Air bag inflator subassembly for installation onto the dashboard substrate of a motor vehicle

• US 5,441,299 A
• Filed: 04/25/1994
• Issued: 08/15/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Morton International Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ralston, Joseph L., Rose, Larry D., Lauritzen, Donald R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Culbreth, Eric D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): English, Peter C.
• Application Number:
  US08/233,161
• Time in Patent Office: 477 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728 A, 280/732, 280/731, 280/730 R, 280/736, 280/740, 280/741, 280/752, 280/728 B, 280/728 R
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/201 Packaging straps or envelopes for inflatable members
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/205 in dashboards
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2171 specially adapted for elongated cylindrical or bottle-like inflators with a symmetry axis perpendicular to the main direction of bag deployment, e.g. extruded reaction canisters B60R21/2176 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/276 with means to vent the inflation fluid source, e.g. in case of overpressure B60R21/30 takes precedence; venting means on inflatable member walls B60R21/239

Abstract

An air bag inflator subassembly is described which when installed onto a dashboard substrate forms a complete air bag inflator unit. The air bag inflator subassembly comprises a plurality of flanges formed integral to the body of the inflator. An air bag cushion and retainer cover are attached to the inflator subassembly. The subassembly eliminates the need for a separate canister and simplifies the process of installing the air bag inflator unit. The subassembly is installed on the dashboard substrate and is attached to the appropriate electrical connections. The subassembly utilizes existing vehicle hardware to form part of the air bag canister.

Claims

1. A simple one-piece air bag inflator assembly for attachment to a dashboard substrate of a motor vehicle comprising:

an elongated cylindrical inflator for providing a gas at a pressure, said inflator having a tubular outside wall with an outer surface, a first end and a second end, a first end closure attached to said inflator first end and a second end closure attached to said inflator second end to form a sealed tubular chamber, wherein each of said first and second end closures are substantially flat plates attached to the respective inflator ends by fastener means, inflator apertures formed in the outside wall of the inflator for directing generated gas from said sealed tubular chamber, and at least two first flanges integral to the outer surface of the inflator and running the length of the inflator, said first flanges having first apertures formed therein, wherein said first flanges divide said inflator surface into a first arc and a second arc wherein said inflator apertures are contained within one of said arcs, said inflator also including a plurality of channels integral to the outside wall of said inflator and running the length of the inflator, each of said channels defining a central aperture wherein said fastener means comprises fasteners which engage with said central apertures of said channels;

an air bag cushion in a folded condition while being stored, said air bag cushion having a first portion, which when said air bag cushion is deployed is disposed opposite an occupant of the vehicle, a second portion attached to said first portion, which terminates in a third portion defining a gas inlet opening for said air bag cushion, said air bag cushion third portion attached to at least two separate of the first flanges of said inflator such that said inflator apertures exhaust the gas into said air bag cushion for the normal inflation thereof; and

an air bag retention means that maintains the air bag cushion in the folded condition while being stored.

2. The air bag inflator assembly of claim 1 wherein said inflator is formed by extrusion.

3. The air bag inflator assembly of claim 1 wherein two of said first flanges form a plane.

4. A combination comprising:

a) an air bag inflator assembly, including;

an elongated cylindrical inflator having a tubular outside wall with an outer surface, a first end and a second end, a first end closure attached to the first end, and a second end closure attached to the second end to form a sealed tubular chamber, discharge apertures in the tubular outside wall direct gas from the sealed tubular chamber upon actuation of the inflator, and at least two first flanges integral to the outer surface of the tubular outside wall and running the length of the inflator, said first flanges having first apertures formed therein;

an air bag cushion in a folded condition while being stored, said air bag cushion having a portion defining a gas inlet opening attached to at least two of the first flanges such that the discharge apertures exhaust the gas into said air bag cushion for the normal inflation thereof; and

an air bag retention cover that overlays the air bag cushion and maintains the air bag cushion in the folded condition while being stored; and

b) a vehicular dashboard having an inside surface and an outside surface, with a substrate in spaced relation to the inside surface, the substrate comprising at least one pair of oppositely facing side walls which include a first end and a second end, with second flanges attached to the second end of the side walls, the second flanges having second apertures therein, first fastener means passed through said second apertures in said second flanges and said first apertures in said first flanges secure said air bag inflator assembly with said vehicular dashboard and wherein said vehicular dashboard forms a movable deployment cover overlying the air bag retention cover.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein the tubular outside wall of said inflator is formed by conventional extrusion.

6. The combination of claim 4 wherein said inflator further comprises a plurality of channels which are integral to the outside wall of said inflator and running the length of said inflator, with each of the channels defining a central aperture.

7. The combination of claim 4 wherein said air bag retention cover is formed of fiber reinforced paper or a woven polyamide fiber.

8. The combination of claim 4 wherein the first flanges are planar and project normal to the outer surface of said inflator.

9. The combination of claim 4 wherein said air bag inflator assembly is attachable to either the bottom side or the top side of the dashboard substrate.

10. The combination of claim 4 wherein said air bag inflator assembly is attached to the bottom side of the dashboard substrate.

11. The combination of claim 4 wherein said air bag inflator assembly is attached to the top side of the dashboard substrate.