Zf Passive Safety Systems US Inc.

Ali Emambakhsh

Dylan Moran

Rico Scott Bertossi

Joseph C Popek

Manuel Schaefer

Michael Lalka, Ii

In one aspect, an apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes a frontal curtain airbag. The airbag has overlying panels that are interconnected. The airbag is deployable a deployed condition in which the airbag spans across a width of a windshield opening of the vehicle. A restraining panel is separate from and extends widthwise over the panels of the airbag. The restraining panel is connected to the airbag and has a width configured to cause opposing end portions of the deployed airbag to be bent toward one another and into a curved configuration. Pressurization in the deploying airbag tensions the restraining panel widthwise. The tensioned restraining panel maintains the bend in the deploying airbag so that an effective airbag depth is measured between the restraining panel and the airbag.

Apparatus for covering a windshield opening of a vehicle

An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a seat in a vehicle having an instrument panel and a housing positioned therein includes an airbag for positioning in the housing and defining an inflatable volume for receiving inflation fluid from an inflator. The airbag includes an occupant-facing panel. A tether has a first end connected to the occupant-facing panel for forming a pocket therein and a second end connected to a portion of the airbag positioned within the housing. The second end includes a folded-over portion. First stitching extends through the folded-over portion in a direction extending transverse to a centerline of the tether. Second stitching extends through the folded-over portion and parallel to the first stitching. The first and second stitchings are spaced a predetermined length from one another.

Airbag with reinforced tether

A restraint system for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle having a side structure and a cabin with a seat for the occupant includes an airbag having a stored condition outboard of the occupant. The airbag is inflatable to a deployed condition positioned between the occupant and the vehicle side structure. The airbag extends in a forward-rearward direction from a first end positioned in front of the occupant to a second end positioned behind the occupant such that a torso and head of the occupant are laterally aligned with the second end when the seat is placed in a reclined position.

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Rochester, MI, United States of America

Ali Emambakhsh