Air bag module with externally located drive mechanism for the deployment opening cover assembly

US6422592B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Autoliv Development AB · SE

Inventors

• Thomas Reiter · Dachau, DE
• Karl Binknus · Augsburg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 2, 2001
• Grant date: Jul 23, 2002
• Expiry date: Mar 2, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60R21/2155
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A passenger seat air bag module for supporting and deploying an air bag at a location relative to the instrument panel of a vehicle is provided, which includes a housing, an air bag sack, a gas generator for generating gas for inflating the air bag sack, and a cover element for covering a deployment opening through which the air bag sack is moved when it is deployed. To withdraw the cover element, a drive mechanism applies a pulling force to the cover element via a pulling force transmitting element. The drive mechanism includes a drive block having a plurality of paired cylinder bores and associated drive pistons and a push bar driven outwardly by the drive pistons. The outward movement of the push bar effects withdrawal of the cover element from its deployment opening covering position to its withdrawn position by the pulling force transmitting element.