INFLATOR-AIRBAG INTERFACE
First Claim
1. A coupling structure for effecting interconnection between an inflator and an airbag in a vehicle passenger safety module, the coupling structure comprising a cured band of liquid sealant disposed between an exterior surface of a discharge end of the inflator and an interior surface of an inlet portion of the airbag, when the discharge end of the inflator is received into the inlet portion of the airbag.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An airbag deployed by pressurized gas emitted from an inflator in a vehicle passenger safety module includes an inflation portion that captures pressurized gas from the inflator and an inlet portion that communicates with the inflation portion and is configured to receive and to be secured to the outer surface of the discharge end of the inflator. A substantially continuous elastomeric gasket made of cured liquid silicone is carried on the interior surface of the inlet portion at a location that circumscribes the outer surface of the discharge end of the inflator, when the discharge end is received into the inlet portion. The transverse extent of the gasket is substantially smaller than its longitudinal extent, while the thickness of the gasket is greater than the thickness of the wall of the inlet portion of the airbag upon which the gasket is carried. Thus, a coupling structure for effecting the interconnection between an inflator and an airbag in a vehicle passenger safety module takes the from of a cured band of liquid sealant that is disposed between an exterior surface of the discharge end of the inflator and an interior surface of an inlet portion of the airbag due to being is secured directly to the interior surface of the inlet portion.
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Citations
20 Claims
- 1. A coupling structure for effecting interconnection between an inflator and an airbag in a vehicle passenger safety module, the coupling structure comprising a cured band of liquid sealant disposed between an exterior surface of a discharge end of the inflator and an interior surface of an inlet portion of the airbag, when the discharge end of the inflator is received into the inlet portion of the airbag.
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9. An airbag for a vehicle passenger safety module, the airbag being deployed by pressurized gas emitted from a discharge end of an inflator of the safety module, and the airbag comprising:
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(a) an inflation portion in which to capture the pressurized gas from the inflator; (b) an inlet portion in pneumatic communication with the inflation portion, the inlet portion being configured to receive the discharge end of the inflator and to be secured to an outer surface thereof, and (c) an elastomeric gasket carried on an interior surface of the inlet portion at a location opposing the outer surface of the discharge end of the inflator, when the discharge end of the inflator is received into the inlet portion. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for manufacturing an airbag for a vehicle passenger safety module, the airbag including an inlet portion configured to receive therein the discharge end of an inflator of the safety module, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) forming a substantially continuous band of curable liquid sealant against an interior surface of the inlet portion of the airbag at a location opposing and circumscribing the outer surface of the discharge end of the inflator, when the discharge end of the inflator is received into the inlet portion of the airbag; and (b) curing the substantially continuous band of liquid sealant into an elastomeric gasket carried on the interior surface of the inlet portion of the airbag, the gasket engaging the outer surface of the discharge end of the inflator, when the discharge end of the inflator is received into the inlet portion of the airbag. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification