IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,766,374
Granted Patent B2
US 7,766,374 · App. 11/788,898 · Granted Aug 3, 2010

Vehicle occupant restraint device comprising a gas bag

Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,766,374
App. No.
11/788,898
Granted
Aug 3, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A vehicle occupant restraint device has a gas bag module with a housing and a gas bag having a free exit end, the gas bag moving into its fully deployed position with the free exit end first. At least one control element is provided which engages the gas bag and forces the gas bag to extend generally in an arc shape from the housing up to the free exit end in the deployed state.

Claims (16)

1. A vehicle occupant restraint device with a knee restraining gas bag module comprising a housing ( 14 ) and a knee restraining gas bag ( 10 ) which has a free exit end ( 17 ), the gas bag moving into its fully deployed position with the free exit end first, whereby the deployment takes place at least partially opposite to the direction of the gravitational forces,

and at least one control element ( 18 ; 618 ; 918 ; 1018 ; 1118 ) which forces the gas bag ( 10 ) to extend generally in an arc shape from the housing ( 14 ) up to the free exit end ( 17 ) in the deployed state, wherein the at least one control element comprises a first control element formed by a dart in a rear shell part of the gas bag.

2. The vehicle occupant restraint device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one control element comprises a second control element ( 18 ) comprising a limiting strap.

3. The vehicle occupant restraint device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one control element comprises a second control element ( 18 ) that engages a rear-side shell part ( 20 ) of the gas bag ( 10 ).

4. The vehicle occupant restraint device according to claim 3 , wherein the second control element ( 18 ) engages a front-side shell part ( 21 ) of the gas bag ( 10 ), the fastening points of the second control element ( 18 ) being offset with respect to each other in the deployment direction (R).

5. The vehicle occupant restraint device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one control element comprises a second control element ( 18 ) that connects a rear-side shell part ( 20 ) and a front-side shell part ( 21 ) of the gas bag ( 10 ) to each other and in that it is arranged in the region of a vehicle contour and adapts the shape of the gas bag ( 10 ) to the vehicle contour.

6. The vehicle occupant restraint device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one control element comprises a second control element ( 18 ) that engages a vehicle-fixed component.

7. The vehicle occupant restraint device according to claim 6 , wherein a loop of the second control element ( 18 ) is secured to the vehicle-fixed component.

8. The vehicle occupant restraint device according to claim 6 , wherein hooks ( 24 ; 26 ) are provided on the vehicle-fixed component for securing the second control element ( 18 ).

9. The vehicle occupant restraint device according to claim 6 , wherein the second control element ( 18 ) is clamped to the vehicle-fixed component.

10. The vehicle occupant restraint device according to claim 6 , wherein the second control element ( 18 ) is secured to the vehicle-fixed component by means of a screw connection ( 27 ).

11. The vehicle occupant restraint device according to claim 6 , wherein an essentially rigid fastening part ( 34 ) secured to the vehicle-fixed component is arranged on the gas bag ( 10 ) as the second control element ( 618 ).

12. The vehicle occupant restraint device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one control element comprises a second control element ( 18 ; 618 ; 918 ; 1118 ) arranged completely outside the gas bag ( 10 ).

13. The vehicle occupant restraint device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one control element comprises a second control element, at least some portion of the second control element ( 18 ) extends inside the gas bag ( 10 ).

14. The vehicle occupant restraint device according to claim 1 , wherein the housing ( 14 ) is provided for receiving the folded gas bag ( 10 ), the housing ( 14 ) having a bottom ( 44 ) which bulges when the gas bag ( 10 ) exits the housing ( 14 ).

15. The vehicle occupant restraint device according to claim 14 , wherein the at least one control element comprises a second control element ( 1118 ) formed by the bottom ( 44 ).

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 23, 2007
From: ABELE, TIMO; FREISLER, WERNER
To: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
Reel/Frame 019277/0680 →
Priority Claims (2)
DE 20 2006 006 550 U · Apr 24, 2006 · national
DE 10 2006 051 218 · Oct 30, 2006 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20070246920A1 · Oct 25, 2007