Device for actuating a vehicle safety system

• US 20050156419A1
• Filed: 01/04/2005
• Published: 07/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Gabler, Michael, Bierwirth, Sebastian
• Application Number:
  US11/028,689
• Publication Number:
  US 20050156419A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/740
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/261 with means other than bag structure to diffuse or guide inflation fluid

Abstract

A device for actuating a vehicle safety system comprises a gas generator (12) having an outer housing (14) and a rigid gas deflection part provided outside the outer housing (14). The device further includes at least one elastic fastening means (18) for the gas deflection part, which presses the gas deflection part, when the gas generator (12) is not actuated, against the latter and with the escaping of gas varies the distance of the gas deflection part from the outer housing (14) depending on the gas pressure. The deflection part can be an integral portion of the fastening means (18).

Claims

1. A device for actuating a vehicle safety system, said device comprising

a gas generator (12) having an outer housing (14),

a rigid gas deflection part provided outside said outer housing (14) and

at least one elastic fastening means (18) for said gas deflection part, which presses said gas deflection part, when said gas generator (12) is not actuated, against said gas generator (12) and, upon outflow of gas, varies a distance of said gas deflection part from said outer housing (14) depending on a gas pressure.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said gas deflection part is a baffle plate (16).

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said gas deflection part is constructed in a trough shape.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said gas deflection part is pressed against said outer housing when said gas generator (12) is not actuated.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein outflow openings (22) are provided in said outer housing (14), said gas deflection part closing said outflow openings when said gas generator is not actuated.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein said fastening means (18) is made of an elastomeric material.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein said fastening means (18) is fastened to said gas generator (12).

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein said fastening means (18) is guided around at least one of said gas deflection part and said gas generator (12).

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein said fastening means (18) is one of an elastomeric band and an elastomeric tube.

10. A device for actuating a vehicle safety system, said device comprising

a gas generator (12) having an outer housing (14),

at least one elastic fastening means (18) having a portion forming a gas deflection part provided outside said outer housing (14), which presses its gas deflection part, when said gas generator (12) is not actuated, against the gas generator, wherein upon outflow of gas, said deflection part being pushed away from said gas generator to vary a distance of said gas deflection part from said outer housing (14) depending on a gas pressure.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein gas deflection part of said elastic fastening means (18) has a heat-resistant coating (30) applied on an inner side directed towards said gas generator.

12. The device according to claim 10, wherein said gas deflection part defines a baffle plate.

13. The device according to claim 10, wherein said gas deflection part is constructed in a trough shape.

14. The device according to claim 10, wherein said gas deflection part is pressed against said outer housing when said gas generator (12) is not actuated.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein outflow openings (22) are provided in said outer housing (14), said gas deflection part closing said outflow openings when said gas generator is not actuated.