Side impact air bag module

• US 5,704,634 A
• Filed: 02/15/1996
• Issued: 01/06/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Incorporated (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Incorporated (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Wallner, John P., Pionk, Michael P.
• Primary Examiner(s): English, Peter C.
• Application Number:
  US08/601,721
• Time in Patent Office: 691 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.2, 280/740, 280/742, 280/736, 280/737, 280/741, 280/730.2, 280/730.1, 280/732, 280/728.1
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0006 Lateral collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/207 in vehicle seats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2176 the air bag components being completely enclosed in a soft or semi-rigid housing or cover
• 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

An air bag module (10) includes an air bag (30), an inflator (40), and a diffuser (100) that receives the inflator (40). The diffuser (100) has a central wall portion (102) which is spaced radially outward from the inflator (40) to define a diffuser chamber (128). A first end portion (110) of the diffuser (100) extends radially inward from the central wall portion (102) and blocks axial movement of the inflator (40) in a first axial direction (138). A second end portion (120) of the diffuser (100) has a curl portion (140) extending radially inward from the central wall portion (102) of the diffuser. The curl portion (140) blocks radial movement of the second end portion (80) of the inflator (40) and blocks axial movement of the inflator in a second axial direction (158) opposite to the first axial direction (138). The module (10) includes a plurality of bolts (130) for supporting the module on a portion of a vehicle such as a vehicle seat (14).

Claims

1. A vehicle safety apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle in the event of an impact to the vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

an inflatable occupant protection device having a deflated condition and being inflatable into a position adjacent to the vehicle occupant for helping to protect the vehicle occupant;

an inflator which is actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable device, said inflator having a longitudinal axis, a first end portion, a second end portion, and a central portion between said first and second end portions;

said central portion of said inflator including a cylindrical side wall of said inflator, said first end portion of said inflator including a first end surface extending transverse to said cylindrical side wall, said second end portion of said inflator including a second end surface extending transverse to said cylindrical side wall;

a diffuser receiving said inflator, said diffuser having a central wall portion and first and second opposite end portions;

means for supporting said diffuser and said inflator on the vehicle;

said central wall portion of said diffuser being spaced radially outward from said central portion of said inflator to define a diffuser chamber between said central wall portion of said diffuser and said central portion of said inflator;

said first end portion of said diffuser extending radially inward from said central wall portion of said diffuser and engaging said transversely extending first end surface of said inflator and blocking axial movement of said inflator in a first axial direction; and

said second end portion of said diffuser having a curl portion extending radially inward from said central wall portion of said diffuser in a direction toward said longitudinal axis, said curl portion of said diffuser engaging said transversely extending second end surface of said inflator and blocking radial movement of said second end portion of said inflator and blocking axial movement of said inflator in a second axial direction opposite to said first axial direction.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said inflator comprises a container having an inflation fluid chamber in which inflation fluid is stored under pressure, an ignitable material for, when ignited, heating said inflation fluid, and ignition means for igniting said ignitable material and for opening said container, said inflator including at least one fluid outlet for directing heated inflation fluid from said inflator into said diffuser chamber.

3. A vehicle safety apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle seat in the event of a side impact to the vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

an inflatable occupant protection device having a deflated condition and being inflatable into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and the vehicle occupant for helping to protect the vehicle occupant;

an inflator which is actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable device, said inflator having a longitudinal axis, a first end portion, a second end portion, and a central portion between said first and second end portions;

said central portion of said inflator including a cylindrical side wall of said inflator, said first end portion of said inflator including a first end surface extending transverse to said cylindrical side wall, said second end portion of said inflator including a second end surface extending transverse to said cylindrical side wall;

a diffuser receiving said inflator, said diffuser having a central wall portion and first and second opposite end portions;

means for connecting said diffuser and said inflator with the vehicle seat;

said central wall portion of said diffuser being spaced radially outward from said central portion of said inflator to define a diffuser chamber between said central wall portion of said diffuser and said central portion of said inflator;

said first end portion of said diffuser extending radially inward from said central wall portion of said diffuser and engaging said transversely extending first end surface of said inflator and blocking axial movement of said inflator in a first axial direction; and

said second end portion of said diffuser having a curl portion extending radially inward from said central wall portion of said diffuser in a direction toward said longitudinal axis, said curl portion of said diffuser engaging said transversely extending second end surface of said inflator and blocking radial movement of said second end portion of said inflator and blocking axial movement of said inflator in a second axial direction opposite to said first axial direction.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said central wall portion of said diffuser comprises a cylindrical wall having a cylindrical inner surface;

said central portion of said inflator having a cylindrical outer surface which is spaced radially inward from said cylindrical inner surface of said diffuser and having at least one fluid outlet for directing inflation fluid from said inflator into said diffuser chamber;

said central wall portion of said diffuser having a plurality of openings for directing inflation fluid from said diffuser chamber into said inflatable device.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said inflator comprises a container having an inflation fluid chamber in which inflation fluid is stored under pressure, an ignitable material for, when ignited, heating said inflation fluid, and ignition means for igniting said ignitable material and for opening said container, said inflator including at least one fluid outlet for directing heated inflation fluid from said inflator into said diffuser chamber.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said second end portion of said inflator has a domed configuration including a convex outer surface which is presented toward said curl portion of said diffuser, said curl portion of said diffuser engaging said convex outer surface at a plurality of locations in a circular array extending around said longitudinal axis.

7. A vehicle safety apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle seat in the event of a side impact to the vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

an inflatable occupant protection device having a deflated condition and being inflatable into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and the vehicle occupant for helping to protect the vehicle occupant;

an inflator which is actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable device, said inflator having a longitudinal axis, a first end portion, a second end portion, and a central portion between said first and second end portions;

means for supporting said inflator on the vehicle seat, consisting of a diffuser receiving said inflator, said diffuser having a central wall portion and first and second opposite end portions;

said central wall portion of said diffuser being spaced radially outward from said central portion of said inflator to define a diffuser chamber between said central wall portion of said diffuser and said central portion of said inflator;

said first end portion of said diffuser extending radially inward from said central wall portion of said diffuser and blocking axial movement of said inflator in a first axial direction; and

said second end portion of said diffuser extending radially inward from said central wall portion of said diffuser in a direction toward said longitudinal axis, said second end portion of said diffuser blocking axial movement of said inflator in a second axial direction opposite to said first axial direction;

said first and second end portions of said diffuser exerting an axial clamping force on said inflator in the range of from about 80 pounds to about 300 pounds to block axial movement of said inflator relative to the vehicle seat.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said second end portion of said diffuser comprises a wall portion of said diffuser which is curled radially inward and axially in a direction toward said first end portion of said diffuser.

9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said inflator comprises a container having an inflation fluid chamber in which inflation fluid is stored under pressure, an ignitable material for, when ignited, heating said inflation fluid, and ignition means for igniting said ignitable material and for opening said container, said inflator including at least one fluid outlet for directing heated inflation fluid from said inflator into said diffuser chamber.

10. A vehicle safety apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle in the event of an impact to the vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

an inflatable occupant protection device having a deflated condition and being inflatable into a position adjacent to the vehicle occupant for helping to protect the vehicle occupant;

an inflator which is actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable device, said inflator having a longitudinal axis, a first end portion, a second end portion, and a central portion between said first and second end portions;

a diffuser receiving said inflator, said diffuser having a central wall portion and first and second opposite end portions;

means for supporting said diffuser and said inflator on the vehicle;

said central wall portion of said diffuser being spaced radially outward from said central portion of said inflator to define a diffuser chamber between said central wall portion of said diffuser and said central portion of said inflator;

said first end portion of said diffuser extending radially inward from said central wall portion of said diffuser and blocking axial movement of said inflator in a first axial direction; and

said second end portion of said diffuser having a curl portion extending radially inward from said central wall portion of said diffuser in a direction toward said longitudinal axis and toward said first end portion of said diffuser, said curl portion of said diffuser blocking radial movement of said second end portion of said inflator and blocking axial movement of said inflator in a second axial direction opposite to said first axial direction;

wherein said curl portion of said diffuser comprises a cylindrical wall portion of said diffuser which is curled radially inward and axially in a direction toward said first end portion of said diffuser about a circular bending axis which is centered on said longitudinal axis.

11. A vehicle safety apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle in the event of an impact to the vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

an inflatable occupant protection device having a deflated condition and being inflatable into a position adjacent to the vehicle occupant for helping to protect the vehicle occupant;

an inflator which is actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable device, said inflator having a longitudinal axis, a first end portion, a second end portion, and a central portion between said first and second end portions;

a diffuser receiving said inflator, said diffuser having a central wall portion and first and second opposite end portions;

means for supporting said diffuser and said inflator on the vehicle;

said central wall portion of said diffuser being spaced radially outward from said central portion of said inflator to define a diffuser chamber between said central wall portion of said diffuser and said central portion of said inflator;

said first end portion of said diffuser extending radially inward from said central wall portion of said diffuser and blocking axial movement of said inflator in a first axial direction; and

said second end portion of said diffuser having a curl portion extending radially inward from said central wall portion of said diffuser in a direction toward said longitudinal axis and toward said first end portion of said diffuser, said curl portion of said diffuser blocking radial movement of said second end portion of said inflator and blocking axial movement of said inflator in a second axial direction opposite to said first axial direction;

wherein said curl portion of said diffuser has an inner side surface and an opposite outer side surface, said curl portion of said diffuser comprising a cylindrical wall portion which is deformed radially inwardly by more than 90°

at a plurality of locations centered on said longitudinal axis so that said outer side surface of said curl portion is presented in a direction toward said longitudinal axis.

12. A vehicle safety apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle in the event of an impact to the vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

an inflatable occupant protection device having a deflated condition and being inflatable into a position adjacent to the vehicle occupant for helping to protect the vehicle occupant;

an inflator which is actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable device, said inflator having a longitudinal axis, a first end portion, a second end portion, and a central portion between said first and second end portions;

a diffuser receiving said inflator, said diffuser having a central wall portion and first and second opposite end portions;

means for supporting said diffuser and said inflator on the vehicle;

said central wall portion of said diffuser being spaced radially outward from said central portion of said inflator to define a diffuser chamber between said central wall portion of said diffuser and said central portion of said inflator;

said first end portion of said diffuser extending radially inward from said central wall portion of said diffuser and blocking axial movement of said inflator in a first axial direction; and

said second end portion of said diffuser having a curl portion extending radially inward from said central wall portion of said diffuser in a direction toward said longitudinal axis and toward said first end portion of said diffuser, said curl portion of said diffuser blocking radial movement of said second end portion of said inflator and blocking axial movement of said inflator in a second axial direction opposite to said first axial direction;

wherein said curl portion of said diffuser is spaced apart from said second end portion of said inflator, said apparatus further comprising a cushion disposed intermediate said curl portion of said diffuser and said second end portion of said inflator, said curl portion of said diffuser clamping said cushion against said second end portion of said inflator to block radial and axial movement of said second end portion of said inflator.

13. A vehicle safety apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle seat in the event of a side impact to the vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

an inflatable occupant protection device having a deflated condition and being inflatable into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and the vehicle occupant for helping to protect the vehicle occupant;

an inflator which is actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable device, said inflator having a longitudinal axis, a first end portion, a second end portion, and a central portion between said first and second end portions;

a diffuser receiving said inflator, said diffuser having a central wall portion and first and second opposite end portions;

means for connecting said diffuser and said inflator with the vehicle seat;

said central wall portion of said diffuser being spaced radially outward from said central portion of said inflator to define a diffuser chamber between said central wall portion of said diffuser and said central portion of said inflator;

said first end portion of said diffuser extending radially inward from said central wall portion of said diffuser and blocking axial movement of said inflator in a first axial direction; and

said second end portion of said diffuser having a curl portion extending radially inward from said central wall portion of said diffuser in a direction toward said longitudinal axis and toward said first end portion of said diffuser, said curl portion of said diffuser blocking radial movement of said second end portion of said inflator and blocking axial movement of said inflator in a second axial direction opposite to said first axial direction;

wherein said curl portion of said diffuser comprises a cylindrical wall portion of said diffuser which is curled radially inward and axially in a direction toward said first end portion of said diffuser about a circular bending axis which is centered on said longitudinal axis.

14. A vehicle safety apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle seat in the event of a side impact to the vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

an inflatable occupant protection device having a deflated condition and being inflatable into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and the vehicle occupant for helping to protect the vehicle occupant;

an inflator which is actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable device, said inflator having a longitudinal axis, a first end portion, a second end portion, and a central portion between said first and second end portions;

a diffuser receiving said inflator, said diffuser having a central wall portion and first and second opposite end portions;

means for connecting said diffuser and said inflator with the vehicle seat;

said central wall portion of said diffuser being spaced radially outward from said central portion of said inflator to define a diffuser chamber between said central wall portion of said diffuser and said central portion of said inflator;

said first end portion of said diffuser extending radially inward from said central wall portion of said diffuser and blocking axial movement of said inflator in a first axial direction; and

said second end portion of said diffuser having a curl portion extending radially inward from said central wall portion of said diffuser in a direction toward said longitudinal axis and toward said first end portion of said diffuser, said curl portion of said diffuser blocking radial movement of said second end portion of said inflator and blocking axial movement of said inflator in a second axial direction opposite to said first axial direction;

wherein said curl portion of said diffuser has an inner side surface and an opposite outer side surface, said curl portion of said diffuser comprising a cylindrical wall portion which is deformed radially inwardly by more than 90°

at a plurality of locations centered on said longitudinal axis so that said outer side surface of said curl portion is presented in a direction toward said longitudinal axis.

15. A vehicle safety apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle seat in the event of a side impact to the vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

an inflatable occupant protection device having a deflated condition and being inflatable into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and the vehicle occupant for helping to protect the vehicle occupant;

an inflator which is actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable device, said inflator having a longitudinal axis, a first end portion, a second end portion, and a central portion between said first and second end portions;

a diffuser receiving said inflator, said diffuser having a central wall portion and first and second opposite end portions;

means for connecting said diffuser and said inflator with the vehicle seat;

said central wall portion of said diffuser being spaced radially outward from said central portion of said inflator to define a diffuser chamber between said central wall portion of said diffuser and said central portion of said inflator;

said first end portion of said diffuser extending radially inward from said central wall portion of said diffuser and blocking axial movement of said inflator in a first axial direction; and

said second end portion of said diffuser having a curl portion extending radially inward from said central wall portion of said diffuser in a direction toward said longitudinal axis and toward said first end portion of said diffuser, said curl portion of said diffuser blocking radial movement of said second end portion of said inflator and blocking axial movement of said inflator in a second axial direction opposite to said first axial direction;

wherein said curl portion of said diffuser is spaced apart from said second end portion of said inflator, said apparatus further comprising a cushion disposed intermediate said curl portion of said diffuser and said second end portion of said inflator, said curl portion of said diffuser clamping said cushion against said second end portion of said inflator to block radial and axial movement of said second end portion of said inflator.