Airbag inflator diffuser system and method of manufacture

• US 20030094799A1
• Filed: 11/19/2001
• Published: 05/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Smith, Bradley W.
• Granted Patent: US 6,846,013 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/740
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2617 Curtain bag nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/26 characterised by the inflation fluid source or means to control inflation fluid flow arrangement or mounting thereof to the vehicle B60R21/20; blasting cartridges for producing gas under pressure in general F42B3/04; initiators or igniters therefor F42B3/10

Abstract

An airbag inflator system and method of manufacture is disclosed which may be stored in a small area, is simple to fabricate, directs exhaust gas from a standardized inflator, sufficiently cools and diffuses the exhaust gas, and catches hot gas generant residue. The system includes an airbag inflator within a sleeve. Solid sections of the sleeve circumscribe the inflator and are positioned to divert exhaust gas leaving an exit port of the inflator. The configuration of the solid sections provides that the inflator need not be rotated during assembly to position exit ports below solid sections. The diverted exhaust gas unrolls the sleeve to form an exhaust passage. The gas passes through the exhaust passage and is dispersed by the permeable section before entering the textile airbag. In this way, a simple, effective diffusion system for curtain airbag inflators is provided.

Claims

1. An airbag inflator diffusion system comprising:

an airbag inflator having an exhaust gas exit port;

a sleeve configured to receive the inflator and secure the inflator within the sleeve, the sleeve being configured to expand radially under a force of impinging exhaust gas from the exit port to form an exhaust passage between the inflator and the sleeve.

2. An airbag inflator diffusion system, as in claim 1, wherein the sleeve comprises a solid section configured to receive direct impingement of the exhaust gas from the exit port and direct the exhaust gas through the exhaust passage.

3. An airbag inflator diffusion system, as in claim 2, wherein the sleeve comprises a permeable section adjacent to the solid section and configured to allow exhaust gas to flow from the exit port through the exhaust passage to an area external to the sleeve.

4. An airbag inflator diffusion system, as in claim 3, wherein the solid section is further configured to circumscribe the exit port.

5. An airbag inflator diffusion system, as in claim 3, wherein the permeable section is further configured to circumscribe a length of the inflator excluding the exit port.

6. An airbag inflator diffusion system, as in claim 4, wherein the sleeve comprises a plurality of solid sections and permeable sections and the airbag inflator comprises a plurality of exit ports.

7. An airbag inflator diffusion system, as in claim 6, wherein each solid section is positioned next to a permeable section.

8. An airbag inflator diffusion system, as in claim 7, wherein the sleeve is substantially cylindrical.

9. An airbag inflator diffusion system, as in claim 8, wherein a first longitudinal edge of the sleeve overlaps a second longitudinal edge along a length of sleeve.

10. An airbag inflator diffusion system, as in claim 9, wherein the sleeve is metallic.

11. An airbag inflator diffusion system, as in claim 1, wherein the sleeve is made from a flexible material.

12. An airbag inflator diffusion system, as in claim 1, wherein the sleeve is rigid.

13. An airbag inflator diffusion system, as in claim 1, wherein the permeable section comprises a plurality of holes formed in the sleeve.

14. An airbag inflator diffusion system, as in claim 1, wherein the permeable section comprises a porous material configured to allow exhaust gas to pass through the sleeve.

15. An airbag inflator diffusion system, as in claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the sleeve is substantially the same as the cross-sectional shape of the inflator.

16. An airbag inflator diffuser comprising:

a tubular sleeve configured to expand radially to form an exhaust passage under a force of impinging exhaust gas from an exit port of an airbag inflator installed within the sleeve;

wherein the sleeve comprises a solid section positioned to impede a flow of exhaust gas from the exit port and direct the flow to the exhaust passage; and

wherein the sleeve comprises a permeable section positioned to allow exhaust gas to flow from the exit port through the exhaust passage and permeable section to an area external to the airbag inflator diffuser.

17. An airbag inflator diffuser, as in claim 16, further comprising a plurality of holes disposed in the permeable section.

18. An airbag inflator diffuser, as in claim 16, further comprising a plurality of solid sections and a plurality of permeable sections.

19. An airbag inflator diffuser, as in claim 18, wherein the solid sections are positioned between permeable sections along a length of the sleeve.

20. An airbag inflator diffuser, as in claim 18, wherein the sleeve is formed from a blank rolled to form a substantially cylindrical shape and configured such that a first edge of the blank overlaps a second edge.

21. An airbag inflator diffuser, as in claim 20, wherein the blank is metal.

22. A method for fabricating an intra-airbag inflator diffuser, comprising:

providing a planar rectangular blank;

forming one or more permeable sections in the blank;

rolling the blank such that a first edge of the blank overlaps a second edge to form a substantially cylindrical sleeve; and

inserting an intra-airbag inflator longitudinally within the sleeve such that one or more exit ports of the inflator are obstructed by one or more solid sections of the sleeve.

23. A method as in claim 22, wherein the blank is made of pliable material of a thickness that allows an impingement force of exhaust gas from exit ports in the intra-airbag inflator to expand the sleeve radially to form an exhaust passage between the intra-airbag inflator and the sleeve.

24. A method as in claim 23, wherein forming one or more permeable sections comprises stamping the blank in a die configured to form one or more permeable sections along a length of the blank, the permeable sections being positioned such that solid sections configured to impinge one or more exit ports of the intra-airbag inflator are formed between the permeable sections.

25. A method as in claim 24, wherein a diameter of the sleeve is substantially the same as a diameter of the intra-airbag inflator to be inserted longitudinally within the sleeve.

26. A method as in claim 25, wherein the one or more permeable sections comprise one or more holes configured to allow exhaust gas to pass from the exhaust passage to an area external to the sleeve.

27. A method as in claim 26, wherein the one or more holes are further configured to catch gas generant residue carried by the exhaust gas.

28. A method as in claim 27, further comprising crimping each end of the sleeve to secure the intra-airbag inflator within the sleeve.