Gas bag module

• US 6,802,532 B2
• Filed: 04/15/2003
• Issued: 10/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Worsch, Jürgen, Heigl, Jürgen, Tietze, Hans-Joachim
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): To, Toan C
• Application Number:
  US10/413,665
• Publication Number:
  US 20030197357A1
• Time in Patent Office: 546 Days
• Field of Search: 280/736, 280/740, 280/741, 280/742
• US Class Current: 280/736
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2615 for diverting the gas into a plurality of bags
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/26 characterised by the inflation fluid source or means to control inflation fluid flow arrangement or mounting thereof to the vehicle B60R21/20; blasting cartridges for producing gas under pressure in general F42B3/04; initiators or igniters therefor F42B3/10

Abstract

A gas bag module comprises a gas generator and a rigid housing in which the gas generator is arranged. The housing has at least two gas outflow channels with one port each, the ports adjoining each other and being directed towards the gas generator and separated from each other by a wall. The gas generator has a continuous gas outflow zone with at least two sections, each of the sections of the gas outflow zone being associated with one of the ports. The housing is constructed such that gas emerging from the sections of the gas outflow zone can only flow into the one of the gas outflow channels which is associated with the respective section.

Claims

1. A gas bag module comprising a gas generator and a rigid housing in which said gas generator is arranged,

said housing having at least two gas outflow channels with one port each, said ports adjoining each other and being directed towards said gas generator and separated from each other by a wall,

said gas generator having a continuous gas outflow zone with at least two sections, each of said sections of said gas outflow zone being associated with one of said ports,

and said housing being constructed such that gas emerging from said sections of said gas outflow zone can only flow into the one of said gas outflow channels which is associated with the respective section.

2. The gas bag module according to claim 1, wherein said wall lies against said gas generator.

3. The gas bag module according to claim 1, wherein said wall separates said ports from each other spatially and with regard to flow, and wherein said wall is a rib which is formed on said housing.

4. The gas bag module according to claim 1, wherein said housing is a one-piece housing made of plastics.

5. The gas bag module according to claim 4, wherein said housing is an injection-molded part.

6. The gas bag module according to claim 1, wherein said gas outflow channels are constructed and arranged such that portions of a quantity of gas flowing out from said gas generator, which flow into respective ones of said gas outflow channels, are unequal.

7. The gas bag module according to claim 6, wherein a ratio of said portions is greater than 60:

40.

8. The gas bag module according to claim 1, wherein said gas generator is a tubular gas generator.

9. The gas bag module according to claim 8, wherein said gas outflow zone extends only across a part of a circumference of said gas generator.

10. The gas bag module according to claim 8, wherein said gas outflow zone is provided on an elongate filter chamber of said gas generator, said filter chamber having a diameter smaller than that of the remaining gas generator.

11. The gas bag module according to claim 1, wherein said housing has a vent opening through which leakage gas flows out in a directed gas stream.

12. The gas bag module according to claim 1, wherein said gas outflow zone has a plurality of outflow openings.

13. The gas bag module according to claim 12, wherein a seal is provided which covers at least one of said outflow openings.

14. The gas bag module according to claim 13, wherein said seal has at least one protrusion which engages in one of said outflow openings.

15. The gas bag module according to claim 13, wherein at least two gas outflow zones are provided, one of which being covered by said seal.

16. The gas bag module according to claim 13, wherein said seal is wedge-shaped as seen in cross-section.

17. The gas bag module according to claim 13, wherein said seal has at least one groove which allows said leakage gas flowing to said vent opening.

18. The gas bag module according to claim 13, wherein said seal has a latching protrusion which is directed towards said housing and engages in a recess of said housing.