Vehicle air bag restraint and protection system designed for early side expansion

摘要

A vehicle air bag system includes a gas generator (1), airbag (2) and cover (3). The bag is held folded by a part-surrounding holder. In this novel design, the holder surrounds the bag so that its periphery is directed along the vehicle (L) and its ends are open transversely (Q). Early side deployment is facilitated, followed later by lengthwise (L) expansion. Pref. the folds (5) are laid to favour transverse expansion. The folds are held by an encircling plastic band, covering also the gas generator (1). It comprises a narrow band of shrink tubing (4). Alternatively it is a nonwoven fabric of polyethylene fibres. The cover (3) for the bag has an H-shaped predetermined breaking point, the parallel lines (C, B) being thinner than the line (A) joining them.