Recyclable airbag module housing

US6422589B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Delphi Technologies · US

Inventors

• Folkert J Ostermann · Erkrath, DE
• Detlev Guthke · Hagen, DE
• Jens Hannemann · Wuppertal, DE
• Udo Jacobs · Bellinghauserhohn, DE
• Jeffrey A. Shepherd · Troy, US
• Traci Carol Baert · Commerce, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 18, 1998
• Grant date: Jul 23, 2002
• Expiry date: Dec 18, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60R21/2171
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A air bag module comprises an inflator, a unitary polymeric housing, and an air bag retainer of the same or similar material. The housing has integral walls forming an inflator chamber which include an inflator mounting stud aperture, a plurality of integral supports for the inflator, an integral peripheral rim forming an airbag chamber, and an integral upper wall having inflator gas diffuser apertures. An inflator stud fastener secures the inflator to the housing. The retainer and housing have integral cooperating fasteners for securing the retainer to the housing. A polymeric cover closes the retainer and confines the attached air bag. The housing and retainer are formed of the same recyclable material such that the air bag assembly can be recycled by simply removing only the stud fastener and the inflator. Several embodiments of the housing, retainer and fasteners are disclosed. In one embodiment, an inflator gas diffuser that is integral with the housing.