Airbag module, diffuser for an air bag module and safety system for vehicle passengers

Abstract

The invention relates to an airbag module for a safety system for vehicle passengers, comprising an airbag, a gas generator (23) and a diffuser (10) with a dome section (11) and at least one retaining section which maintains the airbag in a compressed manner. Said retaining section comprises at least one securing opening in which at least one securing device, in particular a securing bolt, is received. Said securing opening (13) is arranged below the dome section (11).

Claims

1. A diffuser (10) for an airbag module for a safety system for vehicle passengers, wherein the airbag module comprises an airbag and a gas generator (23), wherein the diffuser (10) comprises a dome section (11) and at least one retaining section (12) which can secure the airbag in a compressed manner, wherein the retaining section (12) comprises at least one securing opening (13) in which at least one securing device (14) is received with each securing device (14) being arranged below the dome section (11) and inside a circumference of the gas generator (23).

2. The diffuser (10) according to claim 1, wherein the diffuser (10) is configured in at least two parts, wherein a first part (11) forms the dome section (11) and a second part (12) forms, at least in part, the retaining section (12).

3. The diffuser (10) according to claim 2, wherein a first material from which the first part (11) is fabricated and a second material from which the second part (12) is fabricated are different.

4. The diffuser (10) according to claim 2, wherein the first and second parts (11, 12) are one of positively and non-positively connected to each other.

5. The diffuser (10) according to claim 2, wherein at least one connecting means is provided for connecting the first and second parts (11, 12) to each other.

6. The diffuser (10) according to claim 2, wherein the diffuser (10) includes at least one securing tab (15) configured to penetrate a corresponding slit (16) inside the second part (12) for connecting the first and second parts (11, 12), each securing tab (15) extending to an underside (22) of the second part (12) and having a seat (17) for receiving each securing device (14).

7. The diffuser (10) according to claim 1, wherein the retaining section (12) has an annular section in which the at least one securing opening (13) is arranged.

8. The diffuser (10) according to claim 1, wherein the retaining section (12) includes an annular section with at least one opening (27) for receiving a damping member (25).

9. An airbag module for a safety system for vehicle passengers comprising the airbag, the gas generator (23) and the diffuser (10) according to claim 1.

10. The airbag module according to claim 9, further comprising one or more of the at least one securing device, an airbag housing, a module cap, and a module support.

11. The airbag module according to claim 9, further comprising an absorbing element (24).

12. The airbag module according to claim 11, wherein at least one section of the absorbing element (24) is arranged between the gas generator (23) and the retaining section (12).

13. The airbag module according to claim 9, wherein the retaining section (12) is arranged below the gas generator (23).

14. A safety system for vehicle passengers comprising the airbag module according to claim 9.

15. A safety system for vehicle passengers comprising the diffuser (10) according to claim 1.

16. The diffuser (10) according to claim 1, further comprising an annular absorbing element for receiving the gas generator and including circumferentially spaced apart damping members extending through openings in the retaining section for connecting the retaining section to the absorbing element.

17. A diffuser (10) for an airbag module for a safety system for vehicle passengers, wherein the airbag module comprises an airbag and a gas generator (23), wherein the diffuser (10) comprises a dome section (11) and at least one retaining section (12) which can secure the airbag in a compressed manner, wherein the retaining section (12) comprises at least one securing opening (13) in which at least one securing device (14) is received, wherein an annular absorbing element 24 receives the gas generator (23) and includes circumferentially spaced apart damping members (25) extending through openings (27) in the retaining section (12) for connecting the retaining section (12) to the absorbing element (24).

18. A diffuser for an airbag module for a safety system for vehicle passengers, wherein the airbag module comprises an airbag and a gas generator, the diffuser comprising: a dome section including securing tabs having seats; and a retaining section for securing the airbag in a compressed manner and including openings for receiving securing bolts, wherein the securing tabs extend through slits in the retaining section to an underside of the retaining section such that the securing bolts are received in the seats.

19. The diffuser according to claim 18, wherein the retaining section extends annularly about a centerline and the slits are positioned radially outward of the openings such that the seats extend radially inward to receive the securing bolts.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Hereinafter the invention shall be illustrated in detail by way of embodiments with reference to the enclosed schematic figures, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1: shows a first embodiment of the diffuser according to the invention in a first schematic oblique view;

(3) FIG. 2: shows the diffuser according to FIG. 1 in a second oblique view;

(4) FIG. 3: shows the diffuser according to FIGS. 1 and 2 in an exploded view;

(5) FIG. 4: shows components of an embodiment of the airbag module in a schematic, partly cut oblique view;

(6) FIG. 5: shows components of an embodiment of the airbag module according to the invention in a first schematic exploded view; and

(7) FIG. 6: shows a second schematic exploded view of the embodiment according to FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION

(8) Hereinafter like reference numerals will be used for like and equally acting parts.

(9) FIG. 1 shows a diffuser 10 comprising a first part 11 as well as a second part 12. In securing openings 13 (of FIG. 3) securing bolts 14 are arranged. Concretely, three securing bolts 14 are provided, but also a different number of securing bolts may be provided.

(10) The first part 11 includes (three) tabs 15 (cf. FIGS. 2 and 3) which in the mounted state penetrate silts 16 (cf. FIG. 3) and are bent for securing the first and second parts to each other (cf. FIG. 2).

(11) The tabs 15 and slits 16, resp., are arranged to face the securing bolts 14 in a radial direction and include seats 17 in which the securing bolts 14 can be received. In this way, an additional securing of the parts 11, 12 is achieved in a simple manner.

(12) The first part 11 at the same time forms a dome section 11 and acts as a diffuser. For this purpose, plural flow orifices 18 are provided through which the gas for inflating an airbag (not shown) can flow. The dome section 11 is domed and has a cylindrical section 19 as well as a tapering section 20 adjacent to the cylindrical section 19. Both in the cylindrical section 19 and in the tapering section 20 flow orifices 18 are provided. The flow orifices in the concrete case have either a circular cross-section (in the cylindrical section 19) or a semi-elliptic cross-section (in the tapering section 20). The cross-sections may also have different geometries, however.

(13) The second pad 12 is arranged below a rim 21 of the first part. Furthermore, the second part has an annular shape. An underside 22 (cf. FIG. 2) of the second part 12 clamps the airbag (not shown) (e.g. by interaction with the module support which is not shown either) so that the airbag is retained. Inside the diffuser 10 a gas generator (not shown) may be arranged.

(14) The securing bolts 14 serve for mounting the diffuser 10 as well as for manufacturing the clamping connection between the underside 22 and an adjacent counter-piece, especially a module support.

(15) FIG. 4 shows components of an airbag module according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein especially the first part 11 differs from the first part 11 according to FIGS. 1-3. Furthermore, in FIG. 4 a gas generator 23 is evident which is arranged inside the diffuser 10. Between the gas generator 23 and the second part 12 moreover an absorbing element 24 including absorbing feet 25 is provided so that the gas generator 23 is supported in an oscillating manner. The absorbing feet 25 are received in a generator support or module support (not shown). Further, also in FIG. 4 tabs 15 serving for connecting the first part 11 and the second part 12 (together with silts not visible in detail) are indicated.

(16) A cross-section of the second part 12 according to FIG. 4 is S-shaped. In an (annular) recess 26 the securing openings 13 are provided.

(17) Moreover, the second part 12 comprises openings 27 (equally in the annular recess 26) for receiving the absorbing feet 25. The slits 16 are also arranged in the (annular) recess 26.

(18) Furthermore, the recess 26 is raised vis--vis a (lower) rim 28 of the second part 12 so that a bearing surface (clamping surface) is defined by the rim 28. Between the rim 28 and a facing part (especially the module support) the airbag (not shown) is maintained in a compressed manner.

(19) In the embodiment according to FIG. 4 (just as in the embodiment according to FIGS. 1-3), the securing openings 13 as well as the securing bolts 14 are arranged below the first part 11 and, resp., the dome section 11.

(20) FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a schematic exploded view of components of another embodiment of the airbag module. In contrast to the embodiments according to FIGS. 1-4, in the embodiment according to FIGS. 5 and 6 the securing openings 13 as well as the dedicated securing bolts 14 are not arranged below the first part 11 or, resp., the dome section 11, but outside a projection of the first part 11 onto the plane in which the securing openings 13 are provided. The two-part design of the embodiments according to FIGS. 5-6 of the diffuser 10 corresponds to the two-part design of the embodiments according to FIGS. 1-4, however.

(21) The second part 12 does not take a circular ring shape, however (as in the embodiment according to FIGS. 1-3 and also FIG. 4), but has an (approximately) triangular outer circumference, with the corners of the triangular outer circumference being rounded. A central opening 29 of the second part 12 takes a circular shape. In total the second part forms a ring.

(22) The absorbing element shown in FIGS. 4-6 is made from elastic material, especially silicone. Reinforcing inserts (for example made from metal) may be provided.

(23) In general, in all embodiments the second part 12 is arranged between the airbag (not shown) and the first part 11. The airbag thus is in (clamping) contact only with the second part 12 but not with the first part 11.

(24) Basically, it is not excluded, however, that also the first part 11 (e.g. the tabs 15 thereof) is in contact with the airbag.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(25) 10 diffuser 11 first part, dome section 12 second part, retaining section 13 securing opening 14 securing bolt 15 tab 16 slit 17 seat 18 flow orifice 19 cylindrical section 20 tapering section 21 rim 22 underside 23 gas generator 24 absorbing element 24 absorbing foot 26 recess 27 opening 28 rim 29 opening