Gas bag restraint module

• US 5,732,971 A
• Filed: 08/23/1996
• Issued: 03/31/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH
• Original Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH
• Inventors: Lutz, Joachim
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis, Christopher P.
• Application Number:
  US08/702,266
• Time in Patent Office: 585 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.2, 280/732, 280/740, 280/728.1, 280/743.1, 280/741
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/201 Packaging straps or envelopes for inflatable members
• 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

Abstract

A gas bag restraint module is provided which comprises a housing provided with a generally hollow accomodation part and with two axially extending attachment strips extending outwards from the accomodation part. A bottle-shaped pressurized gas container is axially inserted into the accomodation part, the gas container providing a volume of pressurized gas after actuation. The gas bag restraint module further comprises a folded gas bag provided with an attachment section surrounding an inflation aperture. The attachment section is connected to the housing by means of an attachment frame which is accomodated between the attachment strips and which comprises at least one through passage.

Claims

1. A gas bag restraint module comprising a housing provided with a generally cylindrical accommodation part and with two axially extending attachment strips extending outwards from said accommodation part, a bottle-shaped pressurized gas container which provides a volume of pressurized gas after actuation and which is axially inserted into said accommodation part, and a folded gas bag which comprises an attachment section surrounding an inflation aperture, said attachment section being connected to said housing by means of an attachment frame which is accommodated between said attachment strips and which comprises at least one through passage, said pressurized gas container and said accommodation part being dimensioned so that said pressurized gas container is held in said accommodation part by press fit, said pressurized gas container having a circular cross-section, and said accommodation part having a polygonal cross-section.

6. The gas bag restraint module of claim 1, wherein said housing with said pressurized gas container and said attachment frame with said folded gas bag form two presassembled assemblies.

12. The gas bag restraint module of claim 1, wherein said housing is manufactured from an extruded section.

13. The gas bag restraint module of claim 12, wherein said accommodation part is provided with at least one integrally molded bolt hole for a self-tapping screw.

14. The gas bag restraint module of claim 1, wherein said housing is manufactured from a sheet metal part.

15. The gas bag restraint module of claim 14, wherein said accommodation part is fitted with beads projecting into its interior.

16. The gas bag restraint module of claim 14, wherein said accommodation part is provided with at least one buttress for a self-tapping screw, said buttress being formed from two plates of material representing segments of a circle, said plates being, in a longitudinal direction of said screw, located one behind the other and in relation to this direction are bent out of a plane of said material in opposite directions to each other.

21. The gas bag restraint module of claim 1, wherein said attachment frame is provided with attachment bolts which pass through openings formed in said attachment section of said gas bag.

22. The gas bag restraint module of claim 21, wherein said gas bag has an essentially rectangular fixing part, a first long side of which is permanently connected to said gas bag in a region of said attachment section, a middle section of which is connected to said first long side and is passed over said folded gas bag, and a second long side of which, connected to said middle section and opposite said first long side, is fixed to said attachment frame by means of projections which are located along said second long side and which have openings in which some of said attachment bolts project, with said middle section being provided with a perforated line which is torn by said gas bag when it unfolds.

23. The gas bag restraint module of claim 1, wherein a deflection plate is located between said attachment frame and said accommodation part on a side facing a head of said pressurized gas container.

2. A gas bag restraint module comprising a housing provided with a generally trough-shaped accommodation part and with two axially extending attachment strips extending outwards from said accommodation part, said accommodation part being open between said attachment strips and at least at one of its front faces, a bottle-shaped pressurized gas container which provides a volume of pressurized gas after actuation and which is axially inserted into said accommodation part, and a folded gas bag which comprises an attachment section surrounding an inflation aperture, said attachment section being connected to said housing by means of an attachment frame which is accommodated between said attachment strips and which comprises at least one through passage, said pressurized gas container and said accommodation part being dimensioned so that said pressurized gas container is held in said accommodation part by press fit, said accommodation part and said attachment frame interacting with said pressurized gas container like a pipe clip to produce a clamping effect by means of which said pressurized gas container is held firmly in said accommodation part.

3. The gas bag restraint module of claim 2, wherein said accommodation part has a circular cross-section.

4. The gas bag restraint module of claim 2, wherein said accommodation part has a polygonal cross-section.

5. The gas bag restraint module of claim 2, wherein said pressurized gas container has a circular cross-section.

7. The gas bag restraint module of claim 2, wherein an end of said accommodation part facing a bottom of said pressurized gas container is sealed by means of a base plate.

8. The gas bag restraint module of claim 2, wherein an end of said accommodation part facing a head of said pressurized gas container is sealed by means of a retaining plate which is provided with a retaining section adapted in shape to said head of said pressurized gas cylinder.

9. The gas bag restraint module of claim 7, wherein said base plate sealing said end of said accommodation part is bolted to said accommodation part.

10. The gas bag restraint module of claim 8, wherein said retaining plate sealing said end of said accommodation part is bolted to said accommodation part.

11. The gas bag restraint module of claims 7, wherein said base plate and said retaining plate are provided with a flange for attaching said gas bag restraint module to a motor vehicle.

17. The gas bag restraint module of claim 7, wherein said accommodation part is provided with bent plates on a front face, said plates passing through openings formed in said base plate, and are bent over on an outside of said base plate and said retaining plate.

18. The gas bag restraint module of claim 8, wherein said accommodation part is provided with bent plates on a front face, said plates passing through openings formed in said retaining plate, and are bent over on an outside of said base plate and said retaining plate.

19. The gas bag restraint module of claim 7, wherein said attachment frame is provided with attachment bolts which pass through openings formed in said base plate.

20. The gas bag restraint module of claim 8, wherein said attachment frame is provided with attachment bolts which pass through openings formed in said retaining plate.

24. The gas bag restraint module of claim 8, wherein a spacer washer is located between said retaining plate and said pressurized gas source, said washer being provided with projections for unequivocal angle positioning in relation to said accommodation part.

25. A gas bag restraint module comprising a housing provided with a generally cylindrical accommodation part and with two axially extending attachment strips extending outwards from said accommodation part, a bottle-shaped pressurized gas container which provides a volume of pressurized gas after actuation and which is axially inserted into said accommodation part, and a folded gas bag which comprises an attachment section surrounding an inflation aperture, said attachment section being connected to said housing by means of an attachment frame which is accommodated between said attachment strips and which comprises at least one through passage, said housing being manufactured from a sheet metal part, and said accommodation part being provided with at least one buttress for a self-tapping screw, said buttress being formed from two plates of material representing segments of a circle, said plates being, in a longitudinal direction of said screw, located one behind the other and in relation to this direction are bent out of a plane of said material in opposite directions to each other.

26. A gas bag restraint module comprising a housing provided with a generally trough-shaped accommodation part and with two axially extending attachment strips extending outwards from said accommodation part, said accommodation part being open between said attachment strips and at least at one of its front faces, a bottle-shaped pressurized gas container which provides a volume of pressurized gas after actuation and which is axially inserted into said accommodation part, and a folded gas bag which comprises an attachment section surrounding an inflation aperture, said attachment section being connected to said housing by means of an attachment frame which is accommodated between said attachment strips and which comprises at least one through passage, said housing being manufactured from a sheet metal part, and said accommodation part being provided with at least one buttress for a self-tapping screw, said buttress being formed from two plates of material representing segments of a circle, said plates being, in a longitudinal direction of said screw, located one behind the other and in relation to this direction are bent out of a plane of said material in opposite directions to each other.

27. A gas bag restraint module comprising a housing provided with a generally cylindrical accommodation part and with two axially extending attachment strips extending outwards from said accommodation part, a bottle-shaped pressurized gas container which provides a volume of pressurized gas after actuation and which is axially inserted into said accommodation part, and a folded gas bag which comprises an attachment section surrounding an inflation aperture, said attachment section being connected to said housing by means of an attachment frame which is accommodated between said attachment strips and which comprises at least one through passage, said attachment frame being provided with attachment bolts which pass through openings formed in said attachment section of said gas bag, and said gas bag having an essentially rectangular fixing part, a first long side of which is permanently connected to said gas bag in a region of said attachment section, a middle section of which is connected to said first long side and is passed over said folded gas bag, and a second long side of which, connected to said middle section and opposite said first long side, is fixed to said attachment frame by means of projections which are located along said second long side and which have openings in which some of said attachment bolts project, with said middle section being provided with a perforated line which is torn by said gas bag when it unfolds.

28. A gas bag restraint module comprising a housing provided with a generally trough-shaped accommodation part and with two axially extending attachment strips extending outwards from said accommodation part, said accommodation part being open between said attachment strips and at least at one of its front faces, a bottle-shaped pressurized gas container which provides a volume of pressurized gas after actuation and which is axially inserted into said accommodation part, and a folded gas bag which comprises an attachment section surrounding an inflation aperture, said attachment section being connected to said housing by means of an attachment frame which is accommodated between said attachment strips and which comprises at least one through passage, said attachment frame being provided with attachment bolts which pass through openings formed in said attachment section of said gas bag, and said gas bag having an essentially rectangular fixing part, a first long side of which is permanently connected to said gas bag in a region of said attachment section, a middle section of which is connected to said first long side and is passed over said folded gas bag, and a second long side of which, connected to said middle section and opposite said first long side, is fixed to said attachment frame by means of projections which are located along said second long side and which have openings in which some of said attachment bolts project, with said middle section being provided with a perforated line which is torn by said gas bag when it unfolds.