Airbag fixing device

Abstract

An airbag fixture (104) adapted to attach an airbag (102) to a substrate (202) is provided. The airbag securing device comprises: a cage arranged to receive a post (302) of an airbag; at least one resilient barb (108), the at least one resilient barb being arranged to capture the substrate; at least one distance adjuster arranged to maintain, in use, a predetermined distance of the substrate from the bladder; and at least one resilient member 110 arranged to maintain a position of the balloon fixture relative to the curved surface of the balloon.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an airbag fixing device. The airbag fixing device is adapted to attach an airbag to a substrate. In particular, the present invention relates to an airbag fixing device that does not require a third-party fixing device and is easy to attach. Background Art

[0002] Known airbags are fastened to a structure (such as a vehicle chassis) via screws and nuts or other conventional means. This can involve welding operations for assembly, such as welding a locknut to the white body of a vehicle. The airbag must then be screwed to the locknut via a screw. An operator must use tools to attach the airbag. This complicates manufacturing and is time-consuming.

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a third-party fixing device for the airbag. These third-party fixing devices may be lost during transportation or in use (e.g., fall into an inaccessible area). The airbag may also be located in an awkward position within the vehicle, which makes the use of third-party fixing devices difficult (e.g., when inverted or in a tight space).

[0004] For replacing and repairing parts, screws, etc. may also be difficult to remove and often break, fracture, and / or stop working. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to the present disclosure, there is provided an airbag fixing device adapted to attach an airbag (i.e., a pre-deployed airbag container containing a fabric and an initiator for activating the airbag) to a substrate (such as a white body or a vehicle chassis). The airbag fixing device includes: a cage arranged to receive a column of the airbag. The column is typically located outside the housing of the airbag module and is typically formed of metal. The airbag fixing device has at least one resilient barb arranged to engage the substrate. The airbag fixing device is pushed through an aperture in the substrate in use, the aperture being adjacent to the outer cross-section of the airbag fixing device, and the at least one resilient barb being elastically deformable to allow it to pass through the substrate and then return to its original rest position, in which the barb cannot be withdrawn through the aperture. It is important that at least one distance regulator is provided and arranged to maintain a predetermined distance between the substrate and the airbag in use, since the airbag module can generate rapid temperature changes during an explosion, and also since the airbag module is isolated to prevent an accidental explosion (e.g., through current leakage). While being spaced apart, the airbag module must also be properly fixed in place and avoid accidental disconnection (e.g., through vehicle vibrations). There is also at least one resilient member arranged to hold the position of the airbag fixing device relative to the curved surface of the airbag to further prevent accidental disconnection of the airbag module from the fixing device or the substrate.

[0006] Suitably, the cage includes an attachment mechanism for attaching the cage to a column, thus avoiding third-party fixing devices and eliminating the need for additional fixing devices. Optionally, the attachment mechanism is a reversible attachment mechanism, enabling the cage to be removed from the column. Further optionally, the attachment mechanism is a threaded orifice and / or a snap-fit member, such that the fixing device can be tightened onto the column by screwing (rotating the cage around the column) or by gripping recesses, mushroom heads, etc. of the snap-fit features of the column, such as a press-fit member.

[0007] Suitably, the resilient barbs are integrally formed with the cage. The cage can be formed from a single piece of material in a single manufacturing process, such as stamping or folding. This ensures that each cage is automatically provided with barbs and there is no risk of component disconnection of the fixing device during transportation or before use.

[0008] Suitably, the resilient barbs include inclined capture surfaces. The inclined capture surfaces are arranged to bite or otherwise interfere with the substrate in use. By arranging the inclined capture surfaces at an angle non-parallel to the main surface of the substrate and / or forming the inclined capture surfaces from wedge-shaped material, various substrate thicknesses can be accommodated by the fixing device while still achieving sufficient connection by the fixing device.

[0009] Suitably, at least one distance regulator is arranged between at least one resilient barb and at least one resilient member in use to ensure that the airbag module and the substrate maintain a fixed distance from each other.

[0010] Preferably, at least one distance regulator is integrally formed with the cage in the same manufacturing process as discussed above. Optionally, at least one distance regulator is a stop, which can take the form of a material ear arranged opposite the rest position of one or more resilient barbs.

[0011] Suitably, at least one distance regulator is a spacer arranged to be positioned around the cage. Here, the spacer is a separate part formed independently of the fixing device. The fixing device can be provided with a spacer that is already located on the fixing device (even if not in its final intended position). The spacer can provide a positioning function and / or a communication function into the substrate to the operator via auditory or tactile means, i.e., the successful installation of the fixing device. Since the volume of the spacer forms a spacing, the spacer holds the substrate away from the airbag module. Thus, changing the size of the spacer changes the distance between the airbag and the substrate. Optionally or alternatively, the spacer can at least partially surround the cage, and the spacer can be provided as a piece of material having an orifice corresponding to the outer shape of the cage or depicting at least a part of the outer shape of the cage or a gap adapted to fit around the cage.

[0012] Suitably, the spacer includes a flat surface disposed opposite the curved surface such that the spacer is provided with mating surfaces that delineate or otherwise complement the surface with which the spacer is intended to mate in order to provide a support surface for each of the substrate and the airbag, respectively. Optionally, when viewed from the outside, the curved surface is concave to match the convex exterior of the airbag module.

[0013] Preferably, the spacer further includes a nose portion arranged to be located within an aperture of the substrate. Thus, the nose portion provides a positioning feature for the substrate to ensure proper alignment of at least the spacer and, optionally, the cage with the substrate. Optionally, the nose portion includes one or more gripping fingers arranged to grip the substrate, thereby ensuring that the position of the spacer relative to the substrate does not change during installation of the fixing means. Preferably, in such a case, the spacer is provided at an end of the fixing means that is intended to be first inserted into the substrate before the other elements of the fixing means. The installation process then displaces the position of the spacer relative to the fixing means to a final rest position. Optionally and / or alternatively, the nose portion includes one or more abutment surfaces arranged to cooperate with resilient barbs.

[0014] Suitably, at least one elastic member is integrally formed with the cage during the same manufacturing process as discussed above. Optionally, at least one elastic member pushes the cage away from the curved surface of the airbag in use in order to absorb any slack or play and any vibrations between the components.

[0015] Suitably, the airbag fixing means is at least partially coated with a coating, and optionally wherein the coating has dielectric properties and optionally wherein the coating is a resistive coating. Since the airbag module receives electrical signals to initiate ·, it is important that the airbag module is electrically insulated and protected from stray currents. Coating the fixing means with a dielectric coating (i.e., a coating with a very high electrical resistance) achieves this purpose.

[0016] Preferably, the outer cross-section of the cage depicts a polygon, and optionally wherein the cross-section of the cage depicts a quadrilateral, particularly a square. This is because the cage can pass through a polygonal aperture of the substrate and, due to the complementary shapes, the play between the components is minimized.

[0017] Suitably, the airbag fixing device is a reversible airbag fixing device, which means that the fixing device can be detached from the airbag module and / or from the substrate. After such detachment, the fixing device can be reused. Optionally, the airbag fixing device includes a removal tab which is arranged to push at least one resilient barb towards the interior of the cage. The removal tab allows the user to intentionally deform (reversibly or otherwise) the barb to position the barb in a location where it does not interfere with the substrate, so that the substrate can pass over the barb and allow the fixing device to be removed from the substrate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described below by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] Figure 1 Exemplary embodiments of the airbag fixing device are shown.

[0020] Figure 2 shows (a) a first perspective view of an airbag fixing device attached to a substrate (such as an automotive chassis) and (b) a second perspective view of the airbag fixing device attached to the substrate (such as an automotive chassis).

[0021] Figure 3 shows the use of the airbag fixing device according to an embodiment, namely (a) attaching the fixing device to the post of the airbag, and (b) attaching the airbag to the substrate (such as an automotive chassis) via the airbag fixing device.

[0022] Figure 4 Exemplary embodiments of the airbag fixing device attached to a substrate (such as an automotive chassis) are shown.

[0023] Figure 5 An intermediate position is shown where the airbag is partially attached to the substrate via the airbag fixing device.

[0024] Figure 6 shows the use of the airbag fixing device according to an embodiment, namely (a) a spacer; (b) a barbed fixing device; (c) associating the fixing device with the post of the airbag and (d) attaching the fixing device to the post of the airbag. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Certain terms used in the following description are for convenience only and are not restrictive. The words "right", "left", "lower", "upper", "front", "rear", "upward", "down" and "downward" refer to the directions referenced in the drawings and are relative to the components as described during assembly and installation. The words "inward", "inwards", "outward" and "outwards" refer respectively to the directions towards and away from the specified centerline or geometric center (e.g., central axis) of the described element, the specific meaning being apparent from the context of the description.

[0026] Further, as used herein, the terms "connected," "attached," "coupled," and "mounted" are intended to include both direct connections between two components without any other components intervening therebetween, and indirect connections between components where one or more other components are inserted therebetween. The terms include the specifically mentioned words above, their derivatives, and words of similar meaning.

[0027] Further, unless otherwise specified, the use of ordinal adjectives, such as "first," "second," and "third," etc., merely indicates different instances of like objects being referred to, and is not intended to mean that the objects so described must be in a given order in time, space, in rank, or in any other way.

[0028] Like reference numerals are always used to depict like features.

[0029] The exemplary embodiment(s) shown relate to an airbag fixing device, specifically to an airbag fixing device mounted to an airbag, and then to a structure such as a chassis of a vehicle, and thus provide better ease of use during installation since no tools or additional fixing devices are required.

[0030] Figure 1 An embodiment of an airbag 102 (or airbag module) is shown, which airbag includes two airbag fixing devices 104 that are attached to posts 302 on the airbag. The airbag fixing device has an elastic member 110 sandwiched between the fixing device and the airbag to minimize the clearance between components. The fixing device is provided with elastic barbs 108 to pass through an aperture 304 of a substrate 202 and then not withdraw through the substrate without an external input. One or more stoppers 106 are provided near the barbs to prevent the airbag fixing device 104 from continuing to travel through the aperture 304, thereby ensuring that the airbag fixing device holds the substrate at a fixed distance from the airbag.

[0031] Since the airbag can be pre-set with the fixing device, the airbag is arranged to be in a state ready for assembly without the need for further fixing devices, and the assembly is intuitive, only requiring one component to be pushed towards another component, thus simplifying the assembly.

[0032] The fixing device can be provided with a coating having dielectric properties to resist electrical conduction through the fixing device, thereby electrically insulating the airbag from the substrate. However, the fixing device can be formed of metal.

[0033] The fixing device can be easily removed by reversing the assembly process.

[0034] No specific fixtures are required on the chassis other than the aperture 304 sized to receive the fixture 402. No welded nuts etc. are required on the white body. The aperture can take the form of a square or other shape corresponding to the cross-section of the fixture. As shown, multiple fixtures can be used on the airbag, or a single fixture may be sufficient.

[0035] Omission of separate multi-part fixtures (such as nuts and bolts) reduces construction time and weight.

[0036] Figures 2(a) and 2(b) show the airbag fixture 104 attached to the airbag 102 and the substrate 202, where the resilient barb 108 prevents the fixture from retracting through the aperture and the stop 106 prevents the fixture from further advancing through the aperture.

[0037] Figure 3 shows the assembly process. Figure 3(a) shows the airbag fixture 104 attached to the airbag by, for example, rotation (snap fit can also be used as described above), and once the fixture is fully tightened, the curved surface of the abutting elastic member 110 of the airbag prevents reverse rotation. Figure 3(b) shows the fixture inserted into the aperture 304 of the chassis substrate 202, thus forming the assembly shown in Figures 2(a) and 2(b).

[0038] Figure 4 An embodiment of the airbag 102 attached to the chassis via the airbag fixture 402 is shown. The fixture 402 shares many similar features with the airbag fixture 104 discussed above, and the same reference numerals are used to denote the same parts with the same attributes. The airbag fixture has a spacer 404 sandwiched between the fixture 402 and the airbag to ensure minimal clearance between the components and hold the two components at a preset distance (by choosing the width of the spacer 404). The fixture is provided with a resilient barb 108 to pass through the aperture 304 of the substrate and then not retract through the substrate without an external input. The spacer prevents the fixture from continuing to advance through the aperture because the fixture interferes with the spacer and the fixture cannot pass by, over, or through the spacer. This ensures that the airbag fixture holds the substrate at a fixed distance from the airbag.

[0039] The spacer further includes a nose portion 602 that is arranged to be located within the aperture of the substrate. Thus, the nose portion provides a positioning feature for the substrate to ensure proper alignment of at least the spacer and optionally the cage with the substrate. Optionally, the nose portion includes one or more gripping fingers 604 that are arranged to grip the substrate, thereby ensuring that the position of the spacer relative to the substrate does not change during the installation of the fixing device. Preferably, in such a case, the spacer is provided at one end of the fixing device, which end is intended to be first inserted into the substrate before the insertion of the other elements of the fixing device. The installation process then displaces the position of the spacer relative to the fixing device to the final rest position. Optionally and / or alternatively, the nose portion includes one or more abutment surfaces 606 that are arranged to cooperate with resilient barbs.

[0040] Since the airbag can be pre - provided with the fixing device, the airbag is arranged to be in a ready - to - assemble state without further fixing devices. The assembly is intuitive and only requires pushing one part towards another part, thus simplifying the assembly.

[0041] The fixing device can be provided with a coating having dielectric properties. However, the fixing device 402 and / or the spacer 404 can also be formed of an electrical insulator, such as a non - conductive polymer.

[0042] The fixing device can be easily removed by reversing the assembly process similarly to the previously described process.

[0043] Other than the aperture sized to receive the fixing device, no specific fixing devices are required on the chassis. No welded nuts, etc. are required on the body - in - white. The aperture can take the form of a square or other shape corresponding to the cross - section of the fixing device. As shown, multiple fixing devices can be used on the airbag, or a single fixing device may be sufficient.

[0044] Omitting separate multi - part fixing devices (such as nuts and bolts) reduces the construction time and weight.

[0045] Figure 5 An intermediate position is shown where the airbag is partially attached to the substrate via the airbag fixing device. The spacer is associated with the substrate and the fixing device inserted into the spacer via the nose portion 602, ready to push the airbag towards the substrate, thereby forcing the barbs of the fixing device through the spacer and the aperture to hold the assembly together.

[0046] This is in Figures 6(a) to 6(d)Further shown in [description], the figure shows (a) a spacer, (b) a fixing device, (c) the spacer on the fixing device, and these components associated with the posts arranged on the airbag, and (d) the position of the fixing device on the airbag, where the spacer is in position and ready to be pushed towards the substrate. The fixing device is provided with a lower elastic member 110, whose function is similar to the aforementioned elastic member. The fixing device is attached to the airbag post by any suitable means (such as snap fit or by rotation). Once the fixing device is sufficiently tightened, the curved surface of the airbag abutting against the lower elastic member prevents reverse rotation.

[0047] Those skilled in the art will understand that the above detailed examples are described only by way of example and without any limiting sense, and that various changes and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Various modifications to the above detailed examples are possible.

[0048] In the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprising" and "containing" and their variants mean "including but not limited to", and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other parts, additives, components, wholes or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the singular encompasses the plural. In particular, in the case of using an indefinite article, unless the context requires otherwise, this specification should be understood as considering both the plural and the singular forms.

[0049] Features, wholes, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in connection with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention should be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein, unless incompatible therewith. All features disclosed in this specification (including any appended claims, abstract and drawings) and / or all steps of any method or process so disclosed may be combined in any combination, except for combinations in which at least some of such features and / or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not limited to the details of any of the foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed in this specification (including any appended claims, abstract or drawings), or to any novel step or any novel combination of steps in any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. An airbag securing device (104, 402) adapted to attach an airbag (102) to a substrate (202), the airbag securing device comprising: a cage arranged to receive a column (302) of an air bag; at least one resilient barb (108) arranged to capture a substrate; at least one distance adjuster arranged to maintain, in use, a predetermined distance between the substrate and the airbag, At least one elastic member (110) is arranged to maintain the position of the airbag securing device relative to the curved surface of the airbag.

2. The airbag fixing device according to claim 1, wherein: The cage includes an attachment mechanism for attaching the cage to the column.

3. The airbag fixing device according to claim 2, wherein: The attachment mechanism is a reversible attachment mechanism, and optionally wherein the attachment mechanism is a threaded aperture and / or a snap fit.

4. The airbag fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The resilient barbs are integrally formed with the cage.

5. The airbag fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The resilient barb includes an inclined capturing surface.

6. The airbag fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The at least one distance adjuster is arranged, in use, between the at least one resilient barb and the at least one resilient member.

7. The airbag fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The at least one distance adjuster is integrally formed with the cage, and optionally wherein the at least one distance adjuster is a stop (106).

8. The airbag fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The at least one distance adjuster is a spacer (404) arranged to be positioned around the cage and optionally or alternatively at least partially surround the cage.

9. The airbag fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The at least one resilient member is integrally formed with the cage and optionally wherein the at least one resilient member urges the cage away from a curved surface of the airbag in use.

10. The airbag fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The airbag securing device is at least partially coated with a coating, and optionally wherein the coating has dielectric properties, and optionally wherein the coating is a resistive coating.

11. The airbag fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: An exterior cross-section of the cage describes a polygon, and optionally wherein a cross-section of the cage describes a quadrilateral.

12. The airbag fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein: The airbag securing device is a reversible airbag securing device, and optionally wherein the airbag securing device comprises a removal tab (112) arranged to push at least one resilient barb towards the interior of the cage.

13. An air bag securing device as claimed in claim 8 and claims 9 to 12 when dependent on claim 8, wherein: The spacer (404) comprises a flat surface arranged opposite a curved surface, and optionally wherein the curved surface is concave when viewed from the outside.

14. The air bag fixing device according to claim 8 and claim 9 to claim 13, wherein: The spacer further comprises a nose (602) arranged to be located within an aperture of the substrate, and optionally wherein the nose comprises one or more gripping fingers (604) arranged to grip the substrate, and further optionally and / or alternatively the nose comprises one or more abutment surfaces (606) arranged to work in conjunction with the resilient barbs.

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