An airbag module for protecting an occupant of a vehicle. The airbag includes first and second inflatable chambers. Each of the first and second inflatable chambers is formed by separate front and back panels. Each of the front panels is connected to one of the back panels along a peripheral seam. The airbag is assembled by overlaying the panels on top of each other creating a simple two-dimensional structure for assembly. An inflator is provided for supplying inflation gas to the first chamber of the airbag. The first and second inflatable chambers are connected by a gas flow passage so that gas for inflating the second chamber can flow from the first chamber through the gas flow passage into the second chamber.
1. An airbag module configured to be mounted in an instrument panel of a vehicle for protecting an occupant of the vehicle comprising:
an airbag including first and second inflatable chambers;
wherein each of the first and second inflatable chambers is formed by separate front and back overlying panels,
wherein each of the front panels is connected to one of the back panels along a peripheral seam, and wherein the front panel of the first chamber is connected to the back panel of second chamber along a non-peripherally located seam; and
an inflator for providing inflation gas for the airbag;
wherein the first and second inflatable chambers are connected by a gas flow passage, and wherein the airbag is configured so that all of the inflation gas entering the second chamber passes through the first chamber;
wherein the back panel of the first inflation chamber includes an opening for allowing inflation gas to be provided to the airbag, and wherein the second chamber deploys to a position adjacent the occupant not in contact with the windshield and wherein the first chamber deploys to a position between the second chamber and the windshield to thereby provide support for the second inflatable chamber by contacting the windshield;
and wherein a check valve is located in the gas flow passage.
2. The airbag module of claim 1 , wherein each of the front panel of the first chamber and the back panel of the second chamber includes an opening forming the gas flow passage.
3. The airbag module of claim 1 , wherein front panel and the back panel of the first chamber are connected by a tether located on the interior of the chamber.
4. The airbag module of claim 1 , wherein the front panel and the back panel of the second chamber are connected by a tether located on the interior of the second chamber.
5. The airbag module of claim 1 , wherein the first chamber and the second chamber are connected together by a tether located externally to the airbag.
6. The airbag module of claim 5 , wherein the tether is connected to the front panel of the first chamber and the back panel of the second chamber.
7. The airbag module of claim 1 , wherein the airbag is configured to be assembled in a two dimensional arrangement wherein the front and back panels of the first and second chamber can be laid flat on top of adjacent panel for sewing adjacent panels together.
8. An airbag module configured to be mounted in an instrument panel of a vehicle for protecting an occupant of the vehicle comprising:
an airbag including first and second inflatable chambers;
wherein each of the first and second inflatable chambers is formed by separate front and back panels,
wherein each of the front panels is connected to one of the back panels along a peripheral seam, and wherein the front and back panels of the first chamber do not form of a boundary of the second chamber; and
an inflator for providing inflation gas for the first chamber of the airbag;
wherein the first and second inflatable chambers are connected by a gas flow passage so that gas for inflating the second chamber can flow from the first chamber through the gas flow passage into the second chamber; and
wherein the first inflation chamber includes an opening for allowing inflation gas to be provided to the airbag, and wherein the second chamber deploys to a position adjacent the occupant not in contact with the windshield and wherein the first chamber deploys to a position between the second chamber and the windshield to thereby provide support for the second inflatable chamber by contacting the windshield.
9. The airbag module of claim 8 , wherein the size and shape of the front and back panels of the first chamber are the same.
10. The airbag module of claim 9 , wherein the size and shape of the front and back panels of the second chamber are the same.
11. The airbag module of claim 8 , wherein the front panel of the first chamber is connected to the back panel of second chamber along a non-peripherally located seam.
12. The airbag module of claim 8 , and wherein a check valve is located in the gas flow passage.
13. The airbag module of claim 8 , wherein at least one of the first and second chambers include vent openings to allow gas to escape the airbag.
14. The airbag module of claim 8 , wherein front panel and the back panel of the first chamber are connected by a tether located on the interior of the chamber.
15. An airbag arrangement for protecting an occupant of a front passenger seat of a vehicle, the arrangement comprising:
an inflatable first cushion connected to an inflatable second cushion;
wherein each of the first cushion and the second cushion is formed by symmetric front and back panels;
wherein the front panel of the first cushion is connected to the back panel of the second cushion along a closed non-peripheral seam;
wherein the seam surrounds a flow passage between the first cushion and second cushion; and
wherein the first cushion includes an opening for allowing gas to be provided to the first cushion for inflating the first and second cushions, and wherein the second cushion deploys to a position adjacent the occupant but not in contact with a windshield and wherein the first cushion deploys to a position between the second cushion and the windshield to thereby provide support for the second cushion by abutting the windshield.
16. The airbag arrangement of claim 15 , wherein the back panel of the second cushion includes an opening that overlies with a front panel of the first cushion to thereby form the flow passage.
17. The airbag arrangement of claim 16 , wherein the flow passage includes a check valve to prevent gas from flowing from the second chamber into the first chamber.
18. The airbag arrangement of claim 17 , wherein the front panel of the second cushion is connected to the back panel of the second cushion by a tether that is located in the interior of the cushion.
19. The airbag arrangement of claim 17 , wherein the front and back panels in each of the first cushion and the second cushion are connected together by a peripheral seam.
20. The airbag arrangement of claim 17 , wherein the front panel of the first cushion and the back panel of the second cushion are different shapes.