DE102023117187A1 - Module housing for a gas bag module of a vehicle occupant safety system as well as gas bag module, vehicle occupant safety system and vehicle with such a module housing - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a module housing (1) for a gas bag module (100) of a vehicle occupant safety system with
- a housing body (10) for accommodating a gas generator (2), wherein the housing body (10) has a collar (11) which delimits a blow-out opening (12) for a gas generated by the gas generator (20), and with
- a flexible, hose-like extension (30) for connecting the housing body (10) to a gas bag (3), wherein the hose-like extension (30) for extending the blow-out opening (12) is firmly, in particular gas-tightly, connected to the collar (11).
Furthermore, the invention relates to a gas bag module, a vehicle occupant safety system and a vehicle with such a module housing.

Description

The invention relates to a module housing for a gas bag module of a vehicle occupant safety system. The invention further relates to a gas bag module, a vehicle occupant safety system and a vehicle with such a module housing.

To protect vehicle occupants in the event of an impact, gas bags, known as airbags, are usually used. These are hidden in gas bag modules that are installed inside the vehicle. The gas bag modules usually include a module housing that houses a gas generator. The module housing is connected to a gas bag that is filled with gas after the gas generator is triggered. This usually takes place in a few milliseconds.

Comparatively large gas bags are installed, particularly in gas bag modules for the passenger side of a vehicle. Their geometry is usually designed in such a way that the gas bag has a hose-like blow-in opening that is connected to the module housing, in particular to a blow-out opening in the module housing. However, connecting the gas bag's blow-in opening to the module housing is complex during production and is not always possible in a gas-tight manner. This increases the amount of waste in production and causes additional costs in addition to the assembly effort.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a module housing for a gas bag module of a vehicle occupant safety system, which enables a gas bag module to be assembled cost-effectively and reliably. Furthermore, the object of the invention is to provide such a gas bag module as well as a vehicle occupant safety system and a vehicle with such a gas bag module, in particular a module housing.

According to the invention, this object is achieved with regard to the module housing by the subject matter of patent claim 1, with regard to the gas bag module by the subject matter of patent claim 5, with regard to the vehicle occupant safety system by the subject matter of patent claim 13 and with regard to the vehicle by the subject matter of patent claim 14.

Specifically, the invention is based on the idea of specifying a module housing for a gas bag module of a vehicle occupant safety system, wherein the module housing comprises a housing body for accommodating a gas generator and a flexible, hose-like extension for connecting the housing body to a gas bag. The housing body has a collar that delimits a blow-out opening for a gas generated by the gas generator, wherein the hose-like extension for extending the blow-out opening is firmly connected to the collar, in particular in a gas-tight manner.

The present invention thus provides a module housing in which a flexible, hose-like extension is already firmly attached to the housing body, so that assembly of a gas bag is made easier. In particular, the gas bag and the hose-like extension can be connected to one another in a simple and reliable gas-tight manner. The module housing according to the invention thus reduces the proportion of rejects on the one hand and, on the other hand, the simplified assembly steps achieve a corresponding cost saving for the entire manufacturing process.

A particularly simple and gas-tight connection of the gas bag can be achieved if the hose-like extension has a textile material or is made of such a textile material. The hose-like extension can in particular have a textile material that corresponds to the material of the gas bag or is identical to the gas bag material. The extension thus forms a connecting hose between the module housing and the flexible gas bag. The module housing is preferably made of a solid material, for example a plastic. It is particularly advantageous if the module housing is manufactured using a plastic injection molding process.

In this respect, it is advantageously provided in a preferred embodiment that the hose-like extension has an end section that is firmly connected to the collar of the module housing. In particular, the end section can be embedded in the collar of the module housing, preferably injected. In this variant, the connection of the hose-like extension to the module housing can be established by embedding the hose-like extension, in particular its end section, in the collar when the module housing is molded. The hose-like extension, in particular at least its end section, can therefore be inserted into the injection mold before the module housing is molded in the injection mold. In this way, the end section of the hose-like extension is completely embedded in the collar, so that a material-locking, gas-tight connection is produced between the hose-like extension and the housing body.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the housing body is designed with a housing base and a circumferential housing wall that protrudes from the housing base and encloses the collar. The collar can extend beyond a retaining flange, in particular a circumferential one, that protrudes from the outside of the housing wall.

The housing body can thus form a substantially shell-like shape with a surrounding housing wall that preferably rises vertically from the housing base. The housing base can have a round or, particularly preferably, a substantially rectangular base area. Such a shape of a housing body is particularly preferred for module housings of gas bag modules that are used for a passenger airbag. The rectangular basic shape offers the necessary space for the relatively large gas bag of a passenger airbag module and also enables space-efficient positioning within a dashboard of a motor vehicle.

In order to fix the module housing in the motor vehicle, in particular a dashboard, it is advantageous to provide a retaining flange that protrudes from the outside of the housing wall. The retaining flange can in particular extend vertically outwards from the housing wall. Openings for screwing the module housing into a motor vehicle can be provided in the retaining flange, for example.

The collar preferably protrudes over the retaining flange, with the tubular extension being embedded in the collar. In the area of the retaining flange, the tubular extension is preferably not integrated or embedded. In the area of the retaining flange, there are high wall thicknesses and wall thickness transitions, so that additional embedding of the tubular extension is difficult from a manufacturing point of view. A simplification is achieved by embedding the end section of the tubular extension in the collar, preferably exclusively in the collar.

The invention further relates to a gas bag module with a previously described module housing and a gas generator which is connected to the housing body of the module housing. The gas generator preferably has gas outlets which open into the module housing, in particular a gas flow space delimited by the housing body. Furthermore, the gas bag module preferably comprises a gas bag which is firmly, in particular gas-tightly, connected to the hose-like extension.

The advantages and advantageous developments mentioned in connection with the module housing also apply analogously to the gas bag module. In particular, the gas bag module can be manufactured in a process-safe and gas-tight manner, whereby the use of the hose-like extension and the associated simplified assembly also reduce the costs of production.

The gas bag is preferably sewn and/or glued to the tubular extension. This is particularly easy to implement and allows the gas bag geometry to be flexibly adapted to the respective application. In particular, a complex design of an inflation opening for the gas bag can be dispensed with. This means that gas bags with different gas bag geometries can be connected to the module housing, with the tubular extension essentially forming an adapter between the module housing, in particular the blow-out opening, and the gas bag. Due to the flexible structures of the tubular extension, differently designed gas bags can be connected to the module housing. The module housing thus enables use across model series.

The hose-like extension can thus form a connecting channel between the housing body of the module housing and the gas bag. In particular, the hose-like extension can form a connecting channel between the gas flow channel and the interior of the gas bag. The connecting channel is preferably connected in a gas-tight manner to the module housing, in particular by appropriate injection, and in a gas-tight manner to the gas bag, in particular by appropriate sewing and/or gluing.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the gas generator is fastened in a receiving opening of the module housing, in particular the housing base. The gas generator can be supported on the housing base. It is particularly preferred, in particular for flow-related reasons, if the housing base is arranged opposite the blow-out opening. The gas generator is preferably arranged centrally in the housing base, specifically opposite the outlet opening.

It can be provided that the gas generator is connected directly to the module housing, in particular to the housing base, in a form-fitting manner. In the context of the present application, a direct connection is defined as a connection in which no intermediate elements are provided that create a connection. Rather, the gas generator is attached in front of preferably directly without an intermediate element in the module housing.

Such a direct connection can be achieved in particular if, as is provided in preferred embodiments, the module housing has a bayonet locking contour in the area of the receiving opening, into which a fastening flange of the gas generator engages in a form-fitting manner. Such a bayonet locking contour can be formed in particular by corresponding form-fitting strips that extend in sections around the receiving opening of the module housing, with a distance between the form-fitting strip and the housing base that accommodates the fastening flange of the gas generator. It is advantageous if the fastening flange of the gas generator is not designed to be completely circumferential, but has a length or arc length that corresponds at most to a distance between two form-fitting strips. The distance between the form-fitting strips is determined along the contour of the receiving opening.

A direct positive connection is also possible if the module housing, in particular the housing base, has molded-on pins that pass through the fastening openings of the gas generator and each have a plastically deformed holding head. The pins are preferably monolithic with the module housing. The plastically deformed holding head can be produced, for example, by an ultrasonic welding process. During production, the gas generator is placed on the pins with its fastening openings, which are preferably formed in a circumferential fastening flange. The pin is then plastically deformed by an ultrasonic welding process, so that the holding head is formed and takes on a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the fastening opening. This results in a firm positive connection between the gas generator and the module housing.

In this context, it is particularly preferred if the pins protrude into the gas flow space. The gas generator is thus fixed inside the module housing, whereby the fastening flange of the gas generator can be supported on the housing base in the event of the gas generator being triggered. The fastening flange offers a large contact surface, resulting in increased stability. The holding heads of the pins therefore do not have to absorb such recoil forces. Instead, these recoil forces are diverted through the housing base.

A secondary aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle occupant safety system with a previously described gas bag module or a previously described module housing. The invention also relates to a vehicle, in particular a multi-lane motor vehicle, with a previously described vehicle occupant safety system, a previously described gas bag module or a previously described module housing.

• 1 eine Querschnittsansicht durch ein Gassackmodul mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Modulgehäuse nach einem bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiel;
• 2 eine perspektivische Explosionsdarstellung eines Gassackmoduls mit dem Modulgehäuse gemäß 1;
• 3 eine perspektivische Detaildarstellung der Anbindung eines Gasgenerators an ein erfindungsgemäßes Modulgehäuse nach einem bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiel; und
• 4 und 5 jeweils eine perspektivische Querschnittsansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Modulgehäuses mit angeformten Stiften zur formschlüssigen Fixierung eines Gasgenerators, wobei in 1 ein Herstellungs-Zwischenschritt und in 5 ein Herstellungs-Endzustand dargestellt ist.

The invention is explained in more detail below using embodiments with reference to the attached schematic drawings.

• 1 a cross-sectional view through a gas bag module with a module housing according to the invention according to a preferred embodiment;
• 2 a perspective exploded view of a gas bag module with the module housing according to 1 ;
• 3 a perspective detailed view of the connection of a gas generator to a module housing according to the invention according to a preferred embodiment; and
• 4 and 5 each a perspective cross-sectional view of a module housing according to the invention with molded pins for the positive fixing of a gas generator, wherein in 1 an intermediate manufacturing step and in 5 a final manufacturing state is shown.

In 1 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a gas bag module 100 which comprises a module housing 1, a gas generator 2 and a gas bag 3. The gas bag module is formed by a housing body 10 and a hose-like extension 30 which is firmly connected to the housing body 10.

The housing body 10 has a substantially bowl-shaped or pot-shaped contour in cross section. In particular, the housing body 10 comprises a housing base 13 and a housing wall 14 which extends circumferentially around the housing base 13. The housing wall 14 and the housing base 13 are monolithic. In particular, the entire housing body 10 can be formed from an injection-molded part.

A receiving opening 17 is arranged in the housing base 13 and accommodates the gas generator 2. The gas generator 2 is preferably designed as a round gas generator.

The housing wall 14 together with the housing base 13 defines a gas flow chamber 16 which receives gas flowing out of the gas generator 2. With regard to 2 it can be seen that the gas flow space 16 essentially occupies a box-like volume. The housing wall 14 thus delimits an essentially cuboid-like gas flow space 16. The housing base 13 therefore has an essentially rectangular base area. In a central region of the housing body 10, however, the housing base 13 is raised so that the housing body 10 is essentially bridge-like with two bridge feet that show through the lowered housing base 13 at the edges of the housing body 10.

As in 1 As can be clearly seen, a retaining flange 15 extends outwards from the housing wall 14. The retaining flange 15 is preferably oriented parallel to the housing base 13. The retaining flange 15 extends essentially completely around the housing wall 14 and in this respect offers a circumferential retaining flange 15. Openings, in particular bores 15a, are arranged in the retaining flange 15, which make it possible to screw or otherwise fasten the module housing 1 to an surrounding structure, for example a dashboard, of a vehicle.

The housing wall 14 extends beyond the retaining flange 15 or the plane spanned by the retaining flange 15 and forms a collar 11 there on the housing body 10. The collar 11 delimits a blow-out opening 12 of the module housing 1. The gas generated by the gas generator 2, which fills the gas flow space 16, can exit the housing body 10 via the blow-out opening 12.

The module housing 1 further comprises the hose-like extension 30, which essentially forms an extension of the blow-out opening 12. For this purpose, the hose-like extension 30, which is preferably designed as a fabric scarf, is firmly embedded in the collar 11 with an end section 31. The embedding offers a material-locking and/or positive connection between the hose-like extension 30 and the collar 11 of the housing body 10. The hose-like extension 30 or fabric scarf is preferably made of a textile fabric and is therefore flexible. In order to achieve gas-tightness between the blow-out opening 12 and the connecting channel formed by the hose-like extension 30, the hose-like extension 30 preferably extends completely along the course of the collar 11.

In 1 a gas bag 3 is also indicated, which comprises an inlet section 33. The inlet section 33 is inserted in sections into the hose-like extension 30, so that the gas bag material of the inlet section 33 is arranged on an inner side of the hose-like extension. In 1 a connection between the hose-like extension 30 and the gas bag 3, in particular its inlet section 33, is indicated by lines 32. This connection can preferably be made by sewing and/or gluing. Other connection options can be provided. However, sewing and/or gluing offers considerable cost advantages in terms of manufacturing technology.

1 also shows purely schematically the attachment of a gas generator 2 to the module housing 1 when the gas generator 2 protrudes into the receiving opening 17. The gas generator 2 comprises outlets 21 which are arranged in a region of the gas generator 2 which protrudes into the gas flow space 16. The outlets 21 are arranged in this protruding part. After the gas generator 2 is ignited, a gas is produced which can spread into the gas flow space 16 via the outlets 21. The gas can then be guided into the flexible, hose-like extension 30 via the blow-out opening 12.

In the embodiment according to 1 the gas generator 2 is mounted on an outside of the housing body 10. For this purpose, the gas generator 2 has a fastening flange 22, which preferably extends over the entire circumference of the gas generator 2. The concrete connection and fastening of the gas generator 2 to the module housing 1 or to the housing base 13 of the housing body 10 is shown in 1 not shown for reasons of clarity. This will be explained in connection with the 3-5 explained in more detail.

The exploded view according to 2 shows the entire gas bag module 100 with the module housing 1 including the hose-like extension 30, the gas generator 2 and the gas bag 3. It can be seen that the hose-like extension 30 essentially creates a flexible connection geometry for the gas bag 3.

In the 3 , 4 and 5 different possibilities for connecting the gas generator 2 to the module housing 1 are shown. In the embodiment according to 3 A type of bayonet lock is provided, which provides a direct positive connection between the gas generator 2 and the housing body 10 of the module housing 1. Another direct positive connection between the gas generator 2 and the module housing 1 is shown in the 4 and 5 shown.

With the bayonet-type connection according to 3 A bayonet locking contour 18 with two form-locking strips 18a is arranged on the housing base 13. The form-locking strips 18a essentially have an L-shaped cross-sectional profile, with an upper leg of the L-shaped cross-sectional profile being aligned parallel to the housing base 13. Between the housing base 13 and the form-locking strip 18a, specifically its upper leg, a gap is thus formed, into which a fastening flange 22 of the gas generator 2 can be inserted. As in 3 As can be clearly seen, two form-fitting strips 18a arranged opposite one another are preferably provided. The form-fitting strips 18a can in particular be designed to be point-symmetrical. An insertion space 18b is provided between the form-fitting strips 18a along the curvature of the receiving opening 17. The insertion space 18b has a length along the receiving opening 17, i.e. an arc length, which is greater than the arc length of a fastening flange 22 of the gas housing 2.

The gas generator 2 preferably comprises two fastening flanges 22 which extend opposite one another from the outer wall of the gas generator 2. The gas generator 2 can thus be lowered into the receiving opening 17 in a predetermined position, with the fastening flanges 22 being inserted into the oppositely arranged and complementary insertion spaces 18b. The fastening flanges 22 preferably come into contact with the housing base 13. The fastening flanges 22 have a height which is preferably at most the height of the gap between the housing base 13 and the form-fitting strip 18a.

By rotating the gas generator 2 relative to the housing base 13, preferably by 90°, the fastening flanges 22 move into the gap between the housing base 13 and the form-fitting strip 18. This creates a form-fitting connection between the gas generator 2 and the housing body 10, as in the locked state in 3 is shown. In order to prevent the gas generator 2 from being unscrewed, locking or snap elements can additionally be provided in the form-fitting strips 18a or the underlying sections of the housing base 13, which interact with corresponding locking or snap receptacles in the fastening flanges 22 in order to fix the end position of the gas generator 2 screwed into the bayonet locking contour 18.

The 4 and 5 show an alternative, direct form-fitting connection between the housing body 10 and the gas generator 2. In this variant, the gas generator 2 has a single, circumferential fastening flange 22. Several, in particular four, fastening openings 23 are arranged in the fastening flange 22. The fastening openings 23 are preferably located in corner areas of the fastening flange 22, which has a rectangular or square outer contour. In this context, outer contours that have rounded corners are also referred to as rectangular or square, as is the case in the 4 and 5 shown.

The module housing 1 has pins 19 formed directly on the housing body 10. Preferably, four pins 19 are provided, the position of which is selected such that the fastening openings 23 of the fastening flange 22 can be placed on the pins 19. The gas generator 2 is preferably inserted into the receiving opening 17 above the gas flow chamber 16 and rests with the fastening flange 22 over its entire surface on the housing base 13. The pins 19 pass through the fastening openings 23 in the fastening flange 22. This intermediate state of the assembly process is shown in 4 clearly visible. At this point, the pins 19 already provide a positive connection in that the position of the gas generator 2 is fixed.

In order to achieve a complete, positive connection or fastening of the gas generator 2 to the housing body 10, the pins 19, in particular their sections protruding beyond the fastening openings 23, are heated in a further process step. This can be done, for example, by an ultrasonic welding process. The heating causes the pins 19 to melt and form holding heads 19a, the cross-sectional diameter of which is larger than the cross-sectional diameter of the respective fastening opening 23. The pins 19 thus provide a rivet-like connection between the gas generator 2 and the housing body 10.

The present invention is not limited to the specific fixing of the gas generator 2 in the receiving opening 17. Other possibilities for fixing the gas generator 2 are equally possible. For example, the gas generator 2 can be connected to the housing body 10 by screwing, clipping, fusing or clamping.

The advantage of the invention is achieved in particular by the firm and gas-tight connection between the housing body 10 and the hose-like extension 30 or the fabric shell. This connection makes previously used airbag fastening plates, which are fixed with screws, unnecessary. The tightness in the area of the blow-out opening 12 is also increased. In addition the number of parts for the gas bag module 100 is reduced, which leads to cost advantages. Furthermore, the direct and firm connection of the fabric shell to the housing body enables easy assembly. An additional advantage is that, due to the fabric shell used, no direct gas flow from the gas flow chamber 16 reaches the gas bag. Instead, the gas flow is conveyed into the gas bag 30 via the hose-like extension 30.

reference sign

100

gas bag module

1

module housing

2

gas generator

3

gas bag

10

housing body

11

collar

12

exhaust opening

13

case back

14

housing wall

15

retaining flange

15a

drilling

16

gas flow space

17

receiving opening

18

bayonet locking contour

18a

form-fitting strip

18b

insertion space

19

Pen

19a

holding head

21

outlet

22

mounting flange

23

mounting hole

30

tube-like extension

31

final section

32

line

33

inlet section

Claims (14)

Module housing (1) for a gas bag module (100) of a vehicle occupant safety system with - a housing body (10) for accommodating a gas generator (2), wherein the housing body (10) has a collar (11) which delimits a blow-out opening (12) for a gas generated by the gas generator (20), and with - a flexible, hose-like extension (30) for connecting the housing body (10) to a gas bag (3), wherein the hose-like extension (30) for extending the blow-out opening (12) is firmly connected, in particular gas-tight, to the collar (11). Module housing (1) after claim 1 characterized in that the tubular extension (30) comprises or is formed from a textile material. Module housing (1) after claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the hose-like extension (30) has an end portion (31) which is embedded, in particular injected, into the collar (11). Module housing (1) after claim 3 characterized in that the housing body (10) is formed with a housing base (13) and a circumferential housing wall (14) which projects from the housing base (13) and encloses the collar (11), wherein the collar (11) extends beyond a, in particular circumferential, retaining flange (15) which projects from the outside of the housing wall (14). Gas bag module (100) with - a module housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, - a gas generator (2) which is connected to the housing body (10) of the module housing (1) and has gas outlets (21) which open into the module housing (1), in particular a gas flow space (16) delimited by the housing body (10), and - a gas bag (3) which is firmly, in particular gas-tight, connected to the hose-like extension (30). Gasbag module (100) after claim 5 characterized in that the gas bag (3) is sewn and/or glued to the tubular extension (30). Gasbag module (100) after claim 5 or 6 characterized in that the hose-like extension (30) forms a connecting channel between the housing body (10) of the module housing (1) and the gas bag (3). Gas bag module (100) according to one of the Claims 5 until 7 characterized in that the gas generator (2) is fastened in a receiving opening (17) of the module housing (1), in particular the housing base (13). Gas bag module (100) according to one of the Claims 5 until 8 characterized in that the gas generator (2) is directly positively connected to the module housing (1), in particular the housing base (13). Gasbag module (100) after claim 9 characterized in that the module housing (1) has a bayonet locking contour (18) in the region of the receiving opening (17), into which a fastening flange (22) of the gas generator (2) engages in a form-fitting manner. Gas bag module (100) according to one of the Claims 5 until 9 characterized in that the module housing (1), in particular the housing base (13), has molded-on pins (19) which pass through the fastening openings (23) of the gas generator (2) and each have a plastically deformed holding head (19a). Gasbag module (100) after claim 10 characterized in that the pins (19) protrude into the gas flow space (16). Vehicle occupant safety system with a gas bag module (100) or a module housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims. Vehicle, in particular a multi-track motor vehicle, with a vehicle occupant safety system, a gas bag module (100) or a module housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

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