Gas Deflector For An Air-Bag

• US 20070200327A1
• Filed: 09/03/2004
• Published: 08/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Markus Kloss, Markus Ortelt
• Original Assignee: Markus Kloss, Markus Ortelt
• Inventors: Kloss, Markus, Haberzettl, Andreas
• Granted Patent: US 7,644,950 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/740
• 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
• 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 gas deflector (24) is disclosed for use with a cylindrical gas generator (20). The gas deflector (24) comprises a generally tubular housing to accommodate the cylindrical gas generator (20). The housing has two terminal portions (25, 26) of generally circular cross-section and has an intermediate region provided with an outwardly-extending formation (28). The outwardly-extending formation (28) defines, at either end thereof, an opening (31, 34) through which gas may flow in the direction substantially parallel to the axis of the housing.

Claims

1. A gas deflector for use in connection with an air-bag assembly including an air-bag, and a cylindrical gas generator, the gas deflector comprising a generally tubular hollow housing, to accommodate the cylindrical gas generator positioned inside the tubular housing, the housing having two terminal portions and having an intermediate region provided with a radially outwardly extending formation, the outwardly extending formation defining, at either end thereof, first and second apertures through which gas from the gas generator may flow in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing.

2. A gas deflector according to claim 1 wherein the gas deflector is provided with a mounting stud.

3. A gas deflector according to claim 1 wherein part of one end region of the housing is cutaway to receive a mounting stud on the gas generator.

4. A gas deflector according to claim 1 wherein one of the first or second apertures defined by the outwardly extending formation is of a greater cross-sectional area than the other of the apertures formed by the formation.

5. A gas deflector according to claim 1 wherein the formation extends radially outwardly in a bridge-like manner.

6. A gas generator according to claim 4 wherein the outwardly extending formation has a first portion and a section portion, the first portion having a greater radial extent than the second portion and thus defining one of the first or second apertures of greater cross-sectional area than the other of the apertures.

7. A gas generator according to claim 4 wherein the formation has an inclined outer wall, thus being of substantially tapering form, one end of the formation defining the relatively large cross-section of the first or second apertures and the other end defining the relatively small cross-section aperture.

8. A gas deflector according to claim 1 for use with the cylindrical gas generator wherein the cylindrical gas generator having at least one gas outlet aperture formed in the side wall thereof in a region aligned with the formation, the gas generator having an external diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of the terminal portions of the deflector.

9. A gas deflector according to claim 8 in which the gas generator is of a type further provided with a mounting stud, the mounting stud being received within the cut-away region of the gas deflector housing.

10. A gas deflector according to claim 8 wherein the gas deflector for use with an air-bag of the type defining two internal chambers, one of the first or second apertures communicating with one of the chambers and the other of the apertures communicating with the other of the chambers.

11. A gas deflector according to claim 10 for use with an air-bag wherein part of the air-bag is clamped to the exterior of the gas generator so that the chambers are substantially sealed from each other.