Steering wheel mounted air bag module including electromagnetica

Details Steering wheel mounted air bag module including electromagnetica Steering wheel mounted air bag module including electromagnetica

1990-01-31

1991-04-30

Marmor, Charles A.

Land vehicles

Wheeled

Attachment

280735, B60R 2120, B60R 2132

Patent

active

050111817

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is concerned with a safety device for motor vehicles in the form of an impact protection arrangement including a so-called "air bag".


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Such devices have become known in diverse forms of implementation. They are commonly designated by the name of "air bag" and comprise a gas pillow arrangement, whereby a folded bag, mounted on the steering wheel of the vehicle, is suddenly inflated when the ignition of a gas generator is activated by a sensor. Depending on the type of construction this sensor is mounted either on the housing of the gas generator, or within the gas generator, or within the gas pillow arrangement. So far, mostly mechanical or electromechanical sensors have been used.
Through the DE-OS 3,619,937 a safety air bag is known which is integrated with a solid fuel gas generator for forming a preassembled structural unit which includes the sensors and an energy storage device.
These module type units are advantageous in mounting and removal, especially also for retrofitting. They have, however, a series of serious drawbacks. Thus, the gas generator housing requires a special configuration because of the integration and protection of the enclosed or directly connected sensor, which must not be exposed to the generated gas pressure. This leads necessarily to strengthened dimensions for the housing and hence to an increased weight. Furthermore, it has been shown that the reliability is less than optimal because the interface problems permit testing only after final assembly in the vehicle. An additional drawback is that failures in the system always require the exchange of the entire unit.


OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to create a safety device of the above described type which not only removes the prior art drawbacks mentioned above, but also provides an easily attachable unit made up of the main elements with simple connections of the ignition and with an effective electrical screening against interference.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided: a safety device for motor vehicles in the form of an impact protection arrangement, comprising a gas bag device fastened to the steering wheel of the vehicle, and combined with a gas generator and associated electronic ignition device into a structural unit, characterized in that the sensor for the activation of the ignition device is attachable to the housing of the gas generator by the sensor housing flange, whereby the latter is held and fixed in position on the steering wheel of the motor vehicle by the support element with the mounting flange of the gas generator housing and by attachment elements in such a way, that the sensor housing and the gas generator housing form a complete electromagnetic shielding of the sensor and the ignition device.;


BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be clearly understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 shows a schematic drawing of the complete safety device when mounted on the steering wheel;
FIG. 2 shows a schematic drawing of the coordination of the sensor and gas generator housings in an example embodiment;
FIG. 3 shows a partial section of the connection of the gas generator housing, the sensor housing, and the support element to the steering wheel; and
FIG. 4 shows a partial section of the ignition and its sensor contacts in an example embodiment.


DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS AND OF THE BEST MODE
OF THE INVENTION
The example embodiment shown in FIG. 1 comprises a conventional folded gas pillow 2 or air bag under a cover 1, a gas generator 7, and a sensor 12 for the "ignition" or activation of the gas generator. The gas pillow or air bag 2 is mounted on the main part of the steering wheel 5 of the vehicle by a support 3 -- for example a sheet metal ring or bars -- and screws 4. The sheet metal support is shaped so that it has a circular opening with

REFERENCES:
patent: 4167276 (1979-09-01), Bell et al.
patent: 4700973 (1987-10-01), Gademann et al.
Article entitled: "Sources, Cheminements et Impacts des Pertubations Electromagnetiques dans les Dispositifs Electroniques des Systemes de Transports" by M. Heddebaut et al., "Ingenieurs des de L'Augomobile", Sep. 1988, pp. 114-121.
Article entitled: "Der Airbag als Verbesserung des zukunftigen Insassenschutzes" (The Airbag as an Improvement of Future Passenger Protection) by H. Scholz, in ATZ (Automobiltechnische Zeitschrift) 77, (1975)11, pp. 314 to 317; (English Summary Included).

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Steering wheel mounted air bag module including electromagnetica does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Steering wheel mounted air bag module including electromagnetica, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Steering wheel mounted air bag module including electromagnetica will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-635911