MXPA01006273A - Driver side airbag module - Google Patents

Abstract

An airbag module (20) has a housing (22) with a first opening (102) within a first housing portion (100). A retaining member (24) has a second opening (52) and at least one pair of opposed open faced ramps (40a,b). The airbag (26) has an inflatable cushion portion (80) and a neck portion (82). The neck portion is located between the housing and retaining member (24). A module cover (30) protects the airbag, and is opened by the airbag when it is inflated. An inflator (28) is placed within the first opening from a bottom of the first housing portion (100) and into the second opening (52). The inflator has a flange (36). An edge of the inflator flange located proximate a respective open face of a ramp and the inflator rotated, the flange engages the ramps and is drawn toward the retaining member thereby sandwiching the housing and airbag therebetween.

Description

AIR BAG MODULE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE.

The present invention relates to an air bag module on the driver's side that holds a housing, a retainer member, an air bag and an inflator together without the use of separate fasteners in accordance with appended claim 1.

An improved air bag system is provided in conjunction with the present invention which is easy to manufacture and assemble where various parts of the module are interconnected.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a view of the assembly illustrating the main components of the present invention; Figure 2 is an isometric view of an inflator; Figures 3a and 3b are several views of a detent member (such as a plate or ring); Figure 4 illustrates in diagrammatic form an air pocket; Figures 5 and 6 illustrate assembly steps of a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 7 is a plan view of the lower part of a housing and inflator; Figure 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention; Figure 9 is an isometric view of a detent member; Figure 10 is an isometric view of an inflator; and Figure 1 1 illustrates an assembly stage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 is an assembly view showing the main components of an airbag module of 20. These components are a housing 22, a retainer member 24, an air bag or cushion 26, an inflator 28 and a cover of module 30. Inflator 28, also shown in Figure 2, comprises an indicrel body 32 having a plurality of outlet ports 34 positioned around it. A mounting flange 36 extends from the midpoint of a side wall 38 of the inflator. It should be appreciated that the flange may extend from any portion of the inflator. The flange 36 is segmented and forms a plurality of notches between several segments of the flange 36. More particularly, the flange includes two flat opposed segments 36a, 36b extending radially outwardly. The tab 36 additionally includes two additional opposed segments 36c, 36d. Each tab segment 36a-36d includes a respective small notch 38a-38d that is capable of receiving a stuck tab extending from the detent member. The flange segments 36c, 36d respectively include a radially flat extending portion 37 and upwardly extending ramp portions (also referred to as a ramp) 40a, 40b respectively. As can be seen, the ramp portions extend uniformly away from the corresponding radially extending portion 37 of the flange segments 36c, 36d. The leading edge 39 of each ramp portion defines an open face or receiving portion. The ramp angle, relative to the flat tab segments, is selected to allow interaction with the ramp located on the coupling component to provide positive, uniform and effective clamping. In addition, the ramps 40a, 40b in the illustrated embodiment are manufactured by stamping a pattern that does not contain the flange, and which then forms the ramps and notches. As is known in the art, the inflator 28 can take any of a number of forms such as a cold-stored gas inflator, a hybrid inflator or a solid-propellant inflator. In each case, upon receipt of a signal indicative of a collision, the inflation gas is produced or released to inflate an air bag 26. The inflator 28 is inserted from a lower side of the housing 22 through a hole and rotated instead. This pivoting action positively engages the retainer member 24 and intersperses the air bag 26 between the retainer member and the housing while securing the inflator to the retainer member 24 which may comprise a ring or plate. Reference is briefly made to Figures 3a and 3b, as well as figure 1. The retainer member 24 comprises a plate portion 50 having a central opening 52. Extending outwardly and upwardly from the plate 24 are the optional side walls 54. As can be seen, if used, the side walls give the member a Hold 24 a cup-like appearance. The retention member can take many forms such as square, rectangular or circular. The retaining member is typically made of metal or plastic and formed proximal of the central opening with a plurality of receiving tab. The tabs can be added to the plate or formed as an integral part in the plate. The tabs 56a, 56b are positioned opposite one another and formed as embossed integral portions of the plate 50. Those tabs are L-shaped and include a radially inwardly extending portion 58 and a vertically extending wall or separator 60. As can be seen from the different views, the inwardly extending portions 58 are spaced apart parallel to the plane of the plate 50. The retainer member or ring 24 further includes a plurality of opposite ramp-shaped tabs 62a, 62b. . Each of the ramp-shaped tabs includes a ramp-shaped coupling surface 64, a side wall 66 and a leading edge 65 defining an open face, nozzle or receiving end. The ramp-shaped tabs extend below the generally cordurous bottom surface of the plate 50 as shown in Figure 3a. The central opening 52, mentioned above, includes a circular portion 70, and two opposite slots or openings 72a, 72b that are formed when the tabs 58a, 58b are separated from the plate 50. The opening 70 includes two slots of smaller dimension, notches or openings 74a, 74b which are respectively placed below and adjacent to the tab in the form of ramps 62a, 62b. The retaining member 22 further includes a plurality of outwardly extending retaining tabs, integrally formed 76a, 76b, 76c and 76d. Figure 4 illustrates the different characteristics of an air bag 26. As is known in the art as an air bag is made with one or more sections of cloth or plastic film forming a one-piece or multi-piece construction. The air bag can also be woven, interwoven, blown, vacuum molded, etc. When the air bag is formed it comprises a cushioned inflatable portion 80 and a neck portion 82. The neck portion is positioned proximate the inflator 28. This neck portion is often reinforced by a number of layers of material 84 that function as a reinforcement and thermal protection to protect the other surrounding portions of the air bag 26. The neck portion 82 of the present invention, which includes those other layers of material 84, includes a central opening 86 and a plurality of smaller apertures a 88, also shown in Figure 1. Reference is again made to Figure 1, which shows the neck portion 82 of the air bag. The additional thermal protective layers 84 and the cushioning portion 80 have been removed for clarity. As can be seen, the opening 86 is formed similarly to the opening 52 having a central portion 90 and two extending notches 92a, 92b that are similar in size to the openings 72a, 72b in the plate 50. The opening 86 further includes two optional notches 94a, 94b that are similar in size to the notches 74a, 74b of the plate 50. During assembly of the air bag module 20 the retainer member 24 is inserted into the central opening 86 and manipulated from so that the retaining tabs 76a-76d extend through one of the smaller openings 88 with the different complementary features such as the notches 74a, 92a and 74b, 92b, etc. of the holes 52, 58 in alignment. Reference is again made to Figure 1 and more particularly to housing 22 and module cover 30. The primary purpose of the housing is to provide a support plate on which the air bag 26 is secured directly to prevent that the inflation gas escapes from it and provides a reaction surface during deployment. In its simplest form the housing 22 may comprise a base plate 100 having a central opening 102 formed similarly to the opening 86 in the air pocket. However, in the embodiment shown, the housing includes raised walls 1 12 extending downwardly from the plate 100. The opening 102 includes larger extending notches or portions 104a, 104b and optional extended optional notches or portions 106a 106b. The notches may be extensions of the aperture 102 or separated therefrom by a portion of the plate 100. The plate 100 additionally includes a plurality of smaller tab-receiving apertures 108. Those walls extending downwardly contact with the aperture. the internal portions of the module cover. The housing and the module cover are secured together by some means such as rivets. The precise manner in which the cover of the module and the housing cooperate is not particularly relevant to the present invention in addition to the module cover being secured to the housing in such a way that it will not be released from the housing during inflation of the air pocket . Housing 22 or plate 100 may include a plurality of extending mounting fasteners such as threaded inserts 120, short pins or other features that are used to mount module 20 to a cooperating structure within the vehicle. If the module is used as a driver-side module fasteners, such as short threaded pins would be secured in a structural component within the steering wheel. The fasteners could optionally extend from the retainer member 24 through cooperating openings in the neck 82 of the air bag -26 (not shown) and through other openings (not shown) in the plate 100. A module cover 30 it is also shown in figure 1.

This module cover is only illustrated in diagrammatic form as many different configurations of the module cover that can be used with the present invention. The purpose of the module cover is to provide a decorative front that encloses and protects the airbag. A common module cover will include an upper part 130 which is designed with a visible or invisible tension point, often referred to as a tear suture 132. The module cover includes extending sides 134 which are attached to the housing 22 (or the plate 100) in 1 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the module cover is of a generally square or rectangular configuration, which conforms to the shape of the housing. As can be appreciated from the foregoing, the inflator 28 is inserted into the opening 102 from the underside of the housing 22. This feature allows the other portions of the module, i.e. retainer 24, air bag 26 and housing 22 are assembled before insertion of the inflator therein. The assembly and operation of this embodiment of invention is as follows. The retainer member 24 is inserted into the opening 86 of the air bag 26 and manipulated so that the openings 52 and 90 are in compliance and the tabs 76a-76d extend through one of the openings 88 in the bag of air 26.

The tabs 76a-76d are then adjusted through a corresponding one of the openings 108 in the receiving plate 100.

Two of the tabs such as 76a, 76b can flex outwards to partially lock the retainer member 24, the air bag 26 and the housing 22 together. Subsequently, the cushion 80 of the air bag 26 is folded into a compact configuration and placed around the opening 102 of the receiving plate 100. Subsequently the module cover 30 is secured to the housing 22. Subsequently, the inflator 28 is secured to the previously assembled portions of the module 20. Figure 5 is a top isometric view showing the inflator positioned on the plate 100 of the housing 22 and below the retainer member 24 with the leading edges of each of the tabs in the form of ramp 40a, 40b placed in the respective opening or nozzle 65 of the ramp-shaped tabs 62a, 62b. For purposes of clarity, the cover of the module has been omitted from Figs. 5 and 6. As can be seen, the anterior tip or leading edge 39 of the respective ramp 40a, 40b extends over the aperture 74a, 74b of the shaped tab of respective ramp 62a, 62b. Subsequently, the inflator is rotated in a direction to the left as seen from the inside of the retainer member (as also shown in Figure 6). This action generates a fastening fit between the ramp-shaped tabs 40a, 40b and the corresponding ramp-shaped portion 64 of the ramp-shaped tabs respectively. In addition, if used, this rotation also rotates the radially extending flanges 36a, 36b of the inflator 28 under a corresponding one of the retaining tabs 56a, 56b.

The rotation of the inflator 28 secures the retainer member 24 to the inflator, thus sandwiching the air bag 26 against the accommodating plate 100. The orientation of the different portions of the flange 36 and the retention tabs 76a-76b can be seen also in Figure 7. As mentioned above, some of those tabs 76a, 76b may flex outwards (see arrow 77) to initially retain the retainer member to the housing prior to the introduction of the inflator. Other techniques of retention or initial placement, used in manufacturing, can also be used. The remaining retention tabs 76c, 76d are then flexed inwardly (see arrow 79) and received into one of the notches 36a and / or 36b of the flange segments of the inflator 28. As can be seen, this tongue and groove layout provides a counter-turn feature that prevents the inflator from turning out. The operation of the module follows that of the classic air bag module. Upon receipt of a collision signal the propellant or gas stored within the inflator is activated, thereby producing or releasing an amount of inflation gas that is communicated through the inflator ports 34 to inflate the air bag 26. The inflation bag rests against the underside of the upper part 130 of the module cover 30 causing the tear suture or tear sutures 132 to tear, thereby providing an opening through which the air pocket it can continue to spread to protect the occupant. As the air bag deploys, an opposing backward force is exerted against the L-shaped brackets and the ramp-shaped surfaces securing the inflator to the retainer member and housing. In addition, the detent tabs 76a-76d serve to hold the air bag in position during deployment. Figure 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention where similar components are identified by the same numbers. More specifically, FIG. 8 shows an alternate conductor air bag module 20 comprising a retainer member 24, the cushion 26, the housing 22 and the inflator 28. In this embodiment, the ramp-shaped flanges the inflator 28 of figure 1 has been removed and an alternating ramp group was placed on the retainer member. The retainer member 24 comprises a plate portion 50 with an optional upwardly extending peripheral wall 54. The central opening 52 is generally circular in shape. The material previously found in the center of the plate 50 is flexed in two pairs of eyelashes extending 150a-150d. Each of the tabs 150a-150d includes a raised leg 152 and a radially inwardly extending arm 154. The height and depth of the legs and arms will vary with their inflator height. Each of the tabs 150a-150d includes an inwardly extending ramp-shaped tab 160 which is formed by stamping and flexes into a portion of each leg 152. As can be seen from FIG. 9, each tab 160 is angled relative to a corresponding arm 154. The cushion 26 of this second embodiment is identical to the cushioning described above with the exception that the central opening 86 is generally circular to mold with the circular shape of the opening 52. The neck 82 of the air bag 26 includes the plurality of tab receiving openings 88. As can be seen from FIGS. 8 and 9, this retainer member 24 further includes the plurality of flexed retaining tabs 76a-76d. The housing 22 may comprise a plate 50 or, alternatively, may be formed as a receptacle or open box on the side with the inclusion of peripheral wall 1 12, (as used in Figure 1). The plate 100 similarly includes the plurality of tab receiving aperture 108. The inflator 28, which is also shown in FIG. 10, is cylindrical in shape and includes a radially extending circular flange 36, which extends from the side wall of the inflator. The location of this tab is determined from the parameters of the module components. Secured to the top 170 of the inflator 28, by welding for example, is a mounting plate or flange 180. The mounting plate can be formed integrally as part of the inflator body. The mounting plate includes four radially formed corners 182. Each side 184 of the plate 180 is flat and further includes an inwardly directed notch 186. The diameter of the mounting plate 180, which is the distance measured diagonally between the radially formed corners opposite 182, is slightly smaller than the diameter of the opening 52 of the retainer member 24. During assembly, the retainer member 24 is slid through the central opening 86 in the air bag 26 and manipulated so that the tabs 76a- 76d extend through a respective tongue receiving aperture 88 in the air bag. Subsequently the tabs 76a-76d are received through one of the tab-receiving openings 108 in the plate 100. One or more of these tabs can be flexed to temporarily secure the retainer 24, the air bag 26 and the plate 100. (or housing 22) together as described above. Subsequently, the air bag 26 can be folded, a module cover 30 secured to the housing 22 and the inflator 28 inserted and locked in place. Alternatively, the inflator can be inserted first into the retainer member and the air bag can then be folded with the module cover and placed in place on the air bag. As with the previous embodiment, the inflator 28 is inserted from the underside of the housing 22 into the retainer member 24. The inflator is oriented, prior to insertion into the housing 22, so that each notch 186 is located below. of a corresponding inwardly extending ramp-shaped tongue 160. In this way, as the inflator 28 is inserted through the housing and through and into the retainer member 24, the plate 180 will pass through the shaped tabs. ramp 160 according to which tabs 160 are received in and through the corresponding notch 186. The inflator is inserted into the retainer member 24 until the upper part of the plate 180 butts against the lower part of each of the radial arms 154. This relationship is shown in figure 11. For clarity, the module cover has been removed. The inflator 28 is rotated in a counterclockwise fashion (see arrow 190 of figure 11). As the inflator 28 including its plate 180 rotates, an anterior edge 184 of each of the curved corners 182 enters the wide nozzle portion 65 of the ramp-shaped tongue 160. Subsequent rotation of the inflator 28 and plate 180 causes that the corners 182 are trapped between the ramp-shaped tabs 160 and the radial arms 154 also pulling the inflator flange 36 inwardly and holding the cushion 26 and the plate 100 (of the housing 22) together. Rotation to the right could be included by changing the direction of the ramps.

Claims (6)

1. CLAIMS. An air bag module comprising: a housing having a first opening within a first housing portion, a retainer member having a second opening, an air bag having an inflatable cushion portion and a portion of neck, the neck portion is located between the housing and the retainer member, and an inflator received within the first opening from a lower portion of the first housing portion and into the second opening, the inflator including a flange; wherein one of the retainer member and the inflator includes a ramp-shaped portion so that when one edge of the inflator flange is located proximate a respective open face of the ramp portion and the inflator rotated, the flange engages the ramp-shaped portion and is drawn towards the retainer member thereby interposing the housing and the air bag therebetween.
2. 2 An air bag module according to claim 1, characterized in that an inflator flange is capable of receiving a folded flange extending from the detent member. An air bag module according to claim 1, characterized in that the retainer member can have different shapes due to the different shapes of the inflator. An air bag module according to claim 1, characterized in that the air bag comprises an inflatable cushion portion and a neck portion; The neck portion is reinforced by a number of layers of material that function as a reinforcement and thermal protection to protect the other surrounding portions of the air pocket. 5 An air bag module according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing portion provides a support plate on which the air bag is directly secured to prevent the inflation gas from escaping therefrom and providing an air bag. reaction surface during deployment. An assembly process of the air bag module according to claim 1, comprising the steps of: attaching the retainer member to the air bag; join the housing plate to the apparatus; secure the module cover to the apparatus; secure the inflator to the apparatus; The process according to claim 6, characterized in that the retainer member is inserted into the opening of the air bag and manipulated so that the openings are in compliance and the tabs extend through one of the openings in the air bag. the air bag The process according to claim 6, characterized in that the tabs are adjusted through a corresponding opening in the housing plate. The process according to claim 6, characterized in that the inflator is secured to the retainer member due to a fastening fit between the ramp-shaped flange and the corresponding ramp-shaped tabs of the retainer member. SUMMARY. An airbag module has a housing with a first opening within a first housing portion. A retainer member has a second opening and at least one pair of opposing open ramps. The air bag has an inflatable cushion portion and a neck portion. The neck portion is located between the housing and the retainer member. A module cover protects the airbag and is open 10 for the air bag when it is inflated. An inflator is placed within the first opening from a lower portion of the first housing portion and into the second opening. The inflator has a tab. An edge of the inflator flange located next to a respective open face of a ramp and the inflator rotated, the flange 15 engages the ramps and is drawn towards the retainer member thereby sandwiching the housing and the air bag therebetween. twenty 25