Patent · US Expired

Air bag module

US5121941A · kind A · utility

20Cited by
31References
35Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 19, 1991
Grant dateJun 16, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 19, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60R21/2171
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A new and useful vehicle air bag module design and new assembly techniques are designed specifically for automating the process of assembling an air bag module. The air bag module includes a reaction can which has a main body defining a cavity and an air bag opening, an external flange extending away from the air bag opening, and an inflator-receiving slot formed in part of the main body. A folded air bag having a gas inlet opening is at least partially disposed in the cavity. A retention device is integral with the air bag around the periphery of the gas inlet opening and is disposed adjacent the external flange on the reaction can. The inflator has a cylindrical housing and an integral coupling structure. The cylindrical housing extends partially through the inflator-receiving slot and includes a portion disposed within said cavity and a portion disposed outside said cavity. A first set of fasteners connects the coupling structure of the inflator with a portion of said main body of said reaction can. A second set of fasteners connects the retention device with the external flange on the reaction can. The reaction can, which may be either aluminum or steel, is formed as a monolith…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.