Securing device for a folded airbag and airbag module

• US 9,855,910 B2
• Filed: 05/16/2014
• Issued: 01/02/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Fischer, Anton
• Primary Examiner(s): GOODEN JR, BARRY J
• Application Number:
  US14/889,889
• Publication Number:
  US 20160339864A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,327 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/201 Packaging straps or envelopes for inflatable members
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/23138 specially adapted for side protection B60R21/23184, B60R21/232 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/237 characterised by the way they are folded

Abstract

A mounting device (10) for a folded airbag, especially for a folded side airbag, is provided comprising a base plate (12), a clamping portion (14) encompassing the airbag in ring shape and a fixing plate (16) adjacent to the clamping portion (14). The fixing plate (16) and the base plate (12) exhibit a first and, resp., a second contact surface (32, 34) which are directly superimposed in the mounted condition. Furthermore an airbag module comprising a mounting device (10) is suggested.

Claims

1. An airbag module (44) comprising at least one mounting device (10) and a folded airbag (46) comprising an outer airbag wall (56) and a mounting strap (50) formed on an end of the folded airbag (46),

wherein each of the mounting devices comprises a base plate (12), a clamping portion (14) encompassing the airbag (46) in a ring shape and a fixing plate (16) adjacent to the clamping portion (14),

wherein the fixing plate (16) has a first contact surface (32) and the base plate (12) has a second contact surface (34) which are directly superimposed in a mounted state and in that the mounting strap (50) contacts a rear side of the base plate (12) opposite to the second contact surface (34),

wherein at least one projection (42) is provided on the rear side of the base plate (12) and adjacent to a cut-out (40) for pre-fixing the airbag (46) on the at least one mounting device (10).

2. The airbag module (44) according to claim 1, wherein the clamping portion (14) includes plural lands (18, 20) extending in a curved shape at least in portions so as to at least partially define an airbag receiving portion (48).

3. The airbag module (44) according to claim 1, wherein the cut-out (40) is provided in the base plate (12) or in an adjacent end of the clamping portion (14) through which the mounting strap (50) of the airbag (46) can be guided.

4. The airbag module (44) according to claim 1, wherein each of the base plate (12) and the fixing plate (16) includes at least one mounting hole (38, 36) by which the at least one mounting device (10) is arranged on a vehicle side.

5. The airbag module (44) according to claim 1, wherein a coupling device (66) is provided for coupling a plurality of the at least one mounting devices (10) together to form a pre-assembled unit prior to securing the airbag module to a vehicle.

6. The airbag module (44) according to claim 1, wherein each of the mounting devices (10) is a one piece injection-molded part.

7. The airbag module (44) according to claim 1, wherein the base plate (12) or an end of the clamping portion (14) adjacent to the base plate (12) has the cut-out (40) through which the mounting strap (50) is guided so as to contact the rear side of the base plate (12) opposite to the fixing plate (16).

8. The airbag module (44) according to claim 1, wherein the mounting strap (50) includes at least one opening through which the at least one projection (42) passes through the at least one opening to pre-fix the airbag (46) on the at least one mounting device (10).

9. The airbag module (44) according to claim 1, wherein an integrally formed anti-twist element (24, 26) of each mounting device (10) extends between an outer layer (56) of the folded airbag (46) and a layer (58) underneath the outer layer (56).

10. The airbag module (44) according to claim 1, wherein at least one integrally formed anti-twist element (24, 26) is provided on the at least one mounting device (10) which in the mounted state of the at least one mounting device (10) projects into an airbag receiving portion (48) defined by the clamping portion (14).

11. The airbag module (44) according to claim 10, wherein each of the anti-twist elements (24, 26) includes a bent free end (28, 30).

12. An airbag module comprising at least one mounting device (10) and a folded airbag (46) comprising an outer airbag wall (56) and a mounting strap (50) formed on an end of the folded airbag (46),

wherein each of the mounting devices comprises a base plate (12), a clamping portion (14) encompassing the airbag (46) in a ring shape and a fixing plate (16) adjacent to the clamping portion (14),

wherein the fixing plate (16) has a first contact surface (32) and the base plate (12) has a second contact surface (34) which are directly superimposed in a mounted state and in that the mounting strap (50) contacts a rear side of the base plate (12) opposite to the second contact side (34),

wherein the at least one mounting device includes a pair of anti-twist elements positioned on opposite sides of the clamping portion for extending between layers of the folded airbag.

13. An airbag module comprising:

a folded airbag including a mounting strap at one end; and

at least one mounting device having a base plate, a fixing plate, and a clamping portion connecting the base plate to the fixing plate, the base plate having a first contact surface and the fixing plate having a second contact surface, a pair of anti-twist elements extending from the fixing plate and positioned on opposite sides of the clamping portion,

wherein the at least one mounting device has a mounted state in which the clamping portion cooperates with the base plate and the fixing plate to encircle the folded airbag and in which the first contact surface and the second contact surface engage one another and in which the anti-twist elements extend between layers of the folded airbag, the mounting strap extending through a cut-out in the at least one mounting device and engaging a rear side of the base plate opposite the second contact surface when the at least one mounting device is in the mounted state.

14. The airbag module of claim 13, wherein each of the base plate and the fixing plate includes a mounting hole which are aligned with one another and an opening in the mounting strap when the mounting device is in the mounted state, wherein a fastener extends through the mounting holes and the opening in the mounting strap to prevent unrolling of the airbag.