AIRBAG INFLATOR RETAINERS AND RELATED METHODS AND SYSTEMS

• US 20160039381A1
• Filed: 08/08/2014
• Published: 02/11/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hatfield, Mark S., Maxfield, Bradley Scott, Staheli, Derrick
• Granted Patent: US 9,682,679 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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

Apparatus, methods, and systems for retaining an airbag inflator within a vehicle airbag system, such as within an airbag module housing of a vehicle airbag system. In some embodiments, an inflator comprising an inflator base positioned at a first end of the inflator and a diffuser positioned at a second end of the inflator opposite from the first end may be inserted, or configured for insertion into, an opening in a housing. An inflator retainer comprising a retainer opening configured to receive the diffuser therethrough may be coupled with the inflator at the second end of the inflator and used to secure the inflator to the housing with the inflator base positioned through the housing opening and the diffuser positioned through the retainer opening.

Claims

1. A vehicle airbag assembly, comprising:

a housing comprising a housing opening and a plurality of tab openings;

an inflator comprising an inflator base positioned at a first end of the inflator and a diffuser positioned at a second end of the inflator opposite from the first end, wherein the inflator base is configured to be received in the housing opening, wherein the inflator base is configured to extend at least partially through the housing opening such that at least a portion of the inflator base extends out of the housing opening; and

a retainer piece configured to fit over the inflator at the second end of the inflator and secure the inflator to the housing with the inflator base positioned through the housing opening, wherein the retainer piece comprises;

a retainer piece opening configured to receive the diffuser; and

a plurality of tabs configured to be received in the tab openings to secure the inflator in place between the housing and the retainer piece.

2. The vehicle airbag assembly of claim 1, wherein the retainer piece opening is configured to allow the diffuser to pass therethrough such that the entire diffuser extends through and outside of the retainer piece.

3. The vehicle airbag assembly of claim 1, wherein the inflator comprises a flangeless inflator.

4. The vehicle airbag assembly of claim 1, wherein the tabs are configured to be bent against the housing after being received in the tab openings to secure the inflator between the housing and the retainer piece.

5. A vehicle airbag assembly, comprising:

an airbag cushion comprising an airbag cushion opening;

a first frame member positioned within the airbag cushion, wherein the first frame member comprises a first frame member opening;

a second frame member positioned outside of the airbag cushion;

an inflator;

a housing; and

a fabric retainer positioned in between the inflator and the airbag cushion such that the inflator is at least partially received within the first frame member opening, wherein the fabric retainer is configured to secure the inflator with respect to the housing during deployment of the inflator.

6. The vehicle airbag assembly of claim 5, wherein the fabric retainer comprises a fabric retainer opening.

7. The vehicle airbag assembly of claim 6, wherein the fabric retainer opening is configured to receive a diffuser of the inflator.

8. The vehicle airbag assembly of claim 7, further comprising a flap positioned over the fabric retainer opening, wherein the flap is configured to open to expose the diffuser to an interior of the airbag cushion upon deployment of the inflator.

9. The vehicle airbag assembly of claim 8, wherein the flap is attached to the fabric retainer.

10. The vehicle airbag assembly of claim 8, wherein the flap comprises a weakened portion configured to separate upon deployment of the inflator.

11. The vehicle airbag assembly of claim 6, wherein the fabric retainer opening is smaller than the airbag cushion opening.

12. The vehicle airbag assembly of claim 11, wherein the fabric retainer opening is positioned concentrically with respect to the airbag cushion opening.

13. The vehicle airbag assembly of claim 5, wherein the inflator comprises an inflator base positioned at a first end of the inflator and a diffuser positioned at a second end of the inflator opposite from the first end.

14. The vehicle airbag assembly of claim 5, wherein the fabric retainer comprises a plurality of slots configured to receive a corresponding plurality of fastening members extending through the airbag cushion, wherein the plurality of slots allows the inflator to nest within and extend into the airbag cushion opening a predetermined amount according to the length of the slots.

15. The vehicle airbag assembly of claim 14, wherein the plurality of slots are configured to allow the inflator to move with respect to the housing during installation.

16. The vehicle airbag assembly of claim 14, wherein the plurality of slots comprise four slots angled away from a center of the fabric retainer opening.

17. The vehicle airbag assembly of claim 16, wherein two of the plurality of slots extend at least substantially along a first line, and wherein another two of the plurality of slots extend at least substantially along a second line, and wherein the first line is at least substantially perpendicular to the second line.

18. A vehicle airbag assembly, comprising:

a housing comprising a housing opening;

an inflator comprising an inflator base positioned at a first end of the inflator and a diffuser positioned at a second end of the inflator opposite from the first end, wherein the inflator base is configured to be received in the housing opening, wherein the inflator base is configured to extend at least partially through the housing opening such that at least a portion of the inflator base extends out of the housing opening; and

a retainer comprising a retainer opening configured to receive the diffuser therethrough, wherein the retainer is configured to fit over the inflator at the second end of the inflator and secure the inflator to the housing with the inflator base positioned through the housing opening and the diffuser positioned through the retainer opening.

19. The vehicle airbag assembly of claim 18, wherein the retainer comprises a fabric retainer.

20. The vehicle airbag assembly of claim 18, wherein the retainer comprises a retainer piece made up of a rigid material.

21. The vehicle airbag assembly of claim 20, wherein the housing further comprises a plurality of tab openings, and wherein the retainer piece further comprises a plurality of tabs configured to be received in the tab openings to secure the inflator in place between the housing and the retainer piece.

22. The vehicle airbag assembly of claim 18, wherein the inflator base comprises a collar having an at least substantially cylindrical shape.

23. The vehicle airbag assembly of claim 18, wherein the housing comprises an airbag module housing.