초록 ▼

An airbag module comprising a pyrotechnic inflator device; an inflatable air cushion operatively associated therewith; a retainer for lockingly engaging the air cushion to the inflator and a mounting plate configured and adapted for securing the inflator, the air cushion and the retainer in operativ

An airbag module comprising a pyrotechnic inflator device; an inflatable air cushion operatively associated therewith; a retainer for lockingly engaging the air cushion to the inflator and a mounting plate configured and adapted for securing the inflator, the air cushion and the retainer in operative association. A variety of inflator embodiments may be incorporated into the module assembly but each requires, along at least a portion of the housing thereof, a rounded arcuate surface configured for engagement with the retainer upon the formation of a structural seal between the mounting plate and the retainer. This structural seal is created by magnaforming a portion of the mounting plate into a corresponding open groove upon the retainer. The module is thus fabricated by positioning the inflator upon the mounting plate; lockingly engaging the air cushion and the retainer; lowering the retainer/cushion assembly over the inflator and magnaforming the wall of the mounting plate into the groove on the surface of the retainer.

대표청구항 ▼

A motor vehicle airbag module which comprises: (a) means for mounting a pyrotechnic inflator device within a passenger compartment of said motor vehicle, said inflator device being capable of producing a sufficient amount of a gaseous combustion product within a sufficient time to substantially depl

A motor vehicle airbag module which comprises: (a) means for mounting a pyrotechnic inflator device within a passenger compartment of said motor vehicle, said inflator device being capable of producing a sufficient amount of a gaseous combustion product within a sufficient time to substantially deploy inflatable air cushion means operatively associated therewith within an interval between a primary collision of said vehicle with an object external thereto and a secondary collision between an operator of said vehicle and an interior portion thereof, said mounting means comprising an open pan having several stepped levels extending rearwardly thereon, each said level positioned directly over a next rearward one of said levels and having substantially the same depth at any point thereon, said levels correspondingly decreasing in relative volume from one located most forwardly to one located most rearwardly upon said mounting means; (b) a pyrotechnic inflator device positioned within said mounting means, said inflator device comprising a housing formed of a diffuser member having a first open end and a -second closed end and a closure plate member sealing said open end thereof, said housing further comprising an arcuate surface extending along at least a portion of an outer periphery thereof, said arcuate surface configured and adapted to permit a locking engagement between said mounting means and said inflator device; (c) means for retaining inflatable cushion means in contact relation with said inflator device, said retaining means installed within said mounting means in surrounding relation to said diffuser member and configured to correspond to a portion of said arcuate surface thereof; and (d) inflatable air cushion means for preventing injury to an occupant of said vehicle caused due to contact with said interior of said vehicle upon the occurrence of said primary collision, said inflatable means comprising means located within a mouth portion thereof configured to facilitate locking engagement between said air cushion means and said retaining means upon assembly of said module, wherein at least a portion of said mounting means is lockingly engaged within a corresponding open channel extending along at least a portion of an outer surface of said retaining means forming a structural seal therebetween such that said inflator device, said inflatable air cushion means and said retaining means are all maintained together in lockup engagement with one another within said mounting means without the use of any additional locking means.