Patent · US Expired

Flexible housing for an airbag module

US7195273B2 · kind B2 · utility

12Cited by
13References
44Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 12, 2004
Grant dateMar 27, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 18, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60R21/2176
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An airbag module may have an inflator, a cushion, and a housing that contains the inflator and the cushion. The housing has an outer wall formed of a flexible material and a bracket designed to be attached to a vehicle. During deployment, the cushion is expelled out of the housing through the bracket. The inflator remains in the housing and inflation gas is conveyed to the cushion through the housing. The inflator may be retained by flaps wrapped around the inflator and secured to a perpendicularly oriented diffuser of the inflator. Alternatively, the diffuser may extend through an orifice formed in a fabric wall within the housing, and retention portions of the outer wall may be wrapped around the opposite side of the inflator. The airbag module may be mounted in an instrument panel to provide front seat, passenger's side impact protection without requiring a rigid module housing.

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