WO2015067367A1

WO2015067367A1 - Airbag module

Info

Publication number: WO2015067367A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/002970
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jürgen Schmid
Original assignee: Trw Automotive Gmbh
Priority date: 2013-11-08
Filing date: 2014-11-06
Publication date: 2015-05-14

Abstract

The invention relates to an airbag module (20) for attaching to an instrument panel (10), comprising an airbag (22), at least one securing portion (34) which is provided for attaching to the instrument panel (10), and a receiving portion (32) for the airbag (22). The securing portion (34) and the receiving portion (32) are connected to the airbag (22) in an integral manner, each portion being formed in particular by a portion of the airbag (22).

Description

The gas bag module

The invention relates to a gas bag module for attachment to an instrument panel, comprising a gas bag, at least one attachment portion, which is intended to be attached to the instrument panel, and a receiving portion for the gas bag.

From the prior art gas bag modules are known, which are mounted on an instrument panel. These gas bag modules are usually used to protect a passenger in an accident and are located behind an outlet opening, which is provided in the instrument panel for the gas bag. In the initial state, the outlet opening is closed by a flap section of the instrument panel, which releases the outlet opening upon activation of the gas bag module.

The known gas bag modules usually have a housing which can be embodied like a trough and accommodates a folded gas bag in its interior. On the housing may further be mounted a gas generator, which is in flow communication with the gas bag. The housing is mounted on the instrument panel below the outlet opening, so that when the gas generator is activated, the deploying gas bag can exit through the outlet opening into the vehicle interior. Through the housing ensures that the gas bag by the pressure of the effluent gas from the gas generator to the front

CONFIRMATION COPY Vehicle interior unfolds. However, a housing for such a gas bag has a relatively high weight.

From the prior art gas bag modules are known which have a tissue housing. The construction of the tissue housing and the connection to the gas bag but consuming.

The object of the invention is to provide a gas bag module, which allows a simple and flexible attachment to the instrument panel of the vehicle, has a lower weight and is easy to manufacture.

To achieve the object, an airbag module for attachment to an instrument panel is provided, with a gas bag, at least one attachment portion, which is intended to be attached to the instrument panel, and a receiving portion for the airbag. According to the invention, the fastening section and the receiving section are integrally connected to the gas bag, in particular each formed by a section of the gas bag. So it is not provided a separate housing, but the gas bag is stabilized in the collapsed state by fabric layers, which is connected to the gas bag, and held in the vehicle. Since the receiving portion and the attachment portion are made of fabric, a flexible adaptation to the installation conditions in the vehicle is possible. In particular, the fastening portion and / or the receiving portion may be formed by a portion of the gas bag, so that no separate components are required. Since no parts have to be attached to the gas bag, the production cost is further reduced. Since both the attachment portion and the receiving portion are integrally connected to the gas bag, a stable connection to the vehicle body is made, which can absorb the loads occurring during deployment of the airbag and forward it to the vehicle body. In addition, the gas bag module is very light.

The attachment portion may be formed, for example, by an outwardly folded portion of the gas bag. In this embodiment, therefore, the attachment portion is formed by a portion of the gas bag, so that a stable attachment of the gas bag module and the gas bag is ensured in the vehicle. Through the folded section can a Be guided fastening means by which the attachment portion and thus the gas bag can be attached to the vehicle body.

In order to secure the gas bag to the vehicle body, preferably two, in particular with respect to the folded gas bag arranged on opposite sides, fastening portions are provided. The folded sections are in particular arranged parallel to one another and in particular in one plane. The attachment portions can be arranged as it were like retaining tabs of a housing on the outside of the gas bag module and take over the function of such retaining tabs. Since the mounting tabs are in one plane, a simple construction of a corresponding receptacle on the vehicle is possible.

An offset arrangement of the attachment sections is also possible. This can be achieved with a suitable installation situation advantageous housing.

The receiving portion extends, for example, between the mounting portions, wherein the receiving portion surrounds the gas bag on the side facing away from the vehicle interior side. The receiving portion thus effectively forms a rear wall of the gas bag. If both mounting sections are fastened to the back of the instrument panel, the airbag can only deploy forward, through the instrument panel and not behind the instrument panel. This ensures that the gas bag unfolds in the desired direction.

The fastening sections or the receiving section can be formed, for example, by a section of the gas bag. But it is also possible that at least one attachment portion or a receiving portion is attached to the gas bag cohesively and / or positively, in particular by gluing or sewing. Also in this embodiment, the fastening portions and the receiving portion are integrally connected to the gas bag, so that no additional housing or separate holding parts are required.

The gas bag module may further comprise a cover portion which covers the receiving portion with the gas bag folded therein. Of the Covering portion encloses the gas bag in the circumferential direction together with the receiving portion, so that a stable airbag package is formed, which can not unfold, for example during assembly or during transport of the gas bag module. At the cover section or at the transition of the cover section to the receiving section a predetermined breaking point is preferably formed, which releases an opening during inflation of the gas bag, through which the gas bag can deploy.

Further advantages and features can be found in the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In these show:

FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of an assembly with a gas bag module from the prior art,

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a gas bag module according to the invention,

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view through the gas bag module from FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 shows the gas bag module from FIG. 3 with inflated gas bag;

- Figure 5 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of a gas bag module according to the invention, and

- Figure 6 in a sectional view of a second embodiment of an assembly with a gas bag module according to the invention.

FIG. 1 generally shows an instrument panel 10 'which, in the sectional view of FIG. 1, adjoins a windshield 12' at its upper, right-hand end. Its left side in FIG. 1 faces a vehicle interior 14 'of a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger seat. In the instrument panel 10 'is an outlet opening 16' is provided, which is closed in the initial state of a flap 18 '.

On the instrument panel 10 ', an airbag module 20' is provided, which has a folded airbag 22 'and a tissue housing 24'. Furthermore, a gas generator 26 'and a gas bag retaining ring 28' are provided. The gas bag 12 'is enclosed by a band 30', which keeps it in a folded, compact state. The tissue housing 24 'has a receiving portion 32' in which the gas bag 22 'is received and protected. The receiving portion 32 'is in particular formed by the peripheral wall of the tissue housing 24'. To the receiving portion 32 'is followed in each case a fastening portion 34', which is connected on both sides of the outlet opening 16 'with the instrument panel 10'. On the mounting portions 34 'opposite side of the gas bag module 20', the gas generator 26 'is fixedly connected to the receiving portion 32'. At the fastening sections 34 'opposite side of the gas bag module 20' is a holding portion 36 'is provided, which is accessible from outside the tissue housing 24', in particular from the back of the gas bag module 20 '. The holding portion 36 'may be formed by a clamping area, by bolts or other design, which makes it possible to attach a separate component on the outside of the airbag module 20', in particular on the gas generator 26 '.

On the holding portion 36 ', a bracket 38' is mounted, which serves for positioning and attachment of the gas generator 26 'in the vehicle. The bracket 38 'is designed here as a rigid bracket. As a material, plastic or metal can be used. In the illustrated embodiment, the bracket 38 'is attached to the instrument panel 10'. But it is also possible to attach the bracket 38 'to other vehicle-mounted components, which are arranged below the instrument panel 10'. The bracket 38 'does not surround the gas bag module 20' on all sides, but surrounds this only as a narrow strip. Thus, it does not provide any pressure-tight closure of the gas generator 26 'or of the gas bag module 20'. To save weight, openings 40 'can be provided, which illustrates that the bracket 38' has no influence on the pressure conditions in the interior of the gas bag module 20 'when unfolding has.

The holding section 36 'of the gas bag module 20' or the gas generator 26 'is mounted floating on the bracket 38', so that a relative movement between bracket 38 'and gas generator 26' is possible (see arrow P 'in Figure 1).

The construction of the gas bag module 20 according to the invention shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 substantially corresponds to the gas bag module 20 'shown in FIG. Likewise, the airbag module 20 shown can be used instead of the airbag module 20 'shown in FIG. In contrast to this airbag module 20 'but, as can be seen in particular in Figure 4, the receiving portion 32 and the mounting portions 34 are formed by a portion of the airbag 22. So it is not a separate housing, in particular no tissue housing 24 'is provided. The housing is formed solely by the tissue of the gas bag 22 itself.

As can be seen in Figures 2 to 4, two arranged on opposite sides 42 of the gas bag module 20 mounting portions 34 are provided. These are each formed by an outwardly folded portion of the airbag 22. As can be seen in particular in FIG. 3, the folded sections are arranged parallel to one another and are located in a common plane E.

Irrespective of this, however, it is also possible for the fastening sections 34 to be differently oriented behind the instrument panel 10 as a function of the installation conditions. In particular, it is not necessary for these to be arranged in a common plane E.

The receiving portion 32 extends, as can be seen in Figure 3, between the two mounting portions 34 and surrounds the folded gas bag 20 on the side facing away from the instrument panel 10 back. Thus, the receiving portion 32 forms, so to speak, the rear wall of the gas bag module, which closes the gas bag module 20 on the side facing away from the vehicle interior 14 side.

On the instrument panel 10 facing the front further a cover portion 44 is provided which completely encloses the gas bag module 20 in the circumferential direction together with the receiving portion 32. The cover portion may also be formed by a portion of the gas bag 22 or by a separate fabric portion which is attached, for example, by sewing or gluing.

By the cover portion 44 and the receiving portion 32 thus a compact airbag package is formed, which can not, for example, during assembly or during transport of the airbag module 20, unfold. In this airbag package, the airbag 22 can be transported folded and stored tightly folded. At the cover portion 44 or at the transition from the cover portion 44 to the mounting portions 34 or the receiving portion 32 preferably predetermined breaking points are provided which tear during deployment of the airbag, so that the airbag 22 can deploy into the vehicle interior 14.

As can be seen in particular in FIG. 2, fastening openings 46 for fastening means are respectively provided on the fastening sections 34. Between the layers of the folded portions of the mounting portions 34 may be provided additional holding elements, by which the rigidity and stability of the mounting portions 34 is increased.

A second embodiment of a gas bag module 20 according to the invention is shown in FIG. The airbag module 20 substantially corresponds to the airbag module 20 shown in FIGS. 2 to 4. In contrast to this, however, the fastening sections 34 are not formed by outwardly folded sections of the airbag 22. Instead, the fastening sections 34 are each formed by fabric strips that have been attached to the receiving section 32 on the outside, in particular glued or sewn thereto. By sewing or gluing these attachment portions 34 are integrally connected to the airbag 22 so that they can absorb the resulting forces during inflation of the airbag 22. By contrast, the receiving section 32 is also formed by a section of the gas bag 22 in this embodiment.

Regardless of the shape of the airbag 20, it is therefore only necessary that the receiving portion 32 and the mounting portions 34 are integrally connected to the airbag 22 and no separate housing is provided.

FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of a gas bag module 20 according to the invention behind an instrument panel 10. In this gas bag module 20, the gas generator 26 is rotated by 90 °, that is arranged vertically. The construction of the airbag module 20 corresponds to the airbag module 20 from FIGS. 2 to 4. In this embodiment, a holding section 48, in which the gas generator 26 is held, is additionally sewn to the receiving section 32.

Claims

claims

A gas bag module (20) for attachment to an instrument panel (10), comprising a gas bag (22), at least one attachment portion (34) adapted to be attached to the instrument panel (10), and a receiving portion (10). 32) for the gas bag (22), characterized in that the fastening portion (34) and the receiving portion (32) are integrally connected to the gas bag (22), in each case by a portion of the gas bag (22) are formed.

2. Airbag module according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening section (34) is formed by an outwardly folded portion of the gas bag (22).

3. Airbag module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two, in particular with respect to the folded gas bag (22) arranged on opposite sides, fastening portions (34) are provided, wherein the folded portions in particular parallel to each other, in particular in a plane, are arranged.

4. Airbag module according to claim 3, characterized in that the receiving portion (32) extends between the fastening portions (34).

5. Airbag module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one fastening portion (34) or the receiving portion (32) on the gas bag (22) is firmly bonded and / or positively secured, in particular glued or sewn.

6. Airbag module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gas bag module (20) a cover portion (44) is provided which covers the receiving portion (32) with the gas bag (22) folded therein.