# US 12,109,966 B2 · Airbag apparatus for a vehicle seat and vehicle seat having an airbag apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,109,966 B2 - Document ID: US12109966B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/246,278 - Filed: 2021-09-08 - Published: 2023-11-09 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2020-09-28 - Assignees: Autoliv Development AB - Applicants: Autoliv Development AB - Inventors: Arndt Söhnchen; Ronald Jabusch; Hans-Jörg Langhoff; Antto-Christian Glaesser; Alexandru Cirstea; Jens Ehlers - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12109966B2 ## CPC - B60R 21/207: in vehicle seats - B60R 2021/23107: {the bag being integrated in a multi-bag system} - B60R 2021/23146: {seat mounted} - B60R 2021/23386: {External tether means} - B60R 2021/23388: {having ends which are movable or detachable during deployment} - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract The present invention relates to an airbag apparatus for a vehicle seat, comprising at least one airbag module, wherein the at least one airbag module comprises at least one airbag and is designed for attachment to a backrest and/or to a seat cushion of a vehicle seat, and a catch strap mechanism for the airbag module, wherein the catch strap mechanism comprises at least one catch strap arrangement attached to the airbag, the catch strap mechanism being designed for attachment to the vehicle seat. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An airbag apparatus, comprising: an airbag module including an airbag, the airbag module configured to be attached to a vehicle seat; a catch strap module configured to be attached to the vehicle seat, the catch strap module including: a catch strap including a fixed end and a distal end, the distal end coupled to the airbag; a first guide element configured to guide the catch strap; a second guide element configured to guide the catch strap, wherein the first guide element is configured to guide the catch strap between the fixed end of the catch strap and the second guide element, and wherein the second guide element is configured to guide the catch strap between the first guide element and the distal end of the catch strap such that the catch strap extends in a first direction between the first guide element and the second guide element and in a second direction between the second guide element and the distal end; and a tightening device comprising: a tightening element configured to contact the catch strap between the fixed end of the catch strap and the first guide element; and a pyrotechnic drive configured to accelerate the tightening element to tighten the catch strap. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The airbag apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tightening element encloses the catch strap. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The airbag apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tightening element, prior to being accelerated by the pyrotechnic drive, does not contact the catch strap. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The airbag apparatus of claim 1, wherein a length of a tightening length of the catch strap is more than 1.5 times a length of travel of the tightening element. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The airbag apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second guide element is configured to allow movement of the catch strap in a tightening direction and to restrict movement of the catch strap opposite the tightening direction. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The airbag apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tightening device includes a holder configured to couple the tightening device to the vehicle seat, wherein the fixed end of the catch strap is attached to the holder. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The airbag module of claim 1, wherein the first direction is substantially perpendicular to the second direction. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The airbag module of claim 7, wherein the first direction is substantially parallel to a back side of a backrest of the vehicle seat, and wherein the second direction is substantially parallel to an upper side of the backrest of the vehicle seat. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The airbag apparatus of claim 1, wherein the airbag module includes a second airbag, and wherein the catch strap module includes a second catch strap coupled to the second airbag and a second tightening device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The airbag apparatus of claim 9, wherein the tightening element and a second tightening element of the second tightening device are configured to be accelerated in opposite directions. ### Claim 11 An airbag apparatus, comprising: an airbag module including an airbag, the airbag module configured to be attached to a vehicle seat; a catch strap module configured to be attached to the vehicle seat, the catch strap module including: a catch strap coupled to the airbag; a first guide element configured to guide the catch strap; a second guide element configured to guide the catch strap such that the catch strap extends substantially parallel to a back portion of a backrest of the vehicle seat between the first guide element and the second guide element and substantially parallel to an upper portion of the backrest of the vehicle seat between the second guide element and the airbag; and a tightening device comprising: a tightening element configured to enclose the catch strap between the fixed end of the catch strap and the first guide element; and a pyrotechnic drive configured to accelerate the tightening element to tighten the catch strap. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The airbag apparatus of claim 11, wherein the tightening element, prior to being accelerated by the pyrotechnic drive, does not contact the catch strap. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The airbag apparatus of claim 11, wherein the tightening element is coupled to the catch strap. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The airbag apparatus of claim 11, wherein a length of a tightening length of the catch strap is more than 1.5 times a length of travel of the tightening element. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The airbag apparatus of claim 11, wherein the second guide element is configured to allow movement of the catch strap in a tightening direction and to restrict movement of the catch strap opposite the tightening direction. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The airbag apparatus of claim 11, wherein the tightening device includes a holder configured to couple the tightening device to the vehicle seat. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The airbag apparatus of claim 11, wherein the pyrotechnic drive is configured to linearly accelerate the tightening element. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The airbag apparatus of claim 11, wherein the pyrotechnic drive is configured to accelerate the tightening element towards a lateral frame of the vehicle seat. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The airbag apparatus of claim 11, wherein the airbag module includes a second airbag, and wherein the catch strap module includes a second catch strap coupled to the second airbag and a second tightening device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The airbag apparatus of claim 19, wherein the tightening element and a second tightening element of the second tightening device are configured to be accelerated in opposite directions.