Airbag module having an airbag with a receiving pocket for the gas generator

• US 6,447,003 B1
• Filed: 08/20/1999
• Issued: 09/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Wallentin, Rainer, Weberpals, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Boehler, Anne Marie
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fleming, Faye M.
• Application Number:
  US09/380,057
• Publication Number:
  US 20020079682A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,117 Days
• Field of Search: 280/743.1, 280/728.1, 280/728.2, 280/730.2
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23547 one piece weaving
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/23 Inflatable members B60R21/18 takes precedence; connection to inflation fluid source retainers B60R21/217

Abstract

An airbag module has an airbag made of two fabric layers each having a lateral offset. The two fabric layers are circumferentially connected to one another by a seam. The lateral offsets together form a receiving pocket into which a gas generator is inserted. The gas generator has projecting pin-shaped securing elements. The pocket has penetrating openings and at least one fabric flap. The flap has an auxiliary opening. The pin-shaped securing elements are received in the penetrating openings to thereby secure the gas generator in the pocket. The flap, after insertion of the gas generator into the pocket and of pin-shaped securing elements in penetrating openings, is folded over such that the auxiliary opening is placed onto one of the pin-shaped securing elements.

Claims

1. An airbag module comprising:

an airbag (10) comprised of two fabric layers (11, 12);

said two fabric layers (11, 12) each having a lateral offset (16);

said two fabric layers (11, 12) circumferentially connected to one another by a seam (13), wherein said seam (13) connects said lateral offsets (16) along longitudinal edges of said offsets (16) to form a receiving pocket (17), wherein said receiving pocket is closed only on one side;

a gas generator (14) inserted into said receiving pocket (17);

said gas generator (14) comprising projecting pin-shaped securing means (15);

said pocket (17) having penetrating openings (18) and at least one fabric flap (20);

said flap having an auxiliary opening (21);

said pin-shaped securing means (15) received in said penetrating openings (18) to thereby secure said gas generator (14) in said pocket (17);

said flap (20), after insertion of said gas generator into said pocket (17) and of said pin-shaped securing means (15) in said penetrating openings (18), folded over such that said auxiliary opening (21) is placed onto one of said pin-shaped securing means (15), wherein said seam (13) closes a first end of said pocket (17) and wherein a second end of said pocket (17) has a single insertion opening (19) for said gas generator (14).

2. The airbag module according to claim 1, wherein said insertion opening (19) of said pocket (17) has a diverging portion (22) and wherein said flap (20) to be folded about said gas generator (14) extends into an area of said diverging portion (22).

3. The airbag module according to claim 1, wherein over a length of said gas generator (14) at least two of said pin-shaped securing means (15) are distributed and wherein said pocket (17) has a matching number and arrangement of said penetrating openings (18).

4. The airbag module according to claim 1, wherein said seam (13) is produced by sewing said two fabric layers (11, 12) together.

5. The airbag module according to claim 1, wherein said seam (13) is a woven connection of said two fabric layers (11, 12) produced during weaving of said airbag (10).

6. The airbag module according to claim 1, wherein said securing means (15) are fastening screws projecting from said gas generator (14) and threaded into matching bores of said gas generator (14).

7. The airbag module according to claim 1, wherein said fastening means (15) additionally secure said gas generator (14) to a vehicle structure.