Air bag inflator bracket

• US 20040090049A1
• Filed: 11/12/2002
• Published: 05/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Incorporated (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG, TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG, TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Incorporated (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Anaya, Gabriel, McCann, Matthew J., Bareiss, Wolfgang O., Dalkilic, Attila K.
• Granted Patent: US 6,976,700 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/207 in vehicle seats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2171 specially adapted for elongated cylindrical or bottle-like inflators with a symmetry axis perpendicular to the main direction of bag deployment, e.g. extruded reaction canisters B60R21/2176 takes precedence

Abstract

Apparatus (10) includes an air bag (30) and an inflator (40) for inflating the air bag. The apparatus (10) also includes a bracket (120) having an elongated back plate portion (122), a first flange portion (130), and a second flange portion (150). The flange portions (130 and 150) extend transverse to the back plate portion (122). The inflator (40) is insertable into the bracket. A first end portion (80) of the inflator (40) engages the first flange portion (130) and a second end portion (90) of the inflator engages the second flange portion (150) while the inflator is inserted in the bracket (120). The inflator (40) urges the first and second flange portions (130 and 150) to deflect away from each other while the inflator is inserted in the bracket (120). The first and second flange portions (130 and 150) are urged toward each other by resilience of the bracket and exert a clamping force on the inflator (40) to retain the inflator in the bracket (120). The apparatus (10) is free from any other means for connecting the inflator (40) to the bracket (120).

Claims

1. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflatable from a deflated condition to an inflated condition;

a bracket comprising an elongated back plate portion and spaced first and second flange portions extending transverse to said back plate portion; and

an inflator actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said inflator having a first end portion and an opposite second end portion, said inflator being insertable into said bracket;

said first end portion engaging said first flange portion and said second end portion engaging said second flange portion while said inflator is inserted in said bracket, said inflator urging said first and second flange portions to deflect away from each other while said inflator is inserted in said bracket, said first and second flange portions being urged toward each other by resilience of said bracket and exerting a clamping force on said inflator to retain said inflator in said bracket;

said apparatus being free from any other means for connecting said inflator to said bracket.

2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said first end portion of said inflator has a convex domed outer surface, said first flange portion of said bracket having a domed portion with a domed surface for receiving said domed outer surface of said first end portion, said first flange portion including a notch in said domed portion that provides a clearance through which a terminal end portion of said first end portion is extendable while inserting said inflator into said bracket.

3. Apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said inflator has a longitudinally extending axis, said first and second end portions being spaced apart along said axis, said inflator further including a cylindrical central portion centered on said axis and extending between said first and second end portions.

4. Apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein said second flange portion comprises a rim portion defining a circular aperture, said second end portion of said inflator including a terminal cylindrical first portion centered on said axis and having a first diameter, an adjacent cylindrical second portion centered on said axis and having a second diameter greater than said first diameter, and an annular shoulder portion extending between said first and second portions, said first portion extending through said aperture in said second flange portion and said annular shoulder portion forming an interference fit with said rim portion while said inflator is supported by said bracket.

5. Apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said second flange portion comprises a rim portion defining a circular aperture, said second end portion of said inflator extending through said aperture and including an annular shoulder portion that forms an interference fit with said rim portion while said inflator is supported by said bracket.

6. Apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said first and second flange portions extend at acute angles relative to an upper surface of said back plate portion towards each other.

7. Apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said back plate portion, said first flange portion, and said second flange portion are constructed as a single piece of material, said first and second flange portions being urged towards each other by resilience of said material to clamp onto said inflator.

8. Apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said back plate portion includes a base portion having a flat configuration and extending along the length of said bracket from said first flange portion to said second flange portion, said base portion having an upper surface presented toward said inflator when said inflator is supported by said bracket, said back plate portion further including first and second lateral portions extending from opposite lateral edges of said base portion at acute angles relative to a plane of said base portion, said first and second lateral portions extending along a substantial portion of the length of said back plate portion measured along an axis of said bracket extending longitudinally from said first flange portion to said second flange portion.

9. Apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein said bracket includes a protrusion extending from said upper surface of said base portion, said inflator including a depression in said central portion for receiving said protrusion, said protrusion and said depression engaging each other to help maintain said inflator positioned relative to said bracket while said inflator is inserted in said bracket.

10. Apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein said central portion of said inflator extends along said back plate portion while supported by said bracket, said inflator including first and second groups of diffuser ports for directing inflation fluid from said inflator, said first and second groups of diffuser ports being positioned radially opposite each other on said inflator, said first group of diffuser ports being positioned facing said upper surface of said back plate portion while said inflator is inserted in said bracket.

11. Apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein said base portion and said first and second lateral portions help direct inflation fluid provided by said inflator away from said bracket and around said inflator into said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device.

12. Apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for connecting said bracket to the vehicle to support said bracket and said inflator in the vehicle.

13. Apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein said bracket is connectable to a vehicle seat to support said bracket and said inflator in the seat.

14. Apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said notch is positioned on said domed portion of said first flange portion radially opposite said back plate portion.

15. Apparatus as recited in claim 8, further comprising a positioning block having a lower surface engaging said upper surface of said base portion and a curved upper surface in mating and abutting engagement with said central portion of said inflator, said positioning block including a protrusion extending from said curved upper surface, said inflator including a depression in said central portion for receiving said protrusion, said protrusion and said depression engaging each other to help maintain said inflator positioned relative to said bracket while said inflator is inserted in said bracket.

16. Apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein said central portion of said inflator extends along said back plate portion while supported by said bracket, said inflator including first and second groups of diffuser ports for directing inflation fluid from said inflator, said first and second groups of diffuser ports being positioned radially opposite each other on said inflator, said first group of diffuser ports being positioned facing said upper surface of said back plate portion while said inflator is inserted in said bracket, said positioning block at least partially blocking inflation fluid flow through said first group of diffuser ports when said inflator is inserted in said bracket.

17. A bracket for supporting an airbag inflator in a vehicle, the inflator having a first end portion with a domed outer surface and an opposite second end portion, said bracket comprising:

an elongated back plate portion;

a first flange portion extending from a first end of said back plate portion in a direction transverse to said back plate portion; and

a second flange portion extending from a second end of said back plate portion opposite said first end in a direction transverse to said back plate portion;

said first flange portion having a domed portion with a domed surface for receiving the domed outer surface of the first end portion of the inflator, said first flange portion including a notch in said domed portion positioned radially opposite said back plate portion for providing a clearance through which a terminal end portion of the first end portion of the inflator extends while being inserted into said bracket, said second flange portion receiving the second end portion of the inflator.

18. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflatable from a deflated condition to an inflated condition;

an inflator actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said inflator having a first end portion with a convex domed outer surface and an opposite second end portion; and

a bracket comprising an elongated back plate portion and spaced first and second flange portions extending transverse to said back plate portion;

said first flange portion having a domed portion with a domed surface for receiving said domed outer surface of said first end portion, said first flange portion including a notch in said domed portion that provides a clearance through which a terminal end portion of said first end portion is extendable while said inflator is being inserted into said bracket, said second flange portion receiving said second end portion of said inflator.

19. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflatable from a deflated condition to an inflated condition;

an inflator actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device; and

a bracket for supporting said inflator;

said inflator and said bracket having cooperating portions some of which deflect to enable said inflator and bracket to snap together into an assembled unit, said apparatus being free from any other means for connecting said inflator to said bracket.