Airbag apparatus

• US 7,431,326 B2
• Filed: 07/22/2005
• Issued: 10/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Japan K.K.
• Original Assignee: Takata Corporation (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Matsui, Yoshitaka, Tsujimoto, Kei, Nakazawa, Wataru
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris; Lesley D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Spisich; George D.
• Application Number:
  US11/186,910
• Publication Number:
  US 20060022437A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,173 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.2, 280/732, 280/740
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2171 specially adapted for elongated cylindrical or bottle-like inflators with a symmetry axis perpendicular to the main direction of bag deployment, e.g. extruded reaction canisters B60R21/2176 takes precedence

Abstract

The positioning of an airbag plate with respect to an inflator is achieved so as to prevent the generation of a rattle that may otherwise be caused by vibrations during vehicle travel. The bottom side of a column-shaped inflator that injects pressurized fluid is supported by a retainer. An opening edge of an airbag body is clamped between an airbag plate and the retainer when the airbag plate, which is located on the upper side of the inflator, is engaged with the retainer. The edge of the bottom opening of the airbag body is clamped between the airbag plate and the inflator. In one embodiment, shoulders, which are provided on the airbag plate, abut both ends of the inflator. In another embodiment, tongue strips, which are provided on the airbag plate, abut both ends of the inflator.

Claims

1. An airbag apparatus comprising:

a retainer that is configured to support a bottom side of an elongated inflator; and

an airbag plate that is configured to be connected to the retainer,

wherein the inflator has two ends and is configured to inject pressurized fluid into an airbag body,

wherein the airbag plate is configured to be positioned on an upper side of the inflator,

wherein, when the retainer and the airbag plate are connected, the airbag plate and the retainer are configured to clamp an edge of a bottom opening of the airbag body,

wherein the airbag plate is formed with tongue strips that are configured to abut both ends of the inflator, to inhibit formation of vibrations associated with the inflator,

wherein each of the tongue strips has an arrow tip shape, and

wherein each of the tongue strips penetrates the airbag body proximate the bottom opening.

2. The airbag apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tongue strips are integrally formed with the airbag plate.

3. The airbag apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each end of the airbag plate has a substantially tapered-shape.

4. An airbag module comprising:

an airbag comprising an airbag body;

an elongated inflator having two ends and being supported on a bottom side by a retainer; and

an airbag plate;

wherein the airbag is clamped between the airbag plate and the retainer;

wherein the airbag plate includes tongue shaped strips that are positioned to abut both ends of the inflator to thereby inhibit relative movement between the inflator and the airbag plate,

wherein each of the tongue strips has an arrow tip shape, and

wherein each of the tongue strips penetrates the airbag body proximate a bottom opening of the airbag body.

5. The airbag module of claim 4, wherein each end of the airbag plate has a substantially tapered shape.