Gas bag protective device

• US 5,536,041 A
• Filed: 05/31/1995
• Issued: 07/16/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: TRW Repa GmbH
• Original Assignee: TRW Repa GmbH
• Inventors: Acker, Dominique, Stutz, Michael, Herpich, Thomas, Maier, Gunter
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Application Number:
  US08/456,170
• Time in Patent Office: 412 Days
• Field of Search: 280/740, 280/732, 280/731, 280/736, 280/741, 280/738, 280/728.1
• US Class Current: 280/740
• 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 21/23138 specially adapted for side protection B60R21/23184, B60R21/232 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/26 characterised by the inflation fluid source or means to control inflation fluid flow arrangement or mounting thereof to the vehicle B60R21/20; blasting cartridges for producing gas under pressure in general F42B3/04; initiators or igniters therefor F42B3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/261 with means other than bag structure to diffuse or guide inflation fluid

Abstract

In a gas bag protective device for a vehicle occupant with an inflatable gas bag, a gas generator with a plurality of gas outlet openings and a generally tubular diffusor surrounding the gas generator and provided with a plurality of gas distribution openings are located within the gas bag. A casing is provided for accommodating the gas bag in a folded condition, the diffusor and the gas generator.

Claims

1. A gas bag protective device for a vehicle occupant comprising:

an inflatable gas bag;

a gas generator with a plurality of gas outlet openings; and

a generally tubular diffuser surrounding said gas generator and having a tubular center section and two opposed open end sections;

said tubular center section having a wall portion facing the interior of said gas bag and provided with a plurality of gas distribution openings;

said open end sections each having an opening which widens circumferentially with increasing distance away from said center section, forming a gas distribution window facing the interior of said gas bag; and

said gas generator and diffusor being located within said gas bag.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein a casing is provided for accommodating said diffusor, said gas generator, and said gas bag in a folded condition, said gas bag having an insertion opening for insertion of said diffusor and said gas generator, said insertion opening having a border which is clamped between said casing and said diffusor.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said gas distribution openings are provided in a plurality of rows extending in an axial direction of said diffusor.

4. A gas bag protective device for a vehicle occupant comprising:

an inflatable gas bag;

a gas generator with a plurality of gas outlet openings; and

a generally tubular diffusor surrounding said gas generator and provided with a plurality of gas distribution openings;

said gas generator having a cylindrical outer wall radially spaced from said tubular diffusor on its side facing the interior of said gas bag; and

a gas distribution space being defined between said outer wall of the gas generator and said tubular diffusor;

said gas distribution space having circumferentially spaced end sections and an intermediate section in-between said end sections, said gas distribution openings being located in said intermediate section;

said gas generator having gas outlet openings in said end sections of said gas distribution space; and

said gas generator and diffusor being located within said gas bag.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein a casing is provided for accommodating said diffusor, said gas generator, and said gas bag in a folded condition, said gas bag having an insertion opening for insertion of said diffusor and said gas generator, said insertion opening having a border which is clamped between said casing and said diffusor.

6. The device of claim 4 wherein said gas distribution openings are provided in a plurality of rows extending in an axial direction of said diffusor.