Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Delphi Technologies, Inc.

Jeffrey Alan Shepherd

James Lloyd Webber

Michael W Donegan

Mark Thomas Winters

James Kent Conlee

Laura Adelle Hawthorn

David P Schenck

Alex Scott Damman

Jens Hannemann

James A Barnard

Robert E Huffman

David James Thomas

Daniel Allen Rhule

Detlev Wilhelm Guthke

Dean Michael Pepperine

Joel M Werbelow

Folkert J Ostermann

Robert A Lenart

Traci Carol Baert

Udo Jacobs

This present invention provides a deformable air bag module for use in an instrument panel or door panel of a vehicle. The air bag module has a deformable housing with an inflator and an air bag cushion being disposed within the deformable housing. The module housing has a neck portion defining an opening formed at a first side, wherein the first side is coupled to the instrument panel. The instrument panel includes first and second instrument panel sections and the module housing is disposed about the first and second instrument panel sections so that deployment of the air bag cushion causes deformation of the module housing resulting in the first and second instrument panel sections separating and deployment of the air bag cushion therebetween. When a tear seam is used to define the first and second instrument panel sections, the present invention permits the tear seam to be formed thicker in size and more durable.

Deformable air bag module housing

A air bag module comprises an inflator, a unitary polymeric housing, and an air bag retainer of the same or similar material. The housing has integral walls forming an inflator chamber which include an inflator mounting stud aperture, a plurality of integral supports for the inflator, an integral peripheral rim forming an airbag chamber, and an integral upper wall having inflator gas diffuser apertures. An inflator stud fastener secures the inflator to the housing. The retainer and housing have integral cooperating fasteners for securing the retainer to the housing. A polymeric cover closes the retainer and confines the attached air bag. The housing and retainer are formed of the same recyclable material such that the air bag assembly can be recycled by simply removing only the stud fastener and the inflator. Several embodiments of the housing, retainer and fasteners are disclosed. In one embodiment, an inflator gas diffuser that is integral with the housing.

Recyclable airbag module housing

An energy absorbing air bag module includes a housing and a mounting member integral with the housing for attaching the housing to a structural portion of the vehicle. The energy absorbing air bag module also includes an energy absorbing mechanism integral with the mounting member, wherein the energy absorbing mechanism deforms when a contact force strikes the energy absorbing air bag module to absorb energy and move away from the contact force.

Energy absorbing air bag module

An air bag assembly includes an air bag having a mouth portion having a plurality of alternating cushion tabs and cushion notches. The air bag assembly also includes a housing having a plurality of resilient clips thereon. An air bag retainer including at least one rod portion extends between at least two cushion tabs and extends across the cushion notches to define cushion openings. The cushion openings are adapted for receiving the clips therethrough such that the rod portion is snap-fittedly engaged beneath the clips to secure the air bag to the housing. Preferably, the clips each include a downwardly extending spring leg portion and a clip pocket shaped for closely receiving the rod portion therein such that the rod portion is snap-fittedly engaged with the clip pocket. Also preferably, the vehicle includes a vehicle panel and the vehicle panel pushes against the clips to trap the rod portion in the clips when the module is installed in the vehicle.

Air bag module assembly

An air bag module includes an axially elongated, extruded housing having a nautilus-shaped profile defined by a single continuously extending spiral-shaped wall. The spiral-shaped wall has first and second free ends and the spiral-shaped wall has a generally continually increasing radius of curvature from the first end to the second end. The housing preferably has a decreased radius portion for holding an inflator therein and an increased radius portion for holding an air bag therein. The decreased radius portion has a radius of curvature which is less than a radius of curvature of the increased radius portion.

Air bag module with extruded housing

An air bag module in a vehicle includes an air bag and a housing for housing the air bag. In addition, a retainer is coupled to the air bag and adapted for attachment to the housing. The retainer includes at least one deformable portion having an undeformed condition prior to attachment of the retainer to the housing and having a deformed condition in which the deformable portion is materially deformed upon attachment of the retainer to the housing such that a size of the retainer is adjustable upon attachment of the retainer to the housing.

Deformable air bag retainer

An air bag assembly for an inflatable passenger vehicle restraint system comprises an inflatable air bag, a thrust neutral inflator for generating pressure gas and a reaction canister. The inflator has a cylindrical casing with a plurality of holes on opposite sides for discharging the gas to inflate the air bag. The reaction canister houses the inflator and has a part-cylindrical bottom wall terminating in upstanding side walls which operatively connect the inflator to the air bag. A plurality of aspiration holes are formed in the reaction canister side walls. A part-cylindrical baffle is mounted in the canister between the inflator and the bottom wall and has an outlet to direct gas discharged from the inflator away from the walls and to the air bag. Ambient air is aspirated through the aspirator holes upon gas delivery from the inflator discharge ports to augment the volume of gas delivered to the air bag. The aspirator holes also serve as pressure relief vents for the air bag.

Inflatable restraint system with gas augmentation

An air bag module comprises an air bag, an air bag retainer ring, a housing, an elongated inflator, and an inflator container. The retainer ring is secured to the air bag about its opening and has a mounting flange. The housing has spaced side and end walls defining a rectangular air bag storage chamber for storing a folded air bag and which has an upper air bag deployment opening and a bottom gas discharge opening. A mounting flange extends from each of the side walls, and four spaced straps span the gas discharge opening to interconnect the side walls and form an inflator cradle. The inflator is located on the straps and comprises a substantially cylindrical case having a plurality of gas discharge holes, a cap end and a blank end. The container comprises a U-shaped body forming bottom and side walls, two spaced raised ribs formed in the bottom wall, and a mounting flange extending from each of the side walls. Three pairs of aligned mounting apertures are formed in all of the mounting flanges. Threaded studs are staked to the retainer ring and extend through the aligned apertures. Nuts engage the stud ends to clamp the retainer ring, the housing and the container together, clamping the inflator between two straps and the ribs. The ribs space the inflator from the side and bottom walls of the container, which functions as a heat shield. The studs are the sole means used to fasten the module components together.

Simplified passenger air bag module

A container for an air bag inflator comprises an open-ended cylindrical aluminum or magnesium extrusion having circumferentially-spaced internal ribs, an axial gas discharge opening and a pair of grooved mounting flanges flanking the opening. A cylindrical inflator is inserted through one end of the container on the ribs. An air bag deployment chute includes depending mounting flanges. An air bag, which includes mounting hems having loops, is placed in the chute. A U-shaped retainer is inserted into the hem loops and into the chute channels. This assembly is slid endwise into the container grooves. An end plate is attached to the retainer ends and has a notch to engage an orientation lug on the inflator. In another embodiment, the chute is omitted and the air bag hem loops each receive a mounting rod which are inserted radially into the container grooves. A mounting plate has flanges that are bolted to the container flanges, clamping flanges of an air bag cover in between. The mounting plate includes depending side flanges, which trap the hems and rods in the grooves, and depending end flanges which axially confine the inflator. The end flanges incorporate the orientation slot and protector for inflator wiring. The container ribs space the inflator from the container walls and create insulating air gaps. The air bag hems can also be sewn to the mounting plate flanges, eliminating the mounting rods and enabling use of a simpler container.

Air bag module

A new and improved air bag module of lightweight construction includes a rectangular support frame defining an open mouth for the mounting of an air bag and having spaced apart opposing end walls and spaced apart opposing side walls. An inflator support depends from each of the end walls of the rectangular support frame to support the inflator beneath the support frame. A liner of flexible sheet material, such as air bag material, has a rim portion adapted for attached to the support frame and a side wall portion suspended from the support frame and reaching between the spaced apart inflator supports whereby upon actuation of the inflator, the inflation gas is contained by the liner and exhausted through the open mouth. In a preferred embodiment, the liner of flexible sheet material has end walls and side walls which are suspended from the support frame and surround the inflator. A support loop may be provided intermediate the inflator supports to control outward expansion of the liner by the inflation gas. The support loop may be a metal strap attached to the support frame, or a loop of flexible sheet material sewn to the rim portion of the liner.

Fabric housing for air bag inflator

A supplemental inflatable restraint system including a compressed gas storage unit containing a compressed gas at a pressure and a two-state pressure switch attached to the compressed gas storage unit and responsive to the pressure of the compressed gas, the two-state pressure switch having a closed state in which current flows through the switch when the pressure of the compressed gas is above a threshold and an open state in which current does not flow through the switch when the pressure of the compressed gas is below the threshold includes a control circuit wherein a diode is connected in parallel with the pressure switch to form a parallel circuit with the pressure switch, an initiator is coupled in series with the parallel circuit of the diode and the pressure switch, a first electric line is connected to a first end of the series circuit and a second electric line is connected to a second end of the series circuit, wherein the series circuit has a first impedance when the pressure switch is closed, indicating that the pressure of the compressed gas is above the threshold, wherein the series circuit has a second impedance when the pressure switch is open, indicating that the pressure of the compressed gas is below the threshold, wherein if the switch is closed and a potential is provided across the first and second lines, current flows through the first line, the switch, the initiator and the second line and wherein if the switch is opened and the potential is provided across the first and second lines, current flows through the first line, the diode, the initiator and the second line.

Control circuit for a compressed gas inflator device

Two embodiments of an air bag module and method of assembly are disclosed. One air bag module includes a flat support plate and a cover confining an air bag. The cover confines the air bag and has a plurality of resilient latch hooks spaced about its periphery which snap over the edges of the support plate and engage adjacent latch surfaces. A locking plate has a locking tab located adjacent each latch hook when assembled to the support plate to prevent deflection of the latch hooks and maintain the latch hooks in engagement with the latch surfaces. The inflator is later secured to the support plate by rivets which also secure the air bag and locking plate to the support plate. Another air bag module includes an air bag, an inflator, an open rectangular retainer mounting the air bag, and an open top and bottom container receiving the retainer and mounting the inflator, and a cover. A plurality of resilient latch hooks on the cover snap over the walls of the retainer and into indentations formed on the periphery of the bottom of the retainer. The retainer is inserted into the top of the container and the camming flanges guide the latch hooks into engagement with the walls of the container which confine the latch hooks against deflection, thus securing the cover against separation. The inflator is later inserted into the bottom opening of the container and secured by a closure.

Air bag module having integral cover attachment

An occupant restraining inflatable cushion apparatus includes a gas generator used to inflate an inflatable fabric cushion which is packaged about the gas generator in a deflated condition. The cushion and gas generator are connected with a closed end of a housing having diverging side walls. The side walls of the housing have venting apertures. The side wall of the cushion also has apertures which, upon inflation of the air bag, register with the apertures in the housing, allowing aspiration of the air bag through the side walls of the housing. Therefore, direct venting through the air bag into the vehicle occupant compartment is avoided.

Vent control device for air bag housing

A container for an air bag inflator comprises an open-ended cylindrical aluminum or magnesium extrusion having circumferentially-spaced internal ribs, an axial gas discharge opening and a pair of grooved mounting flanges flanking the opening. A cylindrical inflator is inserted through one end of the container on the ribs. An air bag deployment chute includes depending mounting flanges. An air bag, which includes mounting hems having loops, is placed in the chute. A U-shaped retainer is inserted into the hem loops and into the chute channels. This assembly is slid endwise into the container grooves. An end plate is attached to the retainer ends and has a notch to engage an orientation lug on the inflator. In another embodiment, the chute is omitted and the air bag hem loops each receive a mounting rod which are inserted radially into the container grooves. A mounting plate has flanges that are bolted to the container flanges, clamping flanges of an air bag cover in between. The mounting plate includes depending side flanges, which trap the hems and rods in the grooves, and depending end flanges which axially confine the inflator. The end flanges incorporate the orientation slot a protector for inflator wiring. The container ribs space the inflator from the container walls and create insulating air gaps. The air bag hems can also be sewn to the mounting plate flanges, eliminating the mounting rods and enabling use of a simpler container.

Growing community of inventors

Troy, OH, United States of America

Jeffrey Alan Shepherd