Air bag module

Abstract

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.