Gas flow distributor for an airbag module

• US 8,226,117 B2
• Filed: 05/29/2008
• Issued: 07/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Germany GmbH (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Takata AG (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Honold, Richard, Gutmann, Ralf, Jonas, Reiner
• Primary Examiner(s): Culbreth, Eric
• Assistant Examiner(s): GOODEN JR, BARRY J
• Application Number:
  US12/155,113
• Publication Number:
  US 20090001699A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,517 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.2, 280/740, 280/730.2
• US Class Current: 280/740
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2612 Gas guiding means, e.g. ducts
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/261 with means other than bag structure to diffuse or guide inflation fluid

Abstract

A gas flow distributor for an airbag module distributing a gas flow generated by a gas generator to inflate an airbag, including fastening structures for fastening the gas flow distributor to a gas generator, the gas flow distributor being formed in the shape of a sleeve from a flexible material, wherein the fastening structures include at least one fastening tab that is formed at one end of the gas flow distributor and via which the gas flow distributor can be fastened to the gas generator.

Claims

1. A gas flow distributor arrangement for an airbag module distributing a gas flow generated by a gas generator to inflate an airbag, comprising:

a gas flow distributor comprising fastening structures for fastening the gas flow distributor to the gas generator, the gas flow distributor being formed in a shape of a sleeve from a flexible material,

wherein the fastening structures comprise at least one fastening tab via which the gas flow distributor is fastened to the gas generator,

wherein the gas flow distributor comprises a tubular portion,

wherein the at least one fastening tab comprises a first end portion, a second end portion arranged opposite to the first end portion in a direction along a longitudinal axis of the tubular portion, and opposing edges forming a width of the fastening tab that extends from the first end portion to the second end portion, the width of the fastening tab being less than a circumferential distance around the tubular portion,

wherein the first end portion is integrally connected to the tubular portion such that the at least one fastening tab protrudes out and away from the tubular portion in the direction along the longitudinal axis of the tubular portion, and

wherein the gas flow distributor is configured and fastened to the gas generator in such a way that the gas flow distributor divides the gas flow into a plurality of partial flows and conducts the plurality of partial flows away in different directions while remaining fastened.

2. The gas flow distributor arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fastening structures comprise at least one opening for passage of a threaded bolt arranged on the gas generator.

3. The gas flow distributor arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one fastening tab comprises two fastening tabs, each fastening tab being arranged at each of two ends of the gas flow distributor.

4. The gas flow distributor arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein free ends of the gas flow distributor each have at least one outflow opening.

5. The gas flow distributor arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gas flow distributor is configured to distribute the gas flow in two directions and is arranged on the gas generator.

6. The gas flow distributor arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gas flow distributor is at least formed in sections from a textile fabric.

7. The gas flow distributor arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gas flow distributor is formed from a plurality of layers of a textile fabric at least in sections.

8. The gas flow distributor arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gas flow distributor can be produced from a blank of textile fabric.

9. The gas flow distributor arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gas flow distributor is formed from a tubular material.

10. The gas flow distributor arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein a coating is applied to at least sections on an inside of the gas flow distributor.

11. The gas flow distributor arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gas flow distributor is configured to divide the gas flow to flow in two substantially opposite directions.

12. The gas flow distributor arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one fastening tab is clamped to the gas generator by a clamping ring.

13. The gas flow distributor arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one fastening tab comprises at least two fastening tabs arranged at a same end of the gas flow distributor.

14. The gas flow distributor arrangement as claimed in claim 13, wherein free ends of the at least two fastening tabs are connected to each other.

15. A gas flow distributor arrangement for an airbag module distributing a gas flow generated by a gas generator to inflate an airbag, comprising:

a gas flow distributor comprising fastening structures for fastening the gas flow distributor to the gas generator, the gas flow distributor being formed in a shape of a sleeve from a flexible material,

wherein the fastening structures comprise at least one fastening tab via which the gas flow distributor is fastened to the gas generator,

wherein the gas flow distributor comprises a tubular portion, and the at least one fastening tab comprises a first end portion and a second end portion that are arranged opposite to one another in a direction along a longitudinal axis of the tubular portion,

wherein the first end portion is integrally connected to a front face of the tubular portion such that the at least one fastening tab protrudes out and away from the front face of the tubular portion in the direction along the longitudinal axis of the tubular portion,

wherein the second end portion is located a distance away from the tubular portion, and

wherein the gas flow distributor is configured and fastened to the gas generator in such a way that the gas flow distributor divides the gas flow into a plurality of partial flows and conducts the plurality of partial flows away in different directions while remaining fastened,

wherein the fastening structures are configured in such a manner that a clamping connection to the gas generator can be produced without a clamp engaging around an entire circumference of the gas flow distributor.

16. An airbag module for a vehicle restraint system, comprising:

an airbag;

a gas generator; and

a gas flow distributor for the airbag module distributing a gas flow generated by the gas generator to inflate the airbag;

wherein the gas flow distributor includes fastening structures for fastening the gas flow distributor to the gas generator, the gas flow distributor being formed in a shape of a sleeve from a flexible material,

wherein the fastening structures comprise at least one fastening tab that is formed at one end of the gas flow distributor and via which the gas flow distributor is fastened to the gas generator,

wherein the gas flow distributor surrounds the gas generator in at least a region of the gas generator comprising outflow openings,

wherein the at least one fastening tab extends in a longitudinal direction of the gas flow distributor,

wherein an end region of the gas flow distributor comprises cuts, the at least one fastening tab is formed by the cuts arranged in the end region of the gas flow distributor so that the at least one fastening tab ends at that end of the gas flow distributor on which the at least one fastening tab is formed,

wherein the gas flow distributor is clamped via the at least one fastening tab to the gas generator by a clamping ring, and

wherein the gas flow distributor is configured and fastened to the gas generator in such a way that the gas flow distributor divides the gas flow into a plurality of partial flows and conducts the plurality of partial flows away in different directions while remaining fastened.

17. The airbag module as claimed in claim 16, wherein the gas flow distributor is fastened by the fastening structures to the gas generator.

18. The airbag module as claimed in claim 16, wherein at least one threaded bolt is arranged on the gas generator and extends through an opening in the gas flow distributor, the gas flow distributor being fastened to the gas generator during installation of the airbag module to an airbag or a vehicle seat.

19. The airbag module as claimed in claim 16, wherein the at least one fastening tab is used to fasten the gas flow distributor to the gas generator.

20. The airbag module as claimed in claim 16, wherein the gas flow distributor is formed from a textile fabric and arranged at the gas generator in such a manner that a plurality of fabric layers are arranged in a region of at least some of the outflow openings of the gas generator.

21. The airbag module as claimed in claim 16, wherein the at least one fastening tab comprises at least two fastening tabs arranged at a same end of the gas flow distributor, wherein free ends of the at least two fastening tabs are connected to each other.

22. The airbag module as claimed in claim 16, wherein the gas flow distributor is arranged on the gas generator in such a manner that the gas flow out of the outflow openings of the gas generator is divided into two substantially opposite directions.

23. The airbag module as claimed in claim 16, wherein the gas flow distributor is arranged at a distance from the gas generator in at least a region of the outflow openings of the gas generator.

24. An airbag module for a vehicle restraint system, comprising:

an airbag;

a gas generator; and

a gas flow distributor for the airbag module distributing a gas flow generated by the gas generator to inflate the airbag;

wherein the gas flow distributor includes fastening structures for fastening the gas flow distributor to the gas generator, the gas flow distributor being formed in a shape of a sleeve from a flexible material,

wherein the fastening structures comprise at least one fastening tab that is formed at one end of the gas flow distributor and via which the gas flow distributor can be fastened to the gas generator,

wherein the gas flow distributor surrounds the gas generator in at least a region of the gas generator comprising outflow openings,

wherein the at least one fastening tab extends in a longitudinal direction of the gas flow distributor,

wherein an end region of the gas flow distributor comprises cuts, the at least one fastening tab is formed by the cuts arranged in the end region of the gas flow distributor so that the at least one fastening tab ends at that end of the gas flow distributor on which it is formed,

wherein the gas flow distributor is clamped via the at least one fastening tab to the gas generator by a clamping ring, and

wherein at least one threaded bolt is arranged on the gas generator and extends through an opening in the gas flow distributor, the gas flow distributor being fastened to the gas generator by a nut on the threaded bolt.