WO2013024071A1

WO2013024071A1 - Airbag for a passenger restraint system of a motor vehicle and method for producing an airbag of said type

Info

Publication number: WO2013024071A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/065813
Authority: WO
Inventors: Benedikt Heudorfer; Uwe Dierks
Original assignee: Takata AG
Priority date: 2011-08-17
Filing date: 2012-08-13
Publication date: 2013-02-21

Abstract

The invention relates to an airbag (2) for a passenger restraint system of a motor vehicle. It is provided that the airbag (2) is unfolded or only partially folded or only partially turned over and, at least in one partial region (21-26), has a three-dimensional shape which is adapted to the shape of a vehicle component and which has inherent mechanical stability. The invention also relates to a vehicle component having an airbag of said type and to a method for producing an airbag of said type.

Description

GASSACK FOR A PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM OF A MOTOR VEHICLE AND

METHOD FOR PRODUCING SUCH A GASSACK

The invention relates to a gas bag for a passenger restraint system of a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1, a vehicle component with such a gas bag and a method for producing such a gas bag.

It is known to integrate gas bag modules for side impact protection in the backrest of a vehicle seat or in a vehicle door. Usually, the gas bags of such gas bag modules are folded or rolled and provided with a shell. It is generally desirable to minimize the space required for integration of a gas bag module space. An associated advantage is that a small space from the seat design ago allows a far outward built back frame.

From the document WO 2010/007055 A1 it is known to provide an unfolded or only with a fold or only with a protuberance gas bag between a To arrange upholstery and a reference of a vehicle seat. The use of an unfolded gas bag is also known, for example, from US Pat. No. 5,308,112 A and GB 2 267 065 A. From EP 0 851 817 A1 an inflatable gas bag is known, which consists of a multilayer composite material which comprises at least one layer of a polymer material. The composite material is brought into a desired spatial form, which is to be created when inflating the gas bag, and thermally fixed the individual layers of the composite material under heat. Subsequently, the gas bag is folded in the usual way.

The present invention has for its object to provide a gas bag for a passenger restraint system of a motor vehicle, which requires a small space and thereby allows to be arranged close to the Au ßenoberfläche a vehicle component such as a vehicle seat or a vehicle door. The invention is further based on the object to provide a vehicle component with such a gas bag and a method for producing such a gas bag available. This object is achieved by an airbag with the features of claim 1, a vehicle component having the features of claim 7 and a method having the features of claim 16. Embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims. The invention then provides, in a first aspect of the invention, an airbag for a passenger restraint system of a motor vehicle, which is unfolded or only partly folded or only partly slipped and at least in a partial region has a three-dimensional shape which is adapted to the shape of a vehicle component and which itself has mechanical stability. Having mechanical stability means that the gas bag by itself, ie without the use of shaping aids such as envelopes or pockets, has a certain resistance to mechanical manipulation of its shape, for example against buckling or buckling when pressure forces occur. However, such mechanical stability is required only to such an extent that the airbag can be handled and mounted without significantly altering or losing its shape. Not required and provided, however, is a mechanical stability that withstands high mechanical loads. The provision according to the invention of a defined three-dimensional shape at least in a partial area of the gas bag, wherein in this partial area the gas bag may be unfolded or only partially folded or only partly slipped, makes it possible to largely avoid wrinkling to the outside. There is provided a three-dimensional airbag structure which may be adapted in shape to the vehicle component to which it is to be attached.

For example, the three-dimensional shape of the gas bag is exactly adapted to the seat foaming of a vehicle seat on which the three-dimensionally shaped airbag is to be arranged. This allows an inconspicuous and shape-adapted arrangement of the gas bag and allows the gas bag to be arranged on or near the outside of the vehicle component into which the gas bag is to be integrated. For example, such a three-dimensionally shaped airbag can be arranged between the seat foam and the seat cover of a vehicle seat, without the appearance of wrinkles becoming apparent. It can be provided that the seat foam in the region of the gas bag forms a recessed surface (also referred to as a recess or offset surface or negative volume markable), in which the gas bag is arranged. In this way it can be further achieved that the gas bag does not appear to the outside.

The solution according to the invention is associated with further advantages. Since the airbag is unfolded or only partially folded or only partially slipped, it requires less space, for example, less space in width when arranged in a seat back, as a folded airbag. In addition, the gas bag is faster inflatable, since the deployment process is eliminated, and provides the gas bag thereby faster protection in the event of a vehicle collision. Another advantage is that the unfolded or only partially folded or partially inverted airbag when inflating less aggressive than a folded airbag. This is particularly advantageous for the cases in which a vehicle occupant is in an OoP situation (OoP = out-of-position).

The provision of a desired three-dimensional shape of the gas bag or at least a portion of the gas bag takes place in one embodiment of the invention by forming the gas bag under the influence of temperature. The already sewn airbag is brought into the desired three-dimensional shape, at least in the considered subregion, and the airbag material is plastically heated reshaped. This results in the desired mechanical stability of the gas bag. The heating of the gas bag can take place prior to introduction into a shaping tool, which provides the three-dimensional shape of the gas bag, and / or after introduction into a shaping tool. The airbag or the considered subregion of the airbag is clamped for shaping, for example, between two molds of the tool, which correspond to one another as a negative mold and a positive mold.

The gas bag can basically consist of any material, for example a conventional airbag fabric, for example of polyamide or polyester threads. In principle, however, other gas bag materials, such as. As slides, in question.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that individual pieces of the gas bag receive a three-dimensional shape, which in each case has mechanical stability of its own, and these individual pieces are subsequently connected to form a gas bag, for example sewn.

According to one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the airbag material, which is brought into a desired three-dimensional shape by deformation under the influence of temperature at least in a partial region, is provided with a coating, for example a silicone coating. A silicone coating increases the gas impermeability of the airbag fabric. Such a coating or other coating can contribute to the airbag retains a certain three-dimensional shape of itself after forming under the influence of temperature.

In one embodiment of the invention, the airbag material that forms the shell of the airbag consists of a fabric. In particular, it does not consist of a knitted or knitted fabric. The fabric is for example a fabric made of polyamide or polyester threads.

It may be provided as already mentioned that the airbag fabric has a coating, in particular a silicone coating. The coating, in particular silicone coating, in one embodiment has a higher melting temperature than the gas bag fabric. The coating serves as heat protection and permeability reducer when inflating the gas bag in the event of an accident. By contrast, the coating does not act as an adhesive for an adhesive or welding process. Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the gas bag material is formed in one layer and has no further layers except for the tissue possibly provided with a coating. In particular, the airbag material does not include any additional layers of polymeric material that would weld to the fabric during forming.

Accordingly, a plastic deformation of the gas bag takes place without parts or layers of the gas bag being laminated or welded under the action of heat.

In a second aspect of the invention, the present invention relates to a vehicle component for a motor vehicle, which has an airbag according to claim 1. The gas bag is integrated in the unfolded or only partially folded or only partially inverted state in the vehicle component. This means that the three-dimensional shape, which inherently possesses mechanical stability, is at least partially retained when installed in the vehicle component and is not lost by folding the airbag.

The vehicle component is, for example, a vehicle seat in which an airbag is integrated. However, the considered vehicle component may also be other components of a vehicle such as a vehicle door or instrument panel.

According to one embodiment of the invention it is provided that the considered vehicle component is a vehicle seat, wherein the vehicle seat has a backrest with a central part and at least one side cheek. The vehicle seat further comprises a seat foam, which extends at least in the region of the at least one side cheek. The gas bag having a three-dimensional shape is integrated into the vehicle seat in such a way that it is placed at least in sections over the seat foam.

The three-dimensional shape of the gas bag is preferably in the region in which the gas bag is placed on the seat foam, adapted to the shape of the seat foam, so that the gas bag and the seat foam are positively connected with each other. This makes it possible to arrange the gas bag on the outside of the backrest or the side cheek, without the appearance of wrinkles being indicated on the outside. The seat foaming and the gas bag, in other words, at least in one Part of the airbag the same shape, so that the airbag in the considered portion is arranged without wrinkling on the outside of the seat foamed, only covered by a seat cover. As already mentioned, it can be provided that the seat foam has recesses or recessed surfaces in the area of the gas bag in order to be able to compensate for the thickness of the gas bag.

In a further embodiment of the invention it is provided that the gas bag is fixed on or on the seat foam or on a reference of the vehicle seat. This can be done according to the invention by a variety of variants. According to a first variant, the gas bag has a positioning hole which is suspended in a dome formed in the seat foam. According to a second variant, the gas bag is fastened to the seat foam with Velcro straps or a special airbag adhesive tape. According to a third variant of the gas bag is inserted into a recess in the seat foam. According to a fourth variant of the gas bag is sewn to the seat cover with a tear seam. According to a fifth variant, a selective sticking of the gas bag to the seat foam takes place.

It should be noted that it is also within the scope of the invention that the gas bag according to the invention is not placed on the seat foam, but instead is foamed into the seat foam during the manufacturing process. Due to the three-dimensional shape of the gas bag can be provided that the proportion of the seat foam, which extends from the gas bag to the outer skin of the vehicle seat, is chosen very small, since the gas bag is pronounced as explained essentially without wrinkling.

The vehicle seat further includes a gas source attached to a back frame or a seat pan of the vehicle seat. The attachment can be done both on the outside of the backrest frame or the seat shell and on the inside of the back frame or the seat. In this case, a seat is referred to as an element which is designed and provided to give the backrest stability without the use of a conventional frame technology. A seat shell is formed for example by a one-piece, at least partially curved, dimensionally stable plastic part.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the gas source with respect to the built-in a motor vehicle state of the vehicle seat in the longitudinal direction before or is arranged behind the backrest frame or the seat shell. In an alternative embodiment, the backrest frame or the seat shell has a recess which, relative to the state of the vehicle seat installed in a motor vehicle, extends in the vehicle transverse direction, wherein the gas source is arranged in the recess. In both variants, a particularly narrow-building gas bag module in the vehicle transverse direction is provided.

In a third aspect of the invention, the present invention provides a method

Preparation of an airbag with the following steps ready:

Providing and spreading out at least two flat fabric layers,

Sewing the fabric layers to a flat spread airbag,

Laying at least a portion of the spread airbag on at least one side of the spread airbag or in at least one forming, three-dimensional curved element, which is adapted to the shape of a vehicle component, wherein the considered portion assumes the three-dimensional shape of the forming element, and before or after setting step

Heating at least the portion of the gas bag,

wherein the gas bag is plastically deformed at least in the partial area. By arranging the heated gas bag in or on the three-dimensional shape defined by the at least one shaping element, the gas bag undergoes plastic deformation. In this case, the gas bag receives a mechanical stability, which makes it possible to handle the gas bag with the obtained three-dimensional shape and mount.

It should be noted that heating of the gas bag can take place both before the gas bag is placed in or on the at least one molded element (variant 1) and after the gas bag is laid in or against the at least one molded element (variant 2). Variation 1 has the advantage that the gas bag heated in the shaping element can cool in it, so that its three-dimensional shape is already well fixed when it is removed from the shaping element. Variant 2 has the advantage that the at least one shaping element itself can be used to provide heat. It is also a hybrid form of variants 1 and 2 possible in which the gas bag is first heated, then cooled slightly, and then placed in or on the at least one forming element, possibly associated with a further heating. An embodiment of the invention provides that two shaping elements which correspond to one another in terms of their shape are provided, between which at least one partial area of the gas bag is arranged, wherein at least the partial area assumes a three-dimensional shape determined by the shaping elements. In other words, the gas bag is clamped between the two shaping elements. For example, the two shaping elements form two parts of a tool that is closed after inserting the gas bag. Before or after, the gas bag is heated. By the method, the three-dimensional shape is fixed in the sense that the three-dimensional shape obtains mechanical stability.

In a further embodiment, two adjoining subregions of the gas bag are formed three-dimensionally in opposite directions and subsequently folded on one another. By way of example, a first subregion is concave-shaped, and a second, adjoining subregion is correspondingly convexly shaped. The two sections are then folded along a folding line and stacked on top of each other, the two sections come to lie directly above each other and form a gas bag package. The provided gas bag is formed in the region, which has undergone a three-dimensional shaping, by two superimposed partial regions of the same shape. Such a variant is advantageous for example for larger or longer gas bags.

An alternative method of manufacturing an airbag according to claim 1 provides for the use of a blowing process. In this case, a casing element is provided as a negative mold for the desired three-dimensional shape of the gas bag. The gas bag is inflated, wherein the fabric layers of the gas bag separate by the internal pressure and attach to the shell element. This can have one or more partial oversizes into which the gas bag material is inserted. A heating of at least a portion of the airbag for the purpose of a plastic deformation is carried out by the shell element, which is designed to be heatable for this case, or by flowing hot gas into the airbag interior. After the plastic deformation of the airbag material, three-dimensionally shaped regions of the airbag can be folded on one another in opposite directions as already explained. The temperature at which the gas bag is heated in order to give it mechanical stability in a forming process may depend on various factors such as, for example, the gas bag material and a possible coating of the gas bag Hang airbag material. According to one embodiment of the invention, the gas bag is heated to a temperature between 160 ° C and 240 ^.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the figures of the drawing with reference to several embodiments. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a device for producing an airbag, which has a three-dimensional shape, which is mechanically stable, at least in a partial region; a second embodiment of an apparatus for producing a gas bag, which has a three-dimensional shape, which is mechanically stable at least in a partial area; FIG. 3 shows the intermediate state of an airbag provided with the device of FIG. 2 before a concave-shaped subregion of the airbag is folded onto a convexly shaped subregion of the airbag; FIG.

FIG. 4 shows the gas bag of FIG. 3 after flaps of the two partial areas, whereby a partially folded gas bag with a three-dimensional shape is provided, which is mechanically stable; FIG.

5 is a sectional view of a first embodiment of a vehicle seat, in which a three-dimensionally shaped airbag is integrated;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the vehicle seat of FIG. 5; FIG.

7 is a front view of a vehicle seat, in which a three-dimensionally shaped airbag is integrated, wherein fastening means are provided for fastening the airbag to the seat foam;

8 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of a vehicle seat, in which a three-dimensionally shaped airbag is integrated; 9 is a sectional view of a third embodiment of a vehicle seat, in which a three-dimensionally shaped airbag is integrated; 10 is a sectional view of a fourth embodiment of a vehicle seat, in which a three-dimensionally shaped airbag is integrated;

Fig. 1 1 in a sectional view of a fifth embodiment of a vehicle seat, in which a three-dimensionally shaped airbag is integrated;

12 shows a perspective view of a vehicle seat, in which a three-dimensionally shaped airbag, which has mechanical stability, is arranged on the outside of a foam seat;

Fig. 13 a flat spread gas bag with gas generator and

Ventilierungsöffnung; and

14 is a sectional view of another embodiment of a vehicle seat, in which a three-dimensionally shaped airbag according to the gas bag of FIG. 13 is integrated.

FIG. 1 shows a device for producing an airbag 2, which is provided in a non-folded or only partially folded or only partly inverted state in a vehicle component such. B. a vehicle seat to be integrated. In this case, the gas bag 2 has a three-dimensional shape, at least in a partial region, which has mechanical stability in the sense that the three-dimensionally shaped region essentially retains its shape when the gas bag is handled and mounted on a vehicle component.

The gas bag 2 may be made of any gas bag material. It consists for example of a textile fabric which is woven from polyamide threads or polyester threads. The gas bag material may be provided with a coating, such as. B. a silicone coating. Preferably, the gas bag material is a single-layer fabric which is coated with silicone, wherein the silicone coating has a higher melting temperature than the tissue. As a fabric, for example, a fabric with at least 470 dtex, for example, 700 dtex yarn thickness used to control the forces occurring in the air bag can safely.

The gas bag 2 can furthermore be formed from a single material blank or from a plurality of material blanks. For example, it is a A gas bag in a butterfly design, which is formed from a material blank, or a gas bag, which is formed from two material blanks, which are sewn together at their edge. However, the gas bag 2 can also be formed in other ways and / or be formed by other materials.

In the gas bag 2, a gas source 1 is introduced, for example in the form of a tubular gas generator and fastened with fastening elements (not shown). It can be provided that such fasteners protrude through the gas bag to the outside and the gas bag 2 and the gas source 1 via such fasteners to a back frame (not shown) is attached.

The gas bag 2 shown in FIG. 1 is not folded. The unfolded state does not apply only to the manufacturing process. Even when installed in a vehicle component state of the considered gas bag 2 is not folded. As will be explained, the gas bag 2 may also have a partial folding or a partial protuberance in alternative embodiments. However, the airbag 2 is not completely folded and has at least a portion which is unfolded.

In order to provide a three-dimensional shape of the gas bag, which has mechanical stability of its own accord, the gas bag 2 is placed in a partial region 21 between two shaping elements, referred to below as forming dies 3, 4. With regard to their shape, the two forming dies 3, 4 correspond to one another such that one forming die 3 has a concave inner surface 31 and the other forming die 4 has a convexly extending outer surface 41. Between these two surfaces 31, 41 of the considered portion 21 of the airbag 2 is arranged and assumes a correspondingly curved shape.

The shape of the forming dies 3, 4 is such that their shape corresponds to the shape of a side cheek of a backrest of a vehicle seat on which the airbag 2 is to be mounted. The desired target shape of the gas bag 2 is thus predetermined by the shape of the side cheek. The one forming die 4 represents a model of the side cheek of the vehicle seat. The surface 31 of the other forming die 3 corresponds to the area which fills a seat cover of the vehicle seat in the finished vehicle seat.

When inserting the airbag 2 into the tool formed by the forming dies 3, 4, it is provided that the airbag is held down or no wrinkles are drawn in be so that it is without folding or substantially wrinkle-free between the forming dies 3, 4 after closing the tool.

After the gas bag 2 has been arranged between the forming dies 3, 4, the gas bag material is heated at least in the partial area 21. For example, heating takes place at a temperature between 160 ° and 240 °. For example, the gas bag material is heated to a temperature of approximately 200 °. The heating can take place via the forming dies 3, 4 or in these integrated heating elements or in another way, for example via an infrared radiation.

By heating the airbag material takes place a forming process, which gives the reshaped portion 21 of the airbag 2 a three-dimensional shape, which has mechanical stability of its own. There is a plastic deformation of the airbag material. Of course, the mechanical stability provided is so small that it does not affect inflation of the gas bag in the event of triggering when gas from the gas source flows into the gas bag.

Alternatively, it can be provided that the gas bag 2 is first heated and then arranged between the forming dies 3, 4. In this embodiment, the gas bag can already be cooled and taken out of the forming dies 3, 4, so that the resulting three-dimensional shape is already well fixed when it is removed.

The three-dimensional shape of the gas bag 2 shown in FIG. 1 is only to be understood as an example. In principle, the two forming dies 3, 4 can have any positive and negative and positive and negative forms corresponding thereto. An embodiment of this show the figures 2 to 4.

In FIG. 2, the two forming dies 3, 4 have both a negative or concave-shaped region 32, 43 and a positive or convex-shaped region 33, 42, which respectively correspond to one another. The gas bag 2 arranged between the two forming dies 3, 4 accordingly has a positively or convexly shaped partial region 22 and a negative or concave-shaped partial region 23, which are formed approximately mirror-symmetrically with respect to a folding axis 5 shown in FIG.

The thus-shaped gas bag is in turn heated, for example, to a temperature between Ι ΘΟ 'Ό and 240 ° C. This results in a plastic Forming the airbag material, wherein the airbag inherently obtains a mechanical stability that is sufficient to handle the gas bag without significant change in the resulting three-dimensional shape and to attach to a vehicle component.

FIG. 3 shows the airbag 3 formed in a three-dimensional manner with the apparatus of FIG. 2. The airbag is then folded around the folding axis 5, whereby the convexly formed subregion 23 is folded onto the concavely formed subregion 22 to form a folded airbag package 24 the figure 4 is shown.

The forming dies and shapes of an airbag shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 are to be understood as examples only. By using correspondingly differently shaped forming dies, the gas bag can also obtain another desired three-dimensional shape.

Figures 5 and 6 show a first embodiment of a vehicle seat, in which an airbag with a three-dimensional, having a mechanical stability form is integrated. According to the sectional view of FIG. 5, a vehicle seat has a backrest which comprises a middle part 10 and two side cheeks 11, wherein only one of the side cheeks 11 is shown in FIG.

The backrest has a gas source 1, for example in the form of a tubular gas generator, a three-dimensionally shaped airbag 2, a backrest frame 7, a seat foam 8 and a seat cover 6. In the front region of the seat back 11, the seat cover 3 has a tear seam 61, which ruptures upon inflation of the gas bag 2 by means of gas provided by the gas source 1. Alternatively, the seat cover 6 is designed such that it ruptures even without tear seam when inflating the airbag 2. The gas source 1 is inserted into the gas bag 2 and fastened to the back frame 7 with fastening elements which protrude through the gas bag 2 to the outside. The arrangement of the gas source 1 with respect to the back frame 7 is to the effect that the gas source 1 is - in the vehicle longitudinal direction x behind the back frame 7 - based on the installed in a motor vehicle state of the vehicle seat. The gas source 1 is thus arranged in the direction of travel behind the back frame 7. This allows the realization of a lean-in vehicle transverse direction y narrow back frame 7. In this case, the back frame 7 a in Vehicle longitudinal x extending portion which forms at its ends relatively short, bent portions which extend approximately in the vehicle transverse direction y. The gas bag 2 is placed unfolded over the seat foam 8 and fixed to this or to the seat cover 6, as will be explained with reference to Figure 7 by way of example. In this case, the gas bag 2 has a shape in a partial area 21 which is adapted to the shape of the seat foam 8 in the area of the side wall 11. Due to the corresponding shape creates a positive connection between the three-dimensionally shaped portion 21 of the airbag 2 and the seat foam 8 in the region of the side wall 1 first

The three-dimensional shape of the gas bag 2 is mechanically stable, at least in the partial region 21, so that the gas bag 2 can be placed on the seat foam 8 with the partial region 21 during the assembly of the gas bag 2 with the correct shape and without wrinkling. The provision of the three-dimensional, mechanically stable form takes place according to a method as described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. The airbag 2 is thus substantially wrinkle-free, without being apparent to the outside, arranged between the seat foam 8 and the seat cover 6.

In addition to the advantage of a substantially wrinkle-free arrangement of the gas bag on the surface of the seat foam 8 and the possibility thus opened of being able to arrange the gas bag between the seat foam 8 and the seat cover 6, the described vehicle seat also has the advantage that the integrated side impact protection Gas module consisting of the gas source 1 and the airbag 2 in the vehicle transverse direction is very narrow construction. Thus, no additional seat foam is needed in the lateral direction of the motor vehicle door to cover or conceal the module. Rather, it is installed directly under the seat cover 6. As a result, there is the possibility that the back frame can be built very far out Shen, which brings benefits for the seating design with it.

FIG. 6 shows the arrangement of FIG. 5 in a side view, wherein it can be seen that the gas bag 2 is unfolded from the gas source 1 arranged in the direction of travel x behind the back frame 7 on the outside of the side wall to the front and then extending around them. In the figure 6, the seat 9 of the vehicle seat is also shown schematically.

FIG. 13 shows a gas bag 2 spread out in the x-z plane, in which, in relation to the vehicle longitudinal direction x, a tubular gas generator 1 is arranged in the rear region and a ventilation opening 12 is formed in the front region.

FIG. 14 shows the integration of the gas bag 2 of FIG. 13 into the backrest of a vehicle seat after the gas bag 2 has been given a three-dimensional mechanical stability by plastic deformation. The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 14 essentially corresponds to the embodiment of FIG. 5, so that reference is made to the relevant embodiments. The difference between the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 14 and the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5 is that the ventilation opening 12 shown in FIG. 13 is positioned in such a way that it is behind the tear seam 61 from the perspective of the gas generator 1. In this case, the ventilation opening 12 can face away from the seat foam 8 and face the seat cover 6 or, alternatively, face the seat foam 8 and face away from the seat cover 6 or, alternatively, be punched through, opening in both directions in the latter case.

When the gas bag is filled with gas provided by the gas generator 1, the tear seam 61 of the seat cover 6 tears. Since the ventilation opening 12 is located at a distance from the gas generator 1 and, viewed from the latter, behind the tear seam 61, there is no danger of that gas exits from the ventilation opening 12 to a greater extent before the tear seam 61 is torn open. The arrangement of the ventilation opening 12 behind the tear seam 61 thus ensures a reliable and early tearing of the tear seam 61. The exact position of the ventilation opening 12 in FIGS. 13 and 14 is to be understood only as an example.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment for the fixation of the three-dimensionally shaped airbag 2 on the seat foam 8 in the area of the side wall 11. The seat cover 6 is not shown in the schematic representation of Figure 7. It can be seen that in the seat foam 8 fixing domes 81 are formed of foam. In this corresponding positioning holes of the gas bag 2 are mounted. The fixation of the gas bag 2 on the seat foam 8 via attachment domes 81 made of foam is to be understood merely as an example. Alternative attachment methods use, for example, Velcro or special airbag adhesive tapes such. B. textile tapes for fixing the gas bag to the seat foam. It can also be provided that the gas bag is sewn to the seat cover 6 with a tear seam or that it is adhesively bonded to the seat foam 8.

Another alternative provides that the gas bag 2 is inserted into a recess in the seat foam 8 (not shown separately), wherein the recess already provides a certain positioning and fixing of the gas bag 2 on the seat foam 8. In addition, the aforementioned fastening means can be used to fix the gas bag 2 on the seat foam 8.

8 shows an alternative embodiment, which corresponds to the embodiment of FIG 5, which is arranged in the embodiment of Figure 8, the gas source 1 relative to the vehicle longitudinal direction in front of the back frame 7. Even with such an arrangement as narrow as possible Lehnenrahmen can be realized, since the gas source 1 is not arranged laterally adjacent to the back frame 7.

The embodiment of Figure 9 shows a further alternative with respect to the arrangement of gas source 1 and back frame 7. The back frame 7 has in the vehicle transverse direction a recess 71 which is approximately rectangular in cross-section and the recording of the gas source 1 is used. This also provides a narrow-width module in the vehicle transverse direction.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show two exemplary embodiments of an airbag module integrated in a vehicle seat, in which the airbag 2 is not completely unfolded, but includes a partial fold or a partial protuberance in a front region, that is, remote from the gas source 1. In FIG. 10, the foremost airbag area 25 has been rolled and placed in a recess 82 in the seat foam 8. It is provided that the gas bag 2, at least in a partial region 21, which is located in front of the rolled gas bag area 25, as previously explained three-dimensionally shaped. However, the three-dimensional shape having mechanical stability may also extend into the rolled gas bag area 25. In FIG. 11, the airbag 2 is slipped in its front region 26, ie a section of the airbag material is pushed into the interior of the airbag 2. It is provided that the gas bag 2 also in the portion 27, which contains the inverted portion 26 has a stable three-dimensional shape. This is achieved, for example, by providing the gas bag 2 with a three-dimensional shape after the turn-up operation in a device according to FIG.

A further embodiment provides that an airbag 2 is partially folded in accordance with the figure 4 in the front region of the airbag 2, providing two superimposed portions, both of which have mechanical stability.

By a partial folding or everting according to FIGS. 10, 11 and 4, it can be achieved that the gas bag 2 comes to lie above the seat foam 8 in the region of the side wall 11 along a shorter section. In this way, the feelability of the gas bag can be reduced or avoided, especially in areas of the side wall 1 1, which adjoin the central part 10, which leads to an increase in seating comfort for the occupant. In addition, the partially folded or inverted airbag 2, as already mentioned, for this purpose be arranged in a recess in the seat foam 8. FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a vehicle seat with an airbag 2, which is shaped in three dimensions and has mechanical stability of its own. The thus-formed airbag 2 is placed directly on the seat foam 8 and has substantially no wrinkling. The invention is not limited in its embodiment to the embodiments shown above, which are to be understood only as examples. For example, the gas bag, which has a three-dimensional shape, may be formed in a manner different from that shown and / or arranged on other components of a motor vehicle.

Claims

claims

1 . Airbag (2) for a passenger restraint system of a motor vehicle, characterized in that the gas bag (2) unfolded or only partially folded or only partially slipped and at least in a partial area (21-26) has a three-dimensional shape adapted to the shape of a vehicle component , which inherently possesses mechanical stability.

Airbag according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas bag (2) has received a mechanical stability having three-dimensional shape by forming the airbag (2) under the influence of temperature.

3. Airbag according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the airbag material (2) consists of a fabric.

4. Airbag according to claim 3, characterized in that the airbag fabric (2) has a coating, in particular a silicone coating.

5. Airbag according to claim 4, characterized in that the coating has a higher melting temperature than the airbag fabric (2).

6. Airbag according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the airbag material is formed in one layer and has no other layers except the coated fabric.

7. Vehicle component for a motor vehicle, characterized by an airbag (2) according to claim 1, wherein the gas bag is unfolded or only partially folded or only partially slipped integrated into the vehicle component and at least in a partial area (21 -26) one of the shape of the vehicle component adapted three-dimensional shape, which has inherently mechanical stability.

8. Vehicle component according to claim 7, characterized in that the vehicle component is a vehicle seat, in which the gas bag (2) is integrated.

9. Vehicle component according to claim 8, characterized in that the vehicle seat comprises:

a backrest having a central part (10) and at least one side wall (11),

- A seat foam (8) extending at least in the region of the at least one side cheek (1 1),

- Wherein the gas bag (2) possessing a three-dimensional shape is placed over the seat foam (8) at least in sections in the unfolded or only partially folded or only partly inverted state.

10. Vehicle component according to claim 9, characterized in that the three-dimensional shape of the gas bag (2) in the region in which the gas bag (2) is placed on the seat foam (8) is adapted to the shape of the seat foam (8).

1 1. Vehicle component according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the gas bag (2) is arranged substantially wrinkle-free between the seat foam (8) and a cover (6) of the vehicle seat.

12. Vehicle component according to one of claims 9 to 1 1, characterized in that the gas bag (2) is fixed on the seat foam (8) or on a cover (6) of the vehicle seat.

13. Vehicle component according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the gas bag (2) has at least one ventilation opening (12) which is arranged such that it is arranged from the perspective of a gas generator (1) behind a tear line (61) , which is formed in the reference (6) of the vehicle seat.

14. Vehicle component according to one of claims 9 to 13, characterized by a gas source (1) which is also arranged in the vehicle seat, wherein the vehicle seat has a back frame (7) or a seat shell and the gas source (1) relative to the in a motor vehicle built-in state of the

Vehicle seat in the longitudinal direction (x) in front of or behind the back frame (7) or the seat is arranged and secured thereto.

15. Vehicle component according to one of claims 9 to 13, characterized by a gas source (1) which is also arranged in the vehicle seat, wherein the vehicle seat has a back frame (7) or a seat shell with a recess (71), based on the in a motor vehicle installed state of the

Vehicle seat in the vehicle transverse direction (y) extends, and wherein the gas source (1) in the recess (71) is arranged.

16. A method of manufacturing a gas bag according to claim 1, comprising the steps of:

Providing and spreading out at least two flat fabric layers,

- sewing the fabric layers to a flat spread airbag (2),

- Laying at least a portion (21, 22, 23) of the spread airbag on at least one side of the spread airbag or in at least one shaping, three-dimensional curved element (3, 4), which is adapted to the shape of a vehicle component, wherein the considered Partial area (21, 22, 23) assumes the three-dimensional shape of the forming element (3, 4), and before or after the laying step

Heating at least the partial region (21, 22, 23) of the gas bag (2),

- Wherein the gas bag (2) is plastically deformed at least in the partial area (21, 22, 23).

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that two with respect to their shape corresponding forming members (3, 4) are provided, between which at least a portion (21, 22, 23) of the gas bag (2) is arranged, wherein at least the Partial area (21, 22, 23) assumes a three-dimensional shape determined by the shaping elements (3, 4).

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that two partial areas (22, 23) of the gas bag (2) are formed in three opposite directions in three dimensions and then folded on each other.

19. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that the gas bag (2) is heated to a temperature between 160 ° C and 240 'Ό.

20. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that the plastic forming of the gas bag (2) takes place without parts or layers of the gas bag would be laminated or welded under heat.