US 6,206,409 B1Granted

Air bag system

AssigneeDenso Corporation

InventorsHirokazu Kato, Tadashi Ozaki, Minoru Fujioka, Mutsumasa Koujiya

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

An air bag system comprises an air bag having an opening through which gas is supplied. The air bag is folded in a predetermined polygonal shape and is then contained in a pad. An expansion restraining member is provided in the air bag system. The expansion restraining member temporarily holds a peripheral portion of the folded air bag so as to suppress rapid expansion thereof when the air bag is developed. Because the expansion of the peripheral portion is delayed by the expansion restraining member, it is possible to prevent the air bag from developing in the straight thin form toward a passenger. That is, the air bag can be developed in a round shape from its center portion when the gas is supplied into the air bag.

Claims8

Dependent claims

An air bag system comprising:

an air bag having a center portion, a peripheral portion and an opening through which gas is supplied;
a container for containing the air bag folded in a predetermined polygonal shape to position the opening at a bottom side of the air bag, the center portion being positioned in a central region of the polygonal shape and a part of the peripheral portion of the air bag being positioned at a corner of the polygonal shape;
an expansion restraining member disposed around the folded air bag, the expansion restraining member comprising
a main portion passing through the center of the polygonal shape,
forked portions formed at the corner of the polygonal shape so that the part of the peripheral portion may be inserted between and be held by the forked portions, and
a first slit portion formed on the main portion dividing the main portion into two,
wherein when the folded air bag is deployed, an expansion of the peripheral portion at the corner is delayed compared to an expansion of the center portion due to the expansion restraining member being fractured at the first slit portion to make the center portion free but temporarily holding the peripheral portion.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/139,761Filed 25 Aug 1998
Priority: JP 9-24612126 Aug 1997
Granted: 27 Mar 2001
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

B60R 21/217
Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components:…
B60R 21/201
Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components:…
B60R 21/237
Inflatable members: characterised by the way they are folded
B60R 2021/161
Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags: characterised by additional…