GB2362139A

GB2362139A - Air-bag with fixing means at each of its opposed sides

Info

Publication number: GB2362139A
Application number: GB0011310A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rudiger Lang
Original assignee: Autoliv Development AB
Current assignee: Autoliv Development AB
Priority date: 2000-05-10
Filing date: 2000-05-10
Publication date: 2001-11-14
Anticipated expiration: 2020-05-10
Also published as: GB2362139B; GB0011310D0

Abstract

An air-bag 1 in a motor vehicle comprises two opposed sides each provided with mounting means 11 and 12, and at least one region between the mounting means adapted to be inflated. The airbag is mounted in the vehicle such that the mounting means are spaced apart by a distance which is less than the distance between the mounting means when the air-bag is uninflated and substantially flat. The air-bag may be divided into two inflatable regions 2 and 3 separated by an uninflatable region 8. The air-bag may be formed of two layers of fabric interconnected by a plurality of seams (9 and 10, Fig 1) to define a plurality of cells, or inter-connected at a number of selected points (14, Fig 2). The air-bag may be mounted in the roof of the vehicle, either adjacent a side edge of the vehicle or centrally of the vehicle (Fig 6).

Description

2362139 PATENTS ACT 1977 P14252QB-Nf/jsd DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

"IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO AN AIR-BAG ARRANGEMENT" THE PRESENT INVENTION relates to an air-bag arrangement, and more particularly relates to an air-bag arrangement adapted to provide protection for an occupant of a motor vehicle in the event that an accident should arise.

Whilst it has been proposed previously to provide an air-bag arrangement which incorporates an inflatable element which, when inflated, is located adjacent a side of the vehicle in the form of an "inflated curtain" (see, for example, GB 2,297,950 A), such arrangements may not provide the desired degree of protection in certain vehicles such as, for example, lorries or off-road vehicles where the vehicle has a high roof line and a substantial width. If an inflatable element of this type is provided in such a vehicle, when the inflatable element inflates it may be located a long distance firom the head of an occupant of the vehicle.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved air-bag arrangement.

According to this invention there is provided an air-bag arrangement in a motor vehicle, the air-bag arrangement comprising an inflatable element, the 2 inflatable element having two opposed sides, each provided with mounting means to enable the inflatable element to be mounted in position in the motor vehicle, the inflatable element comprising at least one region between the mounting means adapted to be inflated, the inflatable element being mounted in position in a motor vehicle with the two mounting means spaced apart by a predetermined distance, that distance being less than the distance between the said mounting means when the inflatable element is uninflated and substantially flat.

Preferably the inflatable element is divided into two regions, at least one region defining a chamber adapted to be inflated.

Conveniently the air-bag arrangement comprises two regions, each of the regions being adapted to be inflated.

Advantageously in the or each region adapted to be inflated, the two layers of fabric forming the air-bag are inter-connected, at least at selected points.

Preferably the said layers of fabric are inter-connected by a plurality of seams to define a plurality of cells.

Alternatively the layers of fabric are only inter-connected at selected points.

Conveniently the layers of fabric are stitched or woven together at the selected points.

3 Alternatively the layers of fabric are secured together at the selected points by means of internal straps.

Preferably the two regions are separated by an uninflatable region, the uninfl le region being parallel with the mounting means.

Conveniently the inflatable element is mounted in the roof of a vehicle.

In one embodiment the inflatable element is mounted in the roof of the ve hicle adjacent a side edge of the vehicle so that the inflatable element, when inflated, will extend downwardly between an occupant of the vehicle and an adjacent side of the vehicle.

In an alternative embodiment the inflatable element is mounted in the roof of a vehicle, substantially centrally of the vehicle.

Advantageously the inflatable element is provided with one or more fixing straps.

Claims

The invention also relates to an inflatable element for an air-bag arrangement according to any one of the preceding Claims, the inflatable element comprising a region provided with at least one chamber adapted to be inflated, and two fixing means provided at opposed sides of the region -for use in fixing the inflatable element in position. In order that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that flirther features thereof may be appreciated, the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 4 FIGURE 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of an inflatable element for use in an air-bag arrangement in accordance with the invention in an uninflated state, FIGURE 2 is a view corresponding to Figure 1 showing a modified embodiment of the invention, FIGURE 3 is a view showing the inflatable element of Figure 1 when in an initial position in the roof of a vehicle, FIGURE 4 is a view corresponding to Figure 3 showing the inflatable element in an inflated condition, FIGURE 5 is a side view of an embodiment of the invention which is similar to that shown in Figure 4, FIGURE 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a further embodiment of the invention. Referring initially to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, an air-bag arrangement incorporates an inflatable element 1. In the illustrated embodiment the inflatable element 1 is of generally rectangular form and is sub-divided into two rectangular regions 2, 3. The inflatable element is illustrated in a substantially flat, uninflated state. The first rectangular region 2 is located towards the left side of the inflatable element 1, as shown in Figure 1, and the second rectangular region 3 is located towards the right-hand side. The region 2 contains an inflatable chamber 4, and the region 3 contains an inflatable chamber 5. The inflatable chamber 4 is associated with a gas duct 6 which extends in alignment with one edge of the inflatable element 1. The chaniber 5 is associated with a gas duct 7 which extends parallel with the opposed edge of the inflatable element 1. A region 8, which is substantially centrally disposed of the inflatable element 1, is adapted not to be inflated, and serves to separate the two regions 2, 3. The chamber 4 is divided, by a plurality of seams 9 into a plurality of cells. In the described embodiment the cells are substantially parallel and of substantially even width. The cells extend transversely of the axis of the gas duct 6. Similarly the chamber 5 is divided, by means of seams 10, into a plurality of cells, and in this embodiment the cells are parallel and of substantially even width. Whilst, in the described embodiment, the uninflatable region 8 which serves to separate the two chambers 4, 5. is substantially centrally located, the uninflatable region 8 could be located more towards the left, meaning that the chamber 4 is smaller than the chamber 5 or, alternatively, could be located further towards the right, meaning that the chamber 4 is larger than the chamber 5. The side edge of the inflatable element 1 provided with the gas duct 6 has a projecting mounting flap 11, and the opposite side edge, provided with the gas duct 7, has a projecting mounting flap 12. Each mounting flap, in a modified embodiment may be replaced by a plurality of spaced- apart fixing lugs. the mounting flaps 11, 12 are parallel, and are also parallel with the uninflatable region 8. Figure 2 illustrates an inflatable element 13 which is generally similar to that shown in Figure 1 so that instead of the chambers 4 and 5 being provided 6 with seams 9 and 10, the chambers are provided with a plurality of points 14 at which the layers of fabric forming the inflatable element are inter-connected. The layers of fabric may be inter-connected by being directly stitched or woven together or, internal straps may be provided. It is to be appreciated that when the inflatable element 1 or the inflatable element 13 is inflated, with gas being supplied through the gas supply ducts, the inflatable element will have two inflated regions, and the nature of the seams 9, 10 and the nature of the points 14 is such that the regions will have generally parallel opposed sides. Each of these sides will not be absolutely flat, but will be curved outwardly between the seams or the points where the layers of fabric are inter- connected. The regions will thus generally correspond to two inflated mattresses. It is envisaged that an inflatable element 1, as described in Figure 1, may be mounted in the roof of a vehicle above the interior trim of the vehicle. Figure 3 shows a metal roof 20 of the vehicle, and an interior trim 21 which is divided into two trim panels 22, 23 which are interconnected by a releasable connection 24. In the space between a trim and the roof, an inflatable element 1 is mounted in position. The mounting flaps 11 and 12 are secured appropriately to the structure of the vehicle, and the inflatable element 1, in a folded state, extends between the mounting flaps 11 and 12. The mounting flaps 11 and 12 are consequently spaced apart by a distance which is less than the total width of the inflatable element 1 when the element is in an uninflated substantially flat state, as shown in Figure 1. In the event that an accident occurs, an appropriate sensor, such as a sensor which is responsive to a side impact, or a roll-over situation, will 7 activate the inflator means associated with each of the gas ducts 6 and 7 causing the chambers 4 and 5 to become inflated. As a consequence of this the trim panels 22 and 23 are separated and moved downwardly as the inflatable element inflates. Because the mounting flaps 1 1 and 12 are spaced apart by a distance which is less than the width of the inflatable element, as the inflatable element inflates, so the two regions 2, 3 move downwardly so that the uninflated region 8 of the inflatable element located between the two regions is spaced downwardly beneath the roof 20. Because the two regions 2, 3 resemble inflated mattresses, the two regions form a substantially rigid structure depending from the roof with the regions 2, 3 being inclined towards each other and do not need flu- ther support. It can be seen, in Figure 4, that the region 3 is located adjacent the head 25 of the occupant 26 of the vehicle, and will thus provide protection for the occupant of the vehicle. Figure 5 is a side view of an embodiment which is similar to that shown in Figure 4. In this embodiment the inflatable element is mounted in position in, for example, an off-road vehicle having a high roof line. Figure 5 illustrates an inflatable element 30 which is similar to that shown in Figure 1 with the exception that the inflatable element 30 has a front strap 31 adapted to extend from a forward part of the inflatable element to an A-Post 32 of the vehicle. Figure 5 shows that towards the rear of the inflatable element two inflators 33, 34 are provided adapted to generate gas to inflate the inflatable element. It can be seen that in the embodiment of Figure 5, the inflatable element extends from a point adjacent the A-Post 32 of the vehicle past the B-Post 35 of the vehicle, and extends towards the C-Post 36 of the 8 vehicle, thus providing protection not only for a front-seat passenger of the vehicle, but also a rear seat passenger. VVhilst the invention has been described above with reference to embodiments in which the inflatable element is, on inflation, adapted to be located between an occupant of the vehicle and an immediately adjacent side window, an air-bag arrangement of the type described above may be mounted centrally within a motor vehicle in order to prevent the head of an occupant moving a substantial distance towards the centre of the vehicle. Referring to Figure 6, an air-bag arrangement is illustrated in which an air-bag I is mounted at a substantially central position within a vehicle having a high roof line. The air-bag 1 is mounted in position between the roof 40 and associated trim panels 41, 42, as provided in the vehicle. As in the embodiment described above, the mounting flaps 11, 12 are secured in position, and the spacing between them is less than the width of the inflatable element. The inflatable element, when inflated, thus presents two inflated regions 2, 3 which extend downwardly from the roof of the vehicle. The inflatable element 1, as can be seen in Figure 6, is located between the heads 43, 44 of two occupants of the vehicle, thus providing a desired degree of protection. VVhilst, in the described embodiments, the two inflatable parts of the inflatable element each comprise a single chamber which, when inflated, resembles an inflated mattress, in a modified embodiment of the invention only one inflatable part, the part located closest to the occupant of the vehicle to be protected, may resemble an inflated mattress, and the other part may comprise one or more inflated locating struts. Whilst in the described embodiments of the invention, the inflatable element has been described as having two discrete inflatable regions, each region comprising a chamber associated with a separate inflator or gas generator, in a further modified embodiment of the invention the 9 chambers may be inter-connected and may be provided with gas from a single gas generator. Whilst, in the described embodiment of the invention, gas supply ducts are provided to supply gas to inflate the chambers, with the supply ducts being located adjacent the mounting flaps, in alternative embodiments of the invention the gas supply ducts my have other locations. In the present specification "comprise" means 'Includes or consists of' and "comprising" means 'Including or consisting of'. The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof. CLAIMS:

1. An air-bag arrangement in a motor vehicle, the air-bag arrangement comprising an inflatable element, the inflatable element having two opposed sides, each provided with mounting means to enable the inflatable element to be mounted in position in the motor vehicle, the inflatable element comprising at least one region between the mounting means adapted to be inflated, the inflatable element being mounted in position in a motor vehicle with the two mounting means spaced apart by a predetermined distance, that distance being less than the distance between the said mounting means when the inflatable element is uninflated and substantially flat.

2. An arrangement according to Claim 1 wherein the inflatable element is divided into two regions, at least one region defining a chamber adapted to be inflated.

3. An arrangement according to Claim 2 wherein the air-bag arrangement comprises two regions, each of the regions being adapted to be inflated.

4. An air-bag arrangement according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein in the or each region adapted to be inflated, the two layers of fabric forming the air-bag are inter-connected, at least at selected points.

5. An arrangement according to Claim 4 wherein the said layers of fabric are inter-connected by a plurality of seams to define a plurality of cells.

11

6. An arrangement according to Claim 4 wherein the layers of fabric are only inter-connected at selected points.

7. An arrangement according to Claim 6 wherein the layers of fabric are stitched or woven together at the selected points.

8. An arrangement according to Claim 6 wherein the layers of fabric are secured together at the selected points by means of internal straps.

9. An arrangement according to Claim 2 or any Claim dependent thereon wherein the two regions are separated by an uninflatable region, the uninflatable region being parallel with the mounting means.

10. An air-bag arrangement according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the inflatable element is mounted in the roof of a vehicle.

11. An arrangement according to Claim 10 wherein the inflatable element is mounted in the roof of the vehicle adjacent a side edge of the vehicle so that the inflatable element, when inflated, will extend downwardly between an occupant of the vehicle and an adjacent side of the vehicle.

12. An arrangement according to Claim 10 wherein the inflatable element is mounted in the roof of a vehicle, substantially centrally of the vehicle.

13. An arrangement according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the inflatable element is provided with one or more fixing straps.

14. An air-bag arrangement substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.

12

15. An air-bag arrangement substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1, 3, 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.

16. An air-bag arrangement substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 and 6 of the accompanying drawings. -

17. An air-bag arrangement substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.

18. An inflatable element for an air-bag arrangement according to any one of the preceding Claims, the inflatable element comprising a region provided with at least one chamber adapted to be inflated, and two fixing means provided at opposed sides of the region for use in fixing the inflatable element in position.

19. An inflatable element substantially as herein described, with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

20. An inflatable element substantially as herein described, with reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.

21. An inflatable element substantially as herein described, with reference to Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.

22. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.