Generator assembly for an airbag module of a motor vehicle

• US 8,047,562 B2
• Filed: 11/21/2007
• Issued: 11/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Germany GmbH (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Takata - Petri AG (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Glöckler, Oliver
• Primary Examiner(s): Ilan; Ruth
• Application Number:
  US12/448,196
• Publication Number:
  US 20090302586A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,441 Days
• Field of Search: 280/730.2, 280/728.2, 280/736, 280/741, 102/530, 102/531
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01006 Mounting of electrical components in vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/217 Inflation fluid source retainers, e.g. reaction canisters; Connection of bags, covers, diffusers or inflation fluid sources therewith or together

Abstract

A generator assembly for an airbag module of a motor vehicle is provided. The generator assembly comprising a gas generator for inflating an airbag of an airbag module with gas, wherein the gas generator defines with its generator housing a lateral surface that extends between a first and a second frontal cover surface of the gas generator, and means for electrically insulating the gas generator with respect to adjacent parts. For electrical insulation of the gas generator a flexible material layer is provided that completely covers the lateral surface of the gas generator. A systematic, defined grounding of the gas generator via a grounding conductor is carried out which is connected to an electrical connection of the gas generator that is integrated into a connector area of the gas generator.

Claims

1. A generator assembly for an airbag module of a motor vehicle, comprising:

a gas generator for inflating an airbag of the airbag module with gas, wherein the gas generator defines with its generator housing a lateral surface that extends between a first frontal cover surface and a second frontal cover surface of the gas generator,

a flexible material layer for electrically insulating the gas generator with respect adjacent parts, the flexible material layer being provided such that the flexible material layer completely covers the lateral surface of the gas generator,

wherein the flexible material layer is formed by a section of the airbag,

wherein a systematic defined grounding of the gas generator via a grounding conductor is carried out which is connected to an electrical connection of the gas generator that is integrated into a connector area of the gas generator, and

wherein, upon inflation of the airbag, the flexible material layer retains its spatial position in front of an outer side of the gas generator facing the flexible material layer.

2. The generator assembly according to claim 1, wherein the flexible material layer in a form of a flexible covering encloses the gas generator along a circumferential direction.

3. The generator assembly according to claim 2, wherein the flexible covering defines a hollow cylinder.

4. The generator assembly according to claim 2, wherein the flexible covering extends between two opposing front faces each defining a cover surface, wherein at least one of the two cover surfaces is an open cover surface.

5. The generator assembly according to claim 1, wherein the gas generator extends along an axis.

6. The generator assembly according to claim 5, wherein the flexible material layer extends in a direction of the generator axis essentially along an entire length of the gas generator.

7. The generator assembly according to claim 1, wherein the flexible material layer is formed by an extension of the airbag.

8. The generator assembly according to claim 1, wherein the flexible material layer defines a hollow space together with the airbag, the hollow space comprising a first hollow space area that is filled with gas upon inflation of the airbag, and a second hollow space area, wherein the second hollow space area is enclosed by the flexible material layer and is essentially completely filled by the gas generator.

9. The generator assembly according claim 1, wherein the airbag and/or the flexible material layer consist of a fabric.

10. The generator assembly according to claim 1, wherein a retaining device is associated to the gas generator, wherein the retaining device is configured to fix the gas generator to an associated motor vehicle part.

11. The generator assembly according to claim 1, wherein the connector area of the gas generator is configured to be connected to an electrical connecting conductor in order to be able to electrically activate the gas generator so that the gas generator discharges gas for inflating the airbag.

12. The generator assembly according to claim 1, wherein the electrical connection stands in electrical contact to the housing of the gas generator, and wherein the housing of the gas generator is metallic.

13. A generator assembly for an airbag module of a motor vehicle, comprising:

a gas generator for inflating an airbag of the airbag module with gas, wherein the gas generator defines with its generator housing a lateral surface that extends between a first frontal cover surface and a second frontal cover surface of the gas generator, and

a flexible material layer for electrically insulating the gas generator with respect to adjacent parts, the flexible material layer being provided such that the flexible material layer completely covers the lateral surface of the gas generator,

wherein a systematic, defined grounding of the gas generator via a grounding conductor is carried out which is connected to an electrical connection of the gas generator that is integrated into a connector area of the gas generator,

wherein the airbag is compressed to form an airbag package prior to inflation and is surrounded by a casing, and

wherein the flexible material layer is formed by a section of the casing.

14. The generator assembly according to claim 13, wherein the casing of the airbag consists of a film material.

15. The generator assembly according to claim 13, wherein, upon inflation of the airbag, the flexible material layer retains its spatial position in front of an outer side of the gas generator facing the flexible material layer.

16. The generator assembly according to claim 13, wherein the flexible material layer defines a hollow space together with the airbag, the hollow space comprising a first hollow space area that is filled with gas upon inflation of the airbag, and a second hollow space area, and wherein the second hollow space area is enclosed by the flexible material layer and is essentially completely filled by the gas generator.

17. The generator assembly according to claim 13, wherein a retaining device is associated to the gas generator, and wherein the retaining device is configured to fix the gas generator to an associated motor vehicle part.

18. The generator assembly according to claim 13, wherein the connector area of the gas generator is configured to be connected to an electrical connecting conductor in order to be able to electrically activate the gas generator so that the gas generator discharges gas for inflating the airbag.

19. The generator assembly according to claim 13, wherein the electrical connection stands in electrical contact to the housing of the gas generator, and wherein the housing of the gas generator is metallic.