Airbag apparatus

• US 6,409,209 B2
• Filed: 04/17/2001
• Issued: 06/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Takata Corporation (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Takata Corporation (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Igawa, Tadahiro, Amamori, Ichiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WINNER, TONY H
• Application Number:
  US09/835,850
• Publication Number:
  US 20010035632A1
• Time in Patent Office: 434 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.2, 280/736, 280/741, 280/743.2
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/21525 the lid being fixed on the bag, or forming part of the bag wall, or the bag itself being used as wall liner
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/203 in steering wheels or steering columns
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/216 comprising tether means for limitation of cover motion during deployment
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/233 comprising a plurality of individual compartments; comprising two or more bag-like members, one within the other B60R21/232 takes precedence

Abstract

An airbag apparatus is formed of a base member, an airbag situated above the base member, an airbag-fitting member disposed on the base member to attach the airbag to the base member, an inflator for generating gas to inflate the airbag, and a module cover for covering the airbag in a folded condition. The inflator has a smooth side face without a projection projecting outwardly from the side face of the inflator, and is fixed to the base member by the airbag-fitting member. The inflator can be easily formed and attached to the base member.

Claims

1. An airbag apparatus comprising:

a base member including an inflator-reception area having an opening, a peripheral wall extending rearwardly around the opening and an inward flange disposed in a rear end of the peripheral wall to extend inwardly therefrom and form a center opening,

an airbag situated above the base member,

an airbag-fitting member disposed on the base member to attach the airbag between the airbag-fitting member and the base member and including a capping portion having an opening, a peripheral wall extending forwardly around the opening and an inward flange disposed in a front end of the peripheral wall to extend inwardly therefrom and form a center opening,

an inflator for generating gas to inflate the airbag, said inflator having a smooth side face without a projection projecting outwardly from the side face of the inflator and being disposed in the openings of the inflator-reception area and the capping portion, said inflator being held between the inward flanges of the inflator-reception area and the capping portion and fixed to the base member by the airbag-fitting member, and

a module cover for covering the airbag in a folded condition.

2. An airbag apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said airbag is arranged on a front face of the base member, said base member having an opening inside the inward flange, said airbag-fitting member having an opening inside the inward flange.

3. An airbag apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said accommodating area is formed integrally with the base member.

4. An airbag apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said accommodating area is formed separately from the base member and is fixed thereto.

5. An airbag apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a first engaging portion formed on the inflator, and a second engaging portion engaging the first engaging portion formed on one of the airbag-fitting member and base member so that the inflator does not move when fixed.

6. An airbag apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a strap for connecting the airbag fitting member to a front face of the airbag.

7. An airbag apparatus comprising:

a base member having an accommodating area,

an airbag situated above and arranged on a front face of the base member,

an airbag-fitting member disposed on the base member to attach the airbag to the base member and having a capping portion and a plurality of claws passing through the airbag and the base member so that when the claws passing through the airbag and the base member are bent, the airbag-fitting member is fixed to the base member,

an inflator for generating gas to inflate the airbag, said inflator having a smooth side face without a projection projecting outwardly from the side face of the inflator and being accommodated at the accommodating area, said capping portion being located on a front face of the inflator to hold the inflator thereat so that the inflator is fixed to the base member by the capping portion of the airbag-fitting member, and

a module cover for covering the airbag in a folded condition.

8. An airbag apparatus comprising:

a base member having an accommodating area,

an airbag situated above and arranged on a front face of the base member,

an airbag-fitting member disposed on the base member to attach the airbag to the base member and having a capping portion,

an inflator for generating gas to inflate the airbag, said inflator having a smooth side face without a projection projecting outwardly from the side face of the inflator and being accommodated at the accommodating area, said capping portion being located on a front face of the inflator to hold the inflator thereat so that the inflator is fixed to the base member by the capping portion of the airbag-fitting member,

a module cover for covering the airbag in a folded condition, and

a switch disposed between the front face of the inflator and a front face of the module cover, said switch being supported by the capping portion of the airbag-fitting member.

9. An airbag apparatus comprising:

a base member,

an airbag situated above the base member,

an airbag-fitting member disposed on the base member to attach the airbag to the base member,

an inflator for generating gas to inflate the airbag, said inflator having a smooth side face without a projection projecting outwardly from the side face of the inflator and being fixed to the base member by the airbag-fitting member,

a module cover for covering the airbag in a folded condition, and

an emblem and a strap, one of the module cover and the emblem being attached to a front face of the airbag and being connected to the airbag-fitting member by the strap.