EP1998982A2

EP1998982A2 - Airbag module for a motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: EP1998982A2
Application number: EP07722045A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thomas Lube; Andreas Pradel; Marc Prost-Fin
Original assignee: Takata Petri AG
Current assignee: Takata Petri AG
Priority date: 2006-03-30
Filing date: 2007-03-08
Publication date: 2008-12-10
Also published as: WO2007115519A2; US20090096196A1; WO2007115519A3; CN101415588A; DE112007000706A5

Abstract

The invention relates to an airbag module (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a gas bag (S) which can be inflated by means of gas to protect a passenger, a gas generator (G) that makes it possible to release the gas required for inflating the gas bag (S), a module housing (M) which surrounds the gas generator (G) and particularly encompasses at least one through-hole (O') that can be connected in a gas-conducting manner to the gas bag (S) such that gas generated by the gas generator (G) can flow out of the through-hole (O') and reach the gas bag (S), and at least one outlet (O) which is disposed on the module housing (M) and to which a first element (E) is assigned that can be moved between at least two different positions. Said first element (E) closes the outlet (O) in a starting position while opening the outlet (O) by moving the first element (E) from the starting position into a final position such that the gas generated by the gas generator (G) is conducted at least in part into an exterior space (A) which surrounds the airbag module (1). Furthermore, a second element (E') which can be moved at least between two different positions and can be moved from a starting position into a final position to close the open outlet (O) is allocated to the at least one outlet (O). Alternatively, a second element (E') which can be moved at least between two different positions is associated with the at least one through-hole (O'), said through-hole (O') being open in a starting position of the second element (E') while being closable by moving the movable second element (E') into a final position such that gas generated by the gas generator (G) cannot reach the gas bag (S) through the through-hole (O').

Description

Airbag module for a motor vehicle

description

The invention relates to an airbag module for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1 and the preamble of claim 2.

Such an airbag module comprises an airbag which can be inflated to protect an occupant with gas, a gas generator with which the gas for inflating the airbag can be released, a module housing which surrounds the gas generator and has at least one throughflow opening which in particular in such a gas-conducting manner with the Can be connected to the gas bag that generated by the gas generator gas flow out of the flow passage and can enter the airbag, and at least one provided on the module housing outflow, which is associated with at least one movable between two different positions first element which closes the outflow opening in an initial position and by the movement of the initial position into an end position, the first outflow opening is so apparent that the gas generated by the gas generator is at least partially directed into an outer space surrounding the airbag module.

The invention is based on the problem to improve an airbag module of the type mentioned in terms of the variability of its Aufblasverhaltens.

This problem is solved by an airbag module having the features of claim 1.

Thereafter, it is provided that the at least one outflow opening is associated with a second element movable at least between two different positions, with which the opened outflow opening can be closed by the fact that the first element (closure element) moves from an initial position into an end position.

Furthermore, the problem underlying the invention is solved by an airbag module having the features of claim 2.

Thereafter, it is provided that the at least one flow opening is associated with a second element movable at least between two different positions, wherein in an initial position of the second element, the flow opening is open and can be closed by a movement of the movable second element in an end position such that Gas generator generated gas can not pass through the flow opening in the gas bag.

By means of the above measures according to the invention, it is possible to open and close the outflow or throughflow opening as a function of a respective accident situation and an occupant (occupant weight, body size), so that a gas quantity with which the airbag is or is filled, more exact to the respective

Accident situation is customizable. For example, in an oop situation (out-of

Position), that is, the gas bag is blocked early, early the outflow opening are opened (and in addition the flow opening are closed), so that the person to be protected is not injured by a too inflated airbag.

Due to the adaptation of the retention performance of such an airbag module concept over the time of opening and closing the outflow or throughflow opening - this time represents an easily controllable parameter of a software used to control the outflow or throughflow opening -, such an airbag module easily adapted to different requirements.

Preferably, the movable first element is mounted on the module housing, in such a way that it is linearly displaceable from its initial position in a first direction of movement in its end position. The movable second element is preferably also mounted on the module housing such that it is linearly displaceable from its initial position in a second direction of movement in its end position, wherein the first Direction of movement is preferably set opposite to the second direction of movement.

In a variant of the invention, the two movable elements are designed as flat slides, which are preferably movable independently of each other, so that in particular the movement of the first element from its initial position to its end position a closed or an open state of

Through flow opening leaves unchanged and that the movement of the second element from its initial position to its end position leaves a closed or open state of the discharge opening unchanged. Thus, if necessary, with advantage

Outflow opening and the flow opening completely independent of each other open or close.

In a variant of the invention, the two elements are designed to open or close the outflow opening, so that it can be opened for a predeterminable period of time (from an opening time to a closing time) in order to vent the airbag in a controlled manner (time-controlled).

For this purpose, the two movable elements each have at least one passage opening, wherein the at least one passage opening of the first

Element in the initial position of the first element out of registry with the at least one outflow opening, ie, the at least one outflow opening and the corresponding passage opening are displaced relative to one another such that an adjacent to the passage opening arranged region of the first element covers the at least one outflow opening and thereby closes ( it does not depend on a complete gas-tightness of the closed discharge opening).

In contrast, the second element is arranged in its initial position such that its at least one through-hole is at least partially, preferably completely, in register with the corresponding, at least one outflow opening, so that gas can escape from the module housing through the outflow opening and the one through-opening unless the first element obscures the discharge opening in its initial position. For opening the outflow opening during the inflation of the airbag, therefore, the first element is moved from its initial position to its end position, so that the passage opening of the first element is brought into coincidence with the outflow opening. Since the second element is initially in its initial position described above, thereby the discharge opening is opened.

For optionally subsequent closing of the outflow opening, the second element is moved from its initial position to its end position, wherein the through-hole device is out of engagement with the outflow opening, so that the outflow opening is closed by the second element, which is in its end position.

In the present case, matching two openings does not mean that two considered openings - e.g. the passage opening of the first element and the corresponding outflow opening of the module housing - are arranged congruent at the same contour and area, but only that the first element movably mounted on the module housing is displaced against the module housing such that its passage opening at least partially over the outflow opening to lie comes that the two openings are gas-conducting communication with each other.

Preferably, however, the two through-holes are congruent with the corresponding outflow opening, that is, they have the same contours and opening cross-sections.

Furthermore, the complete open discharge opening (or a totality of such openings) preferably has an opening cross-section of 4000 mm ² to 5000 mm ² , via which gas can escape from the module housing into the surrounding outer space.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the movable first element serves to open or close the at least one outflow opening, while the second movable element is arranged and provided for opening or closing the throughflow opening, via which the gas generator arranged in the module housing can be connected to the gas bag in a gas-conducting manner is. Preferably, the first and the second element are initially in their respective initial position prior to inflation of the airbag. Here, the first element is mounted on the module housing such that its passage opening is arranged in the initial position out of alignment with the outflow opening and covers the outflow opening for closing the outflow opening. In contrast, the second element is arranged in its initial position in coincidence with the flow opening, so that gas generated by the gas generator is introduced through the throughflow opening into the gas bag, wherein the passage opening when moving the second element from its initial position to its end position for closing the flow opening is brought out of coverage with the flow-through.

Preferably, the outflow opening is provided in a wall portion of the module housing, which is preferably releasably fixed to the module housing, wherein the first element is mounted on the wall part, that it is displaceable against the wall part to the passage opening in or out of alignment with the outflow opening bring. As an alternative to the detachable connection between the wall part and the module housing, the wall part is preferably formed in one piece with the module housing.

In a variant of the invention, the wall part is designed as an insert, wherein the wall part has two edge regions which oppose each other transversely to the first direction of movement and engage for releasably securing the wall part on the module housing in each case in a groove, wherein the two grooves are formed on the module housing ,

Preferably, the first element is longitudinally slidably mounted on an inner side of the wall part, which faces an inner space enclosed by the module housing, wherein the first element can slide along the inner side of the wall part. Here, the first element is preferably guided in rails, which are provided on the inside. Such rails are preferably formed integrally with the wall part.

In one embodiment of the invention, the second movable element is likewise mounted so as to be displaceable longitudinally on the wall part, the second element preferably being displaceable on an outer side of the wall part facing away from the inside of the wall part is mounted, that is, the wall part is arranged transversely to the first direction of movement between the two elements, which are preferably movable in opposite directions of movement from the respective initial position into the respective end position.

In an alternative variant of the invention, the second element is displaceably mounted on the inside of the wall part, wherein the second element is arranged transversely to the first direction of movement between the first element and the wall part.

The module housing preferably has a chamber which surrounds the gas generator at least in sections, which is in particular cylindrical, wherein the cylinder axis is preferably oriented parallel to the first direction of movement. From this chamber are transverse to the first direction of movement two walls - preferably tangentially - from, the two walls opposite each other transverse to a main deployment direction of the airbag. The main deployment direction of the airbag is understood to be that direction along which the airbag moves when inflated toward an occupant to be protected. In the case of a cylinder-shaped chamber, the gas generator is preferably designed as a tube gas generator which extends along the first direction of movement and whose longitudinal axis coincides with the cylinder axis of the chamber.

In one embodiment of the invention, the wall part is provided on one of the two walls. For this purpose, the two grooves, in which the wall part with its opposite edge regions for releasable fixing to the wall is inserted on the wall in question, wherein the two grooves are parallel to each other and extend along the first direction of movement. The wall part itself is aligned such that the at least one outflow opening formed on the wall part allows outflow of gases generated by the gas generator in a direction oriented transversely to the main deployment direction.

In the event that the wall part is formed on one of the two walls, the first and the second movable element is preferably formed in each case as a planar slide, which - as well as the wall part as a carrier of the two movable elements - extends flat along an extension plane , In another embodiment of the invention, the wall part forms a part of the chamber, wherein the wall part faces away from an occupant to be protected. The grooves for releasably fixing the insert formed as wall part are provided in this variant of the invention to the chamber and parallel to each other along the first direction of movement or along the cylinder axis of a cylinder-shaped chamber. The two grooves can in particular also be formed integrally with the chamber.

In the case of a cylindrical chamber, a wall part provided on the chamber as well as the movable elements mounted thereon have a convex curvature which corresponds to the curvature of the chamber (cylinder jacket) about the cylinder axis.

For fastening the airbag module in the motor vehicle, the airbag module has two holding elements on which together with the chamber surrounding the gas generator form a further chamber of the module housing, which is gas-conductively connected to the chamber via the flow-through and forms a receptacle for the folded airbag.

For attaching the gas bag to this further chamber, the two walls each have a side facing away from the chamber, along one chamber (or cylinder axis) extended edge, on each of which a mounting region for the gas bag is formed.

The gas bag can be inflated via an inlet opening with gases that can be generated by the gas generator, and furthermore has a fixing ring encircling the inflow opening, which can be brought into engagement with the attachment areas of the further chamber for fastening the gas bag to the module housing. For this purpose, the attachment areas may for example each form a groove into which corresponding areas of the fixing ring can be inserted.

In one embodiment of the invention, the second movable element is displaceably mounted on a further wall part of the module housing, wherein the at least one throughflow opening is formed on this further wall part. Preferably, the further wall part is detachably fixed to the module housing. Alternatively, the further wall part is preferably integrally connected to the module housing. In a variant of the invention, the further wall part is designed as an insert, with two opposite transverse to the first direction of movement edge regions which engage for releasably securing the further wall part in two grooves formed on the module housing.

Preferably, the second element is slidably mounted on an inner side of the further wall part, which faces an interior space surrounded by the module housing, wherein preferably the further wall part forms a part of the chamber, which is arranged along the main deployment direction of the airbag between the gas generator and the gas bag. In this case, the two grooves are each provided on an inner side of the respective wall facing the interior of the module housing (further chamber), so that the two grooves lie opposite each other transversely to the main deployment direction and face each other.

For independently moving the two movable elements, each of the two elements is associated with a movement generating device which is adapted to move the first or second element from its initial position to its end position. In this case, the first or second movement-generating device is preferably set up and provided to move the respective movable element from its initial position to its final position at a predefinable opening or closing time, wherein those times depend on at least one occupant or sensible sensor unit Motor vehicle-related parameters (occupant weight, occupant size, position of the occupant with respect to the airbag, speed of the motor vehicle or the occupant, accidental delay of the motor vehicle or the occupant, etc.) are calculated by an electronic control unit.

In a variant of the invention, the two movement-generating devices, which may be designed as identical parts, work pyrotechnically. In this case, the movement generating devices on a pressurizable piston, which is adapted to press by applying pressure against an edge of the first and second element to move the respective movable member from its initial position to its end position. In an airbag module according to the invention, in which both movable elements serve to open or close one or more outflow openings, both movement-generating devices are formed on the wall part, preferably in such a way that they face each other along the first direction of movement. The wall part preferably forms a preassemblable submodule together with the two movement generating devices and the two elements. As a result, other airbag modules can be retrofitted with a venting mechanism according to the invention with advantage. Furthermore, thereby the handling of the venting mechanism (submodule) is greatly simplified in case of service.

In the case that the first element for opening the discharge opening is provided and the second element for closing the flow opening, the first movement generating device is formed on the wall part, whereas the second movement generating device is formed on the further wall part.

In this case, the wall part together with the first movement-generating device and the first element preferably forms a preassemblable first sub-module, while the further wall part together with the second movement-generating device and the second element preferably forms a pre-assembled, separate second sub-module.

Preferably, these two sub-modules are designed as equal parts, which has an advantageous effect on the manufacturing cost.

The illustrated features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following figures. Show it:

1 is an exploded perspective view of an airbag module, with a first and a second movable element for opening or closing a discharge opening of the airbag module.

2 shows a planar wall part of the airbag module shown in FIG. 1, with the first element displaceably mounted thereon and the second element displaceably mounted thereon for opening or closing outflow openings of the wall part; FIGS. 3A-5B show the wall part shown in FIG. 2 with different positions of the movable elements;

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a modification of the in the figure

1 airbag module shown;

FIG. 7 shows a curved wall part of the airbag module shown in FIG. 6, with the first element displaceably mounted thereon and the second element displaceably mounted thereon for opening or closing outflow openings of the curved wall part;

8A-10B: the curved wall part shown in Figure 7 with different

Positions of the movable elements;

11 shows an exploded perspective view of a further modification of the airbag module shown in FIGS. 1 and 6;

FIG. 12 shows an arched wall part of the airbag module shown in FIG. 11, with the first element displaceably mounted thereon; FIG.

FIGS. 13A-B show the curved wall part shown in FIG. 12 with different positions of the movable first element; and

14A-B: a curved further wall portion of the airbag module shown in Figure 11, with the displaceably mounted second element in different positions.

FIG. 1 shows in connection with FIGS. 2 to 5B an airbag module 1 with an airbag S which can be inflated to protect a person by means of a gas generator G designed as a tubular gas generator. The gas generator G is in a chamber

70 of a module housing M arranged, which is connected via flow openings O 'with another chamber 79, in which the gas bag S is arranged prior to inflation. The module housing M has a plurality of outflow openings O (in FIG. 1, only one outflow opening O is exemplified), which by means of a first and a second movable element E, E ', which are each driven by a movement generating device 40, 50, can be opened or closed in a time-controlled manner in order to adapt the gas pressure prevailing in the gas bag S to the circumstances of an accident situation (deceleration of the motor vehicle, weight and position of the occupant to be protected).

The chamber 70 of the airbag module 1 is cylindrical, wherein the cylinder axis is transverse to a main deployment direction H of the airbag S. In an installed state of the airbag module 1, the cylinder axis extends substantially along the vehicle transverse axis y, in particular parallel to the vehicle transverse axis y. The longitudinal axis of the gas generator G arranged in the chamber 70 coincides with the cylinder axis of the chamber 70.

The gas generator G has two free ends which are each clamped by a part 77b, 78b of a holding element 77, 78 which projects into the chamber 70 along the cylinder axis, so that the gas generator G is fixed with respect to the chamber 70 surrounding it.

Of the two holding elements 77, 78 each have a flange 77a, 78a, which serves for fastening the airbag module 1, which is formed in the figure 1 as a passenger airbag module, on a motor vehicle part.

The further chamber 79 of the module housing M is formed by two walls 71, 72 which extend tangentially from the cylindrical chamber 70, namely from the jacket, along the main deployment direction H and face each other transversely to the main deployment direction H, the two walls 71, 72 preferably run parallel to each other, as well as by the two holding elements 77, 78, which extend in sections along the main deployment direction H over the chamber 70.

A respective edge 73, 74 facing away from the chamber 70 is provided on the two walls 71, 72, wherein the two edges 73, 74 each extend along the cylinder axis of the chamber 70 and are designed as fixing regions for a fixing ring 81, which has an inflow opening 80 the airbag S rotates. For fixing the gas bag S to the further chamber 79, the fixing ring 81 can be brought into engagement with the attachment areas 73, 74. Preferably, the two attachment portions 73, 74 are formed for this purpose as grooves into which the rectangular fixing ring 81 can be inserted.

Gas released in the chamber 70 by the gas generator G can thus pass through the flow-through openings O 'into the further chamber 79 and from there through the inflow opening 80 into the gas bag S in order to inflate it.

In order to allow venting of the gas bag S during inflation, a flat, rectangular (plane) wall portion 20 is provided on one of the walls 71, which is detachably connected to the wall 71 connectable. For this purpose, two mutually parallel grooves 26a and 26b are provided on the wall 71, each extending parallel to the cylinder axis of the chamber 70 and are arranged one above the other along the main deployment direction. In these grooves 26a, 26b, the wall part can be inserted, wherein corresponding edge portions 25a, 25b of the wall part engage in the grooves and are guided by these.

The outflow openings O of the module housing M are rectangular in shape and formed in two superimposed rows on a wall portion 20.

In its state fixed to the wall 71, the wall part 20 conceals outbreaks of the wall 71 from the outer space A of the airbag module 1, which are arranged such that the outflow openings O formed in the wall part 20 are arranged in front of those outbreaks, so that when the outflow openings O are open Gas from the further chamber 79 in the outer space A of the airbag module 1 can be passed.

In its installed state, the wall part 20 has an inner side 27 facing an inner space I of the module housing M and an outer side 28 facing away from the inner side 27 (facing the outer space A).

On the outer side 28 of the wall portion 20 is to reclosure of the

Outflow O the second element E 'along a second direction of movement R', which is parallel to the cylinder axis, slidably mounted, wherein the second Element E 'is flat and rectangular in shape and is embedded in a recess V of the outer side 28 of the wall portion 20. In this case, the second element E 'engages with its two along the first direction of movement R extending edges on the wall portion 20 provided projections 65 (one of these projections is exemplified in Figure 2), on the one hand a guide of the second element E' along the first direction of movement R and on the other hand hold the second element E ¹ normal to the outside 28.

So that the second element E 'can engage behind the projections 65, corresponding recesses 66 are provided on the second element E'. This allows a simple

Insertion of the second element E 'along a normal to the outside 28 oriented

Direction into the recess 28 formed on the outside 28, wherein during the subsequent displacement of the second element E 'in its initial position against the second direction of movement R', the projections 65 each have an edge portion of the second element E ', which are arranged between each two recesses 66 to be under attack.

In the same way, to open the outflow opening O on the inner side 27 of the wall part 20, the first element E is displaceably mounted along the first direction of movement R.

Both elements E, E 'have a plurality of through openings 10, 11 which are formed in terms of number, position and shape (contour and cross-sectional area) such that the through-openings 10, 11 of the two elements E, E' are each completely congruent with corresponding outflow openings Arrange O of the wall portion 20. In the present case, the outflow openings O of the wall part 20 are rectangular and arranged in two superimposed rows on the wall part 20, each extending along the first direction of movement R.

Before inflation both elements E, E 'occupy their initial positions. In this case, the first element E covers the outlet openings O in each case with webs of the first element E, which are arranged along the first direction of movement R between each two through openings 10 of the first element E. The second element E 'is arranged in its initial position with respect to the wall part 20 such that the passage openings 11 are in coincidence with the outflow openings O. in the Result, the outlet openings O are therefore closed before inflation and all generated by the gas generator G G is first passed into the gas bag S (see Figures 3A and 3B).

Depending on at least one parameter, the outflow openings O are optionally opened as described above. For this purpose, only the first element E has to be displaced from its initial position along the direction of movement R into its end position, in which - like the second element E 'in its initial position - the outflow openings O are released (compare FIGS. 4A and 4B). If the outflow openings O are to be closed again as a function of at least one parameter, the second element E 'is moved from its initial position to its end position, namely opposite to the first element E, the second element E' in its end position - like the first one Element E in its initial position - the outflow openings O hidden (see Figures 5A and 5B).

With this mechanism, the outflow openings O can thus be opened at a predefinable time for a predefinable period of time in order to effect a controlled venting of the airbag S.

For moving the first and the second element E, E 'is in each case a movement generating device 40, 50 is provided. The two movement-generating devices 40, 50 each have a cylindrical pressure chamber 43, 53, wherein the two pressure chambers 43, 53 are each arranged on a free edge portion of the wall portion 20, which are opposite to each other along the first direction of movement R and aligned. In each case a piston 41, 51 is movably mounted along the first direction of movement R in the two pressure chambers 43, 53. The pistons 41, 51 are inserted through openings 43a, 53a in the respective pressure chamber 43, 53, wherein the two openings 43a, 53a are then each closed with a spherical closure element 41a, 51a, for this purpose in the respective opening 43a, 53a be pressed.

For driving its piston 41, 51, each movement generating device 40, 50 has a pyrotechnic gas generator 41b, 51b sealingly inserted into a further opening 43b, 53b of the respective pressure chamber 43, 53. By (electrical) ignition of the respective gas generator 41b, 51b, an overpressure is provided in the relevant pressure chamber 43, 53, which presses the respective piston 41, 51 out of the pressure chamber 43, 53.

In the first movement generating device 40, the piston 41 is pressed in the direction of movement R against a transversely to the direction of movement R extending edge 42 of the first element E, so that it is moved in the direction of movement R from its initial position to its end position. In the second movement generating device 50, the movement of the second element E 'from the initial position to the end position is opposite to the first direction of movement R.

Figure 6 shows in connection with Figures 7 to 10B is a schematic exploded view of a modification of the type shown in Figure 1. Here, in contrast to Figure 1, the wall portion 20 is not displaced on one of the two walls 71, 72 from its initial position to its end position stored, but at the chamber 70, in such a way that the outer side 28 of the wall portion 20 faces away from a person to be protected.

Furthermore, in contrast to the wall part 20 of FIG. 1, the wall part 20 of FIG. 6 has a convex curvature, viewed from the outside A, which is adapted to the curvature of the (cylindrical chamber 70). Accordingly, the movable elements E, E 'mounted on the wall part 20 also have the same convex curvature.

Furthermore, the second element E 'is not mounted on the outer side 28 of the wall part 20 as in FIG. 1, but also on its inner side 27, between the wall part 20 and the first element E. The depression V is accordingly along a normal to Inner side 27 oriented direction designed twice as deep (the depth corresponds to the sum of the thicknesses of the first and second elements E, E '), as in the airbag module 1 shown in FIG.

The opening or closing of the outflow openings O (see Figures 8A to 10B), however, is completely analogous to the sequence shown in Figures 3A to 5B, with the only difference that the two movable elements E, E ¹ are movably mounted on the same side of the wall portion 20.

11 shows in connection with FIGS. 12 to 14B an exploded view of a modification of the airbag module 1 shown in FIG. 6, wherein, in contrast to FIG. 6, only one movable element, namely the first one, on the first wall part 20

Element E, is mounted longitudinally displaceable on the inside 27 of the wall part 20. Of

Furthermore, the wall part 20 of Figure 11 accordingly only one

Motion generating device 40 of the type shown in Figures 1 and 6, respectively (see Fig. 12).

Before the gas bag S is inflated, the first element E is in its initial position, in which it closes off the outlet openings O provided on the wall part 20 in the previously described manner (FIG. 13A). By igniting the movement generating device 40, the first element E is moved from its initial position to its end position, in which it releases the outflow openings O according to FIG. 13B in the manner already explained (passage openings 10 are arranged congruently with the outflow openings O).

In order to completely prevent the introduction of gases into the gas bag S, in the airbag module 1 shown in FIG. 11, the flow openings O 'are provided on a further wall part 30 which is arranged between the chamber 70 and the further chamber 79 of the module housing M and for closing the throughflow openings O 'is constructed substantially identical to the first wall part 20 of Figure 11.

The further wall portion 30 has a corresponding curvature of the chamber 70 (convex curvature) and is also designed as a drawer, which is guided with two mutually transverse to the cylinder axis of the chamber 70 edge portions 35a, 35b in a respective groove 36a, 36b, the are formed on mutually facing inner sides of the walls 71, 72.

Thus, the two wall parts 20, 30 (as independent sub-modules) face each other along the main deployment direction H and at least partially surround the gas generator G in cross-section. At the other wall portion 30, the second element E 'is now movably mounted, namely - corresponding to the first, the wall part 20 mounted element E - in a recess V of the interior I facing inside 27 of the other wall portion 30. The further wall portion 30 forms Thus, a controllable closable partition between the chamber 70 and the other chamber 79th

Before the gas bag S is inflated, the second element E 'of the further wall part 30, as well as the first element E of the wall part 20, is in its initial position (see Fig. 14A), in which the flow-through openings O' coincide with the passage openings 11 of the second element E 'are. Thus, the flow-through openings O 'during inflation of the airbag S are first opened (with the outlet openings O closed), so that all the gases generated by the gas generator G through the flow openings O' in the further chamber 79 and from there through the inlet opening 80 into the airbag S arrive.

In order to slow down the pressure build-up in the gas bag S or to reduce the gas pressure during inflation of the airbag S, the outflow openings O can now be opened at any time (usually during the inflation of the airbag S) by the first element E means the movement generating device 40 is shot from its initial position to its end position.

In addition, it is possible to close off the initially opened flow-through openings O 'by moving the second element E' (along the second or first movement direction R ') from its initial position to its end position according to FIG. 14B (the passage openings 11 of the second element E'). reach out of alignment with the flow openings O ¹ ). As a result, the gas bag S is completely sealed off, so that no further gases can penetrate into the gas bag.

A particular advantage of the venting mechanisms described herein consists on the one hand in the modular design (the wall parts 20, 30 together with the movement generating devices 40, 50 and the movable elements E, E 'independent, pre-assembled sub-modules) and on the other in the relatively large vent cross-section, which by the lattice-like arrangement of the outflow, Outflow and through-holes O, O ', 10, 11 can be achieved while maintaining high structural stability of the movable elements E, E'. Furthermore, it is advantageous that by the linear movement of the movable elements E, E '(slide), the risk of blocking the slides E, E' during movement from the initial position to the end position is low.

It is furthermore advantageous that controllable outflow openings and throughflow openings O, O 'are provided by means of the described venting mechanisms, which additionally or alternatively act as standard discharge openings in an airbag.

The mechanisms described above, ie, a movement of the first and second elements for controllably opening or closing the outflow or flow openings O, O ¹ , of course, before or after the inflation of the airbag in dependence on occupants, crash activate (trigger) relevant (collision-relevant) or vehicle-relevant parameters. Such parameters are, for example, the size, mass and position of the occupant to be protected (with respect to the gas bag), the speed of the vehicles involved in the collision (or relative speed), the deceleration of the vehicle during the crash (collision) ,

_* * _{* * *}

Claims

claims

An airbag module for a motor vehicle, comprising:

an airbag (S) inflatable with gas to protect an occupant,

a gas generator (G) with which gas can be released to inflate the gas bag (S),

a module housing (M) which at least partially surrounds the gas generator (G),

- At least one provided on the module housing (M) outflow opening (O) through which by means of the gas generator (G) generated gas in an airbag module (1) surrounding outer space (A) can pass, and

- one of the outflow opening (O) associated with the movable first element (E) ₁ which is adapted to be moved from an initial position in which the first element (E) the outflow opening (O) to an end position, wherein the movement of the first element (E) from the initial position in the

End position the outflow opening (O) is opened such that the gas generated by the gas generator (G) is at least partially passed through the outflow opening (O) in the outer space (A),

characterized in that

the at least one outflow opening (O) is assigned a second element (E ') which is designed to be moved from an initial position to an end position for closing the opened outflow opening (O).

2. Airbag module for a motor vehicle, comprising:

an airbag (S) inflatable with gas to protect an occupant,

a gas generator (G) with which gas can be released to inflate the gas bag (S),

a module housing (M) surrounding the gas generator (G),

- At least one provided on the module housing (M) throughflow opening (O ¹ ) which is gas-conductively connected to the gas bag (S) that by means of the gas generator (G) generated gas through the flow-through opening (O ¹ ) through into the gas bag (S) can reach, - At least one provided on the module housing (M) outflow opening (O) through which by means of the gas generator (G) generated gas in an airbag module (1) surrounding outer space (A) can pass, and one of the outflow opening (O) associated with movable first element (E), which is adapted to be moved from an initial position in which the first element (E) closes the outflow opening (O) to an end position, wherein by the movement of the first element (E) from the initial position in the

End position the outflow opening (O) is opened so that through the

Gas generator (G) gas is at least partially passed through the outflow opening (O) in the outer space (A),

characterized in that

the at least one flow-through opening (O ¹ ) is associated with a second element (E '), which is adapted to from an initial position in which the

Throughflow (O ¹ ) is opened to be moved to an end position, wherein by the movement of the second element (E ') from the initial position in the

End position the flow opening (O ¹ ) is closed in such a way that through the

Gas generator (G) generated gas can not pass through the flow opening (O ¹ ) in the gas bag (S).

3. Airbag module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first element (E) is mounted on the module housing (M) that it is linearly displaceable from its initial position in a first direction of movement (R) in its end position.

4. Airbag module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second element (E ') is mounted on the module housing (M) such that it can be displaced linearly from its initial position in a second direction of movement (R') into its end position.

5. Airbag module according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the first direction of movement (R) opposite to the second direction of movement (R ') is oriented.

6. Airbag module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first element (E) is designed as a flat slide.

7. Airbag module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second element (E) is designed as a flat slide.

8. Airbag module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two elements (E, E ') are movable independently of each other.

9. Airbag module according to claim 2 or one of claims 3 to 8 as far back referring to claim 2, characterized in that the movement of the first element (E) from its initial position to its end position a closed or an open state of the flow opening (O ¹ ) unchanged leaves.

10. Airbag module according to claim 2 or one of claims 3 to 9 as far back referenced to claim 2, characterized in that the movement of the second element (E ') from its initial position to its end position a closed or open state of the discharge opening (O) leaves unchanged ,

11. Airbag module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first element (E) at least one passage opening

(10)

12. Airbag module according to claim 11, characterized in that the first element (E) is mounted on the module housing (M) such that the passage opening (10) in the initial position of the first element (E) out of line with the

Outflow opening (O) is arranged so that the first element (E) covers the outflow opening (O) for closing the outflow opening (Q) and that the passage opening (10) for opening the outflow opening (O) during movement of the first element (E) is brought from its initial position to its final position in coincidence with the outflow opening (O).

13. Airbag module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second element (E ') has at least one passage opening (11).

14. Airbag module according to claims 12 and 13 as far back referring to claim 1, characterized in that the second element (E ') is mounted on the module housing (M), that the passage opening (11) of the second element (E') in the initial position of the second element (E ') is at least partially arranged in coincidence with the outflow opening (O), so that the

Outflow opening (O) is opened when the first element (E) is moved from its initial position to its end position.

15. Airbag module according to claim 14, characterized in that the second element (E ') is mounted on the module housing (M) such that the

Passage opening (11) of the second element (E ') is brought by the movement of the second element (E') from its initial position to its end position out of alignment with the opened outflow opening (O), so that the second element (E ') in its End position the outflow opening (O) for closing the discharge opening (O) covered.

16. The airbag module according to claim 13 as far as dependent on claim 2, characterized in that the second element (E ') is mounted on the module housing (M) that the passage opening (11) of the second element (E') in the initial position of second element (E ') in coincidence with the flow-through opening

(O ¹ ) is arranged so that gas generated by the gas generator (G) can pass through the flow opening (O ¹ ) into the gas bag (S) and that the passage opening (11) during movement of the second element (E ') its initial position is brought to its end position for closing the flow-through opening (O ¹ ) out of alignment with the flow-through opening (O ¹ ).

17. Airbag module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outflow opening (O) in a wall part (20) of the module housing (M) is formed.

18. Airbag module according to claim 17, characterized in that the first element (E) is displaceably mounted on the wall part (20) of the module housing (M).

19. Airbag module according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the wall part (20) is releasably fixed to the module housing (M).

20. Airbag module according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the wall part (20) is formed integrally with the module housing (M).

21. Airbag module according to one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that the wall part (20) is designed as a slot, with two opposite edge regions (25a, 25b) for releasably securing the wall part (20) on the module housing (M ) in the edge regions (25a, 25b) respectively associated grooves (26a, 26b) engage, which are formed on the module housing (M).

22. Airbag module according to one of claims 17 to 21, characterized in that the first element (E) is displaceably mounted on an inner side (27) of the wall part (20) which faces a housing (I) surrounded by the module housing (M) ,

23. Airbag module according to one of claims 17 to 22 as far back referenced claim 1, characterized in that the second element (E ') is displaceably mounted on the wall part (20).

24. Airbag module according to claims 22 and 23 as far back referred to claim 1, characterized in that the second element (E ') on one of the inner side (27) facing away from the outer side (28) of the wall part (20) is displaceably mounted.

25. Airbag module according to claims 22 and 23 as far back referred to claim 1, characterized in that the second element (E ') on the inside (27) of the wall part (20) is displaceably mounted.

26. Airbag module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the module housing (M) has a gas generator (G) at least partially surrounding chamber (70).

27. Airbag module according to claim 26, characterized in that of the chamber (70) protrude two walls (71, 72) which lie transversely to a main deployment direction (H) of the airbag (S) facing each other.

28. Airbag module according to one of claims 17 to 25 as far as dependent on claim 1 and claim 27 as far back referring to claim 1, characterized in that the wall part (20) on one of the two walls (71, 72) is arranged.

29. Airbag module according to claims 21 and 28 insofar as dependent on claim 1, characterized in that the grooves (26 a, 26 b) for releasably securing the

Wall part (20) on one of the two walls (71, 72) on that wall (71, 72) are formed.

30. Airbag module according to one of claims 17 to 22 and according to claim 26 or 27, characterized in that the wall part (20) is arranged on the chamber (70), that the wall part (20) facing away from an occupant to be protected.

31. Airbag module according to claims 21 and 30, characterized in that the grooves (26a, 26b) for fixing the wall part (20) to the chamber (70) are formed.

32. Airbag module according to claim 27 or one of claims 28 to 31 as far back referred to claim 27, characterized in that the two walls (71, 72) part of a further chamber (79) of the module housing

(M), which via the at least one throughflow opening (O ¹ ) is gas-conductively connectable to the chamber (70) and which forms a receptacle for the gas bag (S).

33. Airbag module according to claim 27 or one of claims 28 to 32 as far as dependent on claim 27, characterized in that the walls (71, 72) each have a side facing away from the chamber (70), along the chamber (70) extending edge (73, 74), wherein at the edge regions (73, 74) each have a mounting region for the gas bag (S) is formed.

34. Airbag module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gas bag (S) has an inflow opening (80) through which gas released by means of the gas generator (G) can enter the gas bag (S).

35. Airbag module according to claims 33 and 34, characterized in that the gas bag (S) has a the inflow opening (80) encircling fixing ring (81) for fixing the airbag (S) on the module housing (M) with the attachment areas (73 , 74) is engageable.

36. Airbag module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one throughflow opening (O ¹ ) in a further wall part (30) of the module housing (M) is formed.

37. Airbag module according to claim 36, characterized in that the second element (E ') is displaceably mounted on the further wall part (30) of the module housing (M).

38. Airbag module according to claim 36 or 37, characterized in that the further wall part (30) is releasably fixed to the module housing (M).

39. Airbag module according to claim 36 or 37, characterized in that the further wall part (30) is formed integrally with the module housing (M).

40. Airbag module according to one of claims 36 to 39, characterized in that the further wall part (30) is designed as a slot, with two opposite edge regions (35a, 35b), for releasably securing the further wall portion (30) on the module housing (M) in the edge regions (35a, 35b) respectively associated grooves (36a, 36b) engage, which are formed on the module housing (M).

41. Airbag module according to one of claims 36 to 40 as far back referred to claim 2, characterized in that the second element (E ') is displaceably mounted on an inner side (27) of the further wall part (30), one of the module housing (M) surrounded inner space (I) faces.

42. Airbag module according to claim 26 or 27 and according to one of claims 36 to 41, characterized in that the further wall part (30) forms a part of the chamber (70), so that the further wall part (30) along a main deployment direction (H) of the gas bag (S) between the gas generator (G) and the gas bag (S) is arranged.

43. Airbag module according to claims 27, 40 and 42 as far back referring to claim 2, characterized in that the grooves (36a, 36b) are formed opposite each other on a respective wall (70, 71).

44. Airbag module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first element (E) is associated with a first movement generating device (40) which is adapted to move the first element (E) from its initial position to its end position.

45. Airbag module according to claim 44, characterized in that the first movement generating device (40) is adapted to move the associated first element (E) at a predefinable opening time from its initial position to its end position.

46. Airbag module according to claim 45, characterized in that the opening time is calculated as a function of at least one parameter that can be sensed by a sensor unit by an electronic control unit.

47. Airbag module according to one of claims 44 to 46, characterized in that the first movement generating device (40) has a pressurizable piston (41), which is adapted, upon application of pressure against an edge (42) of the first element ( E) to move the first element (E) from its initial position to its end position.

48. Airbag module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second element (E ') is associated with a second movement generating device (50) which is adapted to move the second element (E') from its initial position to its end position.

49. Airbag module according to claim 48, characterized in that the second movement generating device (50) is adapted to move the associated second element (E ') at a predefinable closing time from its initial position to its end position.

50. Airbag module according to claim 49, characterized in that the closing time is calculated as a function of at least one sensible by a sensor unit parameter by the electronic control unit.

51. Airbag module according to one of claims 48 to 50, characterized in that the second movement generating device (50) has a pressurized ble piston (51) which is designed to act upon application of pressure against an edge (52) of the second element (E ') to move the second element (E') from its initial position to its end position.

52. Airbag module according to claim 17 or one of claims 18 to 43 as far as dependent on claim 17 and any one of claims 44 to 47, characterized in that the first movement generating device (40) on the wall part (20) is arranged.

53. Airbag module according to one of claims 48 to 51 as far as dependent on claim 1 and claim 52 as far back referring to claim 1, characterized in that the second movement generating device (50) on the wall part (20) is arranged.

54. Airbag module according to one of claims 3 to 5 as far back to claim 1 and claim 53, characterized in that the two movement generating devices (40, 50) along the first direction of movement (R) are opposite to each other.

55. Airbag module according to one of claims 36 to 43 as far back referenced according to claim 2 and any one of claims 48 to 52 as far back referring to claim 2, characterized in that the second Bewegungserzeugungs- device (50) on the further wall part (30) is arranged ,

56. Airbag module according to one of claims 17 to 25 as far as dependent on claim 1 and one of claims 52 to 54 as far back referring to claim 1, characterized in that the wall part (20) together with the two movement generating devices (40, 50) and the two Elements (E, E ¹ ) forms a preassemblable sub-module (60).

57. Airbag module according to one of claims 17 to 22 and according to claim 52, characterized in that the wall part (20) together with the first movement generating device (40) and the first element (E) forms a preassemblable first sub-module (61).

58. Airbag module according to one of claims 36 to 43 and to claim 55, characterized in that the further wall part (30) together with the second movement generating device (50) and the second element (E ') forms a pre-assembled second sub-module (62).

59. Airbag module according to claim 57 or 58, characterized in that the two sub-modules (61, 62) are designed as identical parts.

60. Airbag module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first element (E) extends flat along an extension plane.

61. Airbag module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second element (E ') extends flat along an extension plane.

62. Airbag module according to claim 3 or one of claims 4 to 61 as far back referred to claim 3, characterized in that the first element (E) is curved transversely to the first direction of movement (R) convex.

5 63. Airbag module according to claim 4 or one of claims 5 to 62 as far back referring to claim 3, characterized in that the second element (E ') transversely to the second direction of movement (R') is convexly curved.

64. Airbag module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and the second element (E, E ') are designed as identical parts.

65. Airbag module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gas generator (G) is designed as a tubular gas generator.

Λ C * * * * *