Side-collision airbag apparatus

• US 8,613,468 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2011
• Issued: 12/24/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Japan K.K.
• Original Assignee: Takata Corporation (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Maruyama, Tatsuya
• Primary Examiner(s): FRISBY, KEITH J
• Application Number:
  US13/162,924
• Publication Number:
  US 20110316264A1
• Time in Patent Office: 921 Days
• Field of Search: 280/740, 280/736, 280/742, 280/730.2, 280/728.2, 102/530, 102/531
• 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 21/23138 specially adapted for side protection B60R21/23184, B60R21/232 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/261 with means other than bag structure to diffuse or guide inflation fluid

Abstract

This disclosure discloses a side-collision airbag apparatus comprising: a side-collision airbag; an inflator configured to inject gas; and an inflator holder configured to support the inflator; wherein: the inflator comprises: an inflator main body portion that is substantially cylindrical in shape and produces the gas; an injecting portion that protrudes from a tip end of the inflator main body portion; and a clasp portion positioned between the inflator main body portion and the injecting portion; the inflator holder comprises: a holding portion configured to hold the inflator; and a diffuser portion having a diffuser tube that has a cross-section substantially elliptical in shape; and the diffuser tube comprises a contraction opening at an end portion in an injection direction of the gas, and is provided so that an end portion opposite the injection direction of the gas faces to the radial outer peripheral side of the clasp portion.

Claims

1. A side-collision airbag apparatus comprising:

a side-collision airbag configured to inflate and deploy toward a side portion of an occupant;

an inflator configured to inject gas for inflating and deploying said side-collision airbag; and

an inflator holder configured to support said inflator;

wherein;

said inflator comprises;

an inflator main body portion that is substantially cylindrical in shape and produces said gas;

an injecting portion that protrudes from a tip end of said inflator main body portion; and

a clasp portion positioned between said inflator main body portion and said injecting portion;

said inflator holder comprises;

a holding portion configured to hold said inflator; and

a diffuser portion provided to a tip end portion of said holding portion, said diffuser portion including a diffuser receptacle, a cover and a diffuser tube contained between said diffuser receptacle and said cover, said diffuser tube having a cross-section substantially elliptical in shape;

wherein said holding portion, said diffuser receptacle, said cover and said diffuser tube are formed into a single piece, and

wherein said diffuser tube comprises a contraction opening at an end portion in an injection direction of said gas, and is provided so that an end portion opposite the injection direction of said gas faces to a radial outer peripheral side of said clasp portion.

2. The side-collision airbag apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

said diffuser tube comprises said cross-section that is elliptical in shape, having a shorter axis in a direction orthogonal to an inflator holding surface of said holding portion, and

an outline of said clasp portion is a substantially oval or elliptical shape in accordance with the cross-section of said diffuser tube having an elliptical shape.

3. The side-collision airbag apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

said holding portion comprises a stopper configured to regulate the movement of said inflator in a direction opposite the injection direction of said gas.

4. The side-collision airbag apparatus according to claim 3, wherein:

said stopper comprises;

a bent portion wherein an end portion of said holding portion in the direction opposite the injection direction of said gas is bent; and

a bead provided to said bent portion.

5. The side-collision airbag apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding portion includes a rectangular base and two sidewalls, each having a length that is substantially equivalent to a length of said inflator.

6. The side-collision airbag apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said diffuser receptacle includes a curved surface that follows an outer peripheral surface of said diffuser tube such that said diffuser receptacle is configured to support said diffuser tube in a state of partial contact.

7. The side-collision airbag apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cover is provided at an outer peripheral side of said diffuser receptacle and configured to reinforce said diffuser tube.