Airbag

US6213500A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Breed Automotive Technology, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Stefan Jost · Munich, DE
• Matthias Volkmann · Kronberg, DE
• Markus Jost · San Mateo, US
• Udo Bonsch · Mühltal, DE
• Peter Priemer · Allendorf (Lumda), DE
• Albrecht Kretschmar · Scheinfeld, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 15, 1999
• Grant date: Apr 10, 2001
• Expiry date: Oct 15, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60R2021/23509
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A side impact airbag (10) and a method of folding. The airbag (10) comprises a head and a thorax compartment (5,6) separated by a panel (4) of airbag fabric and pneumatically linked by a vent hole (13) in the panel (4). On inflation the panel is adjacent the shoulder of an average occupant. The airbag (10) may be made of two or three pieces of fabric. If only two pieces are used then the dividing panel (4) is formed from part of one or both of the other two pieces. The inflation profile of the airbag (10) may be controlled by tethers (8) or by mounting it at 10.degree.-40.degree. to the horizontal. Tethers and stitching may also be used. The two compartments (5,6) may be of different weight and denier; a higher weight fabric for the lower, thorax, compartment (6), and a lower weight fabric for the upper head compartment (5). An airbag folding method is also described.