Airbag module

• US 7,600,778 B2
• Filed: 05/04/2005
• Issued: 10/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Palo, Anders, Schang, Benoit
• Primary Examiner(s): Ilan; Ruth
• Application Number:
  US11/579,856
• Publication Number:
  US 20070216145A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,623 Days
• Field of Search: 280/736, 280/730.2, 280/740, 280/742
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• 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 airbag module comprising a planar airbag and an elongate gas generator including discharge ports at least partially extending into the airbag. The airbag includes two side walls connected together by an edge region and made of fabric. An opening is disposed in the edge region of the airbag. The gas generator extends through the opening such that an elongate first section of the gas generator is arranged inside the gas bag. A gas-conducting element protects the fabric and is located in the airbag adjacent the opening. The gas-conducting element is made of plastic and includes a forward section having an arcuate cross section including an opening formed between at least two substantially parallel legs.

Claims

1. An airbag module comprising a planar airbag and an elongate gas generator including discharge ports at least partially extending into the airbag;

the airbag including two side walls connected together by an edge region and made of fabric;

an opening being disposed in the edge region of the airbag, the gas generator extending through the opening such that an elongate first section of the gas generator including the discharge ports is arranged inside the airbag; and

a gas-conducting element being positioned inside the airbag adjacent the opening to protect the fabric from hot gasses discharged from the discharge ports, the gas-conducting element being made of plastic and including a forward section having an arcuate cross section including an opening formed between at least two substantially parallel legs, and the gas-conducting element being connected to the fabric.

2. The airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the legs of the forward section of the gas-conducting element are connected to the fabric.

3. The airbag module according to claim 2, wherein the legs are sewn to the fabric.

4. The airbag module according to claim 1, wherein a second section of the gas generator is disposed outside of the airbag.

5. The airbag module according to claim 4, wherein the gas-conducting element includes a rear section having a substantially circular cross section.

6. The airbag module according to claim 5, wherein a strap attaches the rear section of the gas-conducting element to the second section of the gas generator.

7. The airbag module according to claim 5, wherein the rear section is provided with at least one locking projection for securing the gas generator into place.

8. The airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the plastic of the gas-conducting element includes polyamide.

9. The airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the gas-conducting element includes a wall thickness between 0.4 and 0.8 mm.

10. The airbag module according to claim 9, wherein the wall thickness is between 1.5 and 2.5 mm.

11. The airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the discharge ports are disposed rotationally symmetric in a cylindrical external wall of the first section of the gas generator.

12. The airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the edge region of the airbag includes an L-shaped portion adjacent the opening.

13. The airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the gas-conducting element is connected to the fabric by sewing, welding or gluing.

14. The airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the plastic of the gas-conducting element includes a polypropylene.

15. The airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the forward cross-section is U-shaped.