Airbag assembly

Abstract

An airbag includes a main panel that defines an inflation chamber and is inflatable to an inflated position. The airbag includes an extension extending from the main panel and defining an extension chamber. The airbag includes a side panel that is spaced apart from the main panel in the inflated position and is secured to the extension. The side panel is located outside the extension chamber. The side panel, the extension, and the main panel define a recess outside the extension chamber.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of vehicles, and in particular to a safety airbag assembly. Background Art

[0002] Vehicles are equipped with airbags. In the event of a collision, the inflator activates and provides an inflation medium to the airbag, and the airbag is pressurized and acts as a cushion for the occupant during the collision. Airbags are located in various fixed locations in the vehicle. Vehicles typically include a driver airbag mounted in the steering wheel, a passenger airbag mounted in the instrument panel away from the front passenger seat in the forward direction of the vehicle, and side curtain airbags mounted in the roof rails. Summary of the invention

[0003] According to the present invention, there is provided an airbag, comprising:

[0004] a main panel defining an inflation chamber and being inflatable to an inflated position;

[0005] an extension portion extending from the main panel and defining an extension chamber; and

[0006] a side panel spaced from the main panel and secured to the extension in the inflated position, the side panel being located outside of the extension chamber;

[0007] The side panels, the extension, and the main panel define a recess outside the extension chamber.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the invention, the extension portion has a substantially concave cross section.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, the extension comprises a peripheral surface extending from the main panel, and an outer surface attached to the peripheral surface and spaced apart from the main panel in the inflated position, and the extension chamber is defined by the peripheral surface, the outer surface and the main panel.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the side panels are fixed to the peripheral surface.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the recess is defined by the peripheral surface, the side panels and the main panel.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the extension chamber is in fluid communication with the inflation chamber.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the extension chamber is in fluid communication with the inflation chamber via an aperture defined by the main panel.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the airbag further comprises a drawstring extending in the extension chamber from a portion of the extension portion through the main panel to another portion of the extension portion.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the extension portion includes a peripheral surface extending from the main panel, and an outer surface attached to the peripheral surface and spaced apart from the main panel in the inflated position, and the drawstring extends from one portion of the peripheral surface to another portion of the peripheral surface.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the volume of the extension chamber is smaller than the volume of the gas-filled chamber.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the recess is outside the gas-filled chamber.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of the extension is located between the side panel and the main panel.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, when the main panel is in the inflated position, the side panels are non-inflatable.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the main panel comprises an impact surface facing in a rearward direction, and wherein the recess is open in the rearward direction.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the recess is designed to receive the head of the occupant.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the main panel comprises an impact surface, and the extension is spaced apart from the impact surface.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the extension comprises a first leg and a second leg extending at an angle less than 180 degrees relative to the first leg, and the side panel extends from the first leg through the main panel in the inflated position to the second leg.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the extension is cantilevered from the main panel.

[0025] According to the present invention, there is provided an instrument panel assembly, comprising:

[0026] Dashboard; and

[0027] airbags supported on the dashboard;

[0028] The airbag includes a main panel defining an inflation chamber and being inflatable to an inflated position;

[0029] The airbag includes an extension extending from the main panel and defining an extension chamber;

[0030] The airbag includes a side panel spaced apart from the main panel and secured to the extension in an inflated position, the side panel being located outside of the extension chamber; and

[0031] The side panels, the extension, and the main panel define a recess outside the extension chamber.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the extension in the inflated position is spaced apart from the instrument panel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle with the airbag in an uninflated position;

[0034] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a vehicle with the airbag in an inflated position;

[0035] Figure 3 is a top view of the vehicle with the airbag in the inflated position;

[0036] Figure 4 is a front view of the airbag in the inflated position;

[0037] Figure 5 is a side view of the airbag in the inflated position;

[0038] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the airbag in an inflated position;

[0039] Figure 7 is a block diagram of a control system for controlling the inflation of an air bag;

[0040] Figure 8 is a side view of an air bag and an occupant in an inflated position during a first stage of a vehicle collision;

[0041] Fig. 9 is a side view of an air bag and an occupant in an inflated position during a second stage of a vehicle collision;

[0042] Fig.10 is a side view of an airbag and occupant in an inflated position during the third stage of a vehicle collision. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] An airbag includes a main panel defining an inflation chamber and inflatable to an inflated position. The airbag includes an extension extending from the main panel and defining an extension chamber. The airbag includes a side panel spaced apart from the main panel in the inflated position and secured to the extension. The side panel is located outside the extension chamber. The side panel, the extension, and the main panel define a recess outside the extension chamber.

[0044] The extension may have a generally concave cross-section.

[0045] The extension may include a peripheral surface extending from the main panel and an outer surface attached to the peripheral surface and spaced apart from the main panel in the inflated position, and the extension chamber may be defined by the peripheral surface, the outer surface, and the main panel.

[0046] The side panels may be secured to the surrounding surface.

[0047] The recess may be defined by the perimeter surface, the side panels and the main panel.

[0048] The extension chamber may be in fluid communication with the inflation chamber.

[0049] The extension chamber may be in fluid communication with the inflation chamber via an aperture defined by the main panel.

[0050] The airbag may include a draw strap in the extension chamber, the draw strap extending from one portion of the extension through the main panel to another portion of the extension.

[0051] The extension may include a peripheral surface extending from the main panel and an outer surface attached to the peripheral surface and spaced apart from the main panel in the inflated position, and the draw strap may extend from one portion of the peripheral surface to another portion of the peripheral surface.

[0052] The volume of the extension chamber may be smaller than the volume of the inflation chamber.

[0053] The recess may be external to the plenum chamber.

[0054] At least a portion of the extension may be between the side panel and the main panel.

[0055] When the main panel is in the inflated position, the side panels may be non-inflatable.

[0056] The main panel may include a collision surface facing in a rearward direction, and the recess may be open in the rearward direction.

[0057] The recess may be designed to receive the head of an occupant.

[0058] The main panel may include an impact surface, and the extension may be spaced apart from the impact surface.

[0059] The extension may include a first leg and a second leg extending at an angle less than 180 degrees relative to the first leg, and the side panel extends from the first leg through the main panel in the inflated position to the second leg.

[0060] The extension may be cantilevered from the main panel.

[0061] The instrument panel assembly includes an instrument panel and an airbag supported on the instrument panel. The airbag includes a main panel that defines an inflation chamber and is inflatable to an inflated position. The airbag includes an extension that extends from the main panel and defines an extension chamber. The airbag includes a side panel that is spaced apart from the main panel in the inflated position and is secured to the extension. The side panel is located outside the extension chamber. The side panel, the extension, and the main panel define a recess outside the extension chamber.

[0062] The extension in the inflated position may be spaced apart from the instrument panel.

[0063] Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, an airbag 76 is generally illustrated. The airbag 76 includes a main panel 22 that defines an inflation chamber 32 and is inflatable to an inflated position. The airbag 76 in the inflated position includes an extension 24 that extends from the main panel 22 and defines an extension chamber 38. The airbag 76 includes a side panel 26 that is spaced apart from the main panel 22 in the inflated position and is secured to the extension 24. The side panel 26 is external to the extension chamber 38, i.e., is non-inflatable. The side panel 26, the extension 24, and the main panel 22 define a recess 28 that is external to the extension chamber 38.

[0064] The main panel of the airbag can provide the benefit of airbag protection during a generally frontal collision. During other collisions (e.g., offset collisions, angle collisions, small overlap collisions, etc.), the occupant's head may slide off the main panel and may contact vehicle components such as the instrument panel, instrument panel, etc. The recess defined by the side panel, the extension, and the main panel can receive the head during collisions such as offset collisions, angle collisions, small overlap collisions, etc., and can reduce the risk of the head contacting vehicle components (e.g., instrument panel, instrument panel, etc.).

[0065] refer to Figure 1 The vehicle 30 includes a passenger compartment 74 to accommodate the occupants 60 (if any) of the vehicle 30. The passenger compartment 74 includes one or more front seats disposed in front of the passenger compartment 74. For example, the front seats may be the driver's seat 54 and the passenger seat 56. The passenger compartment 74 may include one or more rear seats (not shown) disposed behind the driver's seat 54 and the passenger seat 56. The passenger compartment 74 may also include a third row of seats (not shown) at the rear of the passenger compartment 74. Figure 1 , the driver seat 54 and the passenger seat 56 are shown as bucket seats, but the driver seat 54 and the passenger seat 56 can be of other types. The position and orientation of the seats and their components can be adjusted by the occupant 60.

[0066] The vehicle 30 may include an instrument panel assembly 50 including an instrument panel 52. The instrument panel 52 may be disposed at a front end of the passenger compartment 74 and facing the driver seat 54 and the passenger seat 56. The instrument panel 52 may include vehicle controls including a steering wheel 58. The steering wheel 58 may be positioned forward of the driver seat 54.

[0067] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2, the instrument panel assembly 50 may include the airbag assembly 20. The airbag assembly 20 includes the airbag 76 and the housing 64. The airbag 76 includes the main panel 22, the extension 24 and the side panel 26. The airbag 76 (i.e., the main panel 22 and the extension 24) may be in an uninflated position ( Figure 1 )Inflate to the inflated position( Figure 2 ).

[0068] As described above, the airbag assembly 20 may include a housing 64. The airbag 76 in an uninflated position may be disposed in the housing 64, for example, the airbag 76 may be folded or rolled into the housing 64. The housing 64 may be disposed in the instrument panel 52. The housing 64 may be positioned in front of the passenger seat 56, for example, the airbag assembly 20 may be positioned on the passenger side of the vehicle 30. As another example, the airbag assembly 20 may be disposed on the driver side of the vehicle 30, for example, the housing 64 may be disposed in the steering wheel 58. Alternatively, the airbag assembly 20 may be positioned in any suitable location in the vehicle 30. The housing 64 may be formed of any material, such as a rigid polymer, a metal, a composite material, etc.

[0069] The airbag 76 (i.e., the main panel 22 and the extension 24) can be formed of any suitable airbag material (e.g., a woven polymer). For example, the airbag 76 can be formed of woven nylon yarn (e.g., nylon 6-6). Other suitable examples include polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), polyester, or any other suitable polymer. The woven polymer can include a coating, such as silicone, neoprene, polyurethane, etc. For example, the coating can be a polyorganosiloxane. The main panel 22 and the extension 24 can be formed of the same material, two different materials, or any suitable combination.

[0070] refer to Figure 2-9 , the airbag 76 includes a main panel 22. In the inflated position, the main panel 22 can be, for example, bulbous, spherical, rectangular, or any other suitable shape. The main panel 22 defines an inflatable chamber 32. Specifically, the main panel 22 extends around the inflatable chamber 32. The main panel 22 has a plurality of sides extending from the housing 64 in a generally vehicle rearward direction and an impact surface 36 extending in a generally vertical direction in front of the passenger seat 56, and the sides of the main panel 22 extend around the inflatable chamber 32. The main panel 22 can be a single piece of material or can be multiple pieces of material connected (e.g., by sewing) together.

[0071] refer to Figure 2, the main panel 22 may include an impact surface 36 facing in a rearward direction (e.g., generally in a vehicle rearward direction). The impact surface 36 may be disposed between the passenger seat 56 and the instrument panel 52 when the air bag 76 is in the inflated position. The impact surface 36 is designed to be impacted by an occupant during a frontal vehicle collision. The remainder of the main panel 22 extends from the impact surface 36 toward the instrument panel 52, i.e., the main panel 22 changes direction from the impact surface 36 toward the instrument panel 52. The impact surface 36 may be generally flat, i.e., flat or include a slight curvature due to the inflation of the air bag and the type of flexible material of the main panel 22.

[0072] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the extension 24 can be spaced apart from the impact surface 36. For example, the extension 24 can be positioned on a side of the main panel 22 that generally faces the driver's side of the vehicle 30. As another example, the extension 24 can be positioned on a side of the main panel 22 that generally faces the passenger-side door of the vehicle 30. As yet another example, the airbag 76 can include two extensions 24, each located on either side of the impact surface 36. Alternatively, any suitable number of extensions 24 can be configured on the main panel 22 in any suitable manner.

[0073] refer to Figure 3 , the extension 24 in the inflated position may be spaced apart from the instrument panel 52. For example, the extension 24 in the inflated position may not contact the instrument panel 52. Alternatively, the extension 24 in the inflated position may contact the instrument panel 52. In this orientation, a force exerted on the extension 24 in a generally vehicle-forward direction from, for example, the head 62 of the occupant 60 may be resisted by the instrument panel 52 exerting a force on the extension 24 in a generally vehicle-rearward direction.

[0074] refer to Figure 4-6 , the extension 24 may have a generally concave cross-section. For example, the cross-section of the extension 24 may be generally C-shaped, generally U-shaped, generally V-shaped, generally R-shaped, etc. The cross-section of the extension 24 may have a generally radial shape, a generally arcuate shape, a shape having an angle, or any suitable combination of the foregoing shapes.

[0075] Continue to refer Figure 4-6 , the extension 24 may include a first leg 46 and a second leg 48 extending at an angle less than 180 degrees relative to the first leg 46. The second leg 48 may extend relative to the first leg 46 by directly contacting the first leg 46, or there may be an intermediate member between the first leg 46 and the second leg 48. As an example, Figure 5As shown, the first leg 46 and the second leg 48 may not extend beyond the impact surface 36. As another example, the first leg 46 and the second leg 48 may extend beyond the impact surface 36. The first leg 46 and the second leg 48 may have any suitable length, width, and height.

[0076] Continue to refer Figure 4-6 The extension 24 may include a peripheral surface 40 extending from the main panel 22 (at Figure 5 The peripheral surface 40 may include a first surface 42 (identified in FIG. 1 ) and an outer surface 42 attached to the peripheral surface 40 and spaced apart from the main panel 22 in the inflated position. The peripheral surface 40 may extend generally perpendicularly from the main panel 22, or in any other suitable manner. The peripheral surface 40 and the outer surface 42 may be two separate components. Alternatively, the peripheral surface 40 and the outer surface 42 may be a single component.

[0077] Continue to refer Figure 4-6 , the extension 24 can be cantilevered on the main panel 22. For example, the extension 24 can include a base (not numbered) fixed (e.g., sewn, glued, integrally formed, etc.) to the main panel 22, and a distal end (not numbered) spaced apart from the base, such as the outer surface 42. When a force from, for example, the head 62 of the occupant 60 is applied to the extension 24 in a generally vehicle-forward direction, the cantilever relationship between the extension 24 and the main panel 22 causes the distal end to move generally in the direction of the force, and the base remains fixed to the main panel 22. This can cause the extension 24 to pull the main panel 22 generally in the direction of the force, and the main panel 22 can rotate generally in the direction of the force.

[0078] The extension chamber 38 can be defined by the peripheral surface 40, the outer surface 42, and the main panel 22. The extension chamber 38 can be inflated substantially simultaneously with the inflatable chamber 32. Alternatively, the extension chamber 38 can be inflated simultaneously with the inflatable chamber 32. For example, the extension chamber 38 can be in fluid communication with the inflatable chamber 32. Alternatively, the extension chamber 38 can be separate from and distinct from the inflatable chamber 32, with no fluid communication between the extension chamber 38 and the inflatable chamber 32. As an example, the volume of the extension chamber 38 can be less than the volume of the inflatable chamber 32. As another example, the volume of the extension chamber 38 can be greater than or equal to the volume of the inflatable chamber 32.

[0079] refer to Figure 5 and 6, the extension chamber 38 can be in fluid communication with the inflatable chamber 32 via the hole 34 defined by the main panel 22. The hole 34 can be positioned within the range of the peripheral surface 40, such as below the outer surface 42. During inflation of the inflatable chamber 32, the hole 34 can allow the extension chamber 38 to be inflated substantially simultaneously with the inflatable chamber 32. The hole 34 can be, for example, a vent (e.g., an open vent, a one-way vent, a two-way vent, an active vent, etc.) to control the flow of gas into the extension chamber 38. As another example, the hole 34 can have substantially the same size and shape as the peripheral surface 40, so that there is complete fluid communication between the inflatable chamber 32 and the extension chamber 38, and the inflatable chamber 32 extends into the entire extension chamber 38.

[0080] Continue to refer Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the airbag 76 may include a drawstring 44 extending from a portion of the extension 24 through the main panel 22 to another portion of the extension 24 in the extension chamber 38. For example, the drawstring 44 may extend from a portion of the peripheral surface 40 to another portion of the peripheral surface 40. Specifically, the extension 24 may include a slot 78 defined by the peripheral surface 40, and the drawstring 44 may be attached to the slot 78. The drawstring 44 may extend from the slot 78 to, for example, another portion of the peripheral surface 40, the main panel 22, the outer surface 42, or any other suitable location. The drawstring 44 may maintain the shape of the extension 24 during inflation of the airbag 76. For example, when the airbag 76 is inflated, the inflatable medium such as gas may exert a force on the peripheral surface 40, and the drawstring 44 may resist and / or resist the force exerted on the peripheral surface 40, thereby maintaining the shape of the extension 24. The drawstring 44 may be attached to the extension 24 in any suitable manner (e.g., sewing, fusing, bonding, integrally formed, etc.). The draw strap 44 may be formed from the same type of material as the air bag 76 , or from any other suitable type of material.

[0081] refer to Figure 4 and 5 , the side panel 26 can be secured to the extension 24. For example, the side panel 26 can be secured to the peripheral surface 40, the outer surface 42, or any other suitable location on the extension 24. As another example, the side panel 26 can extend from the first leg 46 through the main panel 22 in the inflated position to the second leg 48. The side panel 26 can be secured to the extension 24 in any suitable manner (e.g., sewing, fusing, bonding, integrally formed, etc.). The side panel 26 can be formed of the same material as the airbag 76 or any other suitable material (e.g., a material having elasticity). The side panel 26 can have any suitable shape, such as a generally rectangular shape, a circular shape, an oval shape, a triangular shape, etc.

[0082] When the air bag 76 is in the inflated position, at least a portion of the extension 24 may be located between the side panel 26 and the main panel 22. Figure 4 In the perspective view shown, a portion of the extension 24 is shown as being located between the side panel 26 and the main panel 22. The side panel 26 can be positioned anywhere on the extension 24, such as the peripheral surface 40, the outer surface 42, etc. For example, the side panel 26 can be secured to the extension 24 near the main panel 22, such that a smaller portion of the extension 24 is located between the side panel 26 and the main panel 22. As another example, the side panel 26 can be secured to the extension 24 away from the main panel 22, such that a larger portion of the extension 24 is located between the side panel 26 and the main panel 22.

[0083] As an example, when the main panel 22 is in the inflated position, the side panel 26 may be non-inflatable. That is, the side panel 26 may be sealed and separated from the extension chamber 38, that is, the side panel 26 may be a solid non-hollow member, such as Figure 4 and 5 As another example, the side panel 26 may be in fluid communication with the extension chamber 38, ie, the side panel 26 may have an inflatable chamber (not shown).

[0084] like Figure 4 As shown, the side panel 26 may have a uniform material thickness across the side panel 26, however, it should be understood that the material thickness may be uniform or variable. For example, the material thickness may be greater at a location between the first leg 46 and the second leg 48 (i.e., where the head 62 of the occupant 60 may contact the side panel 26). Alternatively, the material thickness may vary in any suitable manner.

[0085] refer to Figure 4-6 , the side panel 26, the extension 24 and the main panel 22 can define a recess 28. As an example, the recess 28 can be defined by the peripheral surface 40, the side panel 26 and the main panel 22. As another example, the recess 28 can be defined by the outer surface 42, the side panel 26 and the main panel 22. The recess 28 can be open in the rearward direction. For example, the impact surface 36 and the opening of the recess 28 can face the same direction, that is, the direction of the vehicle rearward. The recess 28 can be designed to receive the head 62 of the occupant 60, that is, the size and shape of the recess 28 can enable the recess 28 to receive the head 62 of the occupant 60 through the opening of the recess 28.

[0086] As described above, the recess 28 is outside the extension chamber 38. That is, there is no fluid communication between the recess 28 and the extension chamber 38. The recess 38 may be outside the plenum chamber 32. That is, there may be no fluid communication between the recess 38 and the plenum chamber 32.

[0087] refer to Figure 7 , the inflator 66 can be connected to the airbag 76 and communicate with the inflation chamber 32 of the main panel 22 and the extension chamber 38 of the extension 24. Upon receiving a signal from, for example, the controller 68, the inflator 66 can inflate the airbag 76 with an inflatable medium (e.g., gas). Specifically, the inflator 66 inflates the inflation chamber 32 of the main panel 22 and the extension chamber 38 of the extension 24. The inflator 66 can, for example, be a pyrotechnic inflator that uses a chemical reaction to drive the inflation medium to the airbag 76. The inflator 66 can be of any suitable type, such as a cryogenic gas inflator. As an example, the inflator 66 can inflate the extension chamber 38 in addition to inflating the inflation chamber 32. As another example, there can be another inflator 66 connected to the extension chamber 38.

[0088] The controller 68 is a microprocessor-based controller. The controller 68 includes a processor, a memory, etc. The memory of the controller 68 includes a memory for storing instructions executable by the processor and for electronically storing data and / or databases. The controller 68 can be the same or different device as the computer responsible for autonomous control of the vehicle 30.

[0089] The controller 68 can send signals via a communication network 70 (e.g., a controller area network (CAN) bus, Ethernet, WiFi, a local interconnect network (LIN), an on-board diagnostic connector (OBD-II), and / or any other wired or wireless communication network). The controller 68 can communicate with the inflator 66 and the collision sensor 72 via the communication network 70.

[0090] Continue to refer Fig. 9 The collision sensor 72 is adapted to detect a collision with the vehicle 30. The collision sensor 72 may be of any suitable type, such as a post-contact sensor (e.g., a linear or angular accelerometer, a gyroscope, a pressure sensor, and a contact switch); and a pre-collision sensor (e.g., a radar, a lidar, and a vision sensing system). The vision system may include one or more cameras, a CCD (charge-coupled device) image sensor, a CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) image sensor, and the like. The collision sensor 72 may be located at a plurality of points in or on the vehicle 30.

[0091] In the event of a collision with the vehicle 30, the collision sensor 72 may detect the collision and send a signal to the controller 68 via the communication network 70. The controller 68 may send a signal to the inflator 66 via the communication network 70. The inflator 66 may exhaust air and inflate the airbag 76. During inflation, the main panel 22 may extend from the housing 64 in a generally vehicle rearward direction toward the passenger seat 56, and the extension 24 may extend from the main panel 22 in a direction generally facing the driver's side of the vehicle 30. When the extension chamber 38 is inflated, the side panel 26 may be spaced apart from the main panel 22.

[0092] refer to Figure 8-10 , showing three stages of vehicle collision (e.g., offset collision, angle collision, small overlap collision, etc.). In the first stage of vehicle collision, Figure 8 As shown, the occupant 60 may be propelled forward and the head 62 of the occupant 60 may contact the impact surface 36 of the primary panel 22. Due to the offset nature of the vehicle impact, the head 62 may begin to slide away from the impact surface 36 and toward the extension 24.

[0093] In the second stage of a vehicle collision, if Fig. 9 As shown, the head 62 may begin to enter the recess 28 and come into contact with the side panel 26 and the extension 24. The extension 24 and the side panel 26 may begin to slow the movement and rotation of the head 62. Due to the presence of the side panel 26, the extension 24 may not need to rely on opposing forces between the extension 24 and the instrument panel 52 to slow the movement and rotation of the head 62.

[0094] In the third stage of a vehicle collision, if Fig.10 As shown, the head 62 may begin to exert a greater force on the extension 24 and the side panel 26. The force may pull the airbag 76 generally in the direction of the force, and the airbag 76 may begin to rotate. Due to this rotation, the airbag 76 may substantially maintain its position between the occupant 60 and the instrument panel 50. By maintaining this position between the occupant 60 and the instrument panel 50, the airbag 76 may continue to provide the benefits of airbag protection during the third stage of a vehicle collision and reduce the risk of the occupant 60 contacting vehicle components (e.g., the instrument panel 50, the dashboard, etc.).

[0095] The disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings, and the disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

1. A safety airbag, comprising: a main panel defining an inflation chamber and being inflatable to an inflated position; an extension extending from the main panel and defining an extension chamber; and a side panel spaced apart from the main panel and secured to the extension in the inflated position, the side panel being located outside of the extension chamber, wherein the side panel is non-inflatable when the main panel is in the inflated position; The side panel, the extension, and the main panel define a recess outside the extension chamber.

2. The airbag of claim 1 , wherein the extension portion comprises a peripheral surface extending from the main panel, and an outer surface attached to the peripheral surface and spaced apart from the main panel in the inflated position, and the extension chamber is defined by the peripheral surface, the outer surface and the main panel. 3 . The airbag of claim 2 , wherein the extension chamber is in fluid communication with the inflation chamber. The airbag according to claim 3 , wherein the volume of the extension chamber is smaller than the volume of the inflation chamber. 5 . The airbag according to claim 1 , wherein the main panel includes a collision surface facing in a rearward direction, and wherein the recessed portion opens in the rearward direction. The airbag of claim 5 , wherein the recess is outside the inflation chamber.

7. The airbag of claim 6, wherein the recess is designed to receive a head of an occupant.

8. The airbag according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least a portion of the extension is located between the side panel and the main panel.

9. The airbag according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the extension has a generally concave cross-section.

10. An airbag according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the extension is cantilevered from the main panel.

11. The airbag according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a drawstring extending in the extension chamber from a portion of the extension portion through the main panel to another portion of the extension portion.

12. The airbag of claim 11, wherein the extension portion includes a peripheral surface extending from the main panel, and an outer surface attached to the peripheral surface and spaced apart from the main panel in the inflated position, and the drawstring extends from a portion of the peripheral surface to another portion of the peripheral surface.

13. An instrument panel assembly, comprising: Dashboard; and The airbag of claim 1, wherein the airbag is supported on the instrument panel; The airbag includes a main panel defining an inflation chamber and being inflatable to an inflated position; The airbag includes an extension extending from the main panel and defining an extension chamber; The airbag includes a side panel spaced apart from the main panel and secured to the extension in the inflated position, the side panel being located outside of the extension chamber, wherein the side panel is non-inflatable when the main panel is in the inflated position; and The side panel, the extension, and the main panel define a recess outside the extension chamber. 14 . The instrument panel assembly of claim 13 , wherein the extension in the inflated position is spaced apart from the instrument panel.

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