Driver-side restraining gas bag system for vehicles

• US 5,398,963 A
• Filed: 03/03/1994
• Issued: 03/21/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Repa GmbH
• Original Assignee: TRW Repa GmbH
• Inventors: Fohl, Artur
• Primary Examiner(s): Focarino, Margaret A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ellis, Christopher P.
• Application Number:
  US08/206,592
• Time in Patent Office: 383 Days
• Field of Search: 280/731, 280/738, 280/728 R, 280/728 A, 280/750, 280/742, 280/736, 280/737, 280/739
• US Class Current: 280/731
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2032 the inflator or inflatable member not being rotatable with the steering wheel; Arrangements using the steering column or steering wheel rim for storing, supplying or evacuating the inflation gas or for storing the inflatable member
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/30 with means to draw ambient air into the flow line and mix such air with the inflation fluid

Abstract

In a driver restraining gas bag system for vehicles a compressed gas container is arranged clear of the steering wheel and connected by way of a gas duct with an inflation opening of the bag for filling the gas bag arranged on the steering wheel hub. At its entry into the steering wheel the gas duct means is sealed off by an annular sealing gap between a first gap defining surface formed on the steering wheel hub and an oppositely arranged second gap defining surface on a wall, which is stationary in relation to the vehicle'"'"'s bodywork, of the gas duct means without contact between these gap defining surfaces.

Claims

1. A driver-side gas bag restraining system for vehicles, comprising an inflatable gas bag accommodated in a steering wheel, a source of pressurized gas located outside of the steering wheel adjacent a steering column and tubular duct means extending along said steering column and having a first end connected to said source of pressurized gas, said steering wheel having a hub portion fixed to a steering shaft and wherein at least one passage is formed with a first end facing an inflation opening of the gas bag and a second end communicating with a second end of said duct means without contacting said duct means, a peripheral gap being defined between facing wall portions of the second ends of said duct means and said passage, said tubular duct opening into an annular distribution chamber surrounding said steering shaft and said peripheral gap being defined between a radial flange of said distribution chamber and an opposed radial surface on said hub portion.

2. The gas bag system of claim 1, wherein said tubular duct is composed of at least two telescoping tube sections.

3. A driver-side gas bag restraining system for vehicles, comprising an inflatable gas bag accommodated in a steering wheel, a source of pressurized gas located outside of the steering wheel and duct means having a first end connected to said source of pressurized gas, said steering wheel having a hub portion fixed to a steering shaft and wherein at least one passage is formed with a first end facing an inflation opening of the gas bag and a second end communicating with a second end of said duct means without contacting said duct means, a peripheral gap being defined between facing wall portions of the second ends of said duct means and said passage, said peripheral gap comprising a plurality of alternating mutually perpendicular gap sections forming a labyrinth seal.

4. A driver-side gas bag restraining system for vehicles, comprising an inflatable gas bag accommodated in a steering wheel, a source of pressurized gas located outside of the steering wheel adjacent a steering column and tubular duct means extending along said steering column and having a first end connected to said source of pressurized gas, said steering wheel having a hub portion fixed to a steering shaft and wherein at least one passage is formed with a first end facing an inflation opening of the gas bag and a second end communicating with a second end of said duct means without contacting said duct means, a peripheral gap being defined between facing wall portions of the second ends of said duct means and said passage, said tubular duct opening into an annular distribution chamber surrounding said steering shaft and said peripheral gap being defined between a cylindrical wall defining said distribution chamber and a surrounding cylindrical skirt integrally formed with said hub portion, said cylindrical wall carrying a deflectable seal lip which is deflected outwardly into contact with said cylindrical skirt in response to gas pressure in said distribution chamber.

5. A driver-side gas bag restraining system for vehicles, comprising an inflatable gas bag accommodated in a steering wheel, a source of pressurized gas located outside of the steering wheel adjacent a steering column and tubular duct means extending along said steering column and having a first end connected to said source of pressurized gas, said steering wheel having a hub portion fixed to a steering shaft and wherein at least one passage is formed with a first end facing an inflation opening of the gas bag and a second end communicating with a second end of said duct means without contacting said duct means, a peripheral gap being defined between facing wall portions of the second ends of said duct means and said passage, said tubular duct opening into an annular distribution chamber surrounding said steering shaft, said hub member comprising a plurality of passages extending from said inflation opening in an axial direction of said steering wheel and opening in front of said annular distribution chamber, said passages being defined between radial ribs of the hub portion, and said ribs having surface portions which converge in a direction towards said annular distribution chamber and merge in a common edge.