GAS BAG MODULE COVER AND GAS BAG MODULE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a gas bag module cover and a gas bag module.

[0002] Gas bag modules are designed to protect vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle accident.

[0003] When viewed from the passenger compartment, the gas bag modules are usually located behind an interior panel, for example behind an instrument panel or behind paneling parts such as the headliner or side panels, so that the gas bag module located behind them remains as invisible as possible.

[0004] The known gas bag modules usually have a gas generator, a housing with a deployment opening facing the passenger compartment, and a container with a folded gas bag located therein.

[0005] The front wall of the module usually has a deployment opening or a so-called predetermined breaking line, which is predeterminably broken in the event of a vehicle accident, so that a deployment opening is formed in the front wall.

[0006] There are housings for airbag modules, some of which are made of a flexible, particularly textile, material. Often, a flexible housing section, referred to as the housing base, is connected to a rigid housing section, referred to as the airbag module cover. This connection must meet various requirements. In particular, the connection between the housing sections should be simple, inexpensive, flexible, and secure.

[0007] US 2006 / 0220355 A1 shows such a gas bag module cover, with a front wall which has a predetermined deployment opening for a gas bag and a side wall which merges into the front wall at the rear of the front wall, with at least one fastening hook for a textile housing lower part, wherein the fastening hooks protrude laterally from the side wall and thereby form a securing extension for a holding rod, via which the textile housing lower part can be connected to the gas bag module cover.

[0008] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a housing for an airbag module whose individual components, i.e., the airbag module cover and the housing base, can be easily joined together, with the connection being simple, inexpensive, and secure. Furthermore, these individual components of the housing are to be securely held together throughout the entire life cycle of the airbag module.

[0009] The problem is solved by an airbag module cover having a front wall with a predetermined deployment opening for an airbag and a side wall, to the rear of the front wall, which merges into the front wall. At least one fastening hook for a textile housing lower part is provided, which projects laterally from the side wall, and at least one securing extension protruding from the side wall or the front wall, which extends in the direction of a free end of the fastening hook and overlaps therewith in a side view. The fastening hook and the securing extension together form a receiving opening for the housing lower part, whereby a frame-like, closed shape is formed around the receiving opening in the side view.

[0010] The basic idea of ​​the invention is to create a receiving device on the gas bag module cover that allows the textile housing base to be connected to the gas bag module cover. The fastening hook, together with the securing extension, enables a mechanically detachable connection for the housing base without causing any damage. Thus, no additional components such as adhesive or other locking components are required when joining the gas bag module cover and the housing base.

[0011] In particular, the frame-shaped closed form is characterized according to the invention by a form that is closed all the way around in the circumferential direction in the side view.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the fastening hook and / or the securing extension are / is designed to be elastically springy. The frame-like shape formed by the fastening hook and the securing extension can be opened non-destructively by applying external force. For example, the fastening hook and / or the securing extension can be spread apart using a mechanical device so that the receiving opening can be opened outwards when viewed from the side. A flap of an airbag can then be easily and simply hooked into the open receiving opening. However, the connection cannot be broken by forces generated when the airbag is deployed.

[0013] Advantageously, the securing extension has a free end that extends laterally from the free end of the fastening hook. In particular, the free end of the securing extension contacts the free end of the fastening hook laterally to close the resulting ring. The lateral arrangement allows the securing extension and fastening hook to interact optimally, allowing a large lateral overlap to be formed around the receiving opening to create the closed, frame-like shape.

[0014] One embodiment provides that the fastening hook or the securing extension is designed as a pair of tabs with two spaced tabs running next to each other, in particular parallel to each other, and that the securing extension or the fastening hook is formed by a single tab extending between the tabs of the pair of tabs. The pair of tabs further increases security against accidental detachment of the textile housing base.

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, the pair of tabs is formed by forking the fastening hook or securing extension before its free end. This eliminates the need for individual parts, since the forked branching allows the pair of tabs to be formed as a single piece.

[0016] Alternatively, the pair of tabs is formed by two spaced-apart tabs extending outward from the front or side wall. Each tab of the pair of tabs merges separately into the front or side wall. This gives the pair of tabs a particularly simple shape, which is advantageous for manufacturing.

[0017] It is important to note that "outwards" means pointing away from the front wall or side wall of the gas bag module cover.

[0018] Advantageously, when viewed from the side of the gas bag module cover and looking towards the receiving opening, the fastening hook is angled outwards in the area near its free end and extends towards the front wall. In addition, the angled section extends further outwards laterally than the free end of the securing extension in order to form an insertion bevel for the textile housing base. The insertion bevel offers the advantage that the fastening hook and / or securing extension do not necessarily have to be spread apart separately. The tab of the textile housing base to be attached can simply be placed in the insertion bevel. The tab can then be pulled into the receiving opening by pulling on the housing base.

[0019] According to a further embodiment, a plurality of fastening hooks and securing projections extend along an outer circumference of the side wall. The use of a plurality of fastening hooks and securing projections allows for a better distribution of the force transmitted between the housing lower part and the gas bag module cover. In particular, during inflation of the gas bag, a large reaction force is transmitted between the housing lower part and the gas bag module cover, whereby the plurality of fastening hooks and securing projections prevent the housing lower part from tearing. An arrangement along an outer circumference of the side wall also prevents the formation of wrinkles on the textile housing lower part.

[0020] According to one variant, the fastening hook and / or the securing extension merges integrally into the side wall or the front wall or forms a separate part that extends from the side wall or the front wall. With the fastening hook and / or securing extension that merges integrally, the number of parts is reduced, which can save costs. In addition, the separately formed fastening hook and / or securing extension has the advantage that the gas bag module cover can be easily manufactured because undercuts are not required. This enables simple production using an injection molding process, for example. It is also conceivable that with a separately formed fastening hook and / or securing extension, this can be embedded into the side wall or front wall in a later production step.

[0021] The object is further achieved according to the invention by a gas bag module comprising a gas bag and a housing that accommodates and surrounds the gas bag. The housing comprises a gas bag module cover according to the invention and a bag-like housing base made of a textile material, which has an open front side that is closed by the gas bag module cover. The housing base has a receiving opening for each fastening hook, with which the housing base is suspended from an associated fastening hook.

[0022] The gas bag module is extremely lightweight thanks to its textile housing base. It also enables a secure connection between the gas bag module cover and the housing base. The connection can be made and released easily and simply.

[0023] The invention is explained below with reference to two exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a section of an inventive gas bag module according to an embodiment in a perspective view; Fig. 2 the section of the gas bag module according to the invention Fig. 1 in a side view; Fig. 3 a section of a gas bag module according to the invention according to a further embodiment in a perspective view; and Fig. 4 the section of the gas bag module according to the invention Fig. 3 in a side view, showing only a partial section of the gas bag module;

[0024] In the Figures 1 and 2 a gas bag module 10 according to the invention is shown according to a first embodiment, which serves as a protective device for vehicle occupants of a motor vehicle.

[0025] Such a gas bag module 10 is provided, for example, behind a vehicle's instrument panel or other interior paneling or seat cover. This means that the gas bag module 10 located behind it is concealed and thus remains invisible unless the gas bag module 10 is deployed.

[0026] The gas bag module 10 has a gas generator, a housing 12 with a deployment opening which leads to a deployment opening facing the passenger compartment, and a container with a folded gas bag located therein.

[0027] In the event of an accident, the gas bag module 10 can be triggered, which means that the gas bag is filled with a gas provided by the gas generator. The gas generator therefore provides a gas or gas mixture as needed.

[0028] The housing 12 has the function of accommodating and holding the gas bag and the gas generator in position.

[0029] For this purpose, the housing 12 comprises a bag-like housing lower part 16 made of a textile and a gas bag module cover 18, wherein the housing lower part 16 is fastened to the gas bag module cover 18.

[0030] The housing base 16 has an open front 20 (see Figure 2 ), which is closed by the gas bag module cover 18.

[0031] In addition, the housing lower part 16 has a plurality of receiving openings 24 along an edge 22 extending toward the open front side 20, through which a plurality of tabs 26 are formed on the housing lower part 16. The tabs 26 serve to fasten the housing lower part 16 to the gas bag module cover 18 and are each hooked into an associated fastening hook 28 of the gas bag module cover 18.

[0032] The gas bag module cover 18 has a front wall 30, which merges into a side wall 32 at the rear, ie at its rear side 36.

[0033] The front wall 30 is provided with a predetermined breaking line that defines a deployment opening. Through this opening, the gas bag can expand from the gas bag module 10 into the passenger compartment.

[0034] Several of the previously mentioned fastening hooks 28 extend along an outer circumference of the side wall 32.

[0035] In addition, several securing projections 34 extend from the rear side 36 of the front wall 30, with each fastening hook 28 being assigned a securing projection 34. Each fastening hook 28 also overlaps with the corresponding securing projection 34 in side view, as can be seen from Figure 2 emerges.

[0036] Together, each fastening hook 28 and the associated securing extension 34 form a receiving opening 24 on the gas bag module cover 18, which is provided for the aforementioned fastening of the housing lower part 16 to the gas bag module cover 18. The receiving opening 24 is shown in side view (see Figure 2 ) permanently open.

[0037] In Figure 2 It can be seen that a closed frame is formed by the fastening hook 28, the securing extension 34, the side wall 32 and the front wall 30, which defines and surrounds the receiving opening 24.

[0038] The fastening hooks 28 and the securing extensions 34 are designed to be elastically springy, so that the frame-shaped, closed form can be opened non-destructively from the outside, even in the circumferential direction, by applying an external force. Opening refers to the movement of the fastening hook 28 and the securing extension 34 apart, so that the receiving opening 24 is accessible from the outside when viewed from the side. Opening the frame-shaped, closed form serves to facilitate the insertion of the tabs 26 into the receiving opening 24.

[0039] Since in the present exemplary embodiment all fastening hooks 28 and all securing extensions 34 are of the same design, the singular for the fastening hooks 28 and the securing extensions 34 is used in the following description.

[0040] The fastening hook 28 has a free end 38 which extends laterally from a free end 40 of the securing extension 34.

[0041] The securing extension 34 is formed by a pair of tabs, while the fastening hook 28 is designed as a single tab. The single tab of the fastening hook 28 extends between the single tabs of the pair of tabs (see Figure 1 ).

[0042] The pair of tabs, i.e. the securing extension 34, is formed by two spaced, parallel tabs and extends, in the side view according to Figure 2 viewed from the rear side 36 in the direction of the singular tab of the fastening hook 28. The pair of tabs runs from the rear side 36 away from the side wall 32 with increasing distance to the rear side 36.

[0043] Out of Figure 2It is also evident that the fastening hook 28 is angled laterally outward near its free end 38, i.e., pointing away from the side wall 32. As a result, an angled portion 42 of the fastening hook 28 extends laterally further outward relative to the free end 40 of the securing extension 34, i.e., further away from the side wall 32, thereby forming an insertion bevel 44.

[0044] The insertion bevel 44 serves to facilitate the insertion of the tabs 26 of the housing base 16 into the receiving openings 24 (see Figure 1 in combination with Figure 2 ).

[0045] In the present embodiment, the fastening hook 28 is also formed as a separate part and embedded in the side wall 32, whereas the securing extension 34 merges integrally into the front wall 30.

[0046] In the Figures 3 and 4a further embodiment of a gas bag module 10 according to the invention is shown.

[0047] The embodiment differs from the embodiment according to Figures 1 and 2 that each of the fastening hooks 28 is now designed as a pair of tabs, while the securing extensions 34 are each designed as a single tab.

[0048] As before, the singular tab runs between the pair of tabs, whereby the singular tab and the pair of tabs in the side view (see Figure 4 ) overlap.

[0049] Unlike before, however, the pair of tabs is now formed by a fork-like branching of the fastening hook 28 in front of its free end 38. Thus, the securing extensions 34 embedded in the side wall 32 are integral despite being formed as a pair of tabs.

[0050] In addition, the free end 38 of the fastening hook 28 laterally contacts the free end 40 of the securing extension 34, which makes it even more difficult for the housing lower part 16 to be unhooked accidentally.

Claims

1. An airbag module cover comprising a front wall (30) which has a predefined deployment opening for an airbag and a sidewall (32) merging into the front wall (30) on the rear side of the front wall (30), and at least one fastening hook (28) for a textile lower housing section (16), wherein the fastening hook (28) projects laterally from the sidewall (32), as well as at least one securing extension (34) projecting from the sidewall (32) or the front wall (30) which extends in the direction of a free end (38) of the fastening hook (34) and, in a lateral view, overlaps with the latter so that the fastening hook (28) and the securing extension (34) together form a receiving opening (24) for the lower housing section (16) and a frame-like closed shape is formed around the receiving opening (24) in the side view.

2. The airbag module cover according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening hook (28) and / or the securing extension (34) are / is designed to be resilient and the shape closed frame-like by the fastening hook (28) and the securing extension (34) can be opened non-destructively due to the application of external force.

3. The airbag module cover according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the securing extension (34) has a free end (40) which extends laterally from the free end (38) of the fastening hook (28), in particular laterally contacts the free end (38) of the fastening hook (28).

4. The airbag module cover according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening hook (28) or the securing extension (34) is designed as a pair of lugs having two lugs spaced apart and extending next to, particularly in parallel to each other, and in that the securing extension (34) or the fastening hook (28) is formed by a singular lug which extends between the lugs of the pair of lugs.

5. The airbag module cover according to claim 4, characterized in that the pair of lugs is formed by forked branching of the fastening hook (28) or the securing extension (34) in front of its end (38, 40).

6. The airbag module cover according to claim 4, characterized in that the pair of lugs is formed by two lugs spaced apart from each other and extending outwards starting from the front wall (30) or the sidewall (32).

7. The airbag module cover according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the side view of the airbag module cover (18) and with a view of the receiving opening (24), the fastening hook (28) is bent laterally outwards in the area close to its free end (38) and extends in the direction of the front wall (30), wherein the bent portion (42) extends further laterally outwards vis-à-vis the free end (40) of the securing extension (34) in order to form an insertion slope (44) for the textile lower housing section (16).

8. The airbag module cover according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that plural fastening hooks (28) and securing extensions (34) extend along an outer circumference of the sidewall (32).

9. The airbag module cover according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening hook (28) and / or the securing extension (34) merge integrally into the sidewall (32) or the front wall (30) or form a separate part which extends out of the sidewall (32) or the front wall (30).

10. An airbag module comprising an airbag and a housing (12) which receives and encloses the airbag, wherein the housing (12) comprises an airbag module cover (18) according to any one of the preceding claims and a baggy lower housing section (16) made of a textile which has an open front (20) that is closed by the airbag module cover (18), wherein the lower housing section (16) for each fastening hook (28) has a receiving opening (24) by which the lower housing section (16) is hooked into an associated fastening hook (28).