Assembly for an airbag module

• US 5,820,159 A
• Filed: 04/23/1997
• Issued: 10/13/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Werner, Heribert, Bohn, Stefan
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis, Christopher P.
• Application Number:
  US08/844,966
• Time in Patent Office: 538 Days
• Field of Search: 280/732, 280/728.2, 280/728.1
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• 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

An assembly for manufacturing an airbag module for the passenger seat in a motor vehicle having a tubular element that accommodates a cylindrical reservoir of compressed gas and two identically shaped frontal components in the form of segments of extruded section that can be forced like hose clips against the tubular element such as to laterally demarcate space for accommodating a folded airbag against the tubular element. The upper area of the frontal components in one embodiment is openwork. Auxiliary tubes can be tensioned between the frontal components. A web of material that wraps around the tubular element can be secured to the auxiliary tubes, laterally demarcating the space for accommodating the airbag paralleling the axis of the tubular element.

Claims

1. An assembly for manufacturing an airbag module for the passenger seat in a motor vehicle, comprising:

a tubular element for accommodating a cylindrical reservoir of compressed gas and two identically shaped frontal components in the form of segments of extruded section or sheet-metal stampings that are mounted on the tubular element and spaced apart to laterally demarcate a space for accommodating a folded airbag against the tubular element.

2. The assembly as in claim 1, wherein the frontal components have a first portion that encloses the tubular element and a second portion that extends radially out therefrom to an extent that at least matches the width of the space for accommodating an airbag folded against a projection surface of the tubular element.

3. The assembly as in claim 1, wherein the second portions of the frontal components that extend radially out from the tubular element comprise an easily deforming openwork along a length thereof.

4. The assembly as in claim 1, further comprising two auxiliary tubes that are tensioned axially paralleling and separated from the tubular element and between the frontal components and a web of material wrapped around the tubular element and secured to the auxiliary tubes to laterally demarcate the space for accommodating the airbag paralleling the axis of the tubular element.

5. The assembly as in claim 1, wherein each frontal component has a slot which is resiliently forced against the tubular element by screws.

6. The assembly as in claim 5, wherein the airbag is forced against the tubular element by the frontal components.

7. The assembly as in claim 1, wherein the tubular element has outlet openings for the compressed gas.

8. The assembly as in claim 7, wherein the tubular element comprises two halves joined at a seam that parallels the axis of the tube and is held together by the frontal components.

9. The assembly as in claim 1, wherein the frontal components have fasteners for securing the airbag module in the vehicle.

10. The assembly as in claim 9, wherein the fasteners have bores produced simultaneously with bores that secure the frontal components to the tubular element.

11. The assembly as in claim 4, wherein one of the auxiliary tubes constitutes a hinge for an airbag cap and the frontal components are configured for the cap to snap into in the vicinity of the other auxiliary tube.

12. The assembly as in claim 1, further comprising a protective cover that covers an exit from the airbag between the auxiliary tubes and that can be ripped out.

13. The assembly as in claim 1, wherein the frontal components are plastic or a light-weight metal alloy.