AN IMPROVED AIRBAG WITH INTERNAL POSITIONING PANELS FOR SEQUENTIAL DEPLOYMENT

摘要

An improved airbag ( 10 ) is provided that can be sequentially deployed for minimizing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant ( 12 ). This improved airbag ( 10 ) is an inflatable bag having a primary chamber ( 34 ) and a secondary chamber ( 36 ) that is adjacent to the primary chamber ( 34 ). The primary chamber ( 34 ) is configured for inflating before the secondary chamber ( 36 ). In addition, this primary chamber ( 34 ) is utilized for applying a generally downward force the vehicle occupant's lap ( 14 ) and abdomen ( 16 ). In this way, a substantial portion of the initial deployment force of the airbag ( 10 ) is allocated to the occupant's more durable lower body. Also, the primary chamber ( 34 ) can be utilized for positioning the occupant's body ( 12 ) in a manner best suited for impacting the airbag ( 10 ). This airbag ( 10 ) is then sequentially deployed in a generally linear direction upward from the primary chamber ( 34 ) to the secondary chamber ( 36 ).