Flexible housing for an airbag module

• US 20070007752A1
• Filed: 07/05/2005
• Published: 01/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Rose, Larry, Williams, Jeffrey
• Granted Patent: US 7,543,844 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/728.200
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2177 Reaction canisters characterised by material
• 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

A housing for an airbag module that contains an inflatable airbag cushion in a compacted configuration before being inflated by inflation gas supplied by an inflator device. The housing includes a collar formed of a rigid material for attaching the housing to a vehicle and a chute assembly formed of a flexible material and secured to the collar.

Claims

1. A housing for an airbag module that contains an inflatable cushion in a compacted configuration, the inflatable cushion inflated by inflation gas supplied by an inflator device, the housing comprising:

a collar formed of a rigid material for attaching the housing to a vehicle; and

a chute assembly formed of a flexible material and secured to the collar.

2. The housing of claim 1 wherein the flexible material comprises a fabric.

3. The housing of claim 2 wherein the flexible material comprises a nylon fabric or a polyester fabric.

4. The housing of claim 1 wherein the rigid material comprises metal.

5. The housing of claim 1 wherein the rigid material comprises plastic.

6. The housing of claim 1 wherein the collar is formed from one rigid material piece.

7. The housing of claim 1 wherein the collar is formed from more than one rigid material piece.

8. The housing of claim 1 wherein the collar comprises a vehicle attachment flange for attaching the collar to the vehicle.

9. The housing of claim 8 wherein the vehicle attachment flange comprises a plurality of attachment hooks.

10. The housing of claim 1 wherein the chute assembly comprises an inflator opening adapted to receive an inflation gas diffuser connected to the inflator device.

11. An airbag module for protecting an occupant of a vehicle from an impact, the airbag module comprising:

the housing of claim 1;

an inflatable cushion in a compacted configuration contained in the housing; and

an inflator device in inflation combination with the inflatable cushion, wherein upon receipt of an activation signal, the inflator device supplies inflation gas to inflate the inflatable cushion.

12. The airbag module of claim 11 wherein an inflation gas diffuser connected to the inflator device is disposed through an inflator opening in the chute assembly.

13. The airbag module of claim 11 additionally comprising a retainer deflector disposed in the housing and connected to the inflator device, wherein the retainer deflector secures the chute assembly to the inflator device.

14. The airbag module of claim 13, wherein a portion of the inflatable cushion is disposed between the retainer deflector and the chute assembly.

15. A housing for an airbag module that contains an inflatable cushion in a compacted configuration, the inflatable cushion inflated by inflation gas supplied by an inflator device, the housing comprising:

a collar formed of a rigid material for attaching the housing to a vehicle; and

a fabric piece folded and stitched to form a chute assembly, the chute assembly secured to the collar to form a housing chamber for containing the inflatable cushion.

16. The housing of claim 15 wherein the flexible material comprises a nylon fabric or a polyester fabric.

17. The housing of claim 15 wherein the rigid material comprises metal.

18. The housing of claim 15 wherein the rigid material comprises plastic.

19. The housing of claim 15 wherein the collar comprises a vehicle attachment flange for attaching the collar to the vehicle.

20. An airbag module for protecting an occupant of a vehicle from an impact, the airbag module comprising:

the housing of claim 15;

an inflatable cushion in a compacted configuration contained in the housing; and

an inflator device in inflation combination with the inflatable cushion, wherein upon receipt of an activation signal, the inflator device supplies inflation gas to inflate the inflatable cushion.