Gas bag module

• US 7,364,193 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2005
• Issued: 04/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Freudenberger, Klaus, Schneider, Michael, Deckenhoff, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson; Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ROCCA, JOSEPH M
• Application Number:
  US11/241,483
• Publication Number:
  US 20060071463A1
• Time in Patent Office: 942 Days
• Field of Search: 280/739, 280/740, 280/741, 280/742, 280/728.2, 280/736
• US Class Current: 280/739
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2765 comprising means to control the venting
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/239 characterised by their venting means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/276 with means to vent the inflation fluid source, e.g. in case of overpressure B60R21/30 takes precedence; venting means on inflatable member walls B60R21/239

Abstract

A gas bag module includes a gas bag, a gas generator, a first and a second fastening element, a section of the gas bag being fastened between the first and the second fastening elements, and a discharge opening for diverting gas generated by the gas generator and introduced into the gas bag. The discharge opening can be brought from a closed state into an opened state and comprises at least one opening in the first and in the second fastening elements. A section of the gas bag extends over the discharge opening in the closed state and the gas bag is exposed towards an interior of the gas bag in a region of the discharge opening. Means are provided which partially destroy the gas bag in the region of the discharge opening, in order to uncover the discharge opening.

Claims

1. A gas bag module comprising:

a gas bag (12),

a gas generator (14),

a first fastening element and a second fastening element, a section of said gas bag (12) being fastened between said first and said second fastening elements,

a discharge opening (24) for diverting gas generated by said gas generator (14) and introduced into said gas bag (12), said discharge opening being able to be brought from a closed state into an opened state and comprising at least one opening (20, 22) in said first and in said second fastening elements, with a section of said gas bag (12) extending over said discharge opening (24) in said closed state and said gas bag (12) being exposed in a region of said discharge opening (24) towards an interior of said gas bag,

and means which partially destroy said gas bag (12) in said region of said discharge opening (24), in order to uncover said discharge opening (24), said means (24) for uncovering said discharge opening (24) are additional means functionally separated from said gas generator (14).

2. The gas bag module according to claim 1, wherein said gas bag (12) is tensioned over said discharge opening (24).

3. The gas bag module according to claim 1, wherein said means for uncovering said discharge opening (24) comprise a pyrotechnic unit (25;

32).

4. The gas bag module according to claim 3, wherein said pyrotechnic unit (32) is triggered by an igniter (13) of said gas generator (14).

5. The gas bag module according to claim 4, wherein said means for uncovering said discharge opening (24) have a tube (34;

34′

) which is connected with said igniter (36).

6. The gas bag module according to claim 5, wherein said tube (34) is filled with a pyrotechnic material.

7. The gas bag module according to claim 5, wherein said tube (34′

) is provided with several openings (38) through which, on actuation of said igniter (36), hot gas emerges and flows towards said gas bag (12) in said region of said discharge opening (24), in order to destroy said gas bag in a defined manner.

8. The gas bag module according to claim 3, wherein said pyrotechnic unit (32) is triggered by a separate igniter (29;

36).

9. The gas bag module according to claim 1, wherein said means for uncovering said discharge opening (24) comprise a pre-stressed drive spring (27).

10. The gas bag module according to claim 1, wherein said means for uncovering said discharge opening (24) have a hinged cutting device (26).

11. The gas bag module according to claim 1, wherein said means for uncovering said discharge opening have one of a match cord and detonating cord (40).

12. The gas bag module according to claim 11, wherein said one of a match cord and detonating cord (40) is arranged so close to a fabric of said gas bag that it destroys said gas bag fabric directly.

13. The gas bag module according to claim 12, wherein said one of a match cord and detonating cord (40) is constructed as a cord which in said closed state of said discharge opening (24) is guided at least once through said gas bag fabric.

14. A gas bag module comprising:

a gas bag (12);

a gas generator (14);

a first fastening element and a second fastening element, a section of said gas bag (12) being fastened between said first and said second fastening elements;

a discharge opening (24) for diverting gas generated by said gas generator (14) and introduced into said gas bag (12), said discharge opening being able to be brought from a closed state into an opened state and comprising at least one opening (20, 22) in said first and in said second fastening elements, with a section of said gas bag (12) extending over said discharge opening (24) in said closed state and said gas bag (12) being exposed in a region of said discharge opening (24) towards an interior of said gas bag; and

means which partially destroy said gas bag (12) in said region of said discharge opening (24), in order to uncover said discharge opening (24), wherein said means for uncovering said discharge opening (24) destroy said gas bag (12) substantially along an open contour in the shape of one of a U-shaped and an open circular line.

15. A gas bag module comprising:

a gas baa (12);

a gas generator (14);

a first fastening element and a second fastening element, a section of said gas bag (12) being fastened between said first and said second fastening elements;

a discharge opening (24) for diverting gas generated by said gas generator (14) and introduced into said gas bag (12), said discharge opening being able to be brought from a closed state into an opened state and comprising at least one opening (20, 22) in said first and in said second fastening elements, with a section of said gas bag (12) extending over said discharge opening (24) in said closed state and said gas bag (12) being exposed in a region of said discharge opening (24) towards an interior of said gas bag; and

means which partially destroy said gas bag (12) in said region of said discharge opening (24), in order to uncover said discharge opening (24), wherein said means for uncovering said discharge opening (24) are arranged at least partially along an edge of said discharge opening (24).