Gas bag module for a vehicle occupant restraint system and method for producing a gas bag module

• US 6,199,896 B1
• Filed: 04/16/1999
• Issued: 03/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Brucker, Roland
• Primary Examiner(s): English, Peter C.
• Application Number:
  US09/293,812
• Time in Patent Office: 697 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.2, 280/730.1, 280/730.2, 280/732, 280/740, 280/728.3
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2617 Curtain bag nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/20 Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2176 the air bag components being completely enclosed in a soft or semi-rigid housing or cover

Abstract

A gas bag module for a vehicle occupant restraint system comprises an elongated housing which consists of two side pieces and in which a flow channel for compressed gas is provided, a gas bag which can be transferred by the compressed gas from a folded position into an unfolded position and which is accommodated in the housing in its unfolded position, and a closure plate constructed in one piece with one of the side pieces. The flow channel is formed by the side pieces of the housing and by the closure plate. The closure plate has passages for the compressed gas. Further, a method or producing a gas bag module is provided wherein the flow channel is formed by bending a cast or injection molded plastic housing.

Claims

1. A gas bag module for a vehicle occupant restraint system, said module comprising:

an elongated housing which comprises two side pieces and in which a flow channel for compressed gas is provided;

a gas bag which can be transferred by means of said compressed gas from a folded position into an unfolded position and which is accommodated in said housing in its folded position, and a closure plate constructed in one piece with one of said side pieces;

said flow channel being formed by said side pieces of said housing and by said closure plate; and

said closure plate having passages for said compressed gas, said two side pieces touching each other on a side of said gas bag facing away from said flow channel, so that said housing is closed there.

2. The gas bag module according to claim 1, wherein said two side pieces are constructed in one piece with each other and wherein between the two side pieces a tear line is preformed on said side of said gas bag facing away from said flow channel.

3. The gas bag module according to claim 1, wherein said two side pieces are constructed as separate parts and are fastened to each other on said side of said gas bag facing away from said flow channel.

4. The gas bag module according to claim 3, wherein said two side pieces are fastened to each other by means of a latching connection on the side of said gas bag facing away from said flow channel.

5. The gas bag module according to claim 3, wherein said two side pieces consist of different materials.

6. The gas bag module according to claim 1, wherein said housing is constructed of a plastic material.

7. The gas bag module according to claim 6, wherein said plastic material is one of an injection-molded plastic material and a cast plastic material.

8. The gas bag module according to claim 1, wherein said closure plate is attached to the one side piece not formed with said closure plate by a clip connection.

9. A gas bag module for a vehicle occupant restraint system, said module comprising:

an elongated housing which comprises two side pieces and in which a flow channel for compressed gas is provided;

a gas bag which can be transferred by means of said compressed gas from a folded position into an unfolded position and which is accommodated in said housing in its folded position; and

a closure plate constructed in one piece with one of said side pieces;

said flow channel being formed by said side pieces of said housing and by said closure plate, said closure plate having passages for said compressed gas, wherein projections are formed on said closure plate, said projections engaging into openings constructed in one of said side pieces.

10. The gas bag module according to claim 9, wherein said gas bag is provided with tongues into which said projections engage.

11. A gas bag module for a vehicle occupant restraint system, said module comprising:

an elongated housing which comprises two side pieces and in which a flow channel for compressed gas is provided;

a gas bag which can be transferred by means of said compressed gas from a folded position into an unfolded position and which is accommodated in said housing in its folded position; and

a closure plate constructed in one piece with one of said side pieces;

said flow channel being formed by said side pieces of said housing and by said closure plate, said closure plate having passages for said compressed gas, wherein on one of said side pieces a fixing plate is provided, said fixing plate being connected to said one side piece by means of a bending line which extends parallel to said one side piece, said fixing plate being provided with a groove to receive an edge of said gas bag, said closure plate being provided on an edge of said fixing plate facing away from said bending line.

12. A gas bag module for a vehicle occupant restraint system, said module comprising:

an elongated housing which comprises two side pieces and in which a flow channel for compressed gas is provided;

a gas bag which can be transferred by means of said compressed gas from a folded position into an unfolded position and which is accommodated in said housing in its folded position; and

a closure plate constructed in one piece with one of said side pieces;

said flow channel being formed by said side pieces of said housing and by said closure plate, said closure plate having passages for said compressed gas, the other of said side pieces not being provided with said closure plate, said other of said side pieces being provided with reinforcement elements which reinforce said flow channel.

13. A method for producing a gas bag module for a vehicle occupant restraint system, said module comprising:

an elongated housing which comprises two side pieces and in which a flow channel for compressed gas is provided;

a gas bag which can be transferred by means of said compressed gas from a folded position into an unfolded position and which is accommodated in said housing in its folded position; and

a closure plate constructed in one piece with one of said side pieces, the other of said side pieces not being constructed with said closure plate;

said flow channel being formed by said side pieces of said housing and by said closure plate, said closure plate having passages for said compressed gas, said housing being constructed of plastic and being a shaped part in one piece, said method comprising the steps of;

providing said housing without a closed profile in an open position;

bending said housing to form said flow channel; and

connecting bent sections of said housing.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein said step of bending said housing comprises bending said side pieces to form said bent sections, said side pieces being kept a constant distance from each other via said closure plate.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein said step of connecting said bent sections of said housing comprises attaching said closure plate to the other of said side pieces by a clip connection.

16. A method for producing a gas bag module, said module comprising:

an elongated housing which comprises two side pieces and in which a flow channel for compressed gas is provided;

a gas bag which can be transferred by means of said compressed gas from a folded position into an unfolded position and which is accommodated in said housing in its folded position; and

a closure plate constructed in one piece with one of said side pieces;

said housing having an open state immediately after its production in which state said gas bag can be inserted into said housing, and having a closed state after insertion of said gas bag in which state the gas bag module is to be attached to a vehicle;

said flow channel being formed by said side pieces of said housing and by said closure plate, said closure plate having passages for said compressed gas, said method comprising the steps of;

constructing said housing of one of injection molded plastic material and cast plastic material;

providing said housing in the open state free from closed profiles;

inserting said gas bag into said housing in said folded position;

closing said housing, said flow channel being likewise closed by the closing action; and

connecting said side pieces, said side pieces lying opposite each other by said closing action, said side pieces being connected to each other in such a way that they are kept to a constant distance.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein said step of closing said housing further comprises closing a chamber for accommodating said gas bag.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein said step of connecting said side pieces further comprises connecting said side pieces to each other with said closure plate.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein said step of connecting said side pieces comprises connecting said side pieces to each other by a cover formed in one piece with one of the side pieces.