AIRBAG MODULE HAVING LOW TOLERANCES

Abstract

The present invention relates to an airbag module (1), comprising a housing (2), a cover (3) connected to the housing (2) for forming a receiving space, a gas generator (4) arranged in the receiving space, an airbag arranged in the receiving space and a plate (5) for securing the airbag module (1) on a steering wheel, characterized in that the housing (2), the cover (3), the gas generator (4) and the airbag form an assembly, which is connected to the plate (5) via at least one releasable securing device (6), wherein at least the cover (3) of the assembly and the plate (5) can be moved relative to one another in a parallel direction (7) in relation to the plate (5) when the securing device (6) is partially released, and are secured relative to one another in a parallel direction (7) in relation to the plate (5) when the securing device (6) is tightened.

Claims

1. Airbag module, comprising a housing, a cover connected to the housing for forming a receiving space, a gas generator arranged in the receiving space, an airbag arranged in the receiving space and a plate for securing the airbag module on a steering wheel, characterized in that the housing, the cover, the gas generator and the airbag form an assembly, which is connected to the plate via at least one releasable securing device, wherein at least the cover of the assembly and the plate can be moved relative to one another in a parallel direction in relation to the plate when the securing device is partially released, and are secured relative to one another in a parallel direction in relation to the plate when the securing device is tightened.

2. Airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the at least one releasable securing device is actuatable from the side facing away from and opposite the cover.

3. Airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the plate is a horn plate.

4. Airbag module according to claim 3, wherein the securing device is movable together with the assembly relative to the horn plate when the horn function is triggered.

5. Airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the plate is a securing plate preventing detachment of the cover from the housing.

6. Airbag module according to claim 1, wherein at least one fixing element projects from the plate in the direction of the steering wheel, with which fixing element the airbag module can be positively fixed to the steering wheel in a parallel direction in relation to the plate.

7. Airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the securing device comprises a shoulder nut and a threaded pin engaging in the shoulder nut.

8. Airbag module according to claim 7, wherein the shoulder nut is accessible from the side facing away from and opposite the cover and the threaded pin is non-rotatably connected to an element of the assembly.

9. Airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the securing device extends through a recess in one element of the assembly and an outside diameter of the securing device in the region of the passage is smaller than a diameter of the recess.

10. Airbag module according to claim 9, wherein the recess is formed in the housing connected to the cover and at least one component of the securing device is rigidly connected to an element of the airbag module arranged in the receiving space, wherein the housing is movable relative to the element of the airbag module when the securing device is partially released and is fixed when the securing device is tightened.

11. Method for producing an airbag module, comprising at least the following steps: a) assembling an assembly comprising a housing, a cover, a gas generator and an airbag, b) connecting the assembly to a plate by means of a securing device, wherein the securing device initially remains partially released, c) measuring an alignment between the cover and the plate in at least one direction parallel to the plate, d) comparing the measured alignment with a predetermined value in order to determine a deviation, e) loading at least one element of the assembly with a force in a direction parallel to the plate in order to reduce the deviation, f) tightening the securing device in order to fix at least the cover in a direction parallel to the plate in relation to the plate.

Description

[0023] The invention and the technical environment are explained by way of example below with reference to the figures. These show schematically

[0024] FIG. 1: a perspective view of the rear side of an airbag module; and

[0025] FIG. 2: a sectional view through the airbag module.

[0026] The airbag module 1 shown in the figures comprises a housing 2, a cover 3 connected to the housing 2, a gas generator 4 and an airbag, not shown, being arranged in the receiving space formed by the housing 2 and the cover 3. The gas generator 4 is additionally covered on one side by a diffuser 13.

[0027] The airbag module 1 further comprises a plate 5 designed as a horn plate, from which fixing elements 9 project. The airbag module 1 can be secured on a steering wheel with the fixing elements 9. Springs 9 are arranged between the plate 5 and the housing 2 and are compressed when the horn function is triggered.

[0028] Furthermore, a securing device 6 is formed which connects the plate 5 to the other components of the airbag module 1. The securing device 6 comprises a shoulder nut 10 which is arranged rotatably in the plate 5 positively in its radial direction and movably in its axial direction. The securing device 6 furthermore comprises a threaded pin 11 which is non-rotatably connected to the diffuser 13. The threaded pin 11 is guided through a recess 12 in the housing 2, the diameter of the recess 12 being larger than the outside diameter of the threaded pin 11.

[0029] When the securing device 6 is not yet fully tightened, the housing 2 and thus also the cover 3 can be moved relative to the threaded pin 11, to the diffuser rigidly connected to the threaded pin 11 and thus in a parallel direction 7 in relation to the plate 5. After the securing device 6 has been tightened completely, the housing 2 is fixed between the end face of the shoulder nut 10 and the diffuser 13. When the horn function is triggered, the securing device 6 is moved together with the housing 2 relative to the plate 5.

[0030] It is thus possible for an alignment of the cover 3 in relation to the plate 5 in the parallel direction 7, which can also extend into the plane of the drawing, to be measured before the tightening. This measured alignment can be compared with a predetermined value and the deviation can be minimized by introducing a force 14.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0031] 1 Airbag module [0032] 2 Housing [0033] 3 Cover [0034] 4 Gas generator [0035] 5 Plate [0036] 6 Securing device [0037] 7 Parallel direction [0038] 8 Spring [0039] 9 Fixing element [0040] 10 Shoulder nut [0041] 11 Threaded pin [0042] 12 Recess [0043] 13 Diffuser [0044] 14 Force