MXPA97005014A - Soft package air bag module against late impact - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an occupant protection system against lateral impact, comprising: a housing that includes an open side, an inflator to provide inflation gas, placed inside the housing, in such a way that the inflation gas flows to through the open side of the housing: an air bag having a flexible inflatable cushion portion that, when inflated, protects a seated occupant, prior to inflating the cushion portion, the cushion portion is maintained in a consolidated configuration on the outside and usually on the front of the housing, to provide a cushioned soft margin relative to the seated occupant, the cushion including a neck portion or inlet adjacent the opening side of the housing, to receive the inflation gas that comes out of it, the consolidated airbag cushion, before inflation thereof, remains in its consolidated configuration abroad and usually in the front part of the housing by means of a soft flexible helmet placed around it, including the case a preferred break section opened during the inflation of the bag of ai

Description

"SOFT PACKAGE AIR BAG MODULE AGAINST SIDE IMPACT" BACKGROUND AND COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to airbag systems and, more specifically to occupant protection systems against lateral impact. It has been proposed to protect the occupants of a vehicle during a side impact collision to introduce an air pocket between the occupant's torso and the interior of the vehicle. U.S. Patent No. 3,617073 is illustrative of a system in which the air bag guard system is positioned within a vehicle door. British Patent Specification No. 1 450 666 introduces the air bag from a top rail or ceiling, while British Patent Number 2 232 936B shows an air pocket formed within a seat. With respect to seat-mounted air bag systems, it is desirable that the air bag and its associated mounting hardware be constructed in a manner that is compatible with the design of the seat and does not interfere with the comfort of the occupant. All known airbag technologies mount the airbag in a rigid housing with a rigid cover around the airbag. This type of construction, if placed behind the soft flexible foam padding of the seat, will reduce the resilience of the batting, decreasing the comfort of the occupant. An object of the present invention is to provide a lateral impact system that is compact in design and light in weight. A further object of the invention is to provide an air bag module against side impact that is considerably smaller than the height of the seat backrest, thereby allowing the air bag module to be mounted in one of the many desirable locations inside the backrest of the seat, without detracting from the comfort of the occupant. Correspondingly, the invention comprises: an occupant protection system against lateral impact that includes: an air bag module, having a soft exterior adapted to be placed adjacent a resilient inner portion of a seat backrest of an automotive seat. The system includes a channel having a keyhole shaped cross section including a first cylindrical wall portion having a first wide diameter and a second portion having two parallel sides spaced apart to form an open top portion through which the inflation gas towards an adjacent air bag. The distance through the space between the sides is less than that of the first diameter. The channel further includes a first end and a second end, the first end is essentially closed by a first end plate and includes a small opening therein. A cylindrical air bag inflator is placed and secured within the cylindrical portion of the channel. The inflator has at least one gas outlet orifice that directs the inflation gas to the open top and then to the air bag. The airbag is positioned, prior to activation of the inflator in a consolidated configuration through the top and around the sides of the channel in such a manner, that the opposite end sections of the airbag are adjacent to one side correspondent. The system includes a fastening means running along essentially the entire length of each side of the channel to hold the end section of the air bag in the channel; wherein the fastening means, adjacent to the end sections of the air bag, does not extend outwardly beyond the exterior of the cylindrical portion. The air bag is retained around the channel bag by a soft flexible outer hull.

Many other objects and purposes of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: Figure 1 illustrates a partial sectional view of an automotive seat showing the location of an airbag module against lateral impact. Figure 2 illustrates an overall view showing the main components of a first embodiment of the invention. Figure 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the module of Figure 2. Figure 4 illustrates an isolated isometric view of an assembled module. Figure 5 shows an overall view of another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of this alternative embodiment. Figure 7 shows a bag of air digramatically. Figure 8 shows a plan view of a coating material.

Figures 9 and 10 show a further embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Reference is made to Figures 1 to 4 which illustrate a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 shows a soft pack air bag module generally indicated by the number 10 attached to a frame 12 positioned on the backrest 14 of the seat of a vehicle seat 16. The seat is adjacent to a side 17 of the vehicle. As is known in the art, the frame 12 is covered by a foam material 18 which in turn is covered by a coating 20. The coating 20 is typically of skin, vinyl or cloth. The foam 18, next to the module 10, includes a recessed portion 19 for receiving the module 10. Reference is now made to Figure 2 illustrating an overall view of the module 10. The module comprises a channel 30 formed or extruded, preferably metal having a generally circular lower section 32 and opposed walls 34a and 34b extending outward from the circular section 32. As can be seen in Figure 2, as well as in the cross section of Figure 3, the channel has an upper part 36 or side open and its cross section, in general, resembles a key or keyhole. The channel 30 is open at its ends 36a and 36b. The end of the circular section 32 near the end 36b of the channel can flare outwardly, usually at 38. Each of the walls 34a and 34b includes a plurality of threaded fasteners 40 extending outwardly therefrom. The key-shaped partition 42 formed by the channel 30 is partially enclosed by the end caps 44a and 44b. The end caps are fixed, for example, by welding at the ends of the side walls 34a and 34b. The end cap 44a includes a portion 46 of rings having a central opening 48 for partially enclosing the end 34b of the channel 30. The module 10 includes an air pocket which is generally shown as 50. The air bag comprises a panel 52 main and two side panels 54, only one of which is shown in Figure 7. Air bag 50 includes a region 56 of tapered neck. The main panel 52 near the neck region includes a plurality of openings 58. During assembly, the neck portion 56 slides over the side walls 34a and 34b with the different openings 58 aligned in the extended fasteners 40. Then, the fasteners are inserted through a corresponding opening of the openings 58. As can be seen in Figure 3, the air bag 50 may include, next to the ends of the main panel near the openings 58, one or more layers additional cloths, which are generally shown as 60 to reinforce this area of the air pocket. These additional fabric layers 60 also function as a heat shield to protect the other parts of the air pocket from the intense heat generated by a gas inflator 90 (or gas generator as is also referenced in the art). . In the air bag mounted in the channel 30, the air bag is usually rolled or folded into a compact configuration as generally shown in Figure 3. To prevent the air bag from unrolling or unfolding, the module 10 also includes a flexible fabric covering or material that is used to trap the folded air bag. This soft outer shell or hull material 70 is generally shown in Figure 8. After the air bag is bent generally in accordance with Figure 3, the hull holes 72 are placed around the corresponding fasteners 40 in such a way that the cover usually surrounds the folded air pocket. As will also be seen from Figure 8, the cover 70 includes four fins 74a-74d. The fins 74a and 74b then move inward so that they are against the ends of the bent or rolled air bag. Then, the vane 74c having an additional hole 76 is wound around the vane 74a and the opening 76 is secured in a corresponding holder 40. Similarly, the flap 74d moves around the flap 74b and the hole 76 is secured to a corresponding fastener 40. In this way, the cover 70 virtually surrounds the folded air pocket and provides a smooth package exterior. The helmet 70 also includes a preferred break region that can be formed by a line of perforations 78 that allow it to open easily when the air bag is inflated. The cover or helmet 70 and the air bag 50 are secured in the channel 30 by a bar 64 having opening 65 therein. The bar 64 is secured to the fasteners on the side 34a by a plurality of fasteners 66, such as threaded nuts. The other side of the air bag 50 and the cover 70 are secured in a manner similar to the channel by a bracket 80 that includes a bar portion 81 and offset portions 82a and 82b, each of which includes a hole 84a and 84b assembly. As can be seen in Figure 1, a plurality of fasteners that are generally shown as 84 are used in order to mount the module 10 in the seat 16 through the mounting holes. Returning briefly to Figure 2, the module 10 further includes an inflator 90 having a generally circular cylindrical body and an optional flared end 94 for matching against the optional flared end 38 of the channel 30. The inflator includes a mounting stud 96 that is extends from the end 98. During assembly, the inflator 90 slides at the end 36b with the stud 96 extending from the opening 48. Then, a fastener 100 secures the inflator in the channel. The inflator will typically include a plurality of electrical terminals (or at least wires) 102, adapted to receive a control signal through the wires, generally shown as 104 (see Figure 1). The inflator 90 is of the solid impeller type, typically will include a plurality of gas outlet holes uniformly spaced along the body 92. If the inflator 90 is of the hybrid inflator type, the outlet orifices such as 106, usually they are concentrated at one end of the body such that they are distant from a portion of the adjacent pressure vessel used to store the inert inflation gas. Since the construction of solid and gaseous inflators or other types have been well understood, no further discussion is necessary. Reference is now made to Figure 5 which illustrates another view as a whole of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment includes a channel 30 'and a bag 50' of air. This channel 30 'in comparison with the channel 30 further includes flanges 120a and 120b extending outwardly fixed or formed as part of the upper parts of the sides 34a and 34b. With respect to the bag 50 'of air (shown shortened), the ends of the main panel 52 are formed in loops generally at 122 if they are sewn together along a line 124 of stitches or corresponding seam. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the bar 64, the end cap 44a and the bracket 80 are of integral construction, the object of which is to provide an improved method for securing the air bag in the channel. In this embodiment the bar, the lid and the bracket are generally referred to as a connection member 130. The connecting member is formed of a single die having a section 132 that will form an end piece. The section 134 includes the opening 48. A portion of the die 132 is bent at 134 defining the first bar 64. Before being bent, an additional portion of the die extends outwardly from the member 132. This extending portion is then bent. at locations 136, 138, 140 and 142, defining the general configuration as illustrated in Figure 5. As can be seen, the first bar 64 and the second bar 81 extend outwardly from the end piece 132. During assembly, the ends 122 formed in loops of the air bag are placed under the flanges 120 and adjacent the sides 34a and 34b (see Figure 6). With the air bag in this position, the connecting member 130 and its extension arms 132 and 146 slide into the corresponding loops 122. The spacing between the arms 132 and 146 is sized to grip the air bag tightly against the sides 34a and 34b. The free ends 150a and 150b of each arm are then secured to another end member 152, which may further include an offset flange portion 154. In this embodiment, the soft outer shell 70 can be formed by two pieces of flexible material 170a and 170b, sewn into the air bag 50 '. Each piece of material 170a and 170b is connected to a rigid connection member 172 having a "J" or "U" shaped cross section. One of the pieces of material such as 120a includes the rupture seam 78. After the bag 50 'of air is folded or rolled up and the pieces of material 170 are then placed around the air bag and the connecting members 172 are interfitted or joined together in another manner as shown in the Figure 6. The members 172 are preferably placed on the side of the consolidated air bag. The connecting members 172 will remain linked together by an external force imparted to them by the air bag since it has a tendency to expand even when it is bent. Reference is made to Figures 9 and 10. In this embodiment of the invention, the channel 30"includes at one end a portion 160 of enlarged diameter defining a mixing chamber 162 around the different plurality of the exit orifice 106 that is found Typically in a hybrid inflator In the prior embodiment of the invention, the existing exit ports 106 of the inflation gas collide against the circular wall portion 32 narrowly spaced from the channel 30 or 30 ', since the inflation gas flows directly towards outside through the upper open part 36 of the channel, while a portion of the gas may tend to flow down the channel before flowing out through the open upper part 36. This axial flow decreases the efficiency of the inflator due to the modest amount of heat energy that is lost or transferred from the inflation gas to the channel The introduction of the mixer chamber 162 shown in FIG. Figures 9 and 10, channels or directs the gas generally shown by the arrow 164 outwardly through the open top 36, and directly into the air bag, decreasing heat loss and maintaining the overall efficiency of the operation. The concept of providing an inflator having a high efficiency becomes more important when the amount of the injector used is reduced (compared to inflators inflating larger airbags) which is the case in the present invention, since the amount of gas stored in compatible amount of the impeller is relatively low as can be seen from the dimensions of the inflator which are approximately 25 mm in diameter and 180 mm in length. During operation, an associated electronic control unit and a detector mechanism will generate a control signal indicative of a side impact shock to cause the inflator to release and / or generate the inflation gas, thereby inflating the air bag 50. As the airbag is inflated, it quickly opens its exterior, the flexible helmet 70, and exits through a predefined slot or other intentionally weakened area in the seat, such as a seam between the side and the front of the back of the seat. seat or perforated section. Once inflated, the air bag 50 will be placed between the torso side of the occupant and the shoulder and an interior wall of the vehicle. An advantage of the present invention is derived from using a channel having a keyhole construction where the spacing between the side walls 34 is smaller than the main diameter of the circular portion 32 of the channel. In this way, the brackets 64, 80 and the physical equipment used to secure the air pocket in the channel, do not extend beyond the main diameter of the channel, thus providing a relatively compact design as is evident from the view shown. in Figure 4. Furthermore, since the present invention has been designed to be used and installed inside a flexible seat, the resilience provided by the flexible helmet and the airbag makes its placement undetectable since it does not det from the softness or General resilience that is provided by seat 16 with wadding. Many changes and modifications in the above-described embodiment of the invention can, of course, be carried out without deviating from the scope thereof. Accordingly, the scope is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (10)

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N E S:

1. An occupant protection system against lateral impact comprising: a housing (30) including an open side (36); an inflator for providing inflation gas positioned within the housing such that the inflation gas flows through the open side of the housing; an air bag (50) having a flexible inflatable cushion portion (52, 54) that when inflated protects a seated occupant, prior to inflation of the cushion portion, the cushion portion is maintained in a consolidated configuration at below and generally on the front of the housing to provide a cushioned soft margin relative to the seated occupant, the cushion includes a neck portion or inlet (56) adjacent to the side of the housing opening to receive the inflation gas that leaves it; the consolidated air bag cushion before inflation thereof is maintained in its configuration to the outside and generally in the front of the housing by a soft flexible helmet (70) placed around, including the helmet a break section preferred open during inflation of the airbag.

The device according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a keyhole-shaped channel (30) having a large and small diameter portion, and wherein the system further includes an air bag inflator (90). air to inflate the air bag placed in the large diameter portion.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the housing is mounted on a backrest of the seat.

The device according to claim 1, wherein the consolidated air bag and the helmet bump against an upholstered portion of a seat.

The device according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a channel having a keyhole-shaped cross section including a first cylindrical wall portion (32) having a wide diameter primer and a second portion (34a) , b) having two separate parallel sides, the spacing between the sides is smaller than that of the first diameter and wherein the spacing defines an open upper part (36) of the channel through which the inflation gas can flow into a bag (50) of adjacent air, the channel further includes a first end (36a) and a second end (36b), the first end is essentially closed by a first end plate (44a) having therein an opening (48) little.

The device according to claim 5 which includes: a cylindrically shaped air bag inflator fitted within the cylindrical portion of the channel, having at least one gas outlet orifice (106) therein oriented for allowing the inflation gas to flow towards the separation through the open upper part and then towards the air bag (50), the air bag is placed, before activation of the inflator, in a consolidated configuration above the upper part to allow the inflation gas to enter it; the air bag (50) is placed around the sides of the channel in such a way that the opposite sections of the air bag are adjacent to a corresponding side (34a, b) of the channel; securing means (64, 66, 80) running along essentially the entire length of each side of the channel to hold a corresponding section of the air bag in the channel, wherein the fastening means adjacent to the sections of The end of the air bag does not extend outward beyond the outside of the cylindrical part.

7. An occupant protection system against lateral impact that includes: an airbag module (10) having a soft exterior adapted to be placed on a seat member (14) of an automotive seat (16), the module comprising: channel (30) having a keyhole shaped cross section including a first cylindrical wall portion (32) having a first wide diameter and a second portion (34a), b) having two separate parallel sides, the spacing between the sides is smaller than that of the first diameter and wherein the spacing defines an open upper part (36) of the channel through which the inflation gas can flow towards a adjacent air bag (50), the channel further includes a first end (36a) and a second end (36b), the first end is essentially closed by a first plate (44a) end having a small opening (48) therein; a cylindrically shaped air bag inflator fitted within the cylindrical portion of the channel having at least one gas outlet orifice (106) therein, oriented to allow the inflation gas to flow toward separation through the upper part open and then towards the air bag (50), the air bag is placed before the activation of the inflator in a consolidated configuration above the upper part to allow the inflation gas to enter the same; the air bag (50) fits around the sides of the channel such that the opposite sections of the air pocket are adjacent to a corresponding side (34a, b) of the channel; clamping means (64, 66, 80) running along substantially the entire length of each side of the channel to hold a corresponding section of the air bag in the channel; wherein the fastening means adjacent the end sections of the air bag do not extend outwardly beyond the exterior of the cylindrical portion; and an air bag retention means (70) positioned around the air ball and to maintain the air bag in its consolidated configuration and to open and release the air bag in response to the inflation gas.

The device according to claim 7, including a bracket means (80) for mounting the module (10) in the seat (16).

The device according to claim 7, wherein the airbag retention means (70) comprises a flexible helmet having two sets of flexible opposing fins (74a-d) and a break line (78) which defines a preferred section around which the retaining means is broken open.

10. An occupant system against side impact, including the combination of: a seat (16) of vehicle having a cushioned resilient portion (18) and a backrest (14) of the seat thereof, a module means (10) of air bag comprising a flexible air bag retained in a channel by a hull (70) of soft resilient outer pack directly adjacent to and oriented as an inner part of the resilient cushioned portion of the stock, wherein the resilience of the portion of the Padded seat is not remarkably changed by the adjacent placement of the resilient helmet.