Patent ID: 6659502
Filing Date: 2003-12-09
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
An impact protection device for protecting vehicle occupants, comprising:a gas bag including a segment and a lateral segment adjacent said segment; a gas generator connected to said gas bag such that gas produced by said gas generator can flow into said gas bag; said gas bag defining an unfolding plane and a longitudinal direction extending in the unfolding plane; said gas bag having a transition region between said segment and said lateral segment and a swivel axis extending along said transition region; said segment and said lateral segment being disposed laterally adjacent one another with respect to the longitudinal direction, when said gas bag is in a non-activated, unfolded state; said gas bag being foldable transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction; said lateral segment being swivelable about the swivel axis onto said segment, when said segment and said lateral segment are folded-up transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction; said gas bag being configured such that, when said gas bag is inflated with gas produced by said gas generator, said segment is substantially completely unfolded before an unfolding of said lateral segment starts, and said lateral segment performs a swiveling movement away from said segment such that said gas bag is at least in a partially unfolded state; said gas generator defining a gas flow direction along which gas flows from said gas generator into said gas bag; and said lateral segment having lateral flow channels formed therein, said lateral flow channels extending substantially transversely to the gas flow direction when said gas bag is in an unfolded state.