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WO1994025313A1 - Module sac gonflable a boitier extrude - Google Patents

Module sac gonflable a boitier extrude Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1994025313A1
WO1994025313A1 PCT/US1994/004596 US9404596W WO9425313A1 WO 1994025313 A1 WO1994025313 A1 WO 1994025313A1 US 9404596 W US9404596 W US 9404596W WO 9425313 A1 WO9425313 A1 WO 9425313A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
air bag
housing
sides
diffuser
inflator
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US1994/004596
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
William Rogerson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Honeywell International Inc
Original Assignee
AlliedSignal Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by AlliedSignal Inc filed Critical AlliedSignal Inc
Publication of WO1994025313A1 publication Critical patent/WO1994025313A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
    • B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
    • B60R21/20—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
    • B60R21/217—Inflation fluid source retainers, e.g. reaction canisters; Connection of bags, covers, diffusers or inflation fluid sources therewith or together
    • B60R21/2171—Inflation fluid source retainers, e.g. reaction canisters; Connection of bags, covers, diffusers or inflation fluid sources therewith or together 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an air bag module which is part of a supplemental safety restraint system for a motor vehicle.
  • Air bag modules typically comprises of a housing, which supports a gas inflator, an air bag and cover.
  • the module is typically designed to fit within an opening within an instrument panel or dashboard of a motor vehicle.
  • inflation gas is provided to expand the air bag which in turn causes the cover to open along a predetermined air line.
  • the air bag is free to continue inflating in order to protect an occupant.
  • the air bag is connected directly to the housing.
  • U. S. Patent 5,069,480 is shown in the commonly owned U. S. Patent 5,069,480.
  • the present invention provides for a more efficient assembly of the various components of an air bag module and also yields a reduction in cost as many of the individual fasteners, used in the prior art and shown in the above-mentioned patent are eliminated.
  • the invention comprises: an air bag module comprising: an extruded housing, the housing including a bottom integrally extending sides and a diffuser situated at a designated position along each side integrally extending between the sides. The sides, the diffuser and the bottom forming an open ended trough capable of receiving an inflator to inflate an associated air bag. Each side at a top portion thereof includes a first slot.
  • the housing further includes a second slot located generally at the juncture of the diffuser and each side.
  • the module further includes an air bag for protecting an occupant.
  • the air bag includes a neck portion including a looped portion of air bag material formed at opposite sides thereof.
  • a rod is fitted into each looped portion.
  • Each rod and associated looped portion are slid and pulled into and through one of the corresponding second slots and retained therein without the use of fasteners.
  • the remaining portions of the air bag are positioned between the sides and atop the diffuser in a folded configuration.
  • a cover is provided to enclosed the housing and includes a portion capable of tearing as the air bag inflates .
  • the cover additionally including means capable of being slid into the first slots and entrapped therein.
  • FIGURE 1 illustrates an assembly drawing illustrating many of the major features of the present invention.
  • FIGURE 2 shows an end plan view of a housing.
  • FIGURE 3 shows a looped portion of the air bag.
  • FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view of a module.
  • FIGURE 5 is another cross-sectional view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIGURE 1 illustrates an air bag module 10 which comprises an extruded housing 12, an air bag 14 and molded or extruded cover 16.
  • the housing 12, also shown in FIGURE 2 is designed to support an air bag inflator 18 of known construction.
  • air bag inflators fall into two types. The first type utilizes a solid propellant, typically sodium azide, which generates an inert gas upon activation.
  • the second type of inflator is often referred to as a "hybrid inflator" utilizes a quantity of stored, inert gas, such as Argon, which is subsequently released and heated to provide the inflation gas for the air bag 14.
  • the housing 12 is formed of either extruded aluminum or, alternatively, a plastic or a nylon, such as Capron, a caprolactan manufactured by AlliedSignal Inc.
  • a plastic or a nylon such as Capron, a caprolactan manufactured by AlliedSignal Inc.
  • One of the advantages of using an extruded housing is that different length housings can be achieved simply by cutting the extrusion to the proper size.
  • the housing 12 functions to support the inflator 18, air bag 14 and cover 16 and, in addition, provides an integral diffuser 40 which distributes inflation gas in a uniform flow pattern into the air bag 14.
  • the housing 12 includes two side walls 30a and 30b integrally extending from a bottom portion 32.
  • the respective tops 31a and 31b of the sides include an enlarged volume, shoulder or boss 34a and 34b.
  • each slot is formed on the very top of a corresponding side.
  • each slot 36a,b is essentially closed with the exception of a small slit 37 extending from a cylindrical opening 39.
  • a diffuser 40 Integrally formed within the housing 12, between the side walls 30a and 30b, is a diffuser 40.
  • the diffuser 40, the bottom 32 and the lower portion of each side 30a and 30b, form a trough 42 into which the inflator 18 is received.
  • the diffuser 40 includes a plurality of openings 44 through which inflation gas passes.
  • the housing 12, at the juncture of the diffuser 40 and each side 30a and 30b, is formed with another set of slots 50a and 50b respectively.
  • air bags generally are fabricated from pieces of woven fabric, typically nylon or polyester material, that are sewn together along predetermined sew lines.
  • the outward portions of the inflator provide the cushion against which the occupant may be restrained.
  • the opposite end or inlet end of the air bag is typically called the neck portion and is shown generally by numeral 60.
  • This neck portion may be formed by a plurality of pieces of fabric, typically a bottom panel 62a, an opposite top panel 62b, and an end panel 62c and another end panel 62d which are sewn together to provide a generally rectangular opening in the neck portion.
  • One such construction is shown in the commonly assigned U.S. patent 4,964,654 which is incorporated herein by reference.
  • FIGURE 3 Two of these panels such as the bottom and top panels 62a and 62b respectively are provided with a looped portion 64 of fabric, shown in FIGURE 3.
  • the looped portion 64 is provided by overlapping a portion of the air bag material and sewing this material along sew lines or seams 66a and 66b.
  • a rod 70 preferably plastic or alternatively metal, is inserted within each looped portion 64.
  • the air bag 14 with the rods 70 in place is mounted upon the housing 12 by first positioning the rods and looped portions 64 adjacent an end of the housing and then sliding and pulling the rods 70 and overlapping air bag material within and through the lower set of slots 50a and 50b. Once in place the rods are retained by the housing in the slots.
  • the air bag 14 With the air bag 14 in place upon the housing 12, the air bag is folded into a compact package, shown in FIGURE 1, which may rest upon the diffuser 14 and protected by the upper portions of the sides 30a and 30b as illustrated in FIGURE 4.
  • the module 10 includes a cover 16.
  • the cover is manufactured of extruded plastic having axially extending beads 80a and 80b extending generally perpendicularly downwardly from a top 82 portion.
  • the beads 80a and 80b are sized to permit them to be slid within the upper set of slots 36a and 36b formed in the housing 12 and be trapped therein. In this manner, the cover may be fastened to the housing 12 without the use of additional fasteners which are typically used in the art.
  • the cover 16, in its top 82 includes an axially extending tear seam portion 84 which is formed by a reduced thickness portion of cover material.
  • the beads 80a and 80b form hinge portions enabling sections of the cover to rotate outwardly after the cover 16 is opened by the inflating air bag.
  • the portion of the cover, just above the cylindrically shaped beads 80a and 80b may be thinned slightly to provide flexibility and also to permit the cover 16 to enter the narrow slits 37.
  • the housing 12 is preferably extruded. Experience has shown that the dimensions of extruded products may vary slightly one to the other. In the case of the present invention, the distance between slots 36a and 36b could vary slightly.
  • the inflator 18 includes a plurality of axially extending studs 90a and 90b. Diagrammatically shown is an electrical wire or wires 92 and connector 94 used to communicate a control signal to the inflator. A second wire 92a is also shown which may be used to communicate a pressure sensor signal from a pressure sensor (not shown) which is often used in a hybrid inflator. A single inflation gas exit port 93 is shown.
  • a solid propellant inflator is used a large number of exit ports 93 are provided. If however, a hybrid inflator is used typically two such ports 93 are provided, one opposite the other.
  • the inflator 18 is inserted within the trough 42 of the housing 12. With the inflator 18 in place, the end caps 20a and 20b are mated to their respective ends 94a and 94b of the housing 12 with the studs 90a and 90b extending through openings 96a and 96b provided in the end caps.
  • One of the end caps such as 20a may include an additional opening such as 98 through which the wire(s) and connector 94 may be received.
  • FIGURE 5 shows the inflator in place within the housing 12 and suspended between the end caps 20a and 20b and resting upon the bottom 32 of the housing.
  • the end caps are maintained in place by a plurality of bolts 100a and 100b which are threaded upon the studs 90a and 90b.
  • each end cap 20a and 20b includes an inwardly directed lip portion 102 having the general shape of the side profile of the housing. In this way the end caps, at least, in the vicinity of the trough 42, are tightly mated to the housing thereby preventing the escape of inflation gas out from the housing.
  • the inflator 18 may include a flange on one end and cap 20b may have an enlarged opening.
  • the inflator is passed through the enlarged opening with the flange bearing against the outside wall of cap 20b.
  • the other end of the inflator is provided with the stud 90a. Upon tightening nut 100a the caps 20a and 20b will be held tightly in place.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Air Bags (AREA)

Abstract

Module sac gonflable (10) comprenant un boîtier extrudé (12) pourvu de deux côtés (30a, b) ne formant qu'une seule pièce avec ledit boîtier, et d'un diffuseur (40) placé à un endroit précis, le long de chaque côté, s'étendant entre les deux côtés et ne formant qu'une seule pièce avec ceux-ci. Ledit boîtier définit un espace ouvert (42) dans lequel se loge un dispositif de gonflage (18). Chaque côté (30a, b) du boîtier comprend, dans sa partie supérieure, une première rainure (36a, b). Une seconde rainure (50a, b) est, en général, placée au point de jonction entre le diffuseur (40) et chaque côté (30a, b). Le module comprend également un sac gonflable (14) pourvu d'un col (60) présentant, sur ces côtés opposés, une partie en boucle formée dans le matériau constituant le sac gonflable. Une tige (70) est montée dans chaque partie en boucle et chaque partie en boucle avec sa tige est glissée ou tirée à travers l'une des secondes rainures correspondantes. Un couvercle (16) ferme le boîtier et protège le sac gonflable.
PCT/US1994/004596 1993-04-30 1994-04-26 Module sac gonflable a boitier extrude Ceased WO1994025313A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US5564493A 1993-04-30 1993-04-30
US08/055,644 1993-04-30

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1994025313A1 true WO1994025313A1 (fr) 1994-11-10

Family

ID=21999228

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1994/004596 Ceased WO1994025313A1 (fr) 1993-04-30 1994-04-26 Module sac gonflable a boitier extrude

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO1994025313A1 (fr)

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1995015871A1 (fr) * 1993-12-06 1995-06-15 Alliedsignal, Inc. Module de sac gonflable cote conducteur a enveloppe extrudee
EP0666201A1 (fr) * 1994-02-04 1995-08-09 Morton International, Inc. Couvercle de module de sac gonflable côté passager non perforé et à montage par coulissement
EP0703122A1 (fr) * 1994-09-22 1996-03-27 Morton International, Inc. Dispositif et procédé de fixation d'un couvercle de module de sac gonflable cÔté passager
US5556124A (en) * 1995-01-24 1996-09-17 Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. Air bag module
WO1996033888A1 (fr) * 1995-04-26 1996-10-31 Petri Ag Module d'airbag
EP0728628A3 (fr) * 1995-02-23 1996-11-20 Morton Int Inc Boîtier déformable pour sac gonflable
US5609354A (en) * 1992-02-24 1997-03-11 Morton International, Inc. Continuous circumference diffuser reaction canister
US5639111A (en) * 1995-03-29 1997-06-17 General Motors Corporation Air bag module
EP0761506A3 (fr) * 1995-09-05 1997-08-06 Trw Repa Gmbh Module pour sac gonflable de retenue
EP0794091A1 (fr) * 1996-03-08 1997-09-10 TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH Module pour sac gonflable de retenue
EP0776799A3 (fr) * 1995-11-30 1998-02-04 Morton International, Inc. Boítier répartiteur de gaz elliptique pour contrôler l'écoulement de gaz dans un dispositif de sac de sécurité gonflable de véhicule automobile
EP0811532A3 (fr) * 1996-06-05 1998-09-09 Autoliv ASP, Inc. Couvercle pivotant pour module
US5931489A (en) * 1997-05-21 1999-08-03 General Motors Corporation Air bag module with extruded housing
EP1022196A3 (fr) * 1995-09-05 2000-10-11 TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG Module pour sac gonflable de retenue
CN109606302A (zh) * 2017-10-02 2019-04-12 通用汽车环球科技运作有限责任公司 乘客安全气囊模块

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2151938A5 (fr) * 1971-08-28 1973-04-20 Heckler & Koch Gmbh
EP0405908A1 (fr) * 1989-06-29 1991-01-02 Morton International, Inc. Boîtier à construction allégée pour dispositifs de gonflage, côté passager
EP0447030A2 (fr) * 1990-03-15 1991-09-18 Trw Vehicle Safety Systems, Inc. Construction de module de sac à air, et procédé pour sa fabrication
EP0558240A1 (fr) * 1992-02-24 1993-09-01 Morton International, Inc. Boîtier de réaction avec diffuseur circulaire

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2151938A5 (fr) * 1971-08-28 1973-04-20 Heckler & Koch Gmbh
EP0405908A1 (fr) * 1989-06-29 1991-01-02 Morton International, Inc. Boîtier à construction allégée pour dispositifs de gonflage, côté passager
EP0447030A2 (fr) * 1990-03-15 1991-09-18 Trw Vehicle Safety Systems, Inc. Construction de module de sac à air, et procédé pour sa fabrication
EP0558240A1 (fr) * 1992-02-24 1993-09-01 Morton International, Inc. Boîtier de réaction avec diffuseur circulaire

Cited By (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5609354A (en) * 1992-02-24 1997-03-11 Morton International, Inc. Continuous circumference diffuser reaction canister
WO1995015871A1 (fr) * 1993-12-06 1995-06-15 Alliedsignal, Inc. Module de sac gonflable cote conducteur a enveloppe extrudee
EP0666201A1 (fr) * 1994-02-04 1995-08-09 Morton International, Inc. Couvercle de module de sac gonflable côté passager non perforé et à montage par coulissement
EP0703122A1 (fr) * 1994-09-22 1996-03-27 Morton International, Inc. Dispositif et procédé de fixation d'un couvercle de module de sac gonflable cÔté passager
US5556124A (en) * 1995-01-24 1996-09-17 Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. Air bag module
EP0728628A3 (fr) * 1995-02-23 1996-11-20 Morton Int Inc Boîtier déformable pour sac gonflable
US5639111A (en) * 1995-03-29 1997-06-17 General Motors Corporation Air bag module
US6053528A (en) * 1995-04-26 2000-04-25 Petri Ag Air-bag module
WO1996033888A1 (fr) * 1995-04-26 1996-10-31 Petri Ag Module d'airbag
JP3150704B2 (ja) 1995-04-26 2001-03-26 ペトリ アクチエンゲゼルシャフト エアバッグモジュール
EP0761506A3 (fr) * 1995-09-05 1997-08-06 Trw Repa Gmbh Module pour sac gonflable de retenue
US5732971A (en) * 1995-09-05 1998-03-31 Trw Occupant Restraint Systems Gmbh Gas bag restraint module
EP1022196A3 (fr) * 1995-09-05 2000-10-11 TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG Module pour sac gonflable de retenue
EP0776799A3 (fr) * 1995-11-30 1998-02-04 Morton International, Inc. Boítier répartiteur de gaz elliptique pour contrôler l'écoulement de gaz dans un dispositif de sac de sécurité gonflable de véhicule automobile
US5934700A (en) * 1996-03-08 1999-08-10 Trw Occupant Restraint Systems Gmbh Gas bag restraint module
EP0794091A1 (fr) * 1996-03-08 1997-09-10 TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH Module pour sac gonflable de retenue
EP0811532A3 (fr) * 1996-06-05 1998-09-09 Autoliv ASP, Inc. Couvercle pivotant pour module
US5931489A (en) * 1997-05-21 1999-08-03 General Motors Corporation Air bag module with extruded housing
CN109606302A (zh) * 2017-10-02 2019-04-12 通用汽车环球科技运作有限责任公司 乘客安全气囊模块

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