United States Patent [19]
`Kuwakado et al.
`
`[11]
`[45]
`
`4,076,277
`Feb. 28, 1978
`
`GAS COLUMN TYPE AIR BAG SYSTEM
`Inventors: Satosi Kuwakado, Nishio; Takao
`Kasagi, Tokai; Toshihiro Takei,
`Okazaki, all of Japan
`Assignees: Nippon Soken, Inc., Nishio; Arakawa
`Autobody Co., Ltd., Toyota, both of
`Japan
`-
`Appl. No.: 637,184
`Filed:
`Dec. 3, 1975
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`Dec. 9, 1974
`Japan ................................ 49-141925
`Int. Cl* .............................................. B60R 21/08
`
`[54]
`[75]
`
`[73]
`
`[21]
`[22]
`[30]
`
`[51]
`[52]
`[58]
`[56]
`
`- - - - - - - 280/738; 280/743
`
`Field of Search ........................ 280/738, 729, 743
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`1/1974 Fleck .................................... 280/729
`3,784,225
`3,843,150 10/1974 Harada ................................. 280/729
`
`
`
`Primary Examiner—Joseph F. Peters, Jr.
`Assistant Examiner—John P. Silverstrim
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Cushman, Darby & Cushman
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`A gas column type air bag system of the type in which
`an air bag includes a main gas column with a relatively
`large volume when inflated and a plurality of auxiliary
`gas columns with a relatively small volume when in
`flated, branched from the main column and extended
`toward a passenger, thereby rapidly expanding the air
`bag to inflate in case of a collision. The ratios both in
`volume and length among the air bag and the main and
`auxiliary gas columns are so selected that the air bag
`may be almost instantaneously expanded to the full by
`the inflation of the main and auxiliary columns and may
`be securely maintained in the desired stable inflated
`shape. The inflated main column serves as a knee re
`straining pad. The high pressure gas requirement for
`inflating the air bag may be considerably reduced as
`compared with the conventional systems.
`
`3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures
`
`IPR 2016-01794
`American Vehicular Sciences
`Exhibit 2034
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Feb. 28, 1978
`
`Feb. 28, 1978
`
`4,076,277
`4,076,277
`
`
`
`
`
`F| G. 2
`FIG. 2
`
`
`
`

`

`1
`
`4,076,277
`
`GAS COLUMN TYPE AIR BAG SYSTEM
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present inVention relates to generally an air bag
`system for protecting the passengers on an automotive
`vehicle in case of a collision, and more particularly a gas
`column type air bag which is a cushion device for an air
`bag system.
`In the prior art gas column type air bag system, a
`plurality of elongated gas columns incorporated in an
`‘ air bag are inflated with the high pressure gas supplied
`from a high pressure gas container which is opened in
`response to the signal from sensors for detecting the
`collision of the vehicle so that the normally folded air
`bag is expanded sucking the surrounding air therein,
`thereby restraining the occupant or passenger. The
`prior art air bag system of the type described has a
`distinct defect that the elongated gas columns tend to
`vibrate when inflated so that the expanded air bag may
`not be maintained in the desired shape. Another defect
`is that the time required for fully expanding the air bag
`is relatively longer so that the formation of the restraint
`for the occupant is delayed. When the length of the gas
`columns is made shorter in order to reduce the time
`required for fully expanding the air bag, the length of
`the air bag is also reduced too short to provide a suffi-
`cient restraint. When the cross sectional area of the gas
`columns is increased in order to minimize the vibration
`thereof, the quantity of the high pressure gas required
`for fully inflating them is inevitably increased with the
`result of the increase of volume of the high pressure gas
`container.
`
`In order to prevent the bumping of the knees of the
`passenger against any part of the automotive body in
`case of a collision, the so-called knee bag or pad must be
`provided, but the incorporation of such knee bag or pad
`into the air bag makes the design of the air bag very
`complex and is therefore difficult in practice. Even
`when the knee bag or pad is incorporated, an increase in
`cost results. In case of the conventional air bag without
`gas columns of the type which is inflated by the high
`pressure gas directly flowing therein, the knee bag or
`pad may be readily provided, but the high pressure gas
`container with a large volume must be provided in
`order to supply the high pressure gas for inflating both
`the air bag and the knee pad. Furthermore, the inflation
`time becomes longer so that the restraint cannot be
`provided in time.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention was therefore madein order to
`Overcome the above and other defects encounted in the
`‘ prior art gas column type air bag systems.
`Briefly stated, the air bag system in accordance with
`the present invention includes a main gas column with a
`relatively greater cross sectional area and a plurality of
`auxiliary gas columns with a relatively small cross sec-
`tional area branched from the main column and adapted
`.to be inflated and extended so as to fully expand an air
`:bag. Therefore, the main and auxiliary‘gas columns may
`rapidly expand the air bag with the greater force.
`One of the objects of the present invention is there-
`fore to provide a gas column type air bag system which
`‘may rapidly expand an air bag with the greater expand-
`ing force.
`‘
`' Another object of the present invention is to provide
`.a gas column type air bag system of the type in which an
`
`’
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`10
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`3O
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`2
`air bag includes a main gas column adapted to inflate
`into a relatively large volume along the portion at
`which the air bag is attached to the automotive body
`and a plurality of auxiliary gas columns branched from
`the main gas column so that in case of a collision the air
`bag may be rapidly expanded to inflate for restraining
`not only the upper half of the body but also the knees of
`an occupant.
`A further object of the present invention is to provide
`a gas column type air bag system which may expand an
`air bag to inflate fully with the smaller quantity of high
`pressure gas as compared with the prior art air bag
`systems.
`The above and other objects, features and advantages
`of the present invention will become more apparent
`from the following description of some preferred em-
`bodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accom-
`panying drawing.
`‘
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of a
`gas column type air bag system in accordance with the
`present invention, the air bag being shown as being fully
`expanded and inflated;
`FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inflated air bag
`and gas columns thereof; and
`FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views of a second and
`third embodiments of the air bag of the present inven-
`tion.
`'
`
`DESCRIPTION OF'THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`First Embodiment, FIGS. 1 and 2
`
`Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an automotive body 10
`has a compartment 12 which is defined in part by a
`windshield 13 and an instrument panel 14 and in which
`is installed a front seat 11. A gas source 15 of known
`type, such as a gas generator or a container filled with
`a high pressure gas, is mounted under the instrument
`panel 14 and behind a base wall 16 thereof, and is opera—
`tively coupled to suitable sensors (not shown) adapted
`to sense the impact of a collision or the abrupt change in
`speed,
`thereby opening the gas source 15. The gas
`source 15 is communicated through a conduit 17 with a
`gas inlet hole (not shown) formed through the base wall
`16.
`
`A bag generally designated by 20 and inflated in case
`of a collision to protect an occupant, is made of plain
`weave fabric of nylon and has a volume of the order of
`150 to 230 liters when inflated. The opened end of the
`bag 20 is attached to the base wall 16 in a conventional
`manner, and conventional suction valves 23 for sucking
`the air in the compartment when the bag 20 is inflated
`are fitted to the bag 20. Alternatively, the suction valves
`may be attached to the base wall 16 in such a way that
`the air in the compartment 12 may be sucked into the
`bag 10 when the latter is inflated.
`Referring particularly to FIG. 2, the bag 20 includes
`a main gas column 21 consisting of a first main column
`21a and a second main column 21b. Both the first and
`second main columns 21a and 21b are made of air-tight
`and foldable plain weave fabric of nylon and are jointed
`to each other by sewing in such a way that the second
`main column 21b may be extended from the first main
`column 21a toward the occupant when inflated.
`‘
`When the bag 20 is inflated, four auxiliary gas col-
`umns 22 made of fabric similar to that of the main col-
`
`

`

`10
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`15
`
`embodiment.
`
`4,076,277
`4
`3
`holding force. Since the four auxiliary columns 22
`umns 21a and 21b are equiangularly extended back
`branched from the second main column 22b have a
`wardly outwardly toward the occupant from the cone
`relatively small volume, they may be almost instanta
`shaped free end portion of the second main column 21b.
`neously inflated so that the bag 20 may be also very
`The leading end of each auxiliary column 22 is sewn on
`rapidly expanded fully. Thus the present invention pro
`each vertex of the bag 20.
`vides a gas column type safety air bag which is very
`The bag 20 including the main columns 21 and auxil
`rapidly and positively inflated by the inflation of the
`iary columns 22 is normally folded compact, but when
`main and auxiliary columns 21 and 22. It should be
`the gas from the gas source 15 is forced into the bag 20
`noted that the bag 20 may be inflated by the inflation of
`through the inlet of the base wall 16, both the main and
`the main and auxiliary columns with the total inflated
`auxiliary columns 21 and 22 are inflated to expand the
`volume being less than about 20% of the volume of the
`bag 20 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
`-
`inflated bag 20. As a result, the quantity of the gas sup
`The total volume of the main and secondary columns
`plied from the gas source 15 for inflating the bag 20 may
`21 and 22 is relatively small and is of the order of 20 to
`be considerably reduced as compared with the prior art
`40 liters which is sufficient enough for fully expanding
`safety bag systems.
`-
`the bag 20 of 150 to 230 liters. The ratio between the
`cross sectional areas of the main and auxiliary columns
`SECOND EMBODIMENT, FIG. 3
`21b and 22 is preferably of the order of 1:1.5 to 1 : 2.5
`The second embodiment shown in FIG. 3 consists of
`and more preferably 1:2. For instance, the second main
`one main column 31 and four auxiliary columns 32
`column 21b has a circular cross section with a diameter
`branched from the main column 31 for inflating a bag
`of 160 mm while the auxiliary column 22 also has a
`20
`30.
`circular cross section of a diameter of 80 mm. The ratio
`between the length of the second main column 21b from
`the base wall 16 to the free end of the column 21b and
`the length of the auxiliary column 22 is preferably be
`tween 1.2:1 and 1.8:1 and more preferably 1.5:1. For
`25
`instance, the lengths of the main and auxiliary columns
`21b and 22 are 560 mm and 380 mm, respectively. The
`above ratio in length may be, of course, changed de
`pending upon the desired shape of the inflated bag 20.
`When the ratio in length is selected from the above
`30
`range, the inflation time of the bag 20 may be considera
`bly reduced, and the vibrations of the main and auxil
`iary columns may be prevented, thus ensuring the posi
`tive stable and full expansion of the bag 20.
`The opening end of the first main column 21a is com
`35
`municated with the gas inlet of the base wall 16 in a
`suitable manner so that the gas from the gas source 15
`may flow into the main column 21a in case of a colli
`sion. When the first main column 21a is inflated, it
`serves to securely restrain the knees of the occupant.
`The auxiliary columns 22 and the second main column
`21b serve to expand the bag 20, thereby securely re
`straining the occupant.
`Next the mode of operation will be described. In case
`of a collision, in response to the signal from the sensors,
`45
`the gas source 15 is opened or ignited so that the high
`pressure gas flows through the conduit 17 into the main
`column 21 to inflate it as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 so that
`the first main columns 21a may securely restrain the
`knees of the occupant. Therefore, the so-called “subma
`50
`rine phenomenon” may be eliminated, and the oc
`cupant’s knees are prevented from bumping against the
`undersurface of the instrument panel 14. The inflation
`of the second main column 21b causes the expansion of
`the bag 20 toward the occupant while the inflation of 55
`four auxiliary columns 22 causes the bag 20 to be rap
`idly fully inflated. As the bag 20 is inflated, the pressure
`therein drops so that the surrounding air flows through
`the suction valves 23 into the bag 20, thereby ensuring
`the rapid and full inflation of the bag 20. Since the auxil
`60
`iary columns 22 are joined to the vertexes of the bag 20
`which are most outwardly extended, the bag 20 may be
`inflated into the desired shape, thereby restraining the
`upper half of the body of the occupant. Thus the re
`bounding of the occupant may be positively prevented.
`65
`The inflated main column 21, which restrains the
`knees of the occupant, has a relatively large volume so
`that it may securely support the bag 20 with the greater
`
`THIRD EMBODIMENT, FIG. 4
`The third embodiment shown in FIG. 4 consists of
`one main column 41 and two flat box-shaped or wedge
`shaped auxiliary columns 42 branched from the main
`column 41 for inflating a bag 40.
`-
`The mode of operation of both the second and thir
`embodiments is substantially smilar to that of the first
`As described above, according to the present inven
`tion, the air bag may positively restrain both the knees
`and upper half of the body of the occupant when the
`bag is inflated in case of a collision. Furthermore the air
`bag system is very simple in construction, and may be
`inflated by the gas the quantity of which is considerably
`smaller as compared with the conventional air bag sys
`tems. Since the air bag system is of the gas column type,
`the diffuser which is the essential component of the
`prior art air bag system may be eliminated. Further
`more, only one gas source is required for rapidly and
`fully inflating the air bag to the desired shape.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A gas column air bag system for restraining an
`occupant in a vehicle having a compartment, upon
`collision of the vehicle compartment, comprising:
`a gas source for supplying a high pressure gas in case
`of said collision;
`inflatable bag means adapted for being mounted in
`said compartment said bag means having a bag
`wall;
`means defining a first gas column provided inside said
`inflatable bag means for expansion by the high
`pressure gas from said gas source and adapted to be
`mounted in said compartment said first gas column
`being expansible to a relatively large volume and
`effective to restrain when expanded, the knees of
`the occupant;
`means defining a second gas column of relatively
`large diameter extending from a substantially axi
`ally central portion of said first gas column and
`having an outer end, said second gas column being
`expansible within said inflatable bag means toward
`the occupant concurrently with said first gas col
`umn; and
`-
`four third gas columns extending from the outer end
`of said second gas column in four diverging direc
`tions and having diameters smaller than the diame
`
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`

`4,076,277
`6
`5
`said gas source and adapted to be mounted in said
`ter of said second gas column, each said third gas
`compartment said knee gas column being expansi
`column having an outer end jointed in each corner
`ble to a relatively large volume and effective to
`portion of the bag wall and being expansible con
`restrain, when expanded, the knees of the occu
`currently with said first and second gas columns;
`pant; and
`and
`a main torso gas column branched from a substan
`means for drawing air in said compartment of the
`tially axially central portion of said knee gas col
`vehicle into the interior of said bag means when
`umn and having a predetermined diameter and a
`said bag is expanded by said columns, thereby en
`conical outer end, said main gas column being ex
`abling said bag means to restrain the torso of the
`pansible within said inflatable bag means toward
`10
`occupant.
`the occupant concurrently with said knee gas col
`2. A gas column type air bag system as defined in .
`claim 1, wherein said second gas column has a conical
`umn;
`a plurality of auxiliary torso gas columns extending
`outer end, and from this conical outer end are branched
`divergently outwardly from the conical outer end
`said third gas columns.
`of said main gas column for concurrent expansion
`3. A gas column air bag system for restraining an 15
`therewith, each auxiliary gas column having a di
`occupant in a vehicle having an interior compartment,
`upon a collision of the vehicle compartment compris
`ameter of 1/1.5 to 1/2.5 of the diameter of said
`main gas column and an outer end connected to
`1ng:
`each corner portion of said bag wall of said inflat
`a gas source for supplying a high pressure gas in case
`able bag means; and means for drawing air in said
`20
`of said collision;
`compartment into the interior of said bag means
`inflatable bag means adapted for being mounted in
`that when said bag means is expanded by said col
`said compartment said bag means having a bag
`umns, thereby enabling said inflatable bag means to
`wall;
`restrain the torso of the occupant.
`a knee gas column provided inside said inflatable bag
`means for expansion by the high pressure gas from 25
`# * * * *
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