The invention relates to an airbag module with a tubular gas generator that can be fastened to its module housing.
The object of the invention is to provide a fastening device for a tubular gas generator which has gas outlet openings along the periphery thereof.
In case of an airbag module with an airbag and the tubular gas generator that can be fastened to a module housing having gas outlet openings along the periphery thereof, the tubular gas generator can be fastened according to the invention to the module housing by means of only a clamping ring that can be moved over the tubular gas generator and over a section of the module housing. This arrangement allows in a simple manner the fastening of a tubular gas generator wherein this kind of fastening requires only little installation space.
When assembling the airbag module the clamping ring (GG-latch ring) is preferably moved over an end of the gas generator (GG). Then the side of the GG on which no latch ring is located is preferably moved diagonally from above into an opening of the module housing. During the insertion the GG is pressed with the side of the ring downwards into the module housing. If the GG has reached a horizontal position in the housing said GG can be aligned with a tool radially and axially (e.g. along its longitudinal axis). If this has occurred, the ring which can be latched is moved inside. Since that ring continues preferably on an inclined plane the ring lowers itself by moving and thus clamps the gas generator tightly. On the side without a ring a spring means or spring element provides preferably the necessary hold and prevents a rattling of the gas generator in the module housing.
It is also possible to lay the airbag (gas bag) around the gas producer (gas generator) and to fasten in this manner the airbag while latching the ring. This however is not valid for vacuum folding.
Exemplary, the spring means is formed from a multitude of separate spring elements, which are arranged one after the other across to the longitudinal axial of the tubular gas generator so that they revolve in their entirety the tubular gas generator sectionally across to its longitudinal axial, in particular around 180 degrees.
It is exemplary provided that the elongated section of the clamping ring reaching over the bottom has a lower thickness than a centre section of the clamping ring and that preferably the elongated section of the clamping ring reaching under the support has a lower thickness than the centre section of the clamping ring.
It is exemplary provided that the module housing has two latch noses and the clamping ring has two assigned deformable latch hooks.
Finally, an airbag in form of a vacuum folded airbag is exemplary fixed separately in the module housing.
The invention shall be explained in embodiments by the means of the drawings 1 to 18.
In the longitudinal sections according to
The module housing 1 has furthermore an opening 5 in bottom 2 which is dimensioned such that the tubular gas generator 4 can be placed from above though the bottom 2 on the support 3. For fastening of the tubular gas generator 4 on the module housing 1 solely a clamping ring 6 is provided which is adapted inside to the geometry of the tubular gas generator 4. For instance
The centre section 8 and the lower elongated section 10 of the clamping ring 6 have together a length L which is smaller than the distance of the edges 2a of the bottom 2 and the edges 3a of the support 3 in direction of the longitudinal axis A of the tubular gas generator 4. The elongated sections 9, 10 have a lower thickness than the centre section 8.
The centre section 8 has on the top an overhang 8a pointing during assembly of the clamping ring 6 in direction of the centre of the tubular gas generator 4. In said overhang a recess 8b is provided into which a protrusion 2b of the bottom 2 engages. Through this a tilting of the clamping ring 6 is prevented during the assembly (compare for instance
The assembly of the tubular gas generator 4 occurs in a manner that at first the clamping ring 6 is moved onto the tubular gas generator 4, as shown for instance in
Thereby the section 10 can be elastically deformed and the tubular gas generator 4 can be clamped. Since the section 9 reaches still over the bottom 2 of the module housing 1 (compare
The fastening of the airbag can occur in different ways. Thus, the not shown airbag can loop around the tubular gas generator 4 so that that airbag is fastened in the clamping position of the clamping ring 6 between the tubular gas generator 4 and the support 3. A vacuum folded airbag, also not shown, can be fixed in a known manner separately in a module housing 1, in particular via the mentioned retaining member 200.
According to
According to
On the edge 2a of the bottom 2 opposing the edge 2a of the bottom 2 arranged to the clamping ring 6 along the longitudinal axis A of the tubular gas generator 4 a spring means 100 is provided (compare for instance
The priority application, German Patent Application Number 10 2008 056 946.1, filed on Nov. 7, 2008 is incorporated by reference herein.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10 2008 056 946.1 | Nov 2008 | DE | national |
This application is a continuation of International Patent Application Number PCT/EP2009/063869, filed on Oct. 18, 2009, which claims priority of German Patent Application Number 10 2008 056 946.1, filed on Nov. 7, 2008. The foregoing international application is incorporated by reference herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/EP2009/006386 | Oct 2009 | US |
Child | 13051940 | US |