Morton International, Inc.

Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha

Kurt E Kottke

Christopher Hock

Linda M Rink

Hitoshi Higuchi

Paul T Philpot

Makoto Kan

Scott L Hansen

Iwao Imaizumi

David W Lindsey

Rick L Halford

Timothy J Leonard

An improved method for fabricating a filter for use in automotive air bag inflators which comprises forming a hollow cylindrical inner core or combustion screen of filter material and outer filter layers wound outward from the surface of the core so as to be maintained in cylindrical relation thereabout. This invention is specifically directed to an improved filter which does not include a perforated support tube and relies on only the interior combustion screen for support in the final wrapping of the remaining filter structure.

Method for constructing an inflator filter made of wrapped mesh

Inflator filter made of wrapped mesh

An air bag cover attachment includes a housing formed by extrusion. The housing includes a section for receiving a gas generator, and a pair of spaced parallel side walls which define a storage area for the uninflated cushion. The free ends of the side walls include flanges which are notched to form a series of mounting tabs. The cover includes a depending skirt having slots which mate with the tabs. The strength of the extruded tabs permits the tabs and slots, with no other fastener, to secure the cover to the housing. The slots are oversized to permit the cover to float with respect to the housing. The cover also includes a set of placement tabs extending from the skirt. The placement tabs secure the cover to the dashboard in the proper position. The oversized slots and separate placement tabs ensure that the decorative cover is mounted on the dashboard in the proper position by absorbing tolerance buildup in the housing and housing position. The use of tabs and slots also permits the cover to be secured to the housing and mounted to the dashboard using only a translational pressing motion. This arrangement also permits the cover to be attached to the housing either before or after the housing is mounted behind the dashboard.

Cover attachment for an air bag module

An inflatable air bag module for motor vehicles includes a housing for containing an air bag in deflated condition and an inflator assembly for providing gas to inflate the air bag when activated. The housing includes a first compartment holding the deflated air bag and having an exposed outer cover on one side formed with a fracture line defining an edge of a door. The door is adapted to pivot open along a hinged area when the cover is fractured by pressure from the inflating air bag as it expands out of the compartment. The housing also includes a second compartment holding the inflator assembly and a generally flat divider panel is provided between the first and second compartments with openings therein for permitting gas from the inflator assembly to rapidly inflate the air bag. A single row or set of fasteners is provided for securing all together the first and second compartments, the divider panel and an open end of said air bag along a common level extending around the entire periphery of the housing at a mid-level. The divider panel helps to prevent the walls of the housing from bulging outwardly when the air bag is inflated.

Inflatable air bag module

A break-away retaining flap for containing a deflated, folded-up airbag in a rigid housing of an airbag module while a pivotable cover is attached with fasteners to close an open end of the housing comprises a sheet of thin flexible woven fabric material having a first portion designed for attachment to the housing on a line spaced away from the open end and a second portion adapted to be secured onto a row of fasteners adjacent the open end of the housing while the cover is attached. The retaining flap holds the folded-up airbag in place in the housing during the assembly process and prevents crimping, binding or damage when the cover is installed at final assembly. The retaining flap has a weakened portion intermediately between the first and second attached portions defining a tear-away line adapted to facilitate break-away of the retaining flap into at least two parts when the airbag is inflated without impeding the rapid inflation of the airbag during deployment.

Break-away airbag retaining flap

An enclosure, adapted to hold an auto ignition material in a gas generator that employs solid fuel gas generant material to effect inflation of a protective bag to cushion a passenger from impact with the structure of a vehicle in the event of a crash, is provided.

Growing community of inventors

Bountiful, UT, United States of America

Kurt E Kottke