MOUNTING ELEMENT FOR VEHICLE-SIDE ASSEMBLY OF AN AIRBAG MODULE

Abstract

A mounting element (1) for vehicle-side assembly of an airbag module (100) is suggested with at least one mounting plate (3) adapted to be mounted on the vehicle side which in its plate plane (E) can be non-rotatably coupled to an airbag (2), wherein the mounting plate (3) includes an extension (4) through which the mounting element (1) can be fixed, perpendicularly to the plate plane (E), non-rotatably to the airbag (2) or to a retaining element (9) maintaining the latter in its folded state. Furthermore, an airbag module (100) is suggested with an airbag (2), an inflator for providing inflating gas for the airbag (2) and at least one mounting element (1) according to the invention. Furthermore, a vehicle occupant restraint system is suggested comprising the airbag module (100) as well as comprising at least one sensor unit for detecting circumstances which trigger a case of activation of the inflator and comprising an electronic computing unit for defining the case of activation based on the circumstances detected by the sensor unit.

Claims

1. A mounting element for vehicle-side assembly of an airbag module (100) comprising at least one mounting plate (3) adapted to be mounted on the vehicle side which in its plate plane (E) can be non-rotatably coupled to an airbag (2), wherein the mounting plate (3) includes an extension (4) through which the mounting element (1) can be fixed, perpendicularly to the plate plane (E), non-rotatably to the airbag (2) or to a retaining element (9) maintaining the latter in its folded state.

2. The mounting element according to claim 1, wherein the extension (4) has at least one undercut (6, 7) which can be fixed to a recess (8) of the airbag (2) or of the retaining element (9).

3. The mounting element according to claim 1, wherein the extension (4) comprises two arm portions (11, 12) which are aligned symmetrically to a longitudinal axis (10) of the mounting plate (3) and which end in a joint end portion (5) of the extension (4).

4. The mounting element according to claim 3, wherein the end portion (5) is in the form, especially semi-circularly, of a retaining anchor, with undercuts (6, 7) provided symmetrically on both sides of the longitudinal axis (10).

5. The mounting element according to claim 3 4, wherein the extension (4) includes a weight-reducing cut-out (13) between the arm portions (11, 12).

6. The mounting element according to claim 1, wherein the mounting plate (3) has a central opening (14), especially a screwing bore or a clip receiving hole, for vehicle-side mounting, wherein retaining claws (15, 16) aligned preferably on both sides next to the central opening (14) transversely to the longitudinal axis (10) of the mounting plate (3), and further preferably approximately perpendicularly to the plate plane (E), are formed integrally for vehicle-side mounting.

7. The mounting element according to claim 1, wherein the airbag (2) is a side airbag, especially a curtain airbag.

8. An airbag module comprising an airbag (2), an inflator for providing inflating gas for the airbag (2) and at least one mounting element (1) according to claim 1.

9. The airbag module according to claim 8, wherein a retaining tab (21) of the airbag (2) is held between the mounting plate (3) of the mounting element (1) and a counter-plate (17) corresponding thereto, and wherein the first mounting plate (3) and the second mounting plate (17) are coupled to each other, preferably via retaining arms (18, 19).

10. A vehicle occupant restraint system comprising an airbag module (100) according to claim 8 as well as comprising at least one sensor unit for detecting circumstances which trigger a case of activation of the inflator and comprising an electronic computing unit for defining the case of activation based on the circumstances detected by the sensor unit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Hereinafter, the present invention shall be illustrated in detail by way of the drawings, wherein:

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional view of a mounting element according to the invention comprising e.g. a first mounting plate;

[0025] FIG. 2 shows a top view onto the mounting plate according to FIG. 1;

[0026] FIG. 3 shows a front view of the mounting plate according to FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0027] FIG. 4 shows a three-dimensional view of a mounting arrangement according to the invention for vehicle-side assembly of a retaining tab of an airbag present in a mounting tube;

[0028] FIG. 5 shows another view of the mounting arrangement according to FIG. 4; and

[0029] FIG. 6 shows a side view of the mounting arrangement.

DESCRIPTION

[0030] In FIGS. 1 to 3 different views of a mounting element 1 according to the invention for vehicle-side assembly of at least one retaining tab 21 of an inflatable airbag 2 for a vehicle occupant restraint system are exemplified.

[0031] The mounting element 1 is in the form of a mounting plate 3 adapted to be screwed to the vehicle-side. In order to prevent undesired rotation of the airbag 2, especially during initial flow of the inflating gas provided by an inflator into the airbag 2, the mounting plate 3 is provided to have an elongate extension 4 whose end portion 5 can be fixed to the airbag side in the plate plane as an anti-twist protection. The extension 4 comprises two arm portions 11, 12 aligned symmetrically to a longitudinal axis or longitudinal extension 10 of the mounting plate 3, said arm portions jointly forming the end portion 5.

[0032] It is evident especially from the FIGS. 1 and 2 that the extension 4 includes, at its end portion 5, two undercuts 6, 7 which can be fixed to a recess 8 of a mounting tube 9 receiving the airbag 2. The two undercuts 6, 7 are arranged symmetrically to the longitudinal axis 10 of the mounting plate 3. The end portion 5 takes a semi-circular shape with the two undercuts 6, 7 provided on both sides. The extension 4 has a weight-reducing cut-out 13 between the arm portions 6, 7.

[0033] The mounting plate 3 may have a central screwing bore 14 for vehicle-side mounting. On both sides next to the screwing bore 40 retaining claws 15, 16 aligned transversely to the longitudinal axis 10 approximately perpendicularly to the plate plane are integrally formed for engaging in retaining recesses of the vehicle body for anti-twist protection.

[0034] In FIGS. 4 to 6, a mounting arrangement comprising the afore-described first mounting plate 3 and comprising at least a second mounting plate 17 as corresponding counter-plate is exemplified. The retaining tab 1 of the airbag 2 rolled-up within the mounting tube is retained between the first mounting plate 3 and the second mounting plate 17. This is especially evident from the side view according to FIG. 6.

[0035] The first mounting plate 3 and the second mounting plate 17 are fastened to each other via retaining arms 18, 19 for the purpose of pre-assembly. The retaining arms 18, 19 are arranged on the first mounting plate 3 so that the retaining arms 18, 19 protrude approximately perpendicularly from the first mounting plate 3 in the direction of the second mounting plate 17, which is especially evident also from FIG. 3. For pre-assembly, the retaining arms 18, 19 engage in corresponding fixing recesses of the second mounting plate 17 and after that are appropriately bent.

[0036] For vehicle-side assembly of the mounting tube 9 receiving the airbag 2 the mounting arrangement has a joint screw connection 20 by which the retaining tab 1 held between the first mounting plate 3 and the second mounting plate 17 is mounted to the vehicle body preferably above a side window area of the vehicle.

[0037] FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 represent the mounting arrangement comprising the airbag 2 rolled up within the mounting tube 9 in different views, with the airbag module comprising, in addition to the mounting arrangement, an inflator for providing inflating gas for the airbag 2 and representing part of the vehicle occupant restraint system.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0038] 1 mounting element [0039] 2 airbag [0040] 3 (first) mounting plate [0041] 4 extension [0042] 5 end portion [0043] 6 undercut [0044] 7 undercut [0045] 8 recess of mounting tube [0046] 9 mounting tube [0047] 10 longitudinal axis or, resp., longitudinal extension [0048] 11 arm portion [0049] 12 arm portion [0050] 13 weight-reducing cut-out [0051] 14 screwing bore [0052] 15 retaining claw [0053] 16 retaining claw [0054] 17 second mounting plate [0055] 18 retaining arm [0056] 19 retaining arm [0057] 20 screw connection [0058] 21 retaining tab [0059] 100 airbag module