Gas bag, gas bag module and vehicle

Abstract

A gas bag, in particular a side gas bag, for a vehicle occupant restraint system, for protecting a head area and a shoulder area of ​​a vehicle occupant, in particular a vehicle occupant on a rear seat, has at least one chamber (28) which is delimited at least by a front wall (22) and a rear wall (24), an inflation area (36) and a primary protection area (42) remote from the inflation area (36), wherein a duct (40) from the inflation area (36) to the primary protection area (42) is provided in the chamber (28). Furthermore, a gas bag module (16) and a vehicle (10) are shown. Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 5A

Description

Title of the invention: Gas bag, gas bag module and vehicle

[0001] The invention relates to a gas bag, in particular a lateral gas bag, for a vehicle occupant restraint system, to a gas bag module for a vehicle occupant restraint system and to a vehicle.

[0002] Gas bags are known, in particular lateral gas bags, which are designed as curtain-type gas bags. These gas bags, however, have a very large expansion because they extend over large parts of the vehicle's longitudinal extension.

[0003] It therefore takes a relatively long time before they are fully inflated, so that these gas bags cannot be enlarged at will. Nevertheless, it is preferably also the protection of the thorax area of ​​a vehicle occupant on a rear seat that is desired via such a curtain-type gas bag, since no other protection possibilities are available or are only possible via separate gas bags.

[0004] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a gas bag, a gas bag module and a vehicle, for which the thorax area of ​​a vehicle occupant on a rear seat is reliably protected.

[0005] The objective is achieved by means of a gas cushion with the characteristics according to claim 1.

[0006] The gas bag according to the invention, in particular a side gas bag, is designed for a vehicle occupant restraint system for protecting a head area and a shoulder area of ​​a vehicle occupant, in particular a vehicle occupant on a rear seat. The gas bag comprises a chamber which is delimited at least by a front wall and a rear wall, an inflation area and a primary protection area remote from the inflation area, at least one duct from the inflation area to the primary protection area being provided in the chamber.

[0007] The use of a conduit which extends directly from the inflation nozzle to the primary protection zone ensures rapid deployment of the primary protection zone, even when it is further than usual from the inflation zone and therefore from the gas generator.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, a fabric gas distributor is arranged in the inflation area, which has at least one first outlet opening which is assigned to the duct, the duct extending in particular directly from the first outlet opening of the fabric gas distributor in the inflation nozzle to the primary protection zone.

[0009] The fabric gas distributor serves in particular to distribute the gas flowing into the gas bag for filling the gas bag. Furthermore, the fabric gas distributor serves as a protective element for the fabric of the front wall and the rear wall of the gas bag since the gas flowing into the gas bag may, depending on the design of the gas generator used, have temperatures which could thermally damage the fabric of the front wall and / or the rear wall.

[0010] The fabric gas distributor has a distributor front wall and a distributor rear wall which are connected together in sections in an edge region. In the edge region of the fabric gas distributor are arranged at least one receiving opening for inserting and / or introducing a gas generator and the first outlet opening which is assigned to the conduit. In one embodiment, the distributor front wall and the distributor rear wall are formed by a one-piece fabric element, where, to form the fabric gas distributor, the section forming the distributor front wall and the section forming the distributor rear wall are superimposed on each other and are connected in sections against the unconnected edge regions. Alternatively, the fabric gas distributor can be produced from a single piece in a multi-layer weaving process.The receiving opening and the outlet opening can of course also be inserted later into the border area, for example by laser cutting.

[0011] The primary protection zone is, for example, in the inflated state of the gas bag arranged so that it protects the thorax and shoulder area of ​​a vehicle occupant on the rear seat.

[0012] The gas bag is then a curtain-type thorax gas bag (CTAB, for “Curtain-Thorax-Airbag” in English).

[0013] The primary protection zone is located between an outlet of the conduit and an edge connection opposite the outlet as well as at least at a shortest distance between a free end of the conduit connection and the corresponding edge connection.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the gas bag has a first partial chamber and a second partial chamber, where the inflation zone is provided between the partial chambers, and where the conduit and the primary protection zone are provided in the second partial chamber, in particular where the first partial chamber extends forward from the inflation zone and the second partial chamber extends rearward from the inflation zone, whereby the gas bag can be adapted to the respective protection needs of the corresponding zone. To enable rapid deployment and filling of the first partial chamber of the gas bag, which is in particular provided for the protection of an occupant of vehicle on a front seat, the fabric gas distributor preferably has a second outlet opening which is assigned to the first partial chamber.

[0015] In order to achieve a desired inflow into the corresponding partial chamber, at least one conductive connection, in particular a seam, may be provided in the first partial chamber and / or the second partial chamber, which permanently connects the front wall and the rear wall together. The conductive connection may be a section of the main connection. The conductive connection extends, for example, inwards from the edge connection.

[0016] To further reduce the time required for full deployment of the primary protection zone, the conduit between the inflation zone and the primary protection zone may be unbranched and / or closed.

[0017] “Closed” here means that there is no opening in the lateral limits of the conduit.

[0018] In a configuration according to the invention, at least one secondary protection zone is provided in the chamber, which is fluidically connected to the inflation zone via the primary protection zone and the conduit. Alternatively, the secondary protection zone can be assigned a third outlet opening of the fabric dispenser, which in particular has a smaller cross-section than the first and second outlet openings. In this way, the chamber can have a larger volume than the volume of the primary protection zone. The secondary protection zone is, for example, arranged in the second partial chamber.

[0019] The secondary protection zone is for example connected by fluid connection to the inflation zone exclusively by the conduit and the primary protection zone.

[0020] In one embodiment, the front wall and the rear wall are permanently connected together by means of an edge connection, in particular a seam, so that the chamber of the gas bag is formed, in particular where the edge connection is provided on the predominant part of the sides of the gas bag. In this way, the gas bag is easy to manufacture. Alternatively, the gas bag can of course be manufactured from a single piece in a multi-layer weaving process, the front wall and the rear wall being woven together at least in the edge area.

[0021] In the context of this invention, "predominant part" means for example at least 50%, in particular at least 75%.

[0022] In one configuration, the conduit is at least partially delimited by at least one permanent conduit connection, in particular a seam, between the front wall and the rear wall, in particular where the conduit is at least partially delimited by two conduit connections, whereby the conduit can be readily formed. Alternatively, the conduit connection can of course be manufactured by weaving, gluing and / or welding.

[0023] The delimitation of the duct by the duct connectors is carried out for example in the longitudinal direction and / or the vertical direction.

[0024] The front wall, the rear wall and / or at least one section of the edge fitting may also delimit the conduit.

[0025] To further simplify the manufacture of the gas bag, the edge connection and the duct connection may represent sections of a main connection, in particular of a main seam. The main connection is for example the only connection of the front wall with the rear wall. The gas bag may of course have other duct connections which are not designed as forming part of the main connection.

[0026] For example, the at least one conduit connection seals tightly with the edge connection on its end facing the inflation zone, in particular the at least one conduit connection extends from the edge connection. In this way, leaks in the conduit can be avoided or minimized.

[0027] The at least one conduit connector may have a free end that is diverted from the inflation zone to allow passage to at least one secondary protection zone.

[0028] To ensure rapid inflation of the primary protection zone, the shortest distance from the free end of the at least one conduit connection to the edge connection may be less than the narrowest width of the conduit, in particular less than or equal to half the width, in particular less than or equal to one third of the width.

[0029] The smallest width of the conduit may for example be the smallest distance between two connections delimiting the conduit, therefore conduit connections and / or edge connections.

[0030] Alternatively or additionally, rapid inflation of the primary protection zone can be achieved in that, for example, the shortest distance from the free end of the at least one conduit connector to the edge connector is less than the outlet width of the conduit, in particular less than or equal to half the outlet width, in particular less than or equal to one third of the outlet width.

[0031] In doing so, the outlet width of the duct can be the smallest distance between the free ends of the duct fittings.

[0032] In one configuration, the inflation zone may be provided on a first side of the gas bag, particularly an attachment side, and the primary protection zone may be provided adjacent to a second side of the gas bag, where the second side is different from the first side, where in particular the second side is opposite to the first side. In this way, the primary protection zone can be placed freely.

[0033] In the context of this invention, a "side" is considered to be one end of the gas bag in the longitudinal or vertical direction. For example, the first side is oriented upwards and the second side is oriented downwards.

[0034] The object is further achieved by means of a gas bag module for a vehicle occupant restraint system according to claim 16, with a gas generator and a gas bag as described above. In a preferred embodiment, the gas generator is thereby, in the gas bag, arranged in the fabric gas distributor so that a gas emanating from the gas generator is deflected by the fabric gas distributor and flows through the outlet openings into the first and / or second partial chamber of the gas bag.

[0035] Furthermore, the object is achieved by a vehicle according to claim 18 with at least one rear seat and a gas bag as described above, wherein the primary protection area in the inflated state of the gas bag is arranged in the area of ​​the rear seat, in particular in a shoulder area of ​​the rear seat.

[0036] The gas cushion is for example what is called a curtain type gas cushion.

[0037] The features and advantages discussed for the gas cushion apply equally way for the gas bag module and the vehicle, and vice versa.

[0038] In one configuration of the invention, the vehicle has a front seat, where the first partial chamber in the inflated state is arranged in the area of ​​the front seat. In doing so, the front and rear seats can be covered by the gas bag.

[0039] Other features and advantages of the invention are revealed by the following description and by the drawings which are attached and to which reference is made. In the drawings:

[0040] - [Fig.l] [Fig.l] schematically shows the interior space of a vehicle according to the invention with a gas cushion module according to the invention with a first embodiment of a gas cushion according to the invention,

[0041] - [Fig.2A] [Fig.2A] schematically shows the gas bag module of the [Fig.l] in the inflated state,

[0042] - [Fig.2B] [Fig.2B] schematically shows the gas cushion module of the [Fig.l] in the inflated state,

[0043] - [Fig.3A] [Fig.3A] shows the gas cushion according to Figure 2 at two instants different during inflation,

[0044] - [Fig.3B] [Fig.3B] shows the gas cushion according to Figure 2 at two instants different during inflation

[0045] - [Fig.4] [Fig.4] schematically shows the interior space of a vehicle according to the invention with a gas cushion module according to the invention with a second embodiment of a gas cushion according to the invention,

[0046] - [Fig.5A] [Fig.5A] schematically shows the gas bag module of the [Fig.4] in the inflated state,

[0047] - [Fig.5B] [Fig.5B] schematically shows the gas bag module of the [Fig.4] in the inflated state, and

[0048] - [Fig.6] [Fig.6] shows the fabric gas distributor of the gas bag according to Figure 5.

[0049] In [Fig.l] an interior space of a vehicle 10 is very schematically represented. The vehicle 10 is for example a car, a transporter / minibus or a truck.

[0050] The vehicle 10 has two front seats 12 as well as several rear seats 14, where only one front seat 12 and one rear seat 14 are shown.

[0051] The vehicle 10 further has a vehicle occupant restraint system with a gas bag module 16, which comprises a gas generator 18 and a first embodiment of a gas bag 20 according to the invention.

[0052] The gas bag module 16 as well as the gas bag 20 are attached to a roof rail or in the area of ​​a roof edge of the vehicle 10. The gas bag 20 is therefore a lateral gas bag which is inflated from the ceiling or the roof rail. These types of lateral gas bags are also called curtain-type gas bags.

[0053] In the first embodiment of the gas bag 20 according to the invention, it is in particular a curtain-type gas bag which also protects the thorax of the vehicle occupant, therefore a curtain-type thorax gas bag (CTAB).

[0054] The directions and expansions of the gas bag 20 are given within the scope of this invention with reference to the intended mounting position in the vehicle 10 and shown in [Fig.l] (as well as in [Fig.4]). The gas bag 20 thus extends predominantly, i.e. with its longitudinal direction L in the vehicle longitudinal direction, where the part of the gas bag 20 facing the front of the vehicle 10 is designated as "front" and, consequently, rearwardly facing and further away parts are designated as "rear".

[0055] Likewise, the vertical direction H of the gas bag 20 extends in the vertical vehicle direction H, where here too the terms "up" and "down" are used with reference to the gas bag 20 in its intended mounting position. These agree with the representation of Figure 2a (as well as Figure 5a).

[0056] The transverse direction Q of the gas bag 20, i.e. the expansion in the transverse vehicle direction, is the smallest expansion of the gas bag 20.

[0057] The gas bag module 16 is enlarged in Figures 2a and 2b and shown separately in a side view or a schematic sectional view.

[0058] The gas bag 20 has, as shown in FIG. 2b, a front wall 22 and a rear wall 24 which are connected together by a main connection 26, for example a main seam.

[0059] Between the front wall 22 and the rear wall 24 a chamber 28 of the gas cushion 20 is thus formed.

[0060] In Figure 2a the gas cushion 20 according to the first embodiment is shown in the inflated state in a side view.

[0061] The chamber 28 is entirely delimited by an edge connection 30, with the exception of a section for the introduction of the gas generator 18.

[0062] The edge connection 30 may form sections of the main connection 26 and thus also be a seam.

[0063] The front wall 22 and the rear wall are permanently connected together by the edge connector 30, and at least sections of the edge connector 30 are provided on the predominant parts of the sides or edges - at least 50%, in particular at least 75%.

[0064] In the context of this invention, sides of the gas bag 20 are understood to mean the sides or edges of the gas bag 20 in the longitudinal direction L and the vertical direction H.

[0065] As shown in Figure 2a, the chamber 28 has a first partial chamber 32 and a second partial chamber 34 between which an inflation zone 36 is provided.

[0066] In the inflation zone 36, the gas generator 18 is arranged on a first side, here the attachment side 37. The attachment side 37 is the side or edge of the gas bag 20 on which the gas bag 20 is attached to the vehicle, for example to the roof rail. This is the upper side.

[0067] The edge connection 30 may be interrupted in the inflation zone 36 to guide cables to the gas generator 18.

[0068] The first partial chamber 32 extends from the inflation zone 36 forward and is provided in the inflated state in the area of ​​the front seat 12.

[0069] In the first partial chamber 32, several conductive connections 38, for example seams, are provided in the exemplary embodiment shown, which connect the front wall 22 and the rear wall 24 together.

[0070] The conductive fittings 38 extend inwardly from the edge fittings 30 and thus create different sections of the first partial chamber 32 to which the gas is guided differently from the gas generator 18.

[0071] The second partial chamber 34 extends rearwardly from the inflation zone 36 into the rear seat area 14 of the vehicle 10.

[0072] The second partial chamber 34 has a conduit 40, a primary protection zone 42 and at least one secondary protection zone 44.

[0073] In the exemplary embodiment shown, two conduit connections 46 are provided, which may also be formed by seams and which connect the front wall 22 and the rear wall 24 together.

[0074] The edge connection 30, the conductor connections 38 and the conduit connections 46 can each be made by parts of the main connection 26 and thus as a seam. The gas cushion 20 thus has only a single, continuous connection, in particular a continuous seam.

[0075] The conduit fittings 46 extend rearwardly from different points of the edge fittings 30, where the points of the edge fittings 30 are in particular on two opposite sides of the gas bag 20.

[0076] The ends of the conduit fittings 46, which are not connected to the edge fittings 30 and are therefore diverted from the inflation zone 36, are referred to in the context of this invention as free ends 48 and form the termination of the conduit 40.

[0077] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the duct 40 extends from the inflation zone 36 and is first delimited by sections of the edge connection 30 and finally by the duct connections 46. In the transverse direction Q, the duct 40 is delimited by the front wall 22 or the rear wall 24.

[0078] The conduit 40 has a width bk which is the smallest width of the conduit 40, i.e. the smallest distance between two edge connections 30 or conduit connections 46, which delimit the conduit 40.

[0079] The free ends 48 define the outlet 50 of the conduit 40, which has an outlet width ba which corresponds to the smallest mutual distance between the two free ends 48.

[0080] The conduit 40 is joined by the primary protection zone 42 which in the exemplary embodiment shown is adjacent to the lower side and the rear side of the gas bag 20.

[0081] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the primary protection zone 42 is thus adjacent to two sides of the gas bag 20, which are also called second sides. The second sides are different from the attachment side 37, therefore from the first side. In the case of the lower side, the second side is even opposite the attachment side 37.

[0082] The primary protection zone 42, in the inflated state, is located, as shown in [Fig.l], in the shoulder area of ​​the rear seat 14, i.e. in the area of ​​the rear seat 14 where the shoulders of a vehicle occupant are usually positioned.

[0083] One of the secondary protection zones 44 is located above and / or the other secondary protection zone 44 is located before the primary protection zone 42.

[0084] Between the conduit connections 46 and the sections closest to the edge connection 30 are formed passages 52 which fluidically connect the primary protection zone 42 to the secondary protection zones 44 which fill the remaining second partial chamber 34.

[0085] The primary protection zone 42 is therefore located between the outlet 50, the passages 52 and the corresponding section of the edge connection 30.

[0086] The secondary protection zones 44 are therefore located between the conduit connections 46, the passages 52 and the corresponding zones of the edge connection 30.

[0087] The secondary protection zones 44 are therefore connected to the inflation zone 36 and therefore to the gas generator 18 only by the passages 52, the primary protection zone 42 and finally the conduit 40.

[0088] The conduit 40, more precisely the conduit connections 46, are in fact hermetically sealed between the inflation zone 36 and the primary protection zone 42 and have no opening. The conduit 40 is therefore unbranched. The size of the passages 52 corresponds to the shortest distance a between the free ends 48 and the section respectively closest to the edge connection 30.

[0089] The distances a are less than or equal to half the width bk of the conduit 40 and / or ba of the outlet width.

[0090] For example, the distances a are less than or equal to one third of the width bk or the exit width ba.

[0091] In the event of triggering, the gas generator 18 produces gas in the inflation zone 36 to inflate the gas bag 20.

[0092] As shown in Figure 3a, which represents a first stage of the deployment of the gas bag 20, the gas flows into the first partial chamber 32 and the second partial chamber 34.

[0093] In the second partial chamber 34, the gas first flows into the conduit 40 and the adjacent primary protection zone 42 without any significant obstruction. Due to the small size of the passages 52, the secondary protection zones 44 are not inflated or are only very slightly inflated.

[0094] In doing so, it is the primary protection zone 42 which is inflated first, which provides a protective effect for the vehicle occupant in the rear seat 14. The zones inflated during the first stage of deployment are shown hatched in Figure 3a.

[0095] The second stage of the deployment of the gas bag 20 is shown in Figure 3b. At this stage, it is now the secondary protection zones 44 (hatched) which are inflated, due to the fact that a gas flows through the passages 52 from the primary protection zone 42.

[0096] Deployment of the secondary protection zones 44 is supported by the shoulder of a vehicle occupant pressing on the primary protection zone 42, thereby increasing the pressure in the primary protection zone 42. The increased pressure causes more gas to flow through the passages 52 from the primary protection zone 42 into the secondary protection zone 44.

[0097] In [Fig. 4], as already in [Fig. 1], an interior space of a vehicle 10 is very schematically shown. The vehicle 10 is for example a car, a transporter / minibus or a truck. The vehicle 10 has two front seats 12 as well as several rear seats 14, where only one front seat 12 and one rear seat 14 are shown. The vehicle 10 further has a vehicle occupant restraint system with a gas bag module 16 which comprises a gas generator 18 and a second embodiment of a gas bag 20 according to the invention.

[0098] The gas bag module 16 as well as the gas bag 20 are also attached to a roof rail or in the area of ​​a roof edge of the vehicle 10. The gas bag 20 is therefore a lateral gas bag which is inflated from the ceiling or the roof rail. These types of lateral gas bags are also called curtain gas bags. In the second embodiment of the gas bag 20 according to the invention, it is in particular a curtain gas bag which also protects the thorax of the vehicle occupant, therefore a curtain thorax gas bag (CTAB).

[0099] The gas bag module 16 is enlarged in Figures 5a and 5b and shown separately in a side view or a schematic sectional view.

[0100] The gas bag 20 has, as shown in FIG. 5b, a front wall 22 and a rear wall 24 which are connected together by a main connection 26, for example a main seam. Between the front wall 22 and the rear wall 24 a chamber 28 of the gas bag 20 is thus formed.

[0101] In Figure 5a the gas bag 20 is shown in the inflated state in a side view.

[0102] The chamber 28 is completely delimited by an edge connection 30, except for a section for the introduction of the gas generator 18. The edge connection 30 may form sections of the main connection 26 and thus also be a seam. The front wall 22 and the rear wall are permanently connected together by the edge connection 30, and at least sections of the edge connection 30 are provided on the predominant parts of the sides or edges - at least 50%, in particular at least 75%.

[0103] As shown in Figure 5a, the chamber 28 has a first partial chamber 32 and a second partial chamber 34 between which an inflation zone 36 is provided. In the inflation zone 36, the gas generator 18 is arranged on a first side, here the attachment side 37. The attachment side 37 is the side or edge of the gas bag 20 on which the gas bag 20 is fixed against the vehicle, for example against the roof rail. This is the upper side.

[0104] The edge connection 30 can be interrupted in the inflation zone 36 in order to be able to introduce the fabric gas distributor 54 and the gas generator 18 into the gas bag 20 and / or to guide cables to the gas generator 18.

[0105] The first partial chamber 32 extends from the inflation zone 36 towards the front and is provided in the inflated state in the area of ​​the front seat 12. In the first partial chamber 32, several conductive connections 38, for example seams, are provided in the exemplary embodiment shown, which connect the front wall 22 and the rear wall 24 together.

[0106] The conductive connections 38 extend inwards from the edge connections 30 and thus create different sections of the first partial chamber 32 to which the gas is guided differently from the gas generator 18. Furthermore, by means of guide connections 38 of this type, the expansion of the gas bag 20 in the transverse direction can, for example, also be delimited in a targeted manner in certain areas of the gas bag 20.

[0107] The second partial chamber 34 extends rearwardly from the inflation zone 36 into the rear seat area 14 of the vehicle 10. The second partial chamber 34 has at least one duct 40 (here two ducts 40), a primary protection zone 42 and at least one secondary protection zone 44 (here two secondary protection zones 44).

[0108] In the exemplary embodiment shown, two conduit connections 46 are provided, which can also be formed by seams and which connect the front wall 22 and the rear wall 24 together. The edge connection 30, the conductor connections 38 and the conduit connections 46 can each be formed by parts of the main connection 26 and thus as a seam. In the embodiment variant shown according to FIGS. 4 to 6, the gas bag has a further conduit connection 47 which is not part of the main connection 26 but is designed separately, here as a seam.

[0109] The ends of the conduit fittings 46, which are not connected to the edge fittings 30 and are therefore diverted from the inflation zone 36, are referred to in the context of this invention as free ends 48 and form the termination of the conduit 40.

[0110] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the ducts 40 extend from the first outlet openings 56 of the fabric gas distributor 54 arranged in the inflation area 36, ​​where the upper duct 40 is delimited by the duct connector 46 which is part of the main connector 26, and by the separately formed duct connector 47. The lower duct 40 is delimited by the separately formed duct connector 47 and a partial area of ​​the edge connector 30. In the direction transverse Q, the lower and upper conduits 40 are limited by the front wall 22 or the rear wall 24.

[0111] The free ends 48 define the outlet 50 of the conduit 40, which has an outlet width ba which corresponds to the smallest mutual distance between the two free ends 48.

[0112] The primary protection zone 42 adjoins the conduit 40, which in the embodiment shown is adjacent to the lower side and the rear side of the gas bag 20. In the embodiment shown, the primary protection zone 42 is thus adjacent to two sides of the gas bag 20, which are also called second sides. The second sides are different from the attachment side 37, i.e. from the first side. In the case of the lower side, the second side is even opposite the attachment side 37.

[0113] The primary protection zone 42, in the inflated state, is located, as shown in [Fig. 4], in the shoulder / thorax area of ​​the rear seat 14, i.e. in the area of ​​the rear seat 14 where the shoulders of a vehicle occupant are usually positioned.

[0114] The secondary protection zones 44 are located above the primary protection zone 42. It may also be provided that at least one secondary protection zone 44 is located before the primary protection zone 42 (not shown).

[0115] Between the conduit connection 46 and the nearest section of the edge connection 30 as well as between the free ends 48 of the separately designed conduit connection 47 are formed passages 52, 53 which fluidically connect the primary protection zone 42 to the secondary protection zones 44 which fill the remaining second partial chamber 34.

[0116] The primary protection zone 42 is therefore located between the outlet 50, the passages 52 and the corresponding section of the edge connection 30.

[0117] A secondary protection zone 44 is therefore located between the conduit connection 46, the passage 52 and the corresponding zones of the edge connection 30, and the second secondary protection zone is located between the separately designed conduit connection 47 and the passage 53.

[0118] The secondary protection zones 44 are therefore connected to the first outlet openings 56 of the fabric gas distributor 54 in the inflation zone 36 and therefore to the gas generator 18 only by the passages 52 and 53, the primary protection zone 42 and finally the conduit 40.

[0119] In the event of triggering, the gas generator 18 produces a gas which emanates into an emanation zone 19 of the gas generator 18 and is distributed by the fabric gas distributor 54 which is arranged in the inflation zone 36, through the first and second outlet openings 56 and 58 into the first and second partial chambers. 32 and 34, to inflate the gas cushion 20. The direction of the gas emanating from the fabric gas distributor 54 is represented by the arrows 66.

[0120] The amount of gas flowing into the first partial chamber 32 and the second partial chamber 34 can be adjusted by the fabric gas distributor 54 and the size of the first and second outlet openings 56, 58.

[0121] In the second partial chamber 34, the gas first flows into the conduits 40 and the adjacent primary protection zone 42 without any significant obstruction. Due to the small size of the passages 52, 53, the secondary protection zones 44 are not inflated or are only very slightly inflated.

[0122] In doing so, it is the primary protection zone 42 that is inflated first, which provides a protective effect for the vehicle occupant on the rear seat 14. In the second stage of the deployment of the gas bag 20, it is then the secondary protection zones 44 that are inflated, due to gas flowing through the passages 52, 53 from the primary protection zone 42. The deployment of the secondary protection zones 44 can be supported by the shoulder of a vehicle occupant pressing on the primary protection zone 42, thereby increasing the pressure in the primary protection zone 42. The increased pressure means that more gas can flow through the passages 52, 53 from the primary protection zone 42 into the secondary protection zone 44.

[0123] [Fig. 6] shows the fabric gas distributor 54 with the gas generator 18 in an enlarged representation. In this embodiment variant, the fabric gas distributor 54 consists of a one-piece fabric element. To form the fabric gas distributor 54, the distributor front wall forming section 60 and the distributor rear wall forming section are superimposed on each other and are connected in sections against the unconnected edge regions 62, here by a seam 63. In the embodiment variant shown, the fabric gas distributor 54 comprises additional protective layers 64 in the area where the gas generator 18 is arranged, which are also connected to the fabric gas distributor 54 by the seams 63.In the embodiment variant shown, the protective layers 64 are also sections of the one-piece fabric element, but can also be designed as separate fabric elements.

[0124] To introduce or insert the gas generator 18 into the fabric gas distributor 54 and / or to guide cables to the gas generator 18, the fabric gas distributor 54 has a receiving opening 68 in which the distributor front wall 60 and the distributor rear wall are not connected together in the edge region 62. The first and second outlet openings 56, 58 can also be formed by the distributor front wall 60 and the distributor rear wall not being connected together in the edge region 62 respectively. Alternatively, the first and second outlet openings 56, 58 may also be subsequently inserted into the fabric gas distributor 54, for example by a suitable separation process, such as laser cutting.

[0125] By placing the gas bag 20 or the gas bag module 16 in accordance with the invention, a particularly rapid deployment of the primary protection zone 42 can be achieved, even if the latter is located far from the inflation zone 36 and therefore from the gas generator 18.

[0126] The entire volume of the second partial chamber 34 can nevertheless be used due to the secondary protection zones 44.

Claims

Claims

1. Gas bag, in particular curtain-type thorax side gas bag (CTAB), for a vehicle occupant restraint system, for protecting a head area and a shoulder area of ​​a vehicle occupant, in particular a vehicle occupant on a rear seat, with at least one chamber (28) which is delimited at least by a front wall (22) and a rear wall (24), an inflation area (36) and a primary protection area (42) remote from the inflation area (36), wherein a duct (40) from the inflation area (36) to the primary protection area (42) is provided in the chamber (28), the duct (40) between the inflation area (36) and the primary protection area (42) being unbranched and / or closed, and the duct (40) being at least partially delimited by at least one permanent duct connection (46), in particular a seam, between the front wall (22) and the rear wall (24),and wherein the inflation zone (36) is provided on a first side of the gas bag (20), in particular a fixing side (37), and the primary protection zone (42) is provided adjacently on a second side of the gas bag (20), the second side being different from the first side, in particular the second side being opposite the first side, the primary protection zone being in the inflated state of the gas bag arranged so that it protects the thorax and shoulder area of ​​a vehicle occupant in the rear seat.,

2. Gas bag according to claim 1, characterized in that in the inflation zone (36) a fabric gas distributor (54) is arranged, wherein the fabric gas distributor (54) has at least one first outlet opening (56) which is assigned to the duct (40).

3. Gas bag according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the gas bag (20) has a first partial chamber (32) and a second partial chamber (34), wherein the inflation zone (36) is provided between the partial chambers (32, 34), and wherein the duct (40) and the primary protection zone (42) are provided in the second partial chamber (34), in particular wherein the first partial chamber (32) extends forward from the inflation zone (36) and the second partial chamber (34) extends rearward from the inflation zone (36).

4. Gas cushion according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the fabric gas distributor (54) has a second outlet opening (58) which is assigned to the first partial chamber (32).

5. Gas bag according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the chamber (28) at least one secondary protection zone (44) is provided which is fluidically connected to the inflation zone (36) via the primary protection zone (42) and the conduit (40) or to which secondary protection zone is assigned an outlet opening of the fabric distributor.

6. Gas bag according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front wall (22) and the rear wall (24) are permanently connected together by means of an edge connection (30), in particular a seam, so that the chamber (28) of the gas bag (20) is formed, in particular in which the edge connection (30) is provided on the predominant part of the sides of the gas bag (20).

7. Gas cushion according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conduit (40) is at least partially delimited by two conduit connectors (46).

8. Gas bag according to claim 6 and 7, characterized in that the edge connection (30) and the conduit connection (46) represent sections of a main connection (26), in particular of a main seam.

9. Gas bag according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the at least one conduit connection (46) closes tightly with the edge connection (30) on its end facing the inflation zone (36), in particular departs from the edge connection (30).

10. Gas bag according to claim 9, characterized in that the at least one conduit connection (46) has a free end (48) which is diverted from the inflation zone (36).

11. Gas bag according to claim 10, characterized in that the shortest distance (a) from the free end (48) of the at least one conduit connection (46) to the edge connection (30) is less than the smallest width (bk) of the conduit (40), in particular less than or equal to half the width (bk), in particular less than or equal to one third of the width (bk).

12. Gas bag according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the shortest distance (a) from the free end (48) of the at least one duct connection (46) to the edge connection (30) is less than the outlet width (ba) of the duct (40), in particular less than or equal to half of the outlet width (ba), in particular less than or equal to one third of the outlet width (ba).

13. Gas bag according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that in the first partial chamber (32) and / or the second partial chamber (34) at least one conductive connection (38), in particular a seam, is provided which permanently connects the front wall (22) and the rear wall (24) together.

14. Gas bag module for a vehicle occupant restraint system, with a gas generator (18) and a gas bag (20) according to one of the preceding claims.

15. Gas bag module according to claim 14, the gas bag (20) being according to claims 2, 3, and / or 4, characterized in that the gas generator (18) is arranged in the fabric gas distributor (54), so that a gas emanating from the gas generator (18) is deflected by the fabric gas distributor (54) and flows through the first and / or second outlet openings (56, 58) into the first and / or second partial chamber (32, 34) of the gas bag (20).

16. Vehicle with at least one rear seat (14) and a gas bag (20) according to one of claims 1 to 13 and / or a gas bag module according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the primary protection zone (42) in the inflated state of the gas bag (20) is arranged in an area of ​​the rear seat (14), in particular in a shoulder area of ​​the rear seat (14).

17. Vehicle according to claim 16, characterized in that the vehicle (10) has a front seat (12), in which the first partial chamber (32) in the inflated state is arranged in an area of ​​the front seat (12).

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