Assembly for a side gas bag module comprising a housing and a gas generator

• US 7,354,062 B2
• Filed: 05/02/2005
• Issued: 04/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Heigl, Juergen
• Primary Examiner(s): Ilan; Ruth
• Assistant Examiner(s): ROCCA, JOSEPH M
• Application Number:
  US11/120,063
• Publication Number:
  US 20050248134A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,072 Days
• Field of Search: 280/736, 280/740, 280/741, 280/742
• US Class Current: 280/740
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23316 Inner seams, e.g. creating separate compartments or used as tethering means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2617 Curtain bag nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/261 with means other than bag structure to diffuse or guide inflation fluid

Abstract

An assembly for a side gas bag module includes a housing (10) and a gas generator (12) arranged in the housing (10). The housing (10) has at least two outflow openings (20, 22) spaced apart from each other. Between the gas generator (12) and the inner side of the housing (10) flow channels (32) are formed for the gas generated by the gas generator (12). At least one of the flow channels (32) leads to the first outflow opening (20) and at least one of the flow channels (32) leads to the second outflow opening (22). The flow channels (32) are formed by radially inward projecting beads (26, 28) on the housing (10).

Claims

1. An assembly for a side gas bag module, the assembly comprising a housing and a gas generator arranged in the housing, the housing having at least two outflow openings spaced apart from each other, wherein between the gas generator and the inner side of the housing flow channels are formed for the gas generated by the gas generator, at least one of the flow channels leading to the first outflow opening and at least one of the flow channels leading to the second outflow opening, the flow channels being formed by radially inward projecting beads on the housing.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the housing has an elongated cylindrical section and two end sections, the first outflow opening being formed in one of the end sections and the second outflow opening being formed in the cylindrical section of the housing.

3. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein the elongated section defines axial and radial directions, the flow channels and the outflow openings being configured such that the gas escapes from the housing through the first outflow opening in an axial direction and from the second outflow opening in a radial direction.

4. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the gas generator has a diffusor with several discharge openings, the discharge openings being distributed radially over the entire periphery of the diffusor.

5. The assembly according to claim 3, wherein in axial direction on both sides of the discharge openings of the diffusor, beads are provided on the housing, the beads running substantially in a peripheral direction to partially provide for an axial separation for the gas emerging from the discharge openings in the diffusor, the beads not extending over the entire circumference of the housing.

6. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the flow channels are further delimited by beads on the gas generator.

7. A side gas bag module for an occupant restraint system in a motor vehicle, the side gas bag module comprising:

an assembly including a housing and a gas generator arranged in the housing, the housing having at least two outflow openings spaced apart from each other, wherein between the gas generator and the inner side of the housing flow channels are formed for the gas generated by the gas generator, at least one of the flow channels leading to the first outflow opening and at least one of the flow channels leading to the second outflow opening, the flow channels being formed by radially inward projecting beads on the housing; and

a gas bag having at least first and second chambers, the first outflow opening opens into the first chamber and the second outflow opening opens into the second chamber.

8. An occupant restraint system for a motor vehicle, the occupant restraint system including a side gas bag module as defined in claim 7, wherein the assembly is arranged in the region of a C-column or in the region of a D-column of the motor vehicle.