Airbag arrangement having thrust-neutral outlet cross-sections of the gas generator

• US 7,669,894 B2
• Filed: 12/01/2005
• Issued: 03/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Autoliv Development AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv Development AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hellberg, Per, Leo, Josephine, Mazanek, Jan, Johannson, Niclas, Lindberg, Ken, Axelsson, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson; Paul N
• Assistant Examiner(s): BROWN, DREW J
• Application Number:
  US11/721,322
• Publication Number:
  US 20090236838A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,552 Days
• Field of Search: 280/742, 280/736, 280/730.2, 280/740, 280/741
• US Class Current: 280/742
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2615 for diverting the gas into a plurality of bags
• 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

Abstract

An airbag system is disclosed comprising a gas generator and an airbag having at least two inflatable airbag regions. The airbag regions are attached to the gas generator by an interconnecting a T-shaped connecting piece having symmetrically opposed outlet stubs with differently sized outlet cross-sections for inflating the airbag regions. In order to neutralize the thrust of the system in case of accidental fire, several means for controlling the outlet cross-section on at least one of the outlet stubs are disclosed.

Claims

1. An airbag system comprising:

a gas generator;

an airbag having at least two inflatable airbag regions;

an interconnecting T-shaped connecting piece attached to the gas generator and to the airbag, and having two symmetrically opposed outlet stubs, wherein the outlet stubs have differently sized outlet cross sections, and further wherein each outlet stub has a discharge opening on its face; and

a means for controlling the outlet cross section of at least one of the outlet stubs so that the airbag system produces substantially neutral thrust in a fire if the gas generator is activated.

2. An airbag system according to claim 1, wherein an insert comprised of non-heat-resistant material is arranged in at least one of the outlet stubs to reduce the cross-section of said outlet stub.

3. An airbag system according to claim 2, wherein the insert comprises a bolt introduced into the outlet stub from the outside of the connecting piece through a boring configured in a wall of the outlet stub and further wherein a portion of the bolt lying within an interior cavity of the outlet stub is comprised of a non-heat-resistant material.

4. An airbag system according to claim 3, wherein the bolt can be screwed into the boring, and further wherein the introduced end of the bolt reaches the opposite wall of the connecting piece, and further wherein the portions of the bolt lying within the walls of the are comprised of a heat-resistant material.

5. An airbag system according to claim 2, wherein the insert comprises a baffle plate having a defined outlet cross-section.

6. An airbag system according to claim 5, wherein at least two baffle plates having different outlet cross-sections are inserted into the outlet stubs.

7. An airbag system according to claim 2, wherein the insert comprises a three-armed baffle body inserted into a connecting area between the two outlet stubs and a central inlet stub attached to the gas generator.

8. An airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the area of at least one outlet cross section is reduced by means of a bushing fixed to at least one of the outlet stubs, said bushing being comprised of a non-heat-resistant material.

9. An airbag system according to claim 8, wherein the bushing is pushed onto the outlet stub.

10. An airbag system according to claim 8, wherein the bushing comprises at least one slot, which extends over a portion of its longitudinal length.

11. An airbag system according to claim 10, wherein the bushing comprises two slots circumferentially opposite one another.

12. An airbag system according to claim 10, wherein the slot terminates in a stop hole.

13. An airbag system according to claim 8, further comprising a flange surrounding the outside of the outlet stub and a groove formed around the inside wall of the bushing and located to mate with the flange.

14. An airbag system according to claim 8, further comprising a collar band securing the airbag to at least one of the outlet stubs.

15. An airbag system according to claim 8, wherein the bushing is internally pushed into the outlet stub and fixed within the outlet stub.

16. An airbag system according to claim 8, further comprising a collar band securing the bushing to at least one of the outlet stubs.