Measuring and testing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-04
2001-05-29
Dickson, Paul N. (Department: 3618)
Measuring and testing
C280S730200, C280S743100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06238438
ABSTRACT:
The invention relates to a gas bag module, in particular for head protection in case of a side impact, with an elongated mounting housing which has two opposing side walls running spaced apart from each other and has a cross-piece connecting the side walls, and with a gas bag accommodated in folded state in the mounting housing.
A gas bag module, in particular a lateral gas bag module which is fastened to the roof frame of the vehicle has a mounting housing which must fulfill several functions. On the one hand it is to accommodate and protect the folded gas bag and on the other hand the mounting housing is to permit a defined unfolding in the case of a vehicle accident. For this, side walls are provided running spaced apart from each other, which define a so-called ejection channel. The gas bag, which is possibly accommodated in the ejection channel itself, unfolds along the ejection channel or, vice versa, the ejection channel provides the unfolding direction at least at the start of the unfolding process. It is therefore important that the ejection channel has a defined form during unfolding. Furthermore, the mounting housing is also to have a geometry which is able to be determined in advance as far as possible in the pre-mounted state, so that no problems occur in the fitting of the gas bag module in the vehicle because of constantly changing dimensions with gas bag modules to be employed and installed in succession. Mounting containers for so-called head/lateral gas bags are also known, which slide in a manner similar to a curtain in front of the side windows. These have a substantially U-shaped mounting housing which is screwed onto the roof frame. At the open end of the “U” a flap is provided which opens during the unfolding process and permits the emergence of the gas bag. The mounting housing widens on unfolding of the gas bag, so that the ejection channel does not have a width which can be predetermined exactly.
The invention provides a gas bag module in particular for head protection in a side impact in the head region, which has between the side walls a ejection channel which is able to be predetermined exactly in its dimensions even with the unfolding of the gas bag. This is achieved in a gas bag module of the type initially mentioned by at least one spacer which is spaced apart from the cross-piece and which extends between the side walls and connects them with each other such that a moving apart of the side walls is at least largely avoided when the mounting housing is open and the gas bag unfolds. In the gas bag module according to the invention, the spacer is also still present during the unfolding process. In a mounting housing only with flaps, however, these no longer serve for holding the side walls together after the flaps have been opened.
According to the preferred embodiment, the spacers are still provided before the fastening of the module to the vehicle, in order to prevent a moving apart. This means, for example, that the fastening means for arresting the module on the vehicle does not have to be part of the spacer or must serve to fix the side walls in position with respect to each other. For this, the spacer is provided on each of its two axial ends with a collar by which it lies externally against the associated side wall.
The spacer can be formed on the side walls or on only one side wall or preferably can be constructed as a separate body which is able to be fastened to the mounting housing. This is necessary in particular when the mounting housing of plastic and the holding forces on unfolding of the gas bag must be so great that the spacers of plastic would not be able to cope with these stresses, so that spacers of metal have to be used.
The preferred embodiment makes provision that the spacer is constructed as a spacer sleeve or comprises a spacer sleeve, through which a fastening means extends for arresting the gas bag module on the vehicle. In this case, the spacer has numerous functions. It serves to fix the side walls in position with respect to each other, it serves as a guide for the fastening means which projects through on fitting, and it serves as a protective sleeve between the sharp-edged fastening means usually consisting of metal, and the gas bag. Finally, it prevents a pressing together of the mounting housing on arresting, usually screwing the mounting housing on the vehicle. If in fact the mounting housing is screwed onto the roof frame, then this screw could be turned more or less deeply into the roof frame with the consequence that the mounting housing and the gas bag accommodated therein are pressed together. This could distinctly impair the unfolding process. The spacer sleeve, however, forms an axial stop for the screw.
If the mounting housing runs along a portion of the roof frame of the vehicle and a lateral gas bag is accommodated in it, which in the unfolded state covers at least part of a side window of the vehicle, preferably several spacers are provided over the length of the mounting housing, which penetrate the gas bag. In the region of the spacers, the gas bag is sealed to the exterior, so that no leakage currents occur. Preferably, the invention provides a gas bag module which runs along the roof frame, is fastened thereto and extends from at least laterally of the front occupant of the vehicle to laterally of the rear occupant of the vehicle, i.e. contains a so-called ABC gas bag.
The spacer sleeves can also serve to accommodate the fastening bolts for screwing the handle to the roof frame. These fastening bolts serve both for arresting the handle and also that of the gas bag module.
Furthermore, in this embodiment preferably a gas inlet pipe is accommodated in the mounting housing, which is provided between the side walls, the cross-piece and the spacer. The spacer or spacers therefore serve to fix in position the gas inlet pipe in the pre-assembled state and in the arrested state of the gas bag module on the vehicle.
A simple fitting of the gas bag module together with the spacer is made possible in that the spacer consists of several individual parts which can be pushed axially into each other and in the mounted state are fastened to each other by a detent connection.
If each individual part is associated with a side wall and is detachably secured thereto and also projects toward the other side piece and lies with its end face against this other side piece, a moving of the side walls towards each other and also a moving apart from each other is prevented, because each side wall is clamped between collar and end face.
Each individual part has a mounting opening in the side wall associated with it, through which it is inserted from the exterior. The load connection is provided between the side walls on the individual parts.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5791683 (1998-08-01), Shibata et al.
patent: 6022044 (2000-02-01), Cherry
patent: 6082761 (2000-07-01), Kato et al.
patent: 6095551 (2000-08-01), O'Docherty
Fischer Anton
Seitz Martin
Wisslicen Gitta
Dickson Paul N.
Fleming Faye M.
Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell Tummino & Szabo L.L.P.
TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
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