Gas bag module and method of assembly thereof

Details Gas bag module and method of assembly thereof Gas bag module and method of assembly thereof

1999-07-16

2001-06-19

English, Peter C. (Department: 3619)

Land vehicles

Wheeled

Attachment

C280S732000, C280S740000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06247721

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to a gas bag module for a vehicle occupant restraint system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the gas bag modules known hitherto, numerous housing parts are provided, namely the pressure chamber housing, the ejection channel and between the two a heat shield sheet and also a fastening sheet inserted into the gas bag, by means of which the gas bag is fastened to the pressure chamber housing in the region of the so-called inflation orifice.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a more simply constructed gas bag module which consists of fewer parts, without this being to the detriment of the optimum fastening of the gas bag to the module.
The gas bag module according to the present invention comprises a gas bag having a folded part, a gas generator for generating compressed air, a pressure chamber housing, in which the gas generator is arranged, which surrounds the gas generator and in which the generated compressed gas spreads, and an ejection channel in which the folded part of the gas bag is arranged and which predefines an unfolding direction upon inflation of the gas bag. The ejection channel is constructed as a box-shaped separate part with a flange. The pressure chamber housing has a counter flange. The ejection channel is attached to the housing by attaching the flange to the counter flange. The gas bag is clamped immediately between the flange and the counter flange.
The ejection channel widens in a funnel shape towards its unfolding opening, which facilitates the unfolding process.
The number of parts can be further reduced when the ejection channel is bolted or screwed to the pressure chamber housing and the bolts or screws provided for this serve simultaneously for fastening the module to the vehicle. In the gas bag modules known hitherto, separate bolts or screws were used for fastening the module to the vehicle and for fastening the parts of the module.
In addition, provision is made according to a further development that the gas bag extends from inside the ejection channel, between flange and counter flange to outside the pressure chamber housing and extends around the pressure chamber housing. In this region, the gas bag can be constructed in a loop shape. This development provides the advantage that the part of the gas bag extending around the pressure chamber housing can also receive a traction on unfolding, and the gas bag does not have to be held solely by means of the clamping force between the flange and counter flange.
If a heat shield is provided, which is formed in one piece on the pressure chamber housing, preferably by bending at least one lug on the pressure chamber housing, a further part can be saved.
The invention further relates to a cheap method for preassembling an air bag module for shipping purposes and for installation of the module into a vehicle. The module comprises a gas bag having a folded part, a gas generator for generating compressed air, a pressure chamber housing, in which the gas generator is arranged, which surrounds the gas generator and in which the generated compressed gas spreads, and an ejection channel in which the folded part of the gas bag is arranged and which predefines an unfolding direction upon inflation of the gas bag. The ejection channel is constructed as a box-shaped separate part with a flange. The pressure chamber housing has a counter flange and the gas bag is clamped immediately between the flange and the counter flange. The ejection channel and the pressure chamber housing are affixed to each other for shipping purposes only by an adhesive strip which at least partially closes the unfolding opening of the ejection channel and extends to or around the pressure chamber housing to define a preassembled unit. The preassembled unit is installed into the vehicle by at least one of a screw and bolt connection by which the flange and the counter flange are attached to each other and by which, simultaneously, the preassembled unit is attached to the vehicle. By this arrangement a cheap way for providing a preliminary attachment of the pressure chamber and the ejection channel is provided. Further, by using the same screw or bolt connection for fixing the pressure chamber to the ejection channel and for fixing the module to the vehicle the number of parts can be reduced.


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