Seat mounted side impact airbags

• US 5,667,241 A
• Filed: 10/17/1995
• Issued: 09/16/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Morton International Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bunker, S. Mark, Green, David J., Saderholm, Davin G., Storey, J. Kirk, Minert, Daniel G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Culbreth, Eric D.
• Application Number:
  US08/543,953
• Time in Patent Office: 700 Days
• Field of Search: 280/730.2, 280/728.2, 280/743.1, 280/728.1, 280/741
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0006 Lateral collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/201 Packaging straps or envelopes for inflatable members
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/207 in vehicle seats

Abstract

An airbag module and mounting. An inflator is received within the cushion, such that the cushion wraps around the back side of the inflator. The inflator includes an extending fastener, and possibly an extending tab. The inflator, or the tab, is partially retained by a receiving structure on the seat. The fastener extends through another section of the seat, such that securing the fastener secures the entire inflator. Additionally, since the cushion surrounds the inflator, the cushion is also secured. To maintain the cushion in the folded condition, a frangible wrap extends around the cushion and inflator. Upon inflation, the frangible wrap, and the seat covering, are torn by the expanding cushion to permit further expansion. This arrangement eliminates the need for a protective housing for the inflator and cushion. Other mounting arrangements are also provided.

Claims

1. An airbag module, comprising:

an inflator assembly having an elongated body with from and rear ends and at least one gas exit port, said assembly including a mounting tab extending from said rear end, said tab including an aperture therein;

a cushion operatively associated with said inflator assembly, said cushion having a body and an extension, said extension including an opening to receive at least a portion of the inflator which includes said port, and at least said front end of said inflator being received within said extension and said rear end of said inflator extending outward of said opening, said extension being constructed and arranged to maintain said cushion operatively associated with said inflator during gas generation.

2. A module as in claim 1, wherein said cushion body is in a folded condition and abuts said inflator assembly body, and further including a frangible wrap surrounding said cushion body and extension, such that said cushion body is interposed between said inflator assembly and said wrap, with said wrap holding said cushion body in said folded condition.

3. A module as in claim 1, wherein said tab extends peripherally outward.

4. A module as in claim 1, wherein said cushion extension further includes a tab strap adjacent said opening, said tab strap including a strap aperture, and wherein said tab extends through said strap aperture, said tab limiting movement of said opening toward said front end of said inflator.

5. A module as in claim 4, wherein said cushion body is in a folded condition and abuts said inflator assembly body, and further including a frangible wrap surrounding said cushion body and extension, such that said cushion body is interposed between said inflator assembly and said wrap, with said wrap holding said cushion body in said folded condition.

6. A module as in claim 1, wherein said cushion extension further includes a skirt extending outward from said opening toward said rear end of said inflator assembly, said skirt extending from the periphery of said opening and having a diameter substantially constant along its length and substantially equal to that of said opening, and forming a close sliding fit over said rear end of said inflator assembly.

7. A module as in claim 6, wherein said rear end of said inflator assembly extends outward beyond said skirt.

8. A module as in claim 6, wherein said cushion body is in a folded condition and abuts said inflator assembly body, and further including a frangible wrap surrounding said cushion body and extension, such that said cushion body is interposed between said inflator assembly and said wrap, with said wrap holding said cushion body in said folded condition.

9. A module as in claim 1, wherein said cushion extension further includes a sealing lip extending therefrom toward said front end of said inflator assembly and thus into said cushion, said lip extending from the periphery of said opening and having a diameter substantially constant along its length and substantially equal to that of said opening.

10. A module as in claim 9, wherein said cushion body is in a folded condition and abuts said inflator assembly body, and further including a frangible wrap surrounding said cushion body and extension, such that said cushion body is interposed between said inflator assembly and said wrap, with said wrap holding said cushion body in said folded condition.

11. An airbag module, comprising:

an inflator having an elongated body with front and rear ends and at least one gas exit port;

a cushion operatively associated with said inflator, said cushion having a body and an extension, said extension including an opening to receive at least a portion of the inflator which includes said port, and at least said front end of said inflator being received within said extension and said rear end of said inflator extending outward of said opening, said extension further including a skirt extending outward from said opening toward said rear end of said inflator, said skirt extending from the periphery of said opening and having a diameter substantially constant along its length and substantially equal to that of said opening, and forming a close sliding fit over said rear end of said inflator.

12. A module as in claim 11, wherein said rear end of said inflator extends outward beyond said skirt.

13. A module as in claim 11, wherein said inflator further includes a mounting bolt extending therefrom adjacent said front end, and said extension further includes a bolt hole through which said mounting bolt extends.

14. A module as in claim 13, wherein said mounting bolt extends longitudinally.

15. A module as in claim 11, in combination with an element within a passenger cabin of a vehicle and a rear mounting ring, said rear mounting ring being mounted on said element, and said ring including a rear aperture, said rear end of said inflator being received within said rear aperture.

16. The combination of claim 15, wherein said rear end of said inflator extends outward beyond said skirt.

17. The combination of claim 15, wherein said skirt is received within said rear aperture, whereby said skirt is interposed between said inflator body and said rear mounting ring.

18. The combination of claim 15, further including a front mounting ring having a front aperture, said front mounting ring being mounted upon said element, and wherein said cushion extension further includes a bolt hole, and said inflator further includes a mounting bolt extending therefrom adjacent said front end of said inflator, said mounting bolt extending through said bolt hole and said front aperture.

19. A module as in claim 11, in combination with an element within a passenger cabin of a vehicle, at least one support leg having a support portion, and a binding ring, said support leg being mounted to said element, said rear end of said inflator being in proximity to said support portion, and said binding ring surrounding said inflator and support portion and securing same together.

20. The combination of claim 19, wherein said at least one support leg comprises two of said support legs.

21. The combination of claim 19, wherein said rear end of said inflator extends outward beyond said skirt.

22. The combination of claim 19, wherein said skin is interposed between said inflator body and said support portion.

23. The combination of claim 19, further including a front mounting ring having a from aperture, said front mounting ring being mounted upon said element, and wherein said cushion extension further includes a bolt hole, and said inflator further includes a mounting bolt extending therefrom adjacent said front end of said inflator, said mounting bolt extending through said bolt hole and said front aperture.

24. An airbag module, comprising:

an inflator having an elongated body with front and rear ends and at least one gas exit port;

a cushion operatively associated with said inflator, said cushion having a body and an extension, said extension including an opening to receive at least a portion of the inflator which includes said port, and at least said front end of said inflator being received within said extension and said rear end of said inflator extending outward of said opening, said extension further including a sealing lip extending inward from said opening toward said front end of said inflator and thus into said cushion, said sealing lip extending from the periphery of said opening and having a diameter substantially constant along its length and substantially equal to that of said opening, and forming a close sliding fit over said inflator body, whereby gas pressure within said cushion will press said lip against said inflator body to form a seal against egress of gas from said opening, said interior of said cushion being free of mechanical restraint pressing said lip against said inflator body.

25. A module as in claim 24, wherein said inflator further includes a mounting bolt extending therefrom adjacent said front end, and said extension further includes a bolt hole through which said mounting bolt extends.

26. A module as in claim 25, wherein said mounting bolt extends longitudinally.

27. A module as in claim 24, in combination with an element within a passenger cabin of a vehicle and a rear mounting ring, said rear mounting ring being mounted on said element, and said ring including a rear aperture, said rear end of said inflator being received within said rear aperture.

28. The combination of claim 27, further including a front mounting ring having a front aperture, said front mounting ring being mounted upon said element, and wherein said cushion extension further includes a bolt hole, and said inflator further includes a mounting bolt extending therefrom adjacent said front end of said inflator, said mounting bolt extending through said bolt hole and said front aperture.

29. The combination of claim 28, further including a front mounting ring having a front aperture, said front mounting ring being mounted upon said element, and wherein said cushion extension further includes a bolt hole, and said inflator further includes a mounting bolt extending therefrom adjacent said front end of said inflator, said mounting bolt extending through said bolt hole and said front aperture.