Gas flow distributor for an airbag module

• US 20090001699A1
• Filed: 05/29/2008
• Published: 01/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Germany GmbH (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
• Inventors: Honold, Richard, Jonas, Reiner, Gutmann, Ralf
• Granted Patent: US 8,226,117 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/740
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2612 Gas guiding means, e.g. ducts
• 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 21/261 with means other than bag structure to diffuse or guide inflation fluid

Abstract

A gas flow distributor for an airbag module distributing a gas flow generated by a gas generator to inflate an airbag, including fastening structures for fastening the gas flow distributor to a gas generator, the gas flow distributor being formed in the shape of a sleeve from a flexible material, wherein the fastening structures include at least one fastening tab that is formed at one end of the gas flow distributor and via which the gas flow distributor can be fastened to the gas generator.

Claims

1. A gas flow distributor for an airbag module distributing a gas flow generated by a gas generator to inflate an airbag, comprising:

fastening structures for fastening the gas flow distributor to a gas generator, the gas flow distributor being formed in the shape of a sleeve from a flexible material,

wherein the fastening structures comprise at least one fastening tab that is formed at one end of the gas flow distributor and via which the gas flow distributor can be fastened to the gas generator.

2. The gas flow distributor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fastening structures are configured in such a manner that a clamping connection to a gas generator can be produced without a clamp engaging around the entire circumference of the gas flow distributor.

3. The gas flow distributor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fastening structures comprise at least one opening for the passage of a threaded bolt arranged on the gas generator.

4. The gas flow distributor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fastening tab is an extension protruding from the gas flow distributor.

5. The gas flow distributor as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one fastening tab is arranged at each of two ends of the gas flow distributor.

6. The gas flow distributor as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least two fastening tabs are arranged at the same end of the gas flow distributor.

7. The gas flow distributor as claimed in claim 6, wherein the free ends of the at least two fastening tabs are connected to each other.

8. The gas flow distributor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ends of the gas flow distributor each have at least one outflow opening.

9. The gas flow distributor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gas flow distributor is configured to distribute a gas flow in two directions and can be arranged on a gas generator.

10. The gas flow distributor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gas flow distributor is at least in formed in sections from a textile fabric.

11. The gas flow distributor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gas flow distributor is formed from a plurality of layers of a textile fabric at least in sections.

12. The gas flow distributor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gas flow distributor can be produced from a blank of textile fabric.

13. The gas flow distributor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gas flow distributor is formed from a tubular material.

14. The gas flow distributor as claimed in claim 1, wherein a coating is applied to at least sections on the inside of the gas flow distributor.

15. The gas flow distributor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gas flow distributor is configured to divide a gas flow into a plurality of partial flows and conduct the partial flows away in different directions.

16. The gas flow distributor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gas flow distributor is configured to divide a gas flow to flow in two substantially opposite directions.

17. An airbag module for a vehicle restraint system comprising:

an airbag

a gas generator; and

a gas flow distributor for an airbag module distributing a gas flow generated by the gas generator to inflate the airbag;

wherein the gas flow distributor includes fastening structures for fastening the gas flow distributor to the gas generator, the gas flow distributor being formed in the shape of a sleeve from a flexible material, and wherein the fastening structures comprise at least one fastening tab that is formed at one end of the gas flow distributor and via which the gas flow distributor can be fastened to the gas generator; and

wherein the gas flow distributor surrounds the gas generator in at least a region in the gas generator comprising outflow openings.

18. The airbag module as claimed in claim 17, wherein the gas flow distributor is fastened by the fastening structures of the gas generator.

19. The airbag module as claimed in claim 18, wherein the gas flow distributor is clamped via the fastening structures to the gas generator by a clamp that does not engage around the entire circumference of the gas flow distributor.

20. The airbag module as claimed in claim 17, wherein at least one threaded bolt is arranged on the gas generator and extends through an opening in the gas flow distributor, the gas flow distributor being fastened to the gas generator by a nut on the threaded bolt.

21. The airbag module as claimed in claim 17, wherein at least one threaded bolt is arranged on the gas generator and extends through an opening in the gas flow distributor, the gas flow distributor being fastened to the gas generator during installation of the airbag module to an airbag or a vehicle seat.

22. The airbag module as claimed in claim 17, wherein the at least one fastening tab is used to fasten the gas flow distributor to the gas generator.

23. The airbag module as claimed in claim 17, wherein the gas flow distributor is formed from a textile fabric and arranged at the gas generator in such a manner that a plurality of fabric layers are arranged in a region of at least some outflow openings of the gas generator.

24. The airbag module as claimed in claim 17, wherein the gas flow distributor comprises at least two fastening tabs arranged at a same end of the gas flow distributor, the free ends of which are connected to each other.

25. The airbag module as claimed in claim 17, wherein the gas flow distributor is arranged on the gas generator in such a manner that a gas flowing out of outflow openings of the gas generator is divided into two substantially opposite directions.

26. The airbag module as claimed in claim 17, wherein the gas flow distributor is arranged at a distance from the gas generator in at least a region of outflow openings of the gas generator.