Airbag module and a method for the attaching of a gas generator to a gas generator holder

• US 20040007854A1
• Filed: 04/03/2003
• Published: 01/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv Development AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Webber, James Lloyd, Asic, Sabina
• Granted Patent: US 7,063,348 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/203 in steering wheels or steering columns
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2035 using modules containing inflator, bag and cover attachable to the steering wheel as a complete sub-unit steering wheel covers with tear lines B60R21/21656; assembling of modules B60R21/217
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/217 Inflation fluid source retainers, e.g. reaction canisters; Connection of bags, covers, diffusers or inflation fluid sources therewith or together

Abstract

An airbag module includes a gas generator comprising at least one snap connection element and a gas generator holder for the gas generator which has a complementary snap connection element to the snap connection element of the gas generator, with the snap connection elements being formed such that the gas generator can be fixed to the gas generator holder by means of a snap connection.

Claims

1. An airbag module comprising

a gas generator (12;

50) having at least one snap connection element (38;

88); and

a gas generator holder (18;

60) for the gas generator (12;

50) which has a snap connection element (26;

72) complementary to the snap connection element (38;

88) of the gas generator (12;

50), with the snap connection elements (26, 38;

88, 72) being designed such that the gas generator (12;

50) can be fixed to the gas generator holder (18;

60) by means of a snap connection.

2. An airbag module in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the snap connection elements (26, 28;

88, 72) are formed as latch elements.

3. An airbag module in accordance with claim 1 or claim 2, characterized

in that the gas generator (12;

50) has a pressure container (28, 82) and a mount (30;

84) fixedly connected thereto; and

in that the snap connection element (38;

88) is formed at the mount (30;

84).

4. An airbag module in accordance with claim 3, characterized in that the mount (30;

84) has, as a snap connection element (38;

88), at least one resilient tongue (38;

88) which is connected in one piece to the mount (30;

84).

5. An airbag module in accordance with claim 4, characterized in that the mount (30;

84) has a peripheral side wall (32;

85) which ends in a plurality of resilient tongues (38, 88), in particular forming a crown.

6. An airbag module in accordance with claim 4 or claim 5, 30 characterized in that the resilient tongues (38;

88) project radially over the remaining side wall (32;

85) in the relaxed state.

7. An airbag module in accordance with any one or claims 4 to 6, characterized

in that the gas generator holder (18;

60) includes a hollow space (16;

66) for the receiving of the gas generator (12;

50); and

in that the complementary snap connection element (26;

72) is made as an undercut in or on an inner wall of the hollow space (16;

66).

8. An airbag module in accordance with any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the mount (30;

60) is made in pot-like shape.

9. An airbag module in accordance with any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized

in that at least two tongues (88) are provided which are each resilient in a respective radial direction;

and

in that a guide element (80) is formed at the gas generator holder (60) which engages between the tongues (88) on the installation of the gas generator (50) to the gas generator holder (60).

10. An airbag module in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one snap-out cut-out (78) is provided in the airbag module through which the snap connection element (38;

88) and/or the complementary snap connection element (26;

72) can be reached to release the snap connection without any other dismantling of the airbag module.

11. An airbag module in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gas generator holder (18;

60) is formed by a base body of the airbag module.

12. An airbag module in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gas generator holder (18;

60) is formed by a diffuser (60) of the airbag module.

13. A method for the fixing of a gas generator (12;

50) comprising a snap connection element (38;

88) to a gas generator holder (18;

60) with a complementary snap connection element (26;

72) to the snap connection element (38;

88) of the gas generator (12;

50) in which the gas generator (12;

50) is snapped into the gas generator holder (18;

60) while forming a snap connection.