ACTUATOR SUBASSEMBLY

• US 20100187797A1
• Filed: 01/18/2010
• Published: 07/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH (Apollo Global Management, Inc.), TRW Airbag Systems GmbH (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH (Apollo Global Management, Inc.), TRW Airbag Systems GmbH (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Debler, Jens, Sedlmeier, Martin, Englbrecht, Karl
• Granted Patent: US 8,517,419 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/737
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23388 having ends which are movable or detachable during deployment
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2395 comprising means to control the venting
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26029 Ignitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2338 Tethers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49876 by snap fit

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuator subassembly (10) for a vehicle safety system comprising a pyrotechnic actuator unit (12) including an igniting portion (14) as well as a receiving element (16) forming a guide for the movable igniting portion (14) after activating the actuator unit (12). Further the invention relates to an airbag module of a vehicle safety system comprising said actuator subassembly (10) and a method of mounting a releasable tether (30) on an airbag module by means of said actuator assembly (10).

Claims

1. An actuator subassembly for a vehicle safety system comprising

a pyrotechnic actuator unit (12) including an igniting portion (14) and

a receiving element (16) forming a guide for the movable igniting portion (14) after activation of the actuator unit (12).

2. An actuator subassembly according to claim 1, characterized in that prior to its activation the actuator unit (12) is undisplaceably attached to the receiving element (16).

3. An actuator subassembly according to claim 1, characterized in that in the receiving element (16) at least one stop is formed to restrict movement of the igniting portion (14) after activation of the actuator unit (12).

4. An actuator subassembly according to claim 1, characterized in that a tether (30) fixed at the actuator unit (12) prior to activation of the pyrotechnic actuator unit (12) is provided.

5. An actuator subassembly according to claim 1, characterized in that in the igniting portion (14) a pre-fabricated electric igniting unit (18) including a pyrotechnic charge (20) is received.

6. An actuator subassembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiving element (16) is a plastic part.

7. An actuator subassembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuator unit (12) includes the igniting portion (14) and a holding portion (24) which is firmly connected to the igniting portion (14) prior to activating the actuator unit (12).

8. An actuator subassembly according to claim 7, characterized in that the igniting portion (14) and/or the holding portion (24) are made of plastic material.

9. An actuator subassembly according to claim 7, characterized in that a predetermined breaking point (26) is provided between the igniting portion (14) and the holding portion (24).

10. An actuator subassembly according to claim 7, characterized in that the holding portion (24) is firmly connected to the receiving element (16) prior to activating the pyrotechnic actuator unit (12).

11. An actuator subassembly according to claim 7, characterized in that the receiving element (16) includes engaging portions (28) forming a snap fit with the holding portion (24).

12. An airbag module of a vehicle safety system comprising

an airbag (52),

an inflator (46) and

an actuator subassembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that the receiving element (16) of the actuator subassembly (10) is firmly connected to a modular component (44).

13. An airbag module according to claim 12, characterized in that the receiving element (16) is engaged in the modular component (44).

14. An airbag module according to claim 12, characterized in that the modular component (44) is the inflator.

15. An airbag module according to claim 12, characterized in that the actuator unit (12) includes a pyrotechnic charge (20) and that a tether (30) is provided which is fixed at the actuator unit (12) prior to igniting the pyrotechnic charge (20) and is released after igniting the pyrotechnic charge (20).

16. A method of mounting a releasable tether (30) on an airbag module (32) by means of an actuator subassembly (10), the method comprising the steps of:

a) arranging the tether (30) at a pre-fabricated actuator unit (12) of the actuator subassembly (10);

b) attaching the actuator unit (12) in a receiving element (16) of the actuator subassembly (10) so that the tether (30) is fixed at the actuator unit (12); and

c) attaching the receiving element (16) to a modular component (44) of the airbag module (32).

17. A method according to claim 16, characterized in that in step b) the pre-fabricated actuator unit (12) is attached to the receiving element (16) by means of a snap fit.

18. A method according to claim 17, characterized in that the receiving element (16) can be opened and closed, wherein in step b) the actuator unit (12) is inserted in the opened receiving element (16) while forming the snap fit and wherein the snap fit is secured against loosening when the receiving element (16) is closed.

19. A method according to claim 18, characterized in that the closed receiving element (16) is secured against opening by the modular component (44) when it is attached in step c).

20. A method according to claim 19, characterized in that a modular component portion has a tubular shape for fastening the receiving element (16) and the receiving element (16) comprises shell parts (34, 36) which are inserted in the tubular portion.

21. A method according to claim 16, characterized in that in step c) the receiving element (16) is attached to the modular component (44) by means of a snap fit.