GAS BAG UNIT AND VEHICLE PASSENGER SAFETY SYSTEM HAVING SUCH A GAS BAG UNIT, AND MANUFACTURED METHOD

Abstract

The invention relates to an airbag unit comprising at least one damping element (10), an inflator (20) and a module mounting (30), wherein the damping element (10) is interposed between the inflator (20) and the module mounting (30). Furthermore, the at least one damping element (10) includes at least one engaging means (11) and the inflator (20) includes at least one receiving means (21) so that the damping element (10) and the inflator (20) can be positively connected to each other. The invention further relates to a steering wheel, a vehicle occupant safety system as well as a manufacturing method.

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. An airbag unit comprising at least one damping element (10), an inflator (20) and a module mounting (30), the damping element (10) being interposed between the inflator (20) and the module mounting (30), wherein the at least one damping element (10) includes at least one engaging means (11) and the inflator (20) includes at least one receiving means (21) so that the damping element (10) and the inflator (20) are positively connectable to each other, in the form of a bayonet lock.

12. The airbag unit according to claim 11, wherein the damping element (10) includes at least one aligning means (12) through which the inflator (20) and the module mounting (30) can be aligned relative to each other.

13. The airbag unit according to claim 11, wherein the aligning means (12) includes an extension on the module mounting side and an extension on the damping element side and/or the aligning means (12) is flexibly and, respectively, resiliently supported in the direction of the module mounting side and in the direction of the inflator side.

14. The airbag unit according to claim 11, wherein a through-hole (22), in a form corresponding to the aligning means (12), for receiving the aligning means (12) is formed on the inflator (20).

15. The airbag unit according to claim 14, wherein the through-hole (22) is formed on the rim of the inflator (20).

16. The airbag unit according to claim 14, wherein a through-hole (31), in a form corresponding to the aligning means (12), for receiving the aligning means (12) is formed on the module mounting (30).

17. The airbag unit according to claim 11, wherein the damping element (10) is an annular damping element having a preferably L-shaped cross-section, and/or the engaging means (11) is arranged on an inside of the damping element (10), and wherein the engaging means (11) is configured as at least one material projection.

18. The airbag unit according to claim 17, wherein the engaging means (11) is arranged on an inner diameter of the damping element (10).

19. The airbag unit according to claim 11, wherein the inflator (20) includes a receiving means (21) which is formed on a rim of the inflator (20) as at least one material cutout, in a form corresponding to the engaging means (11).

20. The airbag unit according to claim 19, wherein the at least one material cutout is in a form corresponding to the engaging means (11).

21. The airbag unit according to claim 11, wherein at least one detent foot (13) is formed on the damping element (10) such that, when the aligning means (12) engages in the material cutout (31) of the module mounting (30), the damping element (10) can be connected to the module mounting (30) via the at least one detent foot (13), especially by locking in place in a corresponding detent aperture (32) of the module mounting (30).

22. The airbag unit according to claim 21, wherein the damping element (10) can be connected to the module mounting (30) by locking in place in a corresponding detent aperture (32) of the module mounting (30).

23. A vehicle occupant safety system comprising a steering wheel and an airbag unit according to claim 11, wherein the airbag unit is connectable or connected to the steering wheel and includes a cap covering the airbag at least on the occupant side.

24. A method of manufacturing an airbag unit according to claim 11, comprising, upon engagement of the damping element (10) by the engaging means (11) in the receiving means (21) of the inflator (20), twisting the damping element (10) and the inflator (20) are against each other along a joint axis of rotation so that a positive connection, in the form of a bayonet lock, is provided.

25. The method of manufacturing an airbag unit, according to claim 24, arranging the flexibly supported aligning means on the damping element (10) and arranging the respective at least one corresponding through-holes (22, 31) on the inflator (20) and the module mounting (30) so that the inflator (20) and the module mounting (30) are positioned relative to each other upon engagement of the aligning means (12) in the through-holes (22, 31), wherein the at least one detent foot (13) and the aligning means (12) are formed on the damping element (10) such that, when the flexibly supported aligning means (12) deflects, the detent foot (13) is prevented from locking in the module mounting (30).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Hereinafter the invention will be illustrated in detail by way of an embodiment with reference to the enclosed schematic drawings. The FIGS. 1 to 4 show different perspective views of an airbag unit according to the invention in accordance with a preferred embodiment and, respectively, of the pertinent components.

[0035] There is schematically shown in:

[0036] FIG. 1: a perspective view of a damping element of the airbag unit according to the invention in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

[0037] FIG. 2: a detailed view of aligning means of the damping element according to FIG. 1;

[0038] FIG. 3: a perspective view of an inflator including the damping element according to FIG. 1; and

[0039] FIG. 4: a rear view of an airbag unit according to the invention in accordance with a preferred embodiment including a module mounting and the inflator according to FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION

[0040] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a damping element 10 of the airbag unit. The annular damping element 10 includes a bearing face 15 and an outer collar 16. On the inside of the collar 16 three engaging means 11 being offset from the bearing face 15 are provided. According to FIG. 1, each of the engaging means 11 takes a trapezoidal geometry and is arranged along the collar 16. The rim sides are flattened at an angle of about 45 in mirror symmetry relative to each other. One of the engaging means 11 has a larger width than the other two engaging means 11, which results in an unambiguous alignment of the damping means 10. The other two engaging means 11 take an identical shape. Furthermore the engaging means 11 are arranged to be radially offset relative to each other by about 60 along the inside of the collar 16.

[0041] Along the bearing face 15 of the damping element 10 three tensioning elements 14 and one aligning means 12 are arranged to be offset by 45 relative to each other. The aligning means 12 is formed on the bearing face 15 by a U-shaped through-hole or through-groove penetrating the damping element 10. The aligning means 12 includes a web having a lug at the free-swinging end thereof. The lug extends starting from the bearing face 15 in both directions and has an oval basic shape. Through the U-shaped through-hole the web of the aligning means 12 forms a beam supported on one side that enables the resilient and flexible support of the lug.

[0042] The three tensioning elements 14 are equally formed on the bearing face 15 with the aid of U-shaped through-holes. On the free-swinging rounded end of the respective web a spherical portion projecting from the bearing face 15 is provided. The spherical portions have a diameter corresponding to the width of the web. The three tensioning elements 14 are identical according to FIG. 1. Further, each of the tensioning elements 14 is arranged in direct vicinity of one of the engaging means 11. Accordingly, the aligning means 12 is provided separately at a circular portion of the annular damping element 10, while the engaging means 11 and the tensioning elements 14 are arranged in respective pairs along the residual circumference of the damping element 10.

[0043] The embodiment of the damping element 10 shown in FIG. 1 is composed of a first part 10a on the inflator side and a second part 10b on the module mounting side. The first part 10a of the damping element 10 is divided into four equally sized segments of circle. On each of the circle segments of the first part 10a the three engaging means 11 and the three tensioning means 14 are arranged in pairs, as described before, while the aligning means 12 is arranged separately on one of the circle segments.

[0044] The second part 10b of the damping element 10 includes material recesses or grooves, respectively, so as to receive the four circle segments of the first part 10a of the damping element 10. The material recesses in the second part 10b are formed so that separation webs of the second part 10b are provided between the inserted circle segments of the first part 10a. The L-shaped cross-sectional geometry of the first part 10a in the assembled state according to FIG. 1 terminates flush with the second part 10b, the first part 10a being supported on the inner diameter of the bearing face 15 by the second part 10b.

[0045] Furthermore, the second part 10b of the damping element 10 includes through-holes along the tensioning elements 14 and the aligning means 12 so as to allow flexible and resilient support thereof. Further, through-holes opposed to the engaging means 11 are provided which extend through the bearing face 15 of the first part 10a and through the second part 10b.

[0046] The second part 10b of the damping element 10 includes a surface on the module mounting side facing away from the first part 10a of the damping element 10. According to FIG. 1, four detent feet 13 are provided on said module mounting side surface. Said detent feet are arranged to face the separation webs of the second part 10b which delimit the four circle segments of the first part 10a of the damping element 10 relative to each other. The lugs 13 are basically configured to take an oval basic shape. Along the height direction the detent feet 13 have a varying cross-section including at least one tapering so that the detent feet 13 can be positively locked with a module mounting 30.

[0047] The first part 10a of the damping element 10 may comprise a different material than the second part 10b. By selecting an appropriate material the rigidities of the flexibly and, resp., resiliently supported tensioning elements 14 and of the aligning means 12 can be adjusted. According to FIG. 1 the elements and through-holes are preferably provided to follow, as to their extension, the radial course of the annular damping element 10. It is further possible to configure the basic geometric shapes of the engaging means 11, the tensioning means 14, the aligning means 12 and the detent feet 13 other than illustrated in FIG. 1, if the function of the respective element is maintained.