Gas bag module

• US 6,817,624 B2
• Filed: 03/01/2002
• Issued: 11/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Lorenz, Christian, Neupert, Ralph
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FREEDMAN, LAURA
• Application Number:
  US10/087,501
• Publication Number:
  US 20020121769A1
• Time in Patent Office: 991 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.2, 280/728.3, 280/731, 280/739, 280/740, 280/743.1
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/21543 with emblems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/239 characterised by their venting means

Abstract

The invention relates to a gas bag module comprising a gas bag which has a gas bag wall with a front wall section. The module further comprises a cover which has a given annular section which closes an annular outlet opening for the gas bag and has a stationary central portion which is surrounded by the annular section. A section of the gas bag wall other than the front section has an outflow opening which in a folded state of the gas bag is arranged beneath the central portion in such a manner that on outlet of the gas bag, the central portion arrives via the outflow opening into an interior of the gas bag.

Claims

1. A gas bag module comprising:

a gas bag which has a gas bag wall with a front wall section, and

a cover including a stationary central portion and an annular section surrounding the stationary central portion, said annular section closing an annular opening for said gas bag, and

a section of said gas bag wall other than the front wall section having a gas outflow opening which in a folded state of said gas bag is arranged beneath said central portion in such a manner that upon inflation of said gas bag, said central portion and said gas outflow opening move relatively to each other and, in a fully inflated state of said gas bag, said central portion lies completely within an interior of said gas bag.

2. The gas bag module according to claim 1, wherein said gas outflow opening is provided in a rear wall section of said gas bag wall.

3. The gas bag module according to claim 1, wherein said module is a steering wheel module.

4. The gas bag module according to claim 1, wherein said central portion of said cover is arrested permanently on said module by means of a fastening piece and said fastening piece, in said folded state of said gas bag, projects through said outflow opening.

5. The gas bag module according to claim 4, wherein said annular section and said central portion of said cover are one piece and an emblem, defined as a separate piece, overlies and engages said central portion of said cover, said annular section and said central portion of said cover being separated by an annular tear line upon inflation of said gas bag.

6. The gas bag module according to claim 5, wherein said emblem is arrested on said fastening piece and a fastening of said emblem also serves for fastening of said stationary section on said fastening piece.

7. The gas bag module according to claim 1, wherein said central portion is defined by an emblem constructed as a separate piece from said annular section of said cover.

8. The gas bag module according to claim 7, wherein said emblem is arrested on a fastening piece.

9. The gas bag module according to claim 1, wherein said central portion and said annular section define separate parts of said cover.

10. The gas bag module according to claim 1, wherein a fabric closure element is provided which is arranged on said gas bag wall and upon inflation of said gas bag said closure element at least partially overlying said gas outflow opening to at least partially close said gas outflow opening.