Abstract: A valve is provided in an automotive airbag module housing to relieve any excessive pressure in the module housing as may occur during deployment of an airbag. The valve is formed entirely from material in the housing by punching out openings in the housing material. The invention is applicable to airbag inflating devices in which the inflator is enclosed entirely within the module housing and is particularly useful in passenger side airbag inflation devices.

Abstract: The cover of a passenger-side airbag module is provided with an energy absorption zone to protect the passenger during head impact. The zone is in the form of corrugations which extend across the mouth of the airbag module. The corrugations crush upon impact, thereby absorbing energy.

Abstract: The sidewalls of a reaction canister for a passenger-side airbag module define a pair of opposed, parallel channels on their inner surfaces. A protective cover in the form of a thin rectangular plastic body has two opposite edges thickened to form lobes. These lobes are inserted into the channels before the second end plate is attached to the canister.

Abstract: A diffuser device, an air bag/diffuser subassembly and an air bag module assembly for use in an inflatable air bag restraint system for use in a motor vehicle are provided. The diffuser device can function as a structural member, gas flow diffuser, heat shield and bag retainer and can serve to reduce the cost/weight of air bag module manufacture and assembly.

Abstract: The deployable door of a passenger-side vehicle airbag restraint system is simultaneously fastened into an instrument panel opening and into engagement with the airbag module reaction canister. A spring clip on the canister receives a probe which is secured to the door through a pivoted breakaway connection. The probe is easily inserted into the clip but can be withdrawn only with difficulty. Airbag inflation thereafter separates the breakaway connection preferentially to the spring clip connection.

Abstract: An airbag module assembly comprises a reaction canister, an airbag inflator, a locking end cap for positioning and retaining the airbag inflator, a module diffuser housing, and an inflatable airbag. The airbag inflator is fixedly secured to the end cap and the end cap has at least one latch which allows the inflator-end cap unit to be fastened to the module diffuser housing. The end cap rigidly retains the inflator in the module diffuser housing, avoiding the need for a secondary restraint. This invention eliminates the need for exterior retention brackets and studs to directly secure the airbag inflator in the reaction canister.

Abstract: An adapter and retainer secures a hybrid inflator within the reaction canister of a passenger-side airbag module. It attaches to, or is integral with, the end wall of the canister and includes a cup which receives the nozzle end of the inflator. Surrounding the cup is a gas-impermeable flange. The flange includes compressive force means for applying clamping force to the inflator parallel to its longitudinal axis while resisting pressure buildup from within the canister during inflator actuation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved inflatable cushion assembly and method for coupling an inflatable cushion (12) to a reaction housing (16) in an inflatable restraint system. The assembly utilizes various arrangements of a flanged strip inserted into a channel member (36) disposed about the gas inlet opening (30) of the cushion (12) to form a flanged cushion insert (7,8). The flanges of the cushion insert retain the strip (42) in the channel member (36), and are used in the assembly process to couple the flanged cushion insert, in a fastenerless manner, either to a cushion retainer member (14), which in turn is coupled with the reaction housing (16), or directly to the reaction housing (16).

Abstract: An air bag inflator subassembly is described which when installed onto a dashboard substrate forms a complete air bag inflator unit. The air bag inflator subassembly comprises a plurality of flanges formed integral to the body of the inflator. An air bag cushion and retainer cover are attached to the inflator subassembly. The subassembly eliminates the need for a separate canister and simplifies the process of installing the air bag inflator unit. The subassembly is installed on the dashboard substrate and is attached to the appropriate electrical connections. The subassembly utilizes existing vehicle hardware to form part of the air bag canister.

Abstract: The reaction canister for a passenger side airbag restraint system comprises a trough-like main body and a substantially cylindrical inflator housing which are extruded in one piece. The generant charge and igniter strips within the inflator housing are also extruded. The generant charge may be divided into active and inert segments to control the volume of gas produced upon ignition.

Abstract: An inflator substantially shorter than the reaction canister is employed in a passenger-side airbag module. In order to properly distribute the inflating gas, a diffuser is employed which forms a plenum chamber having gas discharge openings in preselected locations relative to the mouth of the airbag.

Abstract: A passenger airbag module deployment door attachment system includes a molded plastic deployment door unit having a front wall providing a deployment doorway. Attachment legs extend rearwardly from the front wall for interlocking engagement with mating portions of walls of the airbag module. At least one band encircles the attachment legs for holding them in their interlocking engagement. Four attachment legs are shown surrounding a deployment passageway in encircling relationship. This passageway leads from an exit of the airbag module to the deployment doorway. The four attachment legs as shown provide four support surfaces effectively surrounding the deployment passageway for supporting and directing toward the doorway a high-energy expanding cushion (airbag) during its deployment. These attachment legs absorb impact energy and provide reinforcement for the front wall of the molded plastic unit.

Abstract: The reaction canister of an airbag module assembly is extruded to include a floor bounded by a pair of channels extending along its length. An inflator chamber is suspended beneath the floor of the canister by rails which are integral with the chamber and slide into the channels.

Abstract: Featured for use as a part of a reaction canister of an inflatable restraint system is a reaction canister body part having an integrally shaped inflator holder of partial, generally circular cross section.

Abstract: A reaction canister body part having an integral inflator chamber and an inflatable restraint system using reaction canister assemblies with such a body part are provided.

Abstract: A reaction canister for a vehicle passive restraint system has a resilient, impact energy absorbing element joined adjacent the edge of its wall which is adjacent an automotive panel likely to be impacted by an occupant in the event of a low speed collision. The resulting softening serves to avoid injury to the occupant as a result of contact with the panel.

Abstract: The cylindrical inflator housing of a passenger-side airbag module encloses a cylindrical filter pack containing the gas generant. The ends of the housing are closed by a pair of circular end bases which are press-fitted against the ends of the filter pack and provide improved heat transmission characteristics from the outside of the housing to the interiors of the end bases. In place of O-rings, the end bases are sealed to the housing by sheet gaskets.

Abstract: A system for installing the keyed stud of a cylindrical inflator into a keyed opening in the endwall of a passenger side airbag reaction module canister includes a special alignment tool. The tool has a profile which matches that of the stud and opening. It is inserted into the opening and engages and aligns the stud which is then moved into the opening.

Abstract: An inflator, which is shorter than a reaction can of an airbag restraint assembly and which has a flangeless base at one end thereof, is mounted in the reaction can. The mounting structure for the flangeless inflator has a generally circular open cylindrical shape, with its sidewall terminated at a first end in a mounting flange and terminating on the other end thereof in a resilient arm flared radially outward at the end thereof. Preferably, intermediate the mounting flange and the resilient arm is a radially-inwardly-extending integral circumferential rib or discrete dimples.

Abstract: An attachment system, an air bag module subassembly and a method of attachment are provided for the fastenerless attachment of an inflatable cushion into a restraint system. A thickened gas inlet opening of the inflatable cushion is secured within a channel portion of a cushion retainer to form a cushion/retainer subassembly wherein the secured inlet opening forms an attachment insert. The attachment insert is inserted into an attachment sleeve portion of the reaction housing to secure the cushion to the housing.