more third chambers configured to extend across one or more surfaces of the second chamber when the airbag is inflated, the surfaces of the second chamber that are spanned by the third chambers being substantially perpendicular to the surfaces of the second chamber that are spanned by the first chambers.

4. The airbag assembly of claim 1, wherein the airbag further comprises a fourth chamber that is inflated by the inflator, wherein the fourth chamber is configured to inflate primarily in a direction having a component that is perpendicular to a primary inflation direction of the first chamber.

5. The airbag assembly of claim 4, wherein the fourth chamber is configured such that the fourth chamber inflates primarily in a direction parallel to the surface of the inner surface.

6. The airbag assembly of claim 4, wherein the airbag assembly is configured to cause the fourth chamber to inflate before the other chambers inflate during deployment of the airbag.

7. The airbag assembly of claim 4, wherein the second chamber is disposed in a volume defined between the first chamber and the fourth chamber.

8. The airbag assembly of claim 4, wherein the airbag is configured such that the fourth chamber is disposed between the second chamber and the interior surface upon inflation of the airbag.

9. The airbag assembly of claim 4, wherein the first and fourth chambers inflate to define sides of a prism shape, wherein the second chamber is at least partially disposed in the prism shape.

10. The airbag assembly of claim 9 wherein the airbag further comprises one or more third chambers, wherein the third chambers inflate between the first chamber and the fourth chamber.

11. The airbag assembly of claim 10, wherein the third chamber defines the prismatic base surface.

12. The airbag assembly of claim 1, wherein the airbag is configured such that the second chamber is disposed between the first chamber and the interior surface of the vehicle when the airbag is inflated.

13. The airbag assembly of claim 1 wherein the airbag is made from a single sheet of material arranged to form one or more chambers of the airbag.

14. A vehicle assembly, comprising:

a roof structure;

disposed adjacent an interior surface of the roof structure;

the airbag assembly of claim 1.

15. The vehicle assembly of claim 14, wherein the airbag is configured to inflate relative to the interior surface and the interior trim portion of the vehicle assembly such that an occupant moving toward the interior surface initially impacts the first chamber of the airbag during an impact.