U.S. patent application number 09/993282 was filed with the patent office on 2003-05-08 for plastic air bag module with variable cushion vent area adjustment.
Invention is credited to Thomas, Scott David.
Application Number | 20030085554 09/993282 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25539338 |
Filed Date | 2003-05-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030085554 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Thomas, Scott David |
May 8, 2003 |
PLASTIC AIR BAG MODULE WITH VARIABLE CUSHION VENT AREA
ADJUSTMENT
Abstract
There is disclosed a housing assembly for an air bag system with
a gas emitting inflator for emitting inflation gas. The housing
assembly includes a support structure for retaining the gas
emitting inflator within the structure and to a vehicle if the gas
emitting inflator auto-ignites upon exposure to extreme
conditions.
Inventors: |
Thomas, Scott David; (Novi,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAURA C. HARGITT
General Motors Corporation
Legal Staff, Mail Code 482-C23-B21
P.O. Box 300
Detroit
MI
48265-3000
US
|
Family ID: |
25539338 |
Appl. No.: |
09/993282 |
Filed: |
November 6, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
280/728.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 21/2171
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/728.3 |
International
Class: |
B60R 021/16 |
Claims
1. A housing for supporting an air bag system within a vehicle
comprising a cylindrical gas emitting inflator for emitting
inflation gas, said housing comprising: a three-dimensional unitary
support structure for helping to retain said gas emitting inflator
within said housing if said air bag system is degraded, said
support structure comprising framing to support an air bag cushion
above said gas emitting inflator, said framing forming a
perforated, semi-cylindrical diffuser and having a flange extending
downward from said diffuser frame for securing said gas emitting
inflator to said support structure; a three dimensional unitary
housing container fixedly attached to said retaining support
structure and supporting said gas emitting inflator within said
housing; and a mask-like girdle fixedly attached to said housing
container opposite said retainer support structure and supporting
said gas emitting inflator.
2. The housing as defined in claim 1, said girdle further
comprising a retaining member for retaining said gas emitting
inflator within said housing if said air bag system is
degraded.
3. The housing as defined in claim 1, and further comprising an
attachment member for securing said retaining support structure to
a vehicle.
4. The housing as defined in claim 1, wherein said retaining
support structure is formed of a metal stamping.
5. The housing as defined in claim 1, wherein said housing
container is formed of a non-ferrous material.
6. The housing as defined in claim 1, wherein said girdle is formed
of a metal stamping.
7. The housing as defined in claim 6, wherein said girdle further
comprises an attachment member for securing said girdle to a
vehicle.
8. The housing as defined in claim 7, wherein said girdle is formed
of a metal stamping.
9. An air bag module housing assembly for housing an air bag system
within a vehicle, said air bag system comprising a gas emitting
inflator for emitting inflation gas and an air bag in fluid
communication with said inflator, said housing assembly comprising:
a retainer having a first rigid strap and a second perforated,
semi-cylindrical rigid diffuser for supporting said air bag about
said inflator and forming the upper portion of said housing
assembly; wherein said diffuser further comprises a downwardly
extending rigid flange having means for attaching said inflator to
said retainer; and a mask-like girdle forming the lower portion of
said housing assembly and removably attached to said retainer, said
girdle cradling and fixedly containing said gas emitting inflator,
said girdle and said retainer retaining said gas emitting inflator
within said housing assembly, said girdle further comprising an
attachment member for securing said girdle with said gas emitting
inflator to said vehicle.
10. The housing assembly as defined in claim 9, wherein said girdle
is formed of a metal stamping.
11. The housing assembly as defined in claim 9, wherein said
retainer is formed of a non-ferrous material.
12. An air bag system housing assembly for use within a vehicle,
including a housing container for housing an air bag cushion, for
supporting a gas emitting inflator if portions of said air bag
system, such as the housing container, are degraded, said housing
assembly comprising: a three-dimensional unitary support structure
comprising a perforated, semi-cylindrical inflator gas diffuser;
and a mask-like girdle attached to said support structure and
forming a cage around said gas emitting inflator and having
fasteners for attaching said support structure, said girdle, and
said housing container connected to the vehicle; wherein said
housing container is formed from a non-ferrous material and said
support structure, said girdle and said fasteners are formed from a
metal material.
13. The housing assembly as defined in claim 12, further comprising
a cavity for retaining a moveable member assembly for activating
said air bag cushion.
14. The housing assembly as defined in claim 12, wherein said air
bag cushion is attached to said support structure.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an automotive vehicle air
bag system housing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Air bag systems in automotive vehicles generally include an
air bag that is designed to deploy toward a seat of the automotive
vehicle when triggered by a sensor signal. A gas emitting inflator
attached to an air bag cushion is generally used in the deployment
of an air bag. In designing air bag systems, one design
consideration is to retain the gas emitting inflator during
auto-ignition if the air bag system is exposed to extreme
conditions. The present invention provides another improved air bag
system design.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention provides a housing assembly for
supporting and retaining an air bag system within a vehicle.
Accordingly, there is disclosed an air bag system with a gas
emitting inflator for emitting inflation gas. An air bag is in
fluid communication with the inflator. A housing assembly is formed
by a support structure for retaining the gas emitting inflator. A
housing container is attached to the retaining support structure
and supports the gas emitting inflator within the housing assembly.
A girdle is attached to the housing container, opposite the
retainer support structure, for supporting the gas emitting
inflator. The retaining support structure and girdle are formed of
a first material, such as a metal stamping. The housing container
is formed of a second material, having a high strength to weight
ratio to maintain a lightweight assembly. The structural features
are incorporated into the housing assembly to help ensure inflator
retention during inflator auto-ignition in an event where the
non-ferrous housing container has degraded prior to inflator
auto-ignition.
[0004] These and other objects of the present invention will become
apparent upon reading the following detailed description in
combination with the accompanying drawings, which depict systems
and components that can be used alone or in combination with each
other in accordance with the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIGS. 1(a)-1(d) illustrate an exploded view of an air bag
system illustrating the housing assembly with particular attention
to the inflator retaining features provided on the support
structure;
[0006] FIGS. 2(a)-2(c) illustrate an exploded view of an
alternative housing assembly with particular attention to the
inflator retaining features provided on the girdle;
[0007] FIG. 3 illustrates a plan view of an optional inflator
retainer of a support structure for retaining the inflator within a
housing assembly;
[0008] FIGS. 4(a)-4(e) illustrate an exploded view of an
alternative housing assembly with particular attention to the
inflator retaining features and attachment members provided on the
support structure and girdle; and
[0009] FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of an alternative
housing assembly with particular attention to the attachment
members provided on the support structure for securing to a
vehicle.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0010] The present invention relates to a housing for an air bag
system within a vehicle.
[0011] Air bag systems generally include an air bag, a gas emitting
inflator for emitting inflation gas into the air bag upon a
triggering signal from a triggering sensor or system, and a housing
assembly for storing the air bag prior to deployment and a
deployment door.
[0012] The housing assembly is formed to support an air bag system
having one or more tether elements attached to an air bag and to
another portion of the system for restraining the deployment of the
air bag when a more restrained deployment is desired. The housing
also provides for a moveable member assembly used to selectively
release the one or more tether elements for a less restrained
deployment of the air bag when such deployment is desired. The
housing provides for the moveable member to selectively cover vent
openings within the housing to allow more or less gas to be emitted
into the air bag.
[0013] Referring to FIG. 1(a), there is shown an air bag system
housing 10 for supporting an air bag 12 and a cylindrical gas
emitting inflator 14 for releasing gas into the air bag 12. A
three-dimensional unitary support structure 16 retains the gas
emitting inflator 14 within the air bag system housing 10 and
supports the air bag 12 in its non-deployed state above the
inflator 14 to form the upper portion of the housing 10. The
support structure 16 is suitably fabricated from a first material,
and more preferably is metal stamping.
[0014] A three-dimensional unitary housing container 18 is adapted
to support the inflator 14 and also provides for seating of the
support structure 16 within the container 18. The container 18 also
supports a moveable member assembly 20 that upon translation
selectively releases the air bag tethers 30 while selectively
covering vent opening 24 and uncovering vent opening 22 provided
within the housing container 18 to allow a gas to be emitted into
the air bag 12. The housing container 18 is preferably molded or
formed from a second material that is preferably a non-ferrous
material, and more preferably is plastic.
[0015] A mask-like girdle 26 forms the lower portion of the housing
10 and is attached to the housing container 18 and support
structure 16. The girdle 26 also provides support for the inflator
14 and, like the support structure 16, is preferably formed by a
metal stamping. The support structure 16 and girdle 26 combine to
support and surround the inflator 14 during inflator auto-ignition
when the non-ferrous housing container 18 has degraded prior to
inflator auto-ignition.
[0016] The housing 10 is formed to support the air bag 12 having a
cushion 28 with tethers 30 and a multiplicity of holes 32 along
flaps 34 of both sides of the air bag 12. Retainers, such as studs
40 or like fasteners, are pressed through holes 38 of the support
structure 16 and through holes 32 along flaps 34 of the air bag 12.
The cushion 28 is folded and placed over the support structure 16.
The flaps 34 on the cushion 28 are folded around the edges 36 of
the support structure 16 to mate with holes 38 in the underside of
the support structure 16. A perforated diffuser 42,
semi-cylindrical strap 44 and optional protrusion 46 on the support
structure 16 help prevent the cushion 28 from sagging into the
housing 10 and interfering with the inflator 14 and moveable member
20.
[0017] The support structure 16 with attached air bag 12 is then
dropped into housing container 18 so that the studs 40 protrude
through holes 48 within the bottom of housing container 18. Tethers
30, having previously been slipped through optional protrusion 46
of support structure 16, are inserted through opening 49. The
inflator 14 is inserted through opening 50 in the housing container
18 until the inflator flange 52 contacts the outer edge of opening
50. At this location, an inflator stud 54 protrudes through a
reinforced retaining member 56 on a downward flange 58 provided on
the support structure 16 and through hole 60 in the housing
container 18.
[0018] The girdle 26 is mounted to the underside of the housing
container 18 opposite the support structure 16. The girdle 26 is
provided with mounting holes 61 in periphery flanges generally for
matching holes 48 within the housing container 18. Studs 40
protrude through these mounting holes 61 and are secured by nuts 62
thereby tightening the housing 10 together. The inflator nut 64 is
then screwed onto the inflator stud 54 tightening the inflator 14
to the support structure 16 and the housing 10. Additional spaced
cross members 74,76,78 may be provided in girdle 26, effectively as
walls or restraints, to aid in retaining the inflator 14 within the
housing 10 if the housing container 18 is degraded and the inflator
14 auto ignites. Optional attachment member 80, (preferably having
an aperture for receiving a fastener,) in girdle 26 may be provided
as an attachment or attachment reinforcement of housing 10 to a
vehicle.
[0019] The moveable member assembly 20 is inserted into the opening
66 in the housing container 18 and tethers 30 of cushion 28. The
moveable member assembly 20 may restrain the deployment of the
cushion 28 by not releasing the tethers 30 and allowing gas from
the inflator 14 to vent through opening 22. Alternatively,
actuation of the moveable member assembly 20 will release tethers
30 for full deployment of cushion 28, closing vent opening 24 and
opening vent opening 22. This allows for low pressure ride-down
venting after inflation of the air bag cushion 28.
[0020] Attachment member 68, shown as a flange on support structure
16, may be provided for securing the support structure 16
surrounding the inflator 14 to a vehicle. Attachment member 68 has
an opening 70 matching an opening 72 on housing container 18 for a
stud to be inserted and secured to a vehicle by a fastener (e.g., a
nut) for instance.
[0021] An alternative reinforced retaining member 156 is
illustrated in FIG. 1(b) and may be used in place of the reinforced
retaining member (slot 56) within flange 58 to retain inflator 14
to support structure 16.
[0022] FIGS. 1(c) and 1(d) illustrate optional additional wall
sections 142,144 supported by the diffuser 42 and strap 44,
respectively, to aid in retaining the inflator 14 within the
support structure 16 and housing 10.
[0023] FIG. 2(a) illustrates an exploded view of an alternative
housing assembly having an additional inflator retaining hole 256
provided on the girdle 226. Reinforced retaining member 257 (FIG.
2(b)) retains the inflator 214 within the housing 210. The inflator
214 is secured to the girdle 226 through openings 260 and 261 in
housing container 218 and opening 256 and opening 258 in retaining
member 257 (FIG. 2(b).) An inflator nut 264 is then screwed onto
the inflator stud 254 tightening the inflator 14 to the girdle 226
and the housing 210.
[0024] An alternative reinforced retaining member 262 is
illustrated in FIG. 2(c) and may be used in place of the reinforced
retaining member 257 to retain inflator 214 to girdle 226.
[0025] FIGS. 3 and 4(a) illustrate an alternative housing assembly
for retaining the inflator. In FIG. 3, the inflator 314 is seated
within housing container 318. Support structure 316 is provided
with flanges 342, 344 and strap 345. Girdle 326 is provided with
flanges 374,378 and bottom 376. These additional members encase and
support the inflator 314 when housing container 318 is degraded and
the inflator 314 auto ignites.
[0026] FIG. 4(a) illustrates a support structure 416 having an
alternative diffuser 442 and strap 444 for supporting cushion 412
in housing 410. Support structure 416 is provided with flanges 438
for securing the girdle 426 to the housing container 418. When the
support structure 416 is seated in the housing container 418,
flanges 438 extend through openings 448 in housing container 418
and openings 460 in girdle 426. The flanges 438 may be folded to
secure and tighten the housing 410. Alternative routing of the
tethers 430 may be provided in the girdle 426 at 480 where moveable
member assembly 420 is located through opening 482 and secured to
the girdle 426 at flange 484. An additional tether 431 may also be
provided for additional profile restraint of air bag cushion 412
and may be routed through the housing container 418 at opening 486
and is received by the moveable member assembly 420 in the girdle
426.
[0027] FIG. 4(a) also illustrates alternative attachment interfaces
of the inflator 414 within the housing 410. After the inflator 414
is inserted through opening 450 in the housing container 418, the
inflator stud 454 protrudes through a reinforced retaining member
456 on the downward flange 458 provided on the support structure
416 and through hole 462 in the housing container 418. An
additional reinforced retaining member 488 on an upward flange 482
is provided on the girdle 426. If desired, an additional retainer
490 may be provided to support the inflator stud 454 within the
housing 410. Various ways to secure the inflator stud 454 to the
housing 410 are there shown. These additional members help encase
and support the inflator 414 if housing container 418 is degraded
and the inflator 414 auto ignites.
[0028] Additionally, FIG. 4(a) illustrates an inflator fixation
method to the girdle 426. The inflator body 415 can be pressed into
the tabs 449 on the girdle 426.
[0029] FIG. 4(b) illustrates an inflator fixation method to the
girdle 426, support structure 416, or additional retainer 490 as
shown generally at 500. The inflator stud 454 is pressed between
the bent tabs 502, 504.
[0030] FIG. 4(c) illustrates yet another inflator fixation method
to the girdle 426, support structure 416, or additional retainer
490 as shown generally at 500. The inflator stud 454 is bent so
that portion 600 retains the inflator stud 654.
[0031] FIG. 4(d) illustrates yet another inflator fixation method
to the girdle 426, support structure 416, or additional retainer
490 as shown generally at 500. The inflator stud 454 has a portion
700 that locks into tabs 702 and 704.
[0032] FIG. 4(e) illustrates yet another inflator fixation method
to the girdle 426, support structure 416, or additionally retainer
490. The inflator stud 454 has a portion 800 that locks into hole
802.
[0033] FIG. 5 illustrates housing 510 having a support structure
516 identical to that shown in FIG. 1. Additional attachment
members 568 are provided for securing the support structure 516
with inflator 514 to a vehicle. In this embodiment, the girdle is
eliminated and the housing container 518 is provided with
additional openings 548 for attachment members 568. Seals 588 may
be seated within the openings 548 for sealing the attachment
members 568 within the openings 548.
[0034] The person of skill in the art will recognize that features
and aspects of a housing for supporting an air bag system disclosed
herein may be used in any combination described as desired, needed
or as may be possible.
[0035] It should be understood that the invention is not limited to
the exact embodiment or construction that has been illustrated and
described but that various changes may be made without departing
from the spirit and the scope of the invention.
* * * * *