Fixing clamp and airbag unit

• US 8,505,962 B2
• Filed: 05/27/2010
• Issued: 08/13/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Andersson, Stefan, Henriksson, Ola, Jakobsson, Brje, Svensson, Carl-Johan
• Primary Examiner(s): VERLEY, NICOLE T
• Application Number:
  US13/375,910
• Publication Number:
  US 20120074673A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,174 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.2
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• 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: F16L 3/137 and consisting of a flexible band
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 33/02 Hose-clips

Abstract

A fixing clamp for fixing an airbag on a gas generator includes a first support portion adapted to the outer shape of the gas generator and a second wrapping portion extending from the support portion. The wrapping portion with its free end can be connected to the support portion. The wrapping portion is designed to be extensible.

Claims

1. A fixing clamp for fixing an airbag on a gas generator comprising:

a first support portion adapted to an outer shape of the gas generator; and

a second wrapping portion extending from the first support portion, the second wrapping portion with a free end thereof connected to the first support portion, the second wrapping portion being extensible;

wherein the second wrapping portion is fixed on the first support portion via a fastening means penetrating the airbag.

2. The fixing clamp according to claim 1, wherein the wrapping portion is formed from at least one strip having a wavelike shape.

3. The fixing clamp according to claim 2, further comprising at least two wavelike strips having identical dimensions and an identical wave shape.

4. The fixing clamp according to claim 2, further comprising at least two wavelike strips which are mirror symmetrical to each other.

5. The fixing clamp according to claim 1, wherein the wrapping portion at the free end comprises a fastening portion, and further wherein the wrapping portion is fastenable to the support portion via the fastening portion.

6. The fixing clamp according to claim 1, wherein the fixing clamp in an area where the free end of the wrapping portion is connected to the support portion comprises a nose narrowing a free space between the wrapping portion, the support portion and the airbag.

7. The fixing clamp according to claim 1, further comprising at least one fastening means for fastening the airbag and the gas generator to a vehicle structure on the support portion.

8. The fixing clamp according to claim 7, wherein the fastening means is located on the support portion in such a way that the fastening means is covered by the airbag and/or by the gas generator when the airbag and the gas generator are fastened to the vehicle structure.

9. The fixing clamp according to claim 7, wherein the fastening means comprises a hook-shaped engagement portion for engaging into an opening of the vehicle structure, and that the engagement portion can be fastened to the vehicle structure in a clamping manner by performing a rotational movement and/or a displacing movement.

10. The fixing clamp according to claim 1, wherein the fastening means is a rivet.

11. An airbag unit comprising:

an airbag;

a gas generator;

a fixing clamp, the fixing clamp including;

a first support portion adapted to an outer shape of the gas generator;

and

a second wrapping portion extending from the support portion, the wrapping portion with a free end thereof connected to the support portion, the wrapping portion being extensible; and

a fastener fixing the first portion on the second portion and penetrating the airbag.

12. The airbag unit according to claim 11, wherein the airbag extends from an A-pillar to a C-pillar or to a D-pillar, the gas generator is located on the airbag approximately in a center thereof, the fixing clamp wraps around the gas generator as well as the portion of the airbag forming an inlet opening, which portion includes the gas generator, and the fixing clamp is fixed on the airbag via the free end of the wrapping portion.

13. A fixing clamp for fixing an airbag on a gas generator comprising:

a first portion for surrounding a first portion of a circumference of the gas generator; and

a second portion being elastic, extending from the first portion and surrounding a second portion of the circumference of the gas generator, the second portion having a free end connected to the first portion;

wherein the second portion is elastically stretched upon connection to the first portion and exerts a clamping force on the gas generator and onto an inlet opening of the airbag to connect the airbag to the gas generator in an air-tight manner.

14. The fixing clamp according to claim 13, in combination with the airbag and the gas generator.

15. The fixing clamp according to claim 14, wherein a fastener fixes the first portion on the second portion and penetrates the airbag.