Simplified passenger airbag module using the inflator as a structural member
First Claim
1. In a passenger airbag module comprisinga diffuser/retainer tube having a side that contains at least one aperture and into which diffuser/retainer tube generator means may be inserted, said generator means being of the type responsive to a control signal, for generating gas to inflate an airbag means, andinflatable means responsive to the gas, for protecting, when activated, an occupant of a vehicle comprising a cushion assembly, said cushion assembly having a gas inlet opening with a loop extending therefrom that is sized to envelop said diffuser/retainer tube, said cushion assembly being disposed in a compacted or stored condition prior to deployment with said gas inlet opening proximate said side of said diffuser/retainer tube that contains at least one aperture, and said loop enveloping said diffuser/retainer tube,the improvement comprising said diffuser/retainer tube including at least one T-tab that protrudes outwardly from a side thereon remote from said at least one aperture at a position that is intermediate the length of said diffuser/retainer tube,said diffuser/retainer tube being positioned into said cushion assembly where said at least one T-tab is inserted through at least one small hole that is provided in the loop of said cushion assembly,a module housing into which said diffuser/retainer tube/cushion assembly is insertable, said module housing having at least one "T" slot which with said at least one T-tab interlocks, which interlocking occurs initially when said diffuser/retainer tube is shifted axially with respect to said module housing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A simplified, low cost, passenger airbag module that is particularly suited for stamped steel construction and is easy to assemble, uses the inflator as a structural member, specifically, as an axial tension member, requires only one fastener member, and reduces the number of module parts to six (6) (excluding a decorative cover).
21 Citations
13 Claims
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1. In a passenger airbag module comprising
a diffuser/retainer tube having a side that contains at least one aperture and into which diffuser/retainer tube generator means may be inserted, said generator means being of the type responsive to a control signal, for generating gas to inflate an airbag means, and inflatable means responsive to the gas, for protecting, when activated, an occupant of a vehicle comprising a cushion assembly, said cushion assembly having a gas inlet opening with a loop extending therefrom that is sized to envelop said diffuser/retainer tube, said cushion assembly being disposed in a compacted or stored condition prior to deployment with said gas inlet opening proximate said side of said diffuser/retainer tube that contains at least one aperture, and said loop enveloping said diffuser/retainer tube, the improvement comprising said diffuser/retainer tube including at least one T-tab that protrudes outwardly from a side thereon remote from said at least one aperture at a position that is intermediate the length of said diffuser/retainer tube, said diffuser/retainer tube being positioned into said cushion assembly where said at least one T-tab is inserted through at least one small hole that is provided in the loop of said cushion assembly, a module housing into which said diffuser/retainer tube/cushion assembly is insertable, said module housing having at least one "T" slot which with said at least one T-tab interlocks, which interlocking occurs initially when said diffuser/retainer tube is shifted axially with respect to said module housing.
Specification