Airbag module

• US 6,695,344 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2002
• Issued: 02/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Hauer, Constantin
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis, Christopher P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHARMA, RASHMI K
• Application Number:
  US10/208,933
• Publication Number:
  US 20030042717A1
• Time in Patent Office: 573 Days
• Field of Search: 280/731, 280/728.3, 280/729, 280/741
• US Class Current: 280/731
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/21543 with emblems
• 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

Abstract

An airbag module comprises an airbag and a front cover which is made of plastic. The front cover has a middle part and, surrounding the middle part, a predefined outlet opening for the airbag. In the closed state of said cover, the opening is surrounded by a ring-shaped part of the cover. The ring-shaped part is removed to free the outlet opening when the airbag is unfolded. The middle part is attached to the module in such a way that, when the airbag unfolds, the middle part is prevented from moving freely. The module further comprises a reinforcement ring which is embedded in the middle part and runs adjacent and along an inner edge of the ring-shaped part of the cover and attaches the middle part to the module, preventing it from moving freely when the airbag unfolds.

Claims

1. An airbag module, comprising

an airbag,

a front cover which is made of plastic,

said front cover having a middle part and, surrounding said middle part, a predefined outlet opening for said airbag, said opening in a closed state of said cover being surrounded by a ring-shaped part of said cover, said ring-shaped part being removed to free said outlet opening when said airbag is unfolded, and said middle part being attached to said module in such a way that, when said airbag unfolds, said middle part is prevented from moving freely,

and a reinforcement ring which is embedded in said middle part and runs adjacent and along an inner edge of said ring-shaped part of said cover and attaches said middle part to said module, preventing it from moving freely when said airbag unfolds.

2. The airbag module according to claim 1 further comprising an emblem which is made as a separate part and has at least one attachment projection on a rear side thereof, said attachment projection extending through said middle part of said cover as well as radially inwards with respect to said reinforcement ring.

3. The airbag module according to claim 2, wherein said middle part is of plastics and wherein said attachment projection is only attached to said plastic of said middle part.

4. The airbag module according to claim 3, wherein said attachment projection is bent on said rear side of said middle part.

5. The airbag module according to claim 1, wherein there is provided a pot-shaped diffuser in said module which has a front wall extending towards said middle part of said cover, said reinforcement ring being attached to said diffuser.

6. The airbag module according to claim 2 further comprising a pot-shaped diffuser arranged in said module, said diffusor having a front wall which extends to said middle part of said cover, and said attachment projection protruding through an opening in said diffuser and is deformed on a rear side thereof.

7. The airbag module according to claim 1, wherein said airbag, when inflated, has a front side that faces a vehicle occupant and continues into a centered indentation that is formed in that a middle airbag part running on said rear side of said middle section of said cover is prevented from moving freely out of said module, so that a gas-filled chamber surrounding said indentation is formed.

8. The airbag module according to claim 7, wherein, through said attachment of said reinforcement ring, said middle airbag part is attached to said module and is prevented from moving freely when said airbag unfolds.