Air bag

#In the accompanying drawings:

#FIG. 1 illustrates an out-of-position occupant proximate to an air bag inflator module being actuated in a vehicle;

#FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view of an inflated air bag incorporating several aspects;

#Referring to FIG. 1, an air bag 10 is incorporated in an associated air bag inflator module 12 installed with a mid-mount orientation in the instrument panel 14 of a vehicle 16 responsive to a crash of the vehicle 16, an associated crash sensor 18 signals a controller 20 to actuate an air bag inflator 22 of the air bag inflator module 12, whereby the air bag inflator 22 generates inflation gases that inflate the air bag 10 packed in the housing 24 of the air bag inflator module 12, the pressurization of which opens an associated air bag module door 26 prior to the deployment of the air bag 10 from the housing 24 of the air bag inflator module 12.

#Referring to FIGS. 2-5, the inflated air bag 10 comprises first 28 and second 30 air bag cushion portions that are joined together along respective first 32 and second 34 inboard boundaries, and which together define an opening 36 that is adapted to operatively couple to the air bag inflator module 12 and receive inflation gas from the air bag inflator 22. For example, the first 32 and second 34 inboard boundaries may be joined together by sewing, bonding or welding, or they may be part of a single piece air bag 10 that is either joined together or molded, e.g. a blow-molded air bag 10, or a multiple component air bag 10 that is either joined together or molded. The profile of the first 32 and second 34 inboard boundaries is smaller than the corresponding outer profile of the first 28 and second 30 air bag cushion portions so that the combination of the first 28 and second 30 air bag cushion portions results in an overall bi-lobular air bag cushion 38.

#The first 28 and second 30 air bag cushion portions are formed, for example, by joining associated respective first 40.1 and second 40.2 inboard panels and to respective first 42.1 and second 42.2 outboard panels, respectively, along associated first 44.1 and second 44.2 seams, as illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 5 for the first air bag cushion portion 28. For example, the first 40.1 and second 40.2 inboard panels and the first 42.1 and second 42.2 outboard panels may be constructed of air bag material known in the art, for example, a fabric, e.g. of nylon or polyester weave, which may be coated, e.g. with a silicone rubber coating; some other material that is known for use in fabricating an air bag such as plastic film or polyolefin (e.g. TYVEK®), or some other material that is sufficiently flexible, strong and durable for use in confining inflation gases generated by the air bag inflator 22 and for interacting with an occupant so as to provide for occupant restraint. Furthermore, the first 40.1 and second 40.2 inboard panels may be joined to the respective first 42.1 and second 42.2 outboard panels by sewing, bonding or welding, or they may be part of a single piece air bag 10 that is either joined together or molded, e.g. a blow-molded air bag 10, or a multiple component air bag 10 that is either joined together or molded.