Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.

Joseph J Mihm

Patrick G Jarboe

James M Kumkoski

Ponget P Wipasuramonton

Kurt F Fischer

John Francis Rhein

Tracy S Sparks

Craig M Fischer

Steven W Maurer

James R Hocking

Jeffrey C Synor

Steven R Hoskins

Airbag assembly

An air bag module 10 includes an inflator (18) clamped between a first portion (14) and a second portion (16) of a housing (12). An air bag (20) is connected with a retaining ring (22). A series of fasteners (148, 150) on the retaining ring (22) extend through fastener openings (162, 164) in the air bag (20) and through fastener openings (96, 98) in the first portion (14) of the housing (12) and through fastener openings (126, 128) in the second portion (16) of the housing (12). The fasteners (148, 150) connect the air bag (20) with the retaining ring (22) and with the first and second portions (14, 16) of the housing (12).

Vehicle safety apparatus including inflatable restraint

An air bag module (10) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (12), an inflator (18) having first and second axial end walls (64, 66), and a diffuser (20) having first and second end walls (90, 92). A chamber (94) extends between the first and second end walls (90, 92) of the diffuser (20). The first axial end wall (64) of the inflator (18) is supported in the chamber (94) at the first end wall (90) of the diffuser (20), and the second axial end wall (66) of the inflator (18) is supported in the chamber (94) at the second end wall (92) of the diffuser (20). The module (10) further includes an end cap (26) which is fastened to the first end wall (90) of the diffuser (20) in a fastened position. The end cap (26) imparts an axially directed supporting force to the inflator (18). The supporting force urges the inflator (18) axially inward of the chamber (94) at the first end wall (90) of the diffuser (20), and urges the inflator (18) axially outward of the chamber (94) at the second end wall (92) of the diffuser (20).

Air bag module

An air bag system (10) includes an inflator (14) containing ignitable gas generating material (60) which, when ignited, generates gas for inflating the air bag (12). The system (10) further includes a collision sensor (96), a first actuator assembly (64) and a second actuator assembly (62). The collision sensor (96) senses a predetermined amount of vehicle deceleration which is indicative of a collision, and provides a collision signal upon sensing such deceleration. The first actuator assembly (64) ignites the gas generating material (60) in response to the collision signal. The second actuator assembly (62) ignites the gas generating material (60) when the ambient temperature of the inflator (14) reaches a predetermined elevated level. The second actuator assembly (62) includes a bi-metal disk (112) which deflects from a concave shape to a relatively convex shape when the ambient temperature increases to the predetermined elevated level. When the bi-metal disk (112) deflects into the relatively convex shape, it moves a firing pin member (120) forcibly against a primer (108) to actuate the primer (108). The primer (108) then ignites the gas generating material (60).

Auto ignition device for an air bag inflator

A inflatable vehicle air bag has a single fluid chamber and is specially designed to bend around a vehicle instrument panel to form an effective occupant restraint in front of a vehicle occupant. The air bag is formed from a single continuous loop of flexible air bag material. The air bag is designed to be inflated to a predetermined three dimensional configuration when fluid under pressure is directed into the fluid chamber. The air bag comprises a pair of main panels which are connected with each other in a manner which allows them to bow outwardly relative to each other as the air bag is inflated to its predetermined three dimensional configuration, and a special bend pleat which is formed in one of the main panels. Moreover, respective portions of the main panels are preferably connected with each other by one or more expansible end pleats which allow the portions of the main panels to separate from each other as the air bag is inflated to its three dimensional configuration. The bend pleat enables the air bag to bend around a vehicle instrument panel as the air bag is being inflated to its predetermined three dimensional configuration. The air bag is particularly useful for a top mounted air bag assembly in which the air bag (i) is deployed through the top of a vehicle instrument panel and (ii) bends about the instrument panel and forms an inflated cushion between a vehicle occupant and the front of the instrument panel.

Dashboard top mounted vehicle air bag assembly

A housing for an air bag inflator includes a tubular wall and gas dispensing nozzles extending through at least a portion of the wall. The tubular wall defines an inflator cavity for receiving a source of gas. The inflator housing includes a tongue formed in one piece with one end of the housing and projecting outwardly from the housing. The tongue includes a planar surface adapted to be coupled to a planar wall of a reaction device. The inflator housing further includes a sleeve attached to the tubular wall axially spaced from the tongue. The sleeve includes diametrically opposed flanges extending outward from the sleeve. Each of the flanges include a planar surface adapted to be coupled adjacent the planar wall of the reaction device. The tongue includes an alignment device which provides for properly aligning the inflator with the reaction device. According to another aspect of the invention, the inflator housing structure includes a pair of sleeves attached to axially spaced portions of the housing. A surface of at least one of the flanges includes an alignment device for providing proper alignment of the inflator with the air bag module.

Air bag inflator and method of assembly

An air bag inflator is provided with a new and useful auto-ignition device. The auto-ignition device comprises a thermoelectric battery, preferably located outside of the inflator housing. The thermoelectric battery is adapted to become electrochemically active in a predetermined temperature range (e.g. 300.degree.-400.degree. F.), and to provide an electrical signal which actuates the inflator.

Auto-ignition device for an air bag inflator

A new and useful vehicle air bag module design and new assembly techniques are designed specifically for automating the process of assembling an air bag module. The air bag module includes a reaction can which has a main body defining a cavity and an air bag opening, an external flange extending away from the air bag opening, and an inflator-receiving slot formed in part of the main body. A folded air bag having a gas inlet opening is at least partially disposed in the cavity. A retention device is integral with the air bag around the periphery of the gas inlet opening and is disposed adjacent the external flange on the reaction can. The inflator has a cylindrical housing and an integral coupling structure. The cylindrical housing extends partially through the inflator-receiving slot and includes a portion disposed within said cavity and a portion disposed outside said cavity. A first set of fasteners connects the coupling structure of the inflator with a portion of said main body of said reaction can. A second set of fasteners connects the retention device with the external flange on the reaction can. The reaction can, which may be either aluminum or steel, is formed as a monolithic structure by deep drawing techniques.

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North Branch, MI, United States of America

Joseph J Mihm