Gas bag restraint device

• US 6,505,851 B2
• Filed: 07/12/2001
• Issued: 01/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Frisch, Ralph
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ilan, Ruth
• Application Number:
  US09/903,850
• Publication Number:
  US 20020005637A1
• Time in Patent Office: 551 Days
• Field of Search: 280/731, 280/743.1, 280/728.3, 280/728.2
• US Class Current: 280/728.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/21543 with emblems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2165 characterised by a tear line for defining a deployment opening
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/21656 Steering wheel covers or similar cup-shaped covers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/217 Inflation fluid source retainers, e.g. reaction canisters; Connection of bags, covers, diffusers or inflation fluid sources therewith or together
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/231 characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2342 Tear seams

Abstract

A gas bag restraint device for restraining an occupant comprises a gas bag module, which has a gas generator and a gas bag with a gas bag wall. The gas bag wall has a front wall facing the occupant, which front wall has a center section with a depression, in relation to an inflated state of the gas bag, so that an annular gas bag chamber surrounding the depression is formed. The device further comprises a module covering which on inflation of the gas bag opens an outlet opening, and a fastening device for the center section, with which the center section is prevented from a movement out of the gas bag module even in the inflated state of the gas bag, so that the depression is formed. The fastening device includes a reinforcement insert integrated into the module covering and fastened to the gas bag module.

Claims

1. A gas bag restraint device for restraining an occupant, said device comprising

a gas bag module, which has a gas generator and a gas bag with a gas bag wall, said gas bag wall having a front wall facing said occupant, which front wall has a center section with a depression, in relation to an inflated state of said gas bag, so that an annular gas bag chamber surrounding said depression is formed,

a module covering which on inflation of said gas bag opens an outlet opening, and

a fastening device for said center section, with which said center section is prevented from a free movement out of said gas bag module even in said inflated state of said gas bag, so that said depression is formed,

said fastening device comprising a reinforcement insert embedded into said module covering and at least one fastener for fastening the reinforcement insert to said gas bag module.

2. The gas bag restraint device according to claim 1, wherein said reinforcement insert is a metal sheet.

3. The gas bag restraint device according to claim 2, wherein at least one holding piece, which protrudes from said module covering, projects from said reinforcement insert of said sheet metal.

4. The gas bag restraint device according to claim 3, wherein said holding piece is a threaded bolt, a sheet metal tongue, a rivet bolt or a section of a bayonet closure.

5. The gas bag restraint device according to claim 1, wherein said reinforcement insert is fastened to said gas generator and said center section is gripped between said front end wall of said gas generator and said module covering.

6. The gas bag restraint device according to claim 1, wherein said reinforcement insert is fastened to a component surrounding said gas generator and said center section is gripped between a front end wall of said component and said module covering.

7. The gas bag restraint device according to claim 6, wherein said component is a cup-shaped diffuser which is turned over said gas generator.

8. A gas bag restraint device for restraining an occupant, said device comprising

a gas bag module, which has a gas generator and a gas bag with a gas bag wall, said gas bag wall having a front wall facing said occupant, which front wall has a center section with a depression, in relation to an inflated state of said gas bag, so that an annular gas bag chamber surrounding said depression is formed,

a module covering which on inflation of said gas bag opens an outlet opening, and

a fastening device for said center section, with which said center section is prevented from a free movement out of said gas bag module even in said inflated state of said gas bag, so that said depression is formed,

said fastening device comprising a reinforcement insert integrated into said module covering and fastened to said gas bag module,

said module covering being formed by one of a foam casing and injection molded casing, said reinforcement insert being encased by one of the foam casing and injection molded casing into said module covering when formed.

9. The gas bag restraint device according to claim 8, wherein said reinforcement insert is a metal sheet.

10. The gas bag restraint device according to claim 9, wherein at least one holding piece, which protrudes from said module covering, projects from said reinforcement insert of said metal sheet.

11. The gas bag restraint device according to claim 10, wherein said holding piece is a threaded bolt, a sheet metal tongue, a rivet bolt or a section of a bayonet closure.

12. The gas bag restraint device according to claim 8, wherein said reinforcement insert is fastened to said gas generator and said center section is gripped between said front end wall of said gas generator and said module covering.

13. The gas bag restraint device according to claim 8, wherein said reinforcement insert is fastened to a component surrounding said gas generator and said center section is gripped between a front end wall of said component and said module covering.

14. The gas bag restraint device according to claim 13, wherein said component is a cup-shaped diffuser which is turned over said gas generator.