Air bag module with mounting and diffuser bracket
First Claim
1. An air bag module for attachment to a vehicle, the module comprising:
- an axially elongated inflator for generating inflator gas, the inflator including an axially elongated body portion and a discharge end having discharge ports for discharging inflator gas therethrough;
an air bag deployable upon generation of inflator gas;
a mounting and diffuser bracket attached to the inflator, the inflator and mounting and diffuser bracket being positioned substantially within the air bag, the mounting and diffuser bracket for securing the inflator and air bag to the vehicle, the mounting and diffuser bracket including a diffuser portion positioned radially outward of the discharge end of the inflator, the diffuser portion substantially surrounding the discharge ports of the inflator whereby upon discharge of gas by the inflator, the diffuser portion redirects and diffuses the discharging inflator gas into the air bag and provides a heat shield between the air bag and the discharge end of the inflator;
the mounting and diffuser bracket including a laterally bent end for capturing the discharge end of the inflator therein at a location axially outward of the discharge ports and the diffuser portion being positioned generally axially inward of the laterally bent end; and
the diffuser portion including at least one wing portion substantially surrounding the discharge ports, the wing portion being operatively connected to the laterally bent end for limiting movement of the wing portion during the discharge of inflator gas.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An air bag module includes an inflator and an air bag for inflation upon the discharge of gas by the inflator. The module further includes a mounting and diffuser bracket for securing the inflator and air bag to the vehicle. The mounting and diffuser bracket includes a diffuser portion positioned radially outward of the discharge end of the inflator. The diffuser portion preferably includes wing portions substantially surrounding the discharge ports of the inflator such that upon discharge of gas by the inflator, the wing portions redirect and diffuse the discharging inflator gas into the air bag. Advantageously, the wing portions also provide a localized heat shield for the air bag.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. An air bag module for attachment to a vehicle, the module comprising:
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an axially elongated inflator for generating inflator gas, the inflator including an axially elongated body portion and a discharge end having discharge ports for discharging inflator gas therethrough; an air bag deployable upon generation of inflator gas; a mounting and diffuser bracket attached to the inflator, the inflator and mounting and diffuser bracket being positioned substantially within the air bag, the mounting and diffuser bracket for securing the inflator and air bag to the vehicle, the mounting and diffuser bracket including a diffuser portion positioned radially outward of the discharge end of the inflator, the diffuser portion substantially surrounding the discharge ports of the inflator whereby upon discharge of gas by the inflator, the diffuser portion redirects and diffuses the discharging inflator gas into the air bag and provides a heat shield between the air bag and the discharge end of the inflator; the mounting and diffuser bracket including a laterally bent end for capturing the discharge end of the inflator therein at a location axially outward of the discharge ports and the diffuser portion being positioned generally axially inward of the laterally bent end; and the diffuser portion including at least one wing portion substantially surrounding the discharge ports, the wing portion being operatively connected to the laterally bent end for limiting movement of the wing portion during the discharge of inflator gas. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An air bag module for attachment to a vehicle, the module comprising:
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an axially elongated inflator for generating inflator gas, the inflator including an axially elongated body portion and a discharge end having discharge ports for discharging inflator gas therethrough; an air bag deployable upon generation of inflator gas; a mounting and diffuser bracket attached to the inflator, the inflator and mounting and diffuser bracket being positioned substantially within the air bag, the mounting and diffuser bracket for securing the inflator and air bag to the vehicle, the mounting and diffuser bracket including a diffuser portion positioned radially outward of the discharge end of the inflator, the diffuser portion substantially surrounding the discharge ports of the inflator whereby upon discharge of gas by the inflator, the diffuser portion redirects and diffuses the discharging inflator gas into the air bag and provides a heat shield between the air bag and the discharge end of the inflator; the diffuser portion including at least one wing portion substantially surrounding the discharge ports; and the wing portion being deformable and wherein the wing portion moves between an undeformed condition prior to the discharge of inflator gas and a deformed condition upon discharge of inflator gas by the inflator and wherein the wing portion is spaced further radially outward from the discharge ports in the deformed condition than in the undeformed condition. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An air bag module for attachment to a vehicle, the module comprising:
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an axially elongated inflator for generating inflator gas, the inflator including an axially elongated body portion and a discharge end having discharge ports for discharging inflator gas therethrough; an air bag deployable upon generation of inflator gas; a mounting and diffuser bracket attached to the inflator, the inflator and mounting and diffuser bracket being positioned substantially within the air bag, the mounting and diffuser bracket for securing the inflator and air bag to the vehicle, the mounting and diffuser bracket including a diffuser portion positioned radially outward of the discharge end of the inflator, the diffuser portion substantially surrounding the discharge ports of the inflator whereby upon discharge of gas by the inflator, the diffuser portion redirects and diffuses the discharging inflator gas into the air bag and provides a heat shield between the air bag and the discharge end of the inflator; the diffuser portion including at least one wing portion substantially surrounding the discharge ports; and the mounting and diffuser bracket including a central portion adapted to be secured to the vehicle and wherein the wing portion extends radially outward from the central portion for substantially surrounding the gas discharge ports. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An air bag module for attachment to a vehicle, the module comprising:
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an axially elongated inflator for generating inflator gas, the inflator including an axially elongated body portion and a discharge end having discharge ports for discharging inflator gas therethrough; an air bag deployable upon generation of inflator gas; a mounting and diffuser bracket attached to the inflator, the inflator and mounting and diffuser bracket being positioned substantially within the air bag, the mounting and diffuser bracket for securing the inflator and air bag to the vehicle, the mounting and diffuser bracket including a diffuser portion positioned radially outward of the discharge end of the inflator, the diffuser portion substantially surrounding the discharge ports of the inflator whereby upon discharge of gas by the inflator, the diffuser portion redirects and diffuses the discharging inflator gas into the air bag and provides a heat shield between the air bag and the discharge end of the inflator; the diffuser portion including two wing portions cooperating to substantially surround the discharge ports; and the inflator having a solid end axially opposing the discharge end and wherein the mounting and diffuser bracket has a central portion adapted to be secured to the vehicle, the central portion being axially elongated and extending generally between the ends of the inflator and wherein the wing portions each include a tapered portion positioned axially inward of the discharge end and terminating in an axially elongated flared rib portion extending substantially along the central portion towards the solid end and extending generally upward from the central portion.
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22. An air bag module for attachment to a vehicle, the module comprising:
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an axially elongated inflator for generating inflator gas, the inflator including an axially elongated body portion and a discharge end having discharge ports for discharging inflator gas therethrough; an air bag deployable upon generation of inflator gas; a mounting and diffuser bracket attached to the inflator, the inflator and mounting and diffuser bracket being positioned substantially within the air bag, the mounting and diffuser bracket for securing the inflator and air bag to the vehicle, the mounting and diffuser bracket including a diffuser portion positioned radially outward of the discharge end of the inflator, the diffuser portion substantially surrounding the discharge ports of the inflator whereby upon discharge of gas by the inflator, the diffuser portion redirects and diffuses the discharging inflator gas into the air bag and provides a heat shield between the air bag and the discharge end of the inflator; the diffuser portion including two wing portions cooperating to substantially surround the discharge ports; the mounting and diffuser bracket including a central portion adapted to be secured to the vehicle and the wing portions extending radially outward in opposing directions from the central portion for substantially surrounding the discharge ports; and the wing portions each having a hinged end connected to the central portion and each of the wing portions having a free end opposite the hinged end and wherein the wing portions have an undeformed condition prior to the discharge of inflator gas and wherein the wing portions pivot open about the hinged ends to a deformed condition upon the discharge of inflator gas. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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Specification