Vehicle safety apparatus including inflatable restraint

• US 5,490,690 A
• Filed: 07/01/1994
• Issued: 02/13/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Incorporated (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Incorporated (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Mihm, Joseph J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tyson, Karin L.
• Application Number:
  US08/273,461
• Time in Patent Office: 592 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728 A, 280/732, 280/730, 280/728 R, 280/736, 280/737, 280/728.2, 280/728.1
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26058 using a combination of inflators
• 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 21/2171 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 21/30 with means to draw ambient air into the flow line and mix such air with the inflation fluid

Abstract

An air bag module 10 includes an inflator (18) clamped between a first portion (14) and a second portion (16) of a housing (12). An air bag (20) is connected with a retaining ring (22). A series of fasteners (148, 150) on the retaining ring (22) extend through fastener openings (162, 164) in the air bag (20) and through fastener openings (96, 98) in the first portion (14) of the housing (12) and through fastener openings (126, 128) in the second portion (16) of the housing (12). The fasteners (148, 150) connect the air bag (20) with the retaining ring (22) and with the first and second portions (14, 16) of the housing (12).

Claims

1. A vehicle safety apparatus comprising:

a housing including a first portion and a second portion which define a first chamber in said housing, at least one of said first and second portions having a series of fastener openings;

said first portion of said housing having first and second opposite end portions and said second portion of said housing having first and second opposite end portions;

an inflator disposed in said first chamber between said first and second portions of said housing, said inflator including a wall defining a second chamber in said inflator, an inflation fluid source disposed in said second chamber in said inflator, said inflator wall having an outer surface extending between first and second opposite end portions of said inflator;

said first end portion of said inflator being clamped with said first end portion of said first housing portion and said first end portion of said second housing portion, said second end portion of said inflator being clamped with said second end portion of said first housing portion and said second end portion of said second housing portion;

an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint having an inflation fluid opening and a series of fastener openings; and

a plurality of fasteners extending through said fastener openings in said at least one portion of said housing and through said fastener openings in said inflatable restraint, said fasteners connecting said first portion of said housing with said second portion of said housing and with said inflatable restraint.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said first and second portions of said housing includes a respective series of fastener openings, said plurality of fasteners extending through said fastener openings in said first portion of said housing and through said fastener openings in said second portion of said housing and through said fastener openings in said inflatable restraint.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 further comprising a retaining ring connected with said inflatable restraint, said inflatable restraint being secured to said retaining ring, said fasteners projecting in a direction away from said retaining ring through said fastener openings in said first portion of said housing and through said fastener openings in said second portion of said housing and through said fastener openings in said inflatable restraint.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein:

said first portion of said housing comprises a clam shell shaped main body portion and a radial flange extending around the outer periphery of said body portion, said series of fastener openings in said first portion of said housing being formed in said flange; and

said second portion of said housing comprises a clam shell shaped main body portion and a radial flange extending around the outer periphery of said body portion, said series of fastener openings in said second portion of said housing being formed in said flange on said second portion of said housing.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said first portion of said housing includes said series of fastener openings and said second portion of said housing includes said plurality of fasteners, said plurality of fasteners on said second portion of said housing extending through said fastener openings in said first portion of said housing and through said fastener openings in said inflatable restraint, said fasteners connecting said second portion of said housing with said first portion of said housing and with said inflatable restraint.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein:

said first portion of said housing comprises a clam shell shaped main body portion and a radial flange extending around the outer periphery of said body portion, said series of fastener openings in said first portion of said housing being formed in said flange of said first portion of said housing; and

said second portion of said housing comprises a clam shell shaped main body portion and a radial flange extending around the outer periphery of said body portion, said plurality of fasteners on said second portion of said housing being disposed on said flange of said second portion of said housing and projecting from said flange of said second portion of said housing.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first portion of said housing includes mounting means for mounting said vehicle safety apparatus on a vehicle, said mounting means comprising a plurality of mounting members fixed to said first portion of said housing and projecting from said first portion of said housing in a direction away from said second portion of said housing, said mounting members being engageable with a portion of a vehicle to mount said vehicle safety apparatus on a vehicle.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first portion of said housing comprises a clam shell shaped main body portion and a radial flange extending around the outer periphery of said body portion, said series of fastener openings being formed in said flange of said first portion of said housing;

said second portion of said housing comprising a clam shell shaped main body portion and a radial flange extending around the outer periphery of said body portion;

said plurality of fasteners extending through said fastener openings in said outer peripheral flange of said first portion of said housing and through said fastener openings in said inflatable restraint;

said inflator wall being generally cylindrical in configuration and extending about a longitudinal central axis of said inflator;

said first end portion of said first portion of said housing being configured as an arc of a circle centered on said axis and clamping said first end portion of said inflator, and said second end portion of said first portion of said housing being configured as an arc of a circle centered on said axis and clamping said second end portion of said inflator;

said first end portion of said second portion of said housing being configured as an arc of a circle centered on said axis and clamping said first end portion of said inflator, and said second end portion of said second portion of said housing being configured as an arc of a circle centered on said axis and clamping said second end portion of said inflator.

9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fasteners comprise threaded studs.

10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plurality of fasteners comprises a plurality of twist tabs on said second portion of said housing.

16. An apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein each one of said twist tabs includes a flat elongate head portion supported on a relatively narrow neck portion associated with said head portion;

said twist tabs projecting from said second portion of said housing in a direction toward said first portion of said housing;

said fastener openings in said at least one portion of said housing comprising fastener openings in said first portion of said housing;

said twist tabs extending through said fastener openings in said inflatable restraint and through said fastener openings in said first portion of said housing;

each one of said head portions of said twist tabs being rotated about a respective axis extending through a respective associated neck portion, said neck portions of said twist tabs deforming to allow rotation of said head portions relative to said second portion of said housing.

17. An apparatus as set forth in claim 16 wherein said head portions of said twist tabs are rotated relative to said neck portions by a sufficient amount so as to block movement of said head portions through said fastener openings in said first portion of said housing.

18. An apparatus as set forth in claim 17 wherein said head portions of said twist tabs are rotated relative to said neck portions by an amount in the range of from about 10°

to about 90°

.

19. An apparatus as set forth in claim 16 wherein said twist tabs are bent out of the material of said second portion of said housing.

11. A vehicle safety apparatus comprising:

a housing including a first portion and a second portion which define a first chamber in said housing, said first portion and said second portion each having a series of fastener openings;

said first portion of said housing having first and second opposite end portions and said second portion of said housing having first and second opposite end portions;

an inflator disposed in said first chamber between said first and second portions of said housing, said inflator including a wall defining a second chamber in said inflator, an inflation fluid source disposed in said second chamber in said inflator, said inflator wall having an outer surface extending between first and second opposite end portions of said inflator;

said first end portion of said inflator being clamped with said first end portion of said first housing portion and said first end portion of said second housing portion, said second end portion of said inflator being clamped with said second end portion of said first housing portion and said second end portion of said second housing portion;

an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint having an inflation fluid opening and a series of fastener openings; and

a plurality of fasteners extending through said fastener openings in said first portion of said housing and through said fastener openings in said second portion of said housing and through said fastener openings in said inflatable restraint, said fasteners connecting said first portion of said housing with said second portion of said housing and with said inflatable restraint.

12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 11 further comprising a retaining ring connected with said inflatable restraint, said inflatable restraint being secured to said retaining ring, said fasteners projecting in a direction away from said retaining ring through said fastener openings in said first portion of said housing and through said fastener openings in said second portion of said housing and through said fastener openings in said inflatable restraint.

13. An apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein:

said first portion of said housing comprises a clam shell shaped main body portion and a radial flange extending around the outer periphery of said body portion, said series of fastener openings in said first portion of said housing being formed in said flange of said first portion of said housing; and

said second portion of said housing comprises a clam shell shaped main body portion and a radial flange extending around the outer periphery of said body portion, said series of fastener openings in said second portion of said housing being formed in said flange of said second portion of said housing.

14. An apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein:

said inflator wall is cylindrical in configuration and extends about a longitudinal central axis of said inflator;

said first end portion of said first portion of said housing being configured as an arc of a circle centered on said axis and clamping said first end portion of said inflator and said second end portion of said first portion of said housing being configured as an arc of a circle centered on said axis and clamping said second end portion of said inflator; and

said first end portion of said second portion of said housing being configured as an arc of a circle centered on said axis and clamping said first end portion of said inflator and said second end portion of said second portion of said housing being configured as an arc of a circle centered on said axis and clamping said second end portion of said inflator.

15. An apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein said first portion of said housing includes mounting means for mounting said vehicle safety apparatus on a vehicle, said mounting means comprising a plurality of mounting members fixed to said main body portion of said first portion of said housing and projecting from said main body portion of said first portion of said housing in a direction away from said second portion of said housing, said mounting members being engageable with a portion of a vehicle to support said vehicle safety apparatus on a vehicle.

20. A vehicle safety apparatus comprising:

a housing including a first portion and a second portion which define a first chamber in said housing, said first portion of said housing having a series of fastener openings;

said first portion of said housing having first and second opposite end portions and said second portion of said housing having first and second opposite end portions;

an inflator disposed in said first chamber between said first and second portions of said housing, said inflator including a wall defining a second chamber in said inflator, an inflation fluid source disposed in said second chamber in said inflator, said inflator wall having an outer surface extending between first and second opposite end portions of said inflator;

said first end portion of said inflator being clamped with said first end portion of said first housing portion and said first end portion of said second housing portion, and said second end portion of said inflator being clamped with said second end portion of said first housing portion and said second end portion of said second housing portion;

an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint having an inflation fluid opening and a series of fastener openings; and

a plurality of twist tabs on said second portion of said housing, said twist tabs extending through said fastener openings in said first portion of said housing and through said fastener openings in said inflatable restraint, said twist connecting said first portion of said housing with said second portion of said housing and with said inflatable restraint.

21. An apparatus as set forth in claim 20 wherein each one of said twist tabs includes a flat elongate head portion supported on a relatively narrow neck portion associated with said head portion;

said twist tabs projecting from said second portion of said housing in a direction toward said first portion of said housing;

said twist tabs extending through said fastener openings in said inflatable restraint and through said fastener openings in said first portion of said housing;

each one of said head portions of said twist tabs being rotated about a respective axis extending through a respective associated neck portion, said neck portions of said twist tabs deforming to allow rotation of said head portions relative to said second portion of said housing.

22. An apparatus as set forth in claim 21 wherein said head portions of said twist tabs are rotated relative to said neck portions by a sufficient amount so as to block movement of said head portions through said fastener openings in said first portion of said housing.

23. An apparatus as set forth in claim 22 wherein said head portions of said twist tabs are rotated relative to said neck portions by an amount in the range of from about 10°

to about 90°

.

24. An apparatus as set forth in claim 20 wherein said twist tabs are bent out of the material of said second portion of said housing.