Gas generator attachment means for a vehicle safety apparatus

• US 5,836,607 A
• Filed: 03/05/1996
• Issued: 11/17/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1996
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Culbreth, Eric D.
• Application Number:
  US08/611,374
• Time in Patent Office: 987 Days
• Field of Search: 280/741, 280/728.1, 280/728.2, 280/731
• 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

A vehicle safety apparatus (10, 10a) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant during a vehicle collision above a predetermined threshold. The apparatus (10, 10a) includes a reaction canister (14, 14a), an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (16) located in the reaction canister, and an inflator (18, 18a) for supplying inflation fluid to inflate the vehicle occupant protection device. The reaction canister (14, 14a) has a main body portion (20), a first end wall (24) and a second end wall (26, 26a) opposing the first end wall. The first and second end walls (24, 26, and 26a) are fixed to the main body portion (20) and define a chamber (40). The first end wall (24) has an inner surface (46) and an outer surface (48). A first opening (52) having a first diameter is formed in the first end wall. The inflator (18, 18a) has a cylindrical body portion (82, 82a) having a first end (86) and a second end (90, 90a) opposite the first end. A flange member (130) is fixed to the first end (86) of the inflator (18, 18a). The inflator (18, 18a) is axially insertable through, the first opening (52), into the chamber (40). The flange member 130 is clamped against the outer surface (48) of the first end wall (24). The inflator (18, 18a) is supported on the second end wall (26, 26a).

Claims

1. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle during a vehicle collision above a predetermined threshold, said apparatus comprising:

a reaction canister;

an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device located in said reaction canister;

an inflator for supplying inflation fluid to inflate said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device;

said reaction canister having a main body portion, a first end wall and a second end wall opposing said first end wall, said first and second end walls being fixed to said main body portion and defining a chamber, said first end wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, said first end wall further having a first opening therein having a first diameter, said second end wall also having an inner surface and an outer surface;

said inflator having a cylindrical body portion having a first end terminating in a first end wall and a second end opposite said first end, said cylindrical body portion having a second diameter smaller than said first diameter, said inflator being axially insertable, through said first opening, into said chamber;

a flange member fixed to said first end wall of said inflator;

means for clamping said flange member against said outer surface of said first end wall; and

means for supporting said inflator on said second end wall;

said means for supporting said inflator on said second end wall comprising a plurality of screws, each of said plurality of screws being insertable (i) through one of a plurality of openings in said second end wall and (ii) into one of a plurality of threaded openings in said second end of said inflator, each of said screws, when inserted through one of said plurality of openings and into one of said plurality of threaded openings being secured to said inflator for supporting said inflator on said second end wall;

said outer surface of said first end wall comprising a tapered rim portion defining said first opening, and said means for clamping said flange member against said outer surface of said first end wall comprising said screws, which when secured to said inflator, urge portions of said flange member into said tapered rim portion and clamp said flange member against said outer surface of said first end wall.

2. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle during a vehicle collision above a predetermined threshold, said apparatus comprising:

a reaction canister;

an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device located in said reaction canister;

an inflator for supplying inflation fluid to inflate said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device;

said reaction canister having a main body portion, a first end wall, and a second end wall opposing said first end wall, said main body and said first and second end walls defining a chamber, said first end wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, said first end wall further having a first opening therein having a first diameter, said second end wall also having an inner surface and an outer surface, said second end wall further having a plurality of openings;

said inflator having a cylindrical body portion having a first end and a second end opposite said first end, said cylindrical body portion having a second diameter smaller than said first diameter, said second end having a plurality of threaded openings;

a flange member fixed to said first end of said inflator, said inflator being axially insertable, through said first opening, into said chamber;

means for clamping said flange member against said outer surface of said first end wall, said second end of said inflator abutting said second end wall when said inflator is inserted completely into said chamber; and

a plurality of screws, each of said plurality of screws being insertable through one of said plurality of openings and into one of said plurality of threaded openings, each of said screws, when inserted through one of said plurality of openings and into one of said plurality of threaded openings being secured to said inflator for supporting said inflator on said second end wall;

said second end wall having a circular portion, said second end of said inflator abutting said second end wall at said circular portion when said inflator is inserted completely into said chamber;

said second end wall having means for guiding said second end of said inflator to said circular portion;

said means for guiding said second end of said inflator to said circular portion comprises an annular rib portion disposed on said second end wall, said annular rib portion circumscribing said circular portion and having an inwardly curved surface extending to the circumference of said circular portion.

3. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle during a vehicle collision above a predetermined threshold, said apparatus comprising:

a reaction canister;

an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device located in said reaction canister;

an inflator for supplying inflation fluid to inflate said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device;

said reaction canister having a main body portion, a first end wall, and a second end wall opposing said first end wall, said main body and said first and second end walls defining a chamber, said first end wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, said first end wall further having a first opening therein having a first diameter, said second end wall also having an inner surface and an outer surface, said second end wall further having a plurality of openings;

said inflator having a cylindrical body portion having a first end and a second end opposite said first end, said cylindrical body portion having a second diameter smaller than said first diameter, said second end having a plurality of threaded openings;

a flange member fixed to said first end of said inflator, said inflator being axially insertable, through said first opening, into said chamber;

means for clamping said flange member against said outer surface of said first end wall, said second end of said inflator abutting said second end wall when said inflator is inserted completely into said chamber; and

a plurality of screws, each of said plurality of screws being insertable through one of said plurality of openings and into one of said plurality of threaded openings, each of said screws, when inserted through one of said plurality of openings and into one of said plurality of threaded openings being secured to said inflator for supporting said inflator on said second end wall;

said outer surface of said first end wall comprising a tapered rim portion defining said first opening, and said means for clamping said flange member against said outer surface of said first end wall comprises said screws, which when secured to said inflator, urge portions of said flange member into said tapered rim portion and clamp said flange member against said outer surface of said first end wall.

4. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle during a vehicle collision above a predetermined threshold, said apparatus comprising:

a reaction canister;

an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device located in said reaction canister;

an inflator for supplying inflation fluid to inflate said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device;

said reaction canister having a main body portion, a first end wall and a second end wall opposing said first end wall, said first and second end walls being fixed to said main body portion and defining a chamber, said first end wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, said first end wall further having a first opening therein having a first diameter, said second end wall also having an inner surface and an outer surface;

said inflator having a cylindrical body portion centered on an axis, said inflator body portion having a first end terminating in a first end wall and a second end opposite said first end, said cylindrical body portion having a second diameter smaller than said first diameter, said inflator being axially insertable, through said first opening, into said chamber;

a flange member having a first planar portion fixed to said first end wall of said inflator and a second planar portion spaced along said axis in a direction away from said inflator and from said first planar portion;

means for clamping said second planar portion of said flange member against said outer surface of said first end wall;

means for supporting said inflator on said second end wall; and

said means for supporting said inflator on said second end wall comprises a flanged rim portion of said second end wall defining a second opening, said inflator having a circular O-ring received about said second end of said inflator, said second end of said inflator being received within said second opening with said O-ring engaging said flanged rim portion.

5. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle during a vehicle collision above a predetermined threshold, said apparatus comprising:

a reaction canister;

an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device located in said reaction canister;

an inflator for supplying inflation fluid to inflate said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device;

said reaction canister having a main body portion, a first end wall and a second end wall opposing said first end wall, said first and second end walls being fixed to said main body portion and defining a chamber, said first end wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, said first end wall further having a first opening therein having a first diameter, said second end wall also having an inner surface and an outer surface;

said inflator having a cylindrical body portion centered on an axis, said inflator body portion having a first end terminating in a first end wall and a second end opposite said first end, said cylindrical body portion having a second diameter smaller than said first diameter, said inflator being axially insertable, through said first opening, into said chamber;

a flange member having a first planar portion fixed to said first end wall of said inflator and a second planar portion spaced along said axis in a direction away from said inflator and from said first planar portion;

means for clamping said second planar portion of said flange member against said outer surface of said first end wall;

means for supporting said inflator on said second end wall;

said means for clamping said second planar portion of said flange member against said outer surface of said first end wall comprises a plurality of rivets extending through said second planar portion of said flange member and said first end wall; and

said means for supporting said inflator on said second end wall comprises a flanged rim portion of said second end wall defining a second opening, said inflator having a circular O-ring received about said second end of said inflator, said second end of said inflator being received within said second opening with said O-ring engaging said flanged rim portion.