Morton International, Inc.

Autoliv Asp, Incorporated

David B Johnson

Patricia A Lund

John L Sabin

Don L Parker

Todd B Judd

Scott B Okelberry

John E Dykstra

An airbag mounting system for orienting an inflator, a retaining ring, an airbag cushion and a housing module of an airbag module assembly. The assembly includes an annular retaining ring having a plurality of first fastener openings circumferentially spaced about the ring. At least two of the plurality of first fastener openings being spaced from each other along the ring circumference by a first angle. At least one of the plurality of first fastener openings is offset from at least one of the at least two first fastener openings by a second angle different from the first angle. A module housing includes a plurality of second fastener openings circumferentially spaced about a central inlet opening. At least two of the second fastener openings are spaced from each other along the circumference by a third angle. At least one of the second fastener openings is offset from at least one of the at least two second openings by a fourth angle which is different from the third angle. An airbag having a gas inlet opening corresponding with the central opening of the module housing includes a plurality of third fastener openings circumferentially spaced about the gas inlet opening. At least two of the third fastener openings are spaced from each other along the circumference by a fifth angle. At least one of the third fastener openings is spaced from at least one of the at least two third openings by a sixth angle different from the fifth angle. Upon assembly the at least one of the first fastener openings is aligned with the at least one of the second and third fastener openings. A fastening stud extends through each of the plurality of first, second and third fastener openings for securing the retaining ring, airbag and housing module together.

Offset mounting system for assembling driver side airbag modules

An airbag cushion assembly including a horn switch unit secured to an airbag cushion with a cushion strap, with the cushion strap and horn switch unit cooperating to retain the airbag cushion in a deflated, folded position prior to mounting the airbag cushion assembly within an airbag module and prior to inflation of the airbag cushion. The horn switch unit defines a first elongated slot, a second elongated slot and a weakened portion rupturable upon a force created by inflation of the airbag cushion to break the horn switch unit between a first and a second elongated slots defined by the horn switch unit. The horn switch unit is positioned on the folded airbag cushion opposite the collar, with a first elongated tether of the cushion strap extending through the first slot of the horn switch unit to a distal end secured to the collar of the airbag cushion, and a second elongated tether extending through the second slot of the horn switch unit to a distal end secured to the collar of the airbag cushion.

Airbag cushion assembly having a horn switch secured with a cushion strap

The internal tether of a driver's side automotive airbag is of one or two members, each having a plurality of radial straps. Central portions of the tether are sewn to the airbag front panel by a seam which includes a linear portion crossing the center line of each of the radial strips. In the case of a square seam, the square has rounded corners of a radius suitable for gradually transferring the load from the tether to the front panel to reduce stress concentrations.

Airbag tether and attachment seam

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Brigham City, UT, United States of America

David B Johnson