Patent ID: 6352282
Filing Date: 2002-03-05
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
An airbag apparatus for a vehicle, for protecting a vehicle occupant by instantaneously inflating an airbag during an accident, the airbag apparatus comprising:an airbag inflatable by being filled with gas; an airbag storage member that houses the airbag, when the airbag is in a non-inflated state prior to an accident, the airbag storage member having a top wall facing a forward direction relative to an occupant and a side wall facing sideward directions relative to the occupant, the airbag storage member being installed on a seat belt worn by the occupant; an airbag inflator that jets gas into the airbag; an acceleration sensor that detects acceleration; and wiring provided along the seat belt between the airbag inflator and the acceleration sensor, the airbag being inflated by the airbag inflator and released from the airbag storage member in the forward direction and the sideward directions relative to the occupant, upon detection of acceleration by the acceleration sensor, an interior surface of the side wall of the airbag storage member having plural notches formed therein, the interior surface of the side wall being torn upon inflation of the airbag so that the airbag is released in the sideward directions in addition to the forward direction.