Diffuser structure for clamping an inflator in an air bag module
First Claim
1. Apparatus for use with an inflator for an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said apparatus comprising:
- a diffuser structure defining a plenum in which the inflator is receivable, said diffuser structure having diffuser walls with inflation fluid outlet openings extending outward from said plenum, said diffuser structure further having first and second clamping walls facing in opposite directions across said plenum, said first clamping wall being bendable pivotally inward across said plenum; and
load bearing means for maintaining said first clamping wall under a bending load which urges said first clamping wall pivotally inward across said plenum so as to retain the inflator tightly between said clamping walls.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A diffuser (18) defines a plenum (50) containing an inflator (16). The diffuser (18) has diffuser walls (94,96) with inflation fluid outlet openings (100) extending outward from the plenum (50), and further has first and second clamping walls (110,112) facing in opposite directions across the plenum (50). The first clamping wall (110) is bendable pivotally inward across the plenum (50). A load bearing structure that includes two locking tabs (120,122) and a fastener (126) maintains the first clamping wall (110) under a bending load. The bending load urges the first clamping wall (110) pivotally inward across the plenum (50) so as to clamp and retain the inflator (16) tightly between the clamping walls (110,112).
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. Apparatus for use with an inflator for an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said apparatus comprising:
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a diffuser structure defining a plenum in which the inflator is receivable, said diffuser structure having diffuser walls with inflation fluid outlet openings extending outward from said plenum, said diffuser structure further having first and second clamping walls facing in opposite directions across said plenum, said first clamping wall being bendable pivotally inward across said plenum; and load bearing means for maintaining said first clamping wall under a bending load which urges said first clamping wall pivotally inward across said plenum so as to retain the inflator tightly between said clamping walls. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. Apparatus for use with an inflator for an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said apparatus comprising:
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a single continuous piece of sheet metal having wall portions defining an elongated plenum in which the inflator is receivable, said wall portions including an elongated base wall and a pair of diffuser wall structures which are spaced from each other along said base wall, each of said diffuser wall structures having inflation fluid outlet openings and including a pair of individual diffuser walls extending partially around said plenum from opposite side edges of said base wall; said piece of sheet metal further having a pair of opposed clamping walls projecting into said plenum from said opposite side edges of said base wall at locations between said diffuser wall structures; said clamping walls being bendable pivotally toward each other across said plenum and being interconnectable in positions engaging the inflator so as to clamp the inflator against said base wall. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification