GENERATOR ASSEMBLY FOR AN AIRBAG MODULE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE

• US 20090302586A1
• Filed: 11/21/2007
• Published: 12/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Germany GmbH (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
• Inventors: Glöckler, Oliver
• Granted Patent: US 8,047,562 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/741
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01006 Mounting of electrical components in vehicles
• 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 generator assembly for an airbag module of a motor vehicle is provided. The generator assembly comprising a gas generator for inflating an airbag of an airbag module with gas, wherein the gas generator defines with its generator housing a lateral surface that extends between a first and a second frontal cover surface of the gas generator, and means for electrically insulating the gas generator with respect to adjacent parts. For electrical insulation of the gas generator a flexible material layer is provided that completely covers the lateral surface of the gas generator. A systematic, defined grounding of the gas generator via a grounding conductor is carried out which is connected to an electrical connection of the gas generator that is integrated into a connector area of the gas generator.

Claims

1-35. -35. (canceled)

36. A generator assembly for an airbag module of a motor vehicle, comprising

a gas generator for inflating an airbag of an airbag module with gas, wherein the gas generator defines with its generator housing a lateral surface that extends between a first and a second frontal cover surface of the gas generator, and

means for electrically insulating the gas generator with respect to adjacent parts, wherein for electrical insulation of the gas generator a flexible material layer is provided that completely covers the lateral surface of the gas generator,

wherein a systematic, defined grounding of the gas generator via a grounding conductor is carried out which is connected to an electrical connection of the gas generator that is integrated into a connector area of the gas generator.

37. The generator assembly according to claim 36, wherein the flexible material layer in the form of a flexible covering encloses the gas generator along the circumferential direction.

38. The generator assembly according to claim 37, wherein the flexible covering defines a hollow cylinder.

39. The generator assembly according to claim 37, wherein the flexible covering extends between two opposing front faces each defining a cover surface, wherein at least one of the two cover surfaces is an open cover surface.

40. The generator assembly according to claim 36, wherein the gas generator extends along an axis.

41. The generator assembly according to claim 40, wherein the flexible material layer extends in the direction of the generator axis essentially along the entire length of the gas generator.

42. The generator assembly according to claim 36, wherein upon inflation of the airbag the flexible material layer retains its spatial position in front of the outer side of the gas generator facing the flexible material layer.

43. The generator assembly according to claim 36, wherein the flexible material layer is formed by a section of the airbag.

44. The generator assembly according to claim 43, wherein the flexible material layer is formed by an extension of the airbag covering.

45. The generator assembly according to claim 43, wherein the flexible material layer defines a hollow space together with the airbag covering having a hollow space area that is enclosed by the airbag covering and is filled with gas upon inflation of the airbag and which other hollow space area is enclosed by the flexible material layer and is essentially completely filled by the gas generator.

46. The generator assembly according to claim 36, wherein the flexible material layer is formed as a separate component with respect to the airbag covering.

47. The generator assembly according to claim 36, wherein the airbag is compressed to form an airbag package prior to inflation and is surrounded by a casing.

48. The generator assembly according to claim 47, wherein the flexible material layer is formed by a section of the casing of the airbag.

49. The generator assembly according to claim 36, wherein the casing of the airbag and/or the flexible material layer consist of a film material.

50. The generator assembly according claim 36, wherein the airbag covering and/or the flexible material layer consist of a fabric.

51. The generator assembly according to claim 36, wherein a retaining device is associated to the gas generator by means of which the gas generator can be fixed to an associated motor vehicle part.

52. The generator assembly according to claim 36, wherein the gas generator comprises a connector area to which an electrical connecting conductor is to be connected in order to be able to electrically activate the gas generator so that the gas generator discharges gas for inflating the airbag.

53. The generator assembly according to claim 36, wherein the electrical connection stands in electrical contact to a metallic housing of the gas generator.