DE102022101122A1 - Retainer, airbag module, vehicle security system and vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a holding device (10) for a gas generator (11) comprising a carrier (12), a spring clip (13) and a tension element (14), the tension element (14) for fastening the gas generator (11) comprising at least one sling (15) which is adapted to at least partially loop around the gas generator (11) and the carrier (12) in the assembled state, the tension element (14) being connectable to the spring clip (13) and connected thereto State for holding the gas generator (11) in the carrier (12), the tension element (14) is acted upon by the spring clip (13) with a tensile force.

Description

The invention relates to a holding device for a gas generator. Furthermore, the invention relates to an airbag module, a vehicle safety system and a vehicle.

Various fastening options are known from the prior art which are suitable for fastening gas generators. For example, it is possible to use one-ear clamps that are crimped using pliers. Other options are screw clamps and tensionable metal bands, which are marketed under the name BAND-IT ^® clamps.

The fastening options mentioned above have the disadvantage that assembly is generally only possible with the aid of tools. These methods are time-consuming and costly. Furthermore, such clamps are only suitable to a limited extent for a leak-free connection of an airbag to the gas generator.

The object of the invention consists in specifying a holding device which enables simplified assembly and a reliable connection. Furthermore, it is the object of the invention to specify an airbag module, a vehicle safety system and a vehicle.

The object is achieved with regard to the holding device by the subject matter of claim 1, with regard to the airbag module by the subject matter of claim 12, with regard to the vehicle safety system by the subject matter of claim 14 and with regard to the vehicle by the subject matter of claim 15.

Specifically, the object of the invention is achieved by a holding device for a gas generator comprising a support, a spring clip and a tension element, the tension element for fastening the gas generator comprising at least one loop. The sling is adapted to at least partially encircle the gas generator and the carrier in each case in the assembled state. The tension element can be connected to the spring clip, with the tension element being subjected to a tensile force in the connected state in order to hold the gas generator in the support by the spring clip.

The carrier serves to hold the gas generator, in particular a tubular gas generator. The gas generator can be connected to the vehicle through the carrier. For example, the carrier can be arranged on the vehicle door, on the roof liner, on a vehicle seat or on the dashboard on the passenger side. In the installed state, the gas generator is connected to the carrier by the spring clip and the tension element.

To connect the pulling element to the spring clip, the pulling element includes a loop. In particular, the pulling element forms a loop. For this purpose, the tension element can be designed, for example, as a cable, in particular as a steel cable. It is also possible for the tension element to include or consist of a band, in particular made of sheet metal, a plastic or a textile. The sling at least partially encloses the wearer and the gas generator. This means that the sling wraps around both the wearer and the gas generator.

The spring clip is connected to the pulling element in such a way that a pulling force is applied to the pulling element. The spring clip is preferably tensioned in the assembled state. The spring clip is preferably deflected out of the rest position during assembly. The spring clip is connected to the tension element in the deflected or tensioned state. Consequently, when assembled, the spring clip tends to return to the resting state. In this way, the spring clamp acts on the pulling element, in particular on the sling, from the pulling force. Due to the pulling force, the loop of the pulling element tightens and thus connects the gas generator to the wearer.

In addition, it is possible for the loop to connect an airbag to the gas generator in a leak-free or at least almost leak-free manner. Consequently, the loop can also loop around a section of the airbag. The section of the airbag can be clamped or clamped in particular between the loop and the gas generator.

The spring clip is preferably adapted in such a way that when the gas generator is activated and/or when the airbag is inflated, the tensile force applied to the tensile element is increased. This means that the sealing function of the holding device is further improved when the gas generator is activated.

The advantage of the invention is that it can be assembled without tools. This can save time and money. Furthermore, the sling allows an airbag to be fastened to the gas generator without leaks or at least almost without leaks, since the sling fulfills a connecting and sealing function.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the pulling element comprises fastening elements and the spring clip holding elements which interact in the assembled state for applying a tensile force to the tension element. The holding elements preferably include a gap through which the pulling element is guided and held in the assembled state.

The holding elements and the fastening elements facilitate the interaction of the pulling element with the spring clip. More precisely, in this way the tension element and the spring clip can be easily connected to one another and the tension element can be subjected to a tensile force.

It is particularly advantageous if the fastening elements are arranged in the area of the axial ends of the pulling element and the retaining elements are arranged in the area of the axial ends of the spring clip. In this embodiment, assembly is facilitated and the sling can be easily tightened.

The fastening elements are preferably spherical and/or cylindrical. Other shapes are also possible. The fastening elements serve to interact with the holding elements in a form-fitting manner in order to transmit the tensile force to the pulling element. The fastening elements can also be referred to as stop elements.

The fastening elements are preferably pressed onto the pulling element. In other embodiments, the fasteners may be integral or monolithic with the tension member.

In a further preferred embodiment, the holding elements are arranged on the free ends of the spring element. It is advantageous if the holding elements have a hook-shaped geometry.

The position of the holding elements at the free ends of the spring element enables easier connection to the fastening elements of the pulling element. In the mounted state, the fastening elements can be accommodated in the hook-shaped geometry. The hooked geometry ensures that the retaining elements remain in the fasteners. In other words, the hook-shaped geometry forms a form-fitting receptacle for the fastening elements.

In a preferred embodiment, the carrier comprises at least one mandrel which interacts with at least one of the holding elements in a form-fitting manner. The mandrel makes it possible to fix the holding device in the longitudinal direction of the carrier or the gas generator. The mandrel is preferably molded in one piece from the carrier. In particular, the mandrel can be designed as a bent cutout or extension from the carrier. Alternatively, the extension can be welded on.

It is particularly advantageous if the spring clip has a U-shaped geometry. This allows the spring clip to cling to the cylindrical gas generator more easily. Alternatively, other geometries are possible. For example, the spring clip can have a V-shaped geometry.

Furthermore, in one embodiment, the spring element can comprise a bulge that extends in the longitudinal direction of the spring element. The bulge serves to ensure that the tension element and the spring clip do not impede one another in the assembled state. In particular, the loop of the pulling element can be arranged in the bulge in the assembled state. The bulge has the additional advantage that the tension element is at least partially protected from external influences. Furthermore, the rigidity and thus the spring force of the spring clip can be increased by the bulge.

In the context of the invention, an airbag module with a gas generator and a holding device is also disclosed and claimed.

Furthermore, within the scope of the invention, a vehicle safety system comprising an airbag module and a vehicle with a vehicle safety system and/or an airbag module are disclosed and claimed.

The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

• 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Ausführungsbeispiels einer Haltevorrichtung;
• 2 eine weitere perspektivische Ansicht des Ausführungsbeispiels gemäß 1;
• 3 eine weitere perspektivische Ansicht der Haltevorrichtung gemäß 1 im montierten Zustand ohne Gasgenerator;
• 4 eine Federklammer gemäß 1 im entspannten Zustand;
• 5 eine Federklammer gemäß 1 im gespannten Zustand;
• 6 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines weiteren erfindungsgemäßen Ausführungsbeispiels einer Haltevorrichtung;
• 7 eine weitere perspektivische Ansicht der Haltevorrichtung gemäß 6;
• 8 eine weitere perspektivische Ansicht der Haltevorrichtung gemäß 6 im montierten Zustand ohne Gasgenerator.

Show in it:

• 1 a perspective view of an embodiment of a holding device according to the invention;
• 2 a further perspective view of the embodiment according to 1 ;
• 3 a further perspective view of the holding device according to FIG 1 when assembled without gas generator;
• 4 a spring clip according to 1 in the relaxed state;
• 5 a spring clip according to 1 in the cocked state;
• 6 a perspective view of a further inventive embodiment of a holding device;
• 7 a further perspective view of the holding device according to FIG 6 ;
• 8th a further perspective view of the holding device according to FIG 6 in assembled condition without gas generator.

1 shows the holding device 10 in the assembled state, comprising a carrier 12, a spring clip 13 and a tension element 16. In the holding device 10, a gas generator 11 and an airbag 21 are arranged. In other words, the gas generator 11 and the air bag 21 are fixed by the holding device 10 .

2 shows the arrangement of the gas generator 11 in the holding device 10 without an airbag 21 and without a spring clip 13. In 2 an assembly step of the holding device 10 is thus shown. The method for assembling the holding device 10 will be discussed in more detail later in the application.

The gas generator 11 is essentially cylindrical. The airbag 21 is arranged in the area of an axial end of the gas generator 11 . The airbag 21 is connected to the gas generator 11 by the holding device 10 . The gas generator 11 is attached to the holding device 10 or connected to it. The invention is not limited to a holding device 10 with a gas generator 11 and an airbag 21 . It can also be used without an airbag.

3 is a view of the spring clip 13 and the tension element 14. In the present exemplary embodiment, the tension element 14 is designed as a cable, in particular a steel cable. The steel cable can be designed as a Bowden cable, for example. For example, steel cables known from bicycle brakes can be used. These are available in large quantities and are therefore inexpensive. Alternatively, other shapes or materials are conceivable. For example, a rope made of plastic, in particular made of plastic fibers, can be used.

The pulling element 14 forms a loop 15. To form the loop 15, the two axial ends of the pulling element are crossed. In the embodiment according to 3 the axial ends of the tension element 14 cross in an opening 20 of the carrier 12. The opening 20 of the carrier 12 is slot-shaped and extends in the axial direction of the sling 15 or in the circumferential direction of the gas generator 11.

Fastening elements 16 are arranged at the axial ends of the pulling element 14 . The fastening elements 16 are designed as balls pressed on. Depending on the type of tension element 14, other types of fastening elements 16 can be useful.

In 4 the spring clip 13 is in the relaxed and in 5 shown in the clamped state. The spring clip 13 is essentially U-shaped. At the axial ends of the spring clip 13 holding elements 17 are arranged. The holding elements 17 are used to hold the fastening elements 16, for example the balls pressed on. Other shapes of the fastening elements 16 and the holding elements 17 are possible.

To form the retaining elements 17, the axial ends of the spring clip 13 are each bent outwards so that a hook is formed. The holding element 17, specifically the hook, has a gap in the center. In the installed state, the tension element 14, here the steel cable, is arranged in the gap. The width of the gap is preferably smaller than a width, in particular a diameter, of the fastening elements 16 of the tension element 14. In this way, the tension element 14 can be positively connected to the spring clip 13.

The spring clip 13 has a bulge 19 . The bulge 19 is arranged centrally on the spring clip 13 and extends between the holding elements 17 of the spring clip 13. The bulge 19 serves to accommodate the tension element 14 so that the spring clip 13 remains on the tension element 14 in the installed state. Furthermore, due to the bulge 19, a greater spring force can be realized.

The 6-8 show a structure similar to the previously described embodiment. However, the embodiment described below differs in the spring clip 13 and the structure of the carrier 12. In contrast to the previous embodiment, the axial ends of the tension element 14 do not cross in the opening 20 of the carrier 12. Rather, the axial ends of the tension element 14 cross in the embodiment according to 6 outside the opening 20.

A mandrel 18 is formed in the opening 20 of the carrier 12 . Specifically, the mandrel is formed by a bent extension of the carrier 12. The mandrel 18 extends in the direction of the spring clip 13. In the assembled state, the mandrel 18 is arranged in the gap of the holding element 17. This prevents the spring clip 13 from slipping in the axial direction along the carrier 12 .

In contrast to the embodiment described above, the spring clip 13 is in accordance with the embodiment 6 not arranged directly on the gas generator 11 or on the tension element 14 in the assembled state. In contrast to the U-shaped spring clip 13 described above, the present spring clip 13 is V-shaped or essentially V-shaped. This means that the spring clip 13 protrudes from the gas generator 11 in the installed state and does not rest completely against it.

The carrier 12 is used to hold the gas generator 11 and for later connection to a roof liner or a vehicle door or to a safety system.

The spring clip 13 is used to tension the pulling element 14. The spring clip 13 can have different shapes. It should only be noted that the spring clip 13 is designed in such a way that it is able to apply a tensile force to the axial ends of the tension element. The spring clip 13 is preferably made from sheet metal.

The fastening elements 16 interact with the holding elements 17 of the spring clip 13 in a form-fitting manner. This makes it possible for the tension element 14 to be subjected to a tensile force by the spring clip 13 . The loop 15 is pulled together by the crossing axial ends of the pulling element 14 by means of the pulling force provided by the spring clip 13 . This enables a fixed connection or mounting. The fastening elements 16 can also be referred to as stop elements since they are in positive contact with the spring clip 13 .

The pulling element 14 is preferably designed as a steel cable. Other forms or materials of the tension element 14 are also possible and therefore not ruled out. For example, the tension element 14 can comprise a plastic, in particular plastic fibers.

The assembly of a gas generator 11 and the holding device 10 is described below. First, the carrier 12, the spring clip 13, the tension element 14 and the gas generator 11 are provided. The tension element 14 is then guided through the opening 20 of the carrier 12 with at least one axial end. The two axial ends cross each other to form the loop 15. The gas generator 11 is guided through the formed loop 15 to the desired position. An airbag 21 is preferably already arranged on the gas generator 11 . Alternatively, the airbag 21 can be connected to the gas generator 11 after the gas generator 11 has been positioned in the sling 15 . The holding elements 17 of the spring clip 13 are then connected to the fastening elements 16 of the tension element 14 . For this purpose, the spring clip 13 is clamped or bent apart. The fastening elements 16 of the pulling element 14 are connected to the spring clip 13 while the latter is in the tensioned state. As soon as the fastening elements 16 and the holding elements 17 are in the desired position, the spring clip 13 is relieved. The spring clip 13 then strives back into the rest position. As a result, the pulling element 14 or the sling 15 is tightened around the carrier 12, the airbag 21 and the gas generator 11.

The holding device 10 according to the invention enables the gas generator and the airbag 21 to be fitted or fastened, preferably without the use of tools. Furthermore, the holding device can fulfill the function that when the airbag 21 inflates, the spring clip 13 is deformed, so that the tension element 14, in particular the loop 15, contracts. In concrete terms, this means that when the airbag 21 is subjected to a load due to inflation, the connection and the sealing function are reinforced by the holding device 10 according to the invention.

Reference List

10

holding device

11

gas generator

12

carrier

13

spring clip

14

tension element

15

loop

16

fastener

17

holding element

18

mandrel

19

bulge

20

opening

21

air bag

Claims (15)

Holding device (10) for a gas generator (11) comprising a carrier (12), a spring clip (13) and a tension element (14), wherein the tension element (14) for fastening the gas generator (11) comprises at least one loop (15), which is adapted to wrap around the gas generator (11) and the carrier (12) at least partially in the assembled state, the pulling element ment (14) can be connected to the spring clip (13), so that in the connected state for holding the gas generator (11) in the carrier (12), the tension element (14) is subjected to a tensile force by the spring clip (13). holding device claim 1 , characterized in that the pulling element (14) comprises fastening elements (16) and the spring clip (13) holding elements (17) which, in the installed state, act together to apply a tensile force to the pulling element (14). holding device claim 2 , characterized in that the fastening elements (16) are arranged in the area of the axial ends of the pulling element (14) and the holding elements (17) in the area of the axial ends of the spring clip (13). holding device claim 3 , characterized in that the fastening elements (16) are spherical or cylindrical. Holding device according to one of claims 2 until 4 , characterized in that the fastening elements (16) are pressed onto the tension element (14). Holding device according to one of claims 2 until 5 , characterized in that the holding elements (17) are arranged at the free ends of the spring clip (13). Holding device according to one of claims 2 until 6 , characterized in that the holding elements (17) comprise a hook-shaped geometry. Holding device according to one of claims 2 until 7 , characterized in that the carrier (12) comprises at least one mandrel (18) which interacts positively with at least one of the holding elements (17). Holding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring clip (13) has a U-shaped geometry. Holding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring clip (13) comprises a bulge (19) which extends in the longitudinal direction of the spring clip (13). Holding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier (12) has an opening (20), in particular a slot-shaped opening, through which the tension element (14) runs in the assembled state. Airbag module with a gas generator (11) and a holding device (10) according to one of the preceding claims. Airbag module after claim 12 characterized in that an airbag (21) is connected to the carrier (12) and/or the gas generator (11) by the holding device (10). Vehicle safety system comprising an airbag module according to one of Claims 12 or 13 . vehicle with a vehicle security system Claim 14 or an airbag module according to one of Claims 12 or 13 .

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