Morton International, Inc.

Autoliv Asp, Incorporated

Brian M Shaklik

Davin G Saderholm

Kirk H Rasmussen

Brent K Olson

Daniel G Minert

Kelly D Ellis

A simplified airbag inflator providing a convoluted pathway for passage of inflation gases from the combustion chamber of the inflator to exhaust ports leading to an inflatable airbag is provided. The inflator has a U-shaped filter element and U-shaped diffuser attached to an inflator housing defining the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber is closed off with an end plate having generally axially aligned exit holes therein. Inflation gases would flow axially from the combustion chamber through the exit holes in the end plate, radially then axially through the filter element, and then radially out exhaust ports in the diffuser.

Low cost pyrotechnic inflator

An integrated steering wheel and airbag module. The steering wheel includes a base having a mounting hole sized to receive an inflator. Received within the mounting hole is a resilient support block. The inflator is placed in the mounting hole over the support block, and a mounting plate clamps the inflator against the support block. The cushion may include tabs which extend through the mounting plate and are secured to fasteners. The inflator and cushion are thus secured using only the base of the steering wheel, the support block, and the mounting plate. A decorative cover completes the module, with a skirt of the cover being secured to the outer periphery of the steering wheel base.

Integrated steering wheel and airbag module

A compressed gas inflator to be used in passive restraint airbag systems is disclosed. The inflator includes a manifold which discharges the inflation gas in the direction the airbag cushion is intended to inflate, resulting in less damage being inflicted on the airbag cushion during inflation and more consistent airbag inflation performance.

Directional compressed gas inflator

A cover and housing assembly for a module of a vehicle safety restraint system including a cover having a pairs of doors. Each of the doors has an upper edge and a lower edge, joined by a seam of frangible material. An extruded housing includes a pair of sidewalls, each of the sidewalls having a free edge extending along a length thereof. A plurality of attachment segments are formed integrally with and spaced along a length of each of the doors, so as to form an open section between respective pairs of attachment segments. A plurality of attachment portions are formed integrally with and spaced along a length of each of the sidewalls so as to form a recessed section between respective pairs of attachment portions. Upon assembly of the cover and housing, each of the attachment segments of the doors is received within a respective recessed section of the housing and each of the attachment portions of the housing is received within a respective open section of the cover. Grooves in the attachment segments and portions are aligned to form a channel between each of the housing sidewalls and the pair of cover doors. An attachment rod extends through each channel to form a direct hinged connection between the sidewalls of the housing and the doors of the cover, upon deployment of the module, the doors separate along the frangible seam and pivot outwardly opening the housing, without causing material stress to the cover at the hinged connection.

Hinged module cover

An air bag cushion having variable volume. The air bag includes a front wall having a central region for contacting the passenger, and a periphery. This periphery is connected to a periphery of both an intermediate rear wall and an outer rear wall. Both of these rear walls are operatively connected to the gas generator, but the outer rear wall has a larger area than the intermediate rear wall. The generator provides gas to initially inflate the volume defined between the front wall and intermediate wall. The intermediate wall, however, is connected to the gas generator in a manner which permits its release upon exceeding a predetermined pressure within the bag. Above this pressure the intermediate wall is released and the gas inflates the larger volume defined between the front wall and the outer rear wall. As such, if a small amount of gas is produced, such as for a minor collision or due to reduced ambient temperature, the smaller volume is inflated to the proper pressure. If a greater amount of gas is generated, such as for a major collision or due to increased ambient temperature, the larger volume is inflated to provide the proper pressure.

Air bag cushion having variable volume

The invention is an airbag having two modes of deployment. In the normal mode, with a driver in the normal seated position, the airbag is fully deployed and inflated to attain its full normal reach and provide a cushion for protection of the driver in a collision. In the other mode, when a driver is too close to the airbag at the moment of collision, the airbag will deploy only to a shorter reach and thus protect the too-close driver from being forcibly pushed backwards by the airbag inflating to its full normal reach. In the mode for normal deployment an inner flap covers gas exhausting structure on the rear panel of the airbag to prevent escape of inflation gas from the airbag during inflation. But when a driver is too close to the airbag at the moment of collision the inner flap is held away from the gas exhausting structure, keeping such structure uncovered for escape of inflation gas which would otherwise fully inflate the airbag.

Airbag with alternate deployment modes

This invention relates to a clamping structure for assembling an automotive air bag to an automotive air bag inflator. The clamping structure includes an annular retainer ring and module housing. Integral 'L' shaped tabs or studs descending from the annular retainer are designed to pass through radial slots in the air bag and module housing. The tab or stud is formed to have an 'L' shape with the short leg of the 'L' having a slight angle. Then as the retainer is rotated into place, the short leg of the 'L' shaped tab or stud will be forced into contact with the housing and clamp the assembly together.

Growing community of inventors

Fruit Heights, UT, United States of America

Brian M Shaklik