Gas-generating module for an airbag utilized in motor vehicles

• US 5,273,313 A
• Filed: 05/20/1992
• Issued: 12/28/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Diehl GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Schwarz, Wolfgang, Klober, Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): Hill, Mitchell J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DICKSON, PAUL N
• Application Number:
  US07/886,411
• Time in Patent Office: 587 Days
• Field of Search: 280/736, 280/741, 280/729, 422/164, 422/165, 422/166, 102/530, 102/531, 149/19.2, 149/19.8
• US Class Current: 280/741
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2646 the reacting substances being supported by the inflatable member walls, or by a flexible support within it
• CPC Class Codes: C06D 5/06 by reaction of two or more solids

Abstract

A gas-generating module for an airbag utilized in motor vehicles, which includes a gas-generating composition and an igniting composition arranged within a container. The gas-generating composition is presently in the shape of a foil-like layer or coating, or alternatively consists of a granulate, and is constituted from components which are a mixture of a composition which is based on a metal azide and an oxidizing agent; a first binder for the granulation of the composition; a second elastic binder and a rapidly combusting igniting mixture whereby the elastic foil layer is arranged in a casing which is pressure-resistant up to a specified degree and which consists of a relatively gas-tight fabric.

Claims

1. A gas-generating module for an airbag utilized in motor vehicles, said module including a gas-generating composition and an igniting composition;

and a container housing said composition, said gas-generating composition being constituted from sodium azide (NaN₃), potassium nitrate (KNO₃) and a first binder consisting of nitrocellulose; and

a second elastic binder being admixed with said gas-generating composition, said gas-generating composition being an elastic coating arranged in a casing, said casing comprising a relatively gas tight fabric of densely arranged fabric strips, and a foil coated with the elastic coating encompassed and cross-wise covered with said fabric strips.

2. A module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fabric strips comprise fiber-glass reinforced strips.

3. A module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said gas-generating composition comprises 33% by weight of sodium azide (NaN₃), 65% by weight of potassium nitrate (KNO₃) and 2% by weight of nitrocellulose.

4. A module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second elastic binder consists of silicon rubber and comprises about 3 to 50% by weight relative to the weight of the gas-generating composition.

5. A module as claimed in claim 4, wherein said silicon rubber binder comprises about 35% by weight relative to the weight of the gas-generating composition.

6. A module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said gas-generating composition is a granulate.

7. A module as claimed in claim 6, wherein said foil is a heat-reflecting foil which covers said granulate and is locatable in a direction towards an airbag and is located opposite said fabric strips.

8. A module as claimed in claim 1, wherein an igniting mixture is applied to internal surfaces of said elastic coating.