Airbag module and a method for the attaching of an airbag to an airbag holder

• US 7,131,661 B2
• Filed: 04/03/2003
• Issued: 11/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Webber, James Lloyd, Asic, Sabina
• Primary Examiner(s): Ilan, Ruth
• Application Number:
  US10/407,156
• Publication Number:
  US 20040041371A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,314 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.2, 280/743.1, 280/728.1, 280/731
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/203 in steering wheels or steering columns
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2035 using modules containing inflator, bag and cover attachable to the steering wheel as a complete sub-unit steering wheel covers with tear lines B60R21/21656; assembling of modules B60R21/217
• 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

Abstract

An airbag module includes an airbag holder, which has a base body and a projection on a peripheral surface of the base body extending around this in full or with the exception of at least one interruption, and an airbag which has an airbag mouth whose peripheral contour is smaller than a peripheral contour enclosing the projection and the base body and which is held at the airbag holder in an end position in which the airbag mouth encloses the base body and thereby engages behind the projection at a first side of the projection.

Claims

1. An airbag module comprising

an airbag holder having a base body and a projection formed on a peripheral surface of the base body;

said projection having a first side and a second side and further comprising a cut-out extending from the first side to the second side, and

an airbag comprising an airbag mouth having a peripheral contour smaller than the projection and engaging the base body adjacent the first side of the projection;

wherein the cut-out is sized and shaped to receive an introduction section of the airbag mouth such that first section of the airbag mouth adjoining the introduction section is arranged on the first side of the projection and a second section of the airbag mouth is arranged on the second side of the projection and further such that rotational movement of the airbag mouth relative to the base body passes the second section of the airbag mouth through the cut-out into position on the first side of the projection, whereupon both the first section and the second section of the airbag mouth are disposed adjacent the first side of the projection.

2. An airbag module in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the cut out is a slot passing through the projection.

3. An airbag module in accordance with claim 2, wherein the airbag mouth has a thickness, and wherein the slot is less than 2 mm wider than the thickness of the airbag mouth.

4. An airbag module in accordance with claim 2 wherein the first side of the projection is planar.

5. An airbag module in accordance with claim 4 wherein the slot comprises a contact surface that is inclined relative to the first side of the projection.

6. An airbag module in accordance with claim 2 wherein the first side of the projection is conical.

8. An airbag module in accordance with claim 1 wherein the airbag mouth is coated for reinforcement.

9. An airbag module in accordance with claim 1 wherein the projection is a first projection, and wherein the base body further comprises a second projection spaced apart from the first projection to form a groove such that the mouth of the airbag is received in the groove.

10. An airbag module in accordance with claim 1, wherein the projection is a first projection, and wherein the airbag mouth is a first airbag mouth, and

wherein the airbag holder comprises a second projection axially offset from the first projection, and

wherein the airbag is a toroidal airbag comprising a second airbag mouth engaging the base body adjacent the second projection.

7. An airbag module in accordance with 1 wherein the base body has a circular cross section adjoining the projection.

11. A method for the attachment of an airbag to an airbag holder, said method comprising

providing an airbag having an airbag mouth;

providing an airbag holder comprising a base body and a projection formed at a peripheral surface of the base body, said projection comprising a first side and a second side and further comprising a cut-out extending from the first side to the second side,

introducing an introduction section of the airbag mouth into the cut-out such that a first section of the airbag mouth is adjacent the first side of the projection and a second section of the airbag mouth is adjacent the second side of the projection; and

moving the airbag mouth rotationally relative to the base body to pass the second side through the cut-out to the first side, such that both the first section and the second section engage the base body adjacent the first side of the projection.