Airbag module comprising a portion for attachment to a vehicle structural member

Abstract

Airbag module comprising a part for attachment to a structural element of a vehicle The vehicle safety airbag module (1) comprises an airbag, deploying by inflation, and a housing (4) receiving the airbag, said housing (4) comprising at least one part for attachment (8) to a structural element (2) of a vehicle. The attachment part (8) is made of a flexible material and comprises a fixing end (12) folded at least once on itself so as to form two fixing layers (18), said fixing layers (18) being fixed to each other, a fixing orifice (22) passing through said fixing layers (18) and being arranged to receive a fixing element (36) for attachment to the structural element (2) of the vehicle. Figure for abstract: 1

Description

Title of the invention: Airbag module comprising a portion for attachment to a vehicle structural element

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle safety airbag module, of the type comprising an airbag, deploying by inflation, and a housing receiving the airbag, said housing comprising at least one portion for attachment to a vehicle structural element.

[0002] The invention also relates to a safety airbag assembly comprising such an airbag module.

[0003] It is known to fix such an airbag module to a structural element of the vehicle, such as a dashboard crossmember in the case of an airbag module provided in a dashboard intended for a front passenger of the vehicle.

[0004] In order to ensure a robust fixing, the housing of the airbag module, formed for example by a box or "canister", is for example made of a rigid material, such as an injected plastic material or a metallic material, in order to ensure a rigid fixing to the structural element.

[0005] In order to lighten the airbag assembly and reduce its bulk, it is envisaged to make the housing of the airbag module from a flexible material, such as a textile material. However, the attachment to the structural element is then weakened and the risk of separation between the airbag module and the structural element is increased, in particular by tearing off the housing of the airbag module during deployment of the airbag.

[0006] One of the aims of the invention is to overcome this drawback by proposing an airbag module which can be fixed robustly to a structural element of a vehicle even when the housing is made of flexible material.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to an airbag module of the aforementioned type, in which the fixing part is made of a flexible material and comprises a fixing end folded at least once on itself so as to form two fixing layers, said fixing layers being fixed to each other, a fixing orifice passing through said fixing layers and being arranged to receive an element for fixing to the vehicle structural element.

[0008] The fixing end, comprising several fixing layers fixed together and through which the fixing hole extends, has increased resistance to tearing and tearing even though the fixing part is made of a flexible material. The fixing part thus makes it possible to ensure a robust fixing. between the airbag module housing and the vehicle structural member. Thus, the airbag module housing may be made of a flexible material, such as a textile material, while being robustly attached to the vehicle structural member.

[0009] The airbag module according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following features, taken individually or in any technically conceivable combination:

[0010] - the housing comprises two fixing parts extending on either side of said housing, the fixing parts being joined to each other at their fixing end, the fixing layers of the two fixing parts being fixed to each other and the fixing holes of the two fixing parts being substantially aligned with each other and coaxial;

[0011] - the fixing layers are fixed by at least one seam crossing the layers fixing;

[0012] - the seam extends over at least one external face of one of the fixing layers in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the fixing hole;

[0013] - the seam comprises at least one branch adjacent to the fixing hole and extending in a curved path on the outer face to follow the contour of a portion of the fixing hole;

[0014] - the fixing part is made of a textile material and is sewn to the housing;

[0015] - the fixing part comprises another fixing end, opposite the fixing layers, said other fixing end being intended to be fixed to a firing channel receiving the airbag module; and

[0016] - the housing is made of a textile material.

[0017] According to another aspect, the invention also relates to a vehicle airbag assembly comprising an airbag module as described above and a vehicle structural element, said airbag module being fixed to said structural element by at least one fixing element integral with the structural element and extending into the fixing orifice of the fixing portion of the airbag module.

[0018] According to an optional feature of the airbag assembly according to the invention, the vehicle structural element is a dashboard crossmember.

[0019] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0020] [Fig-1] - [Fig.l] is a schematic representation in exploded perspective of a airbag assembly according to the invention,

[0021] [Fig.2] - [Fig.2] is a schematic cross-sectional representation of the assembly of airbag of [Fig.l], and

[0022] [Fig.3] - [Fig.3] is a schematic perspective representation of an enlarged area of ​​[Fig.l].

[0023] With reference to Figs 1 and 2, an airbag assembly is described comprising at least one airbag module 1 and a vehicle structural element 2.

[0024] The airbag module 1 comprises an airbag (not shown) placed in a housing 4. The housing 4 has the shape of a box, or canister, defining an interior volume in which the airbag is housed. According to an advantageous embodiment, the housing 4 is made of a flexible material, such as a textile material, which makes it lighter and less bulky than a housing made of a rigid material, such as a plastic or metallic material. By flexible material, is generally meant a material which is not self-supporting and which can bend. The housing 4 comprises for example an upper wall 6 closing the interior volume and which can move into an open position, for example under the effect of the inflation of the airbag, to free a passage to the outside of the interior volume for the deployment of the airbag.

[0025] The housing 4 comprises at least one fixing portion 8 intended to allow the fixing of the housing 4 to the structural element 2. The fixing portion 8 is made of a flexible material, such as a textile material. The fixing portion 8 is for example formed by a fixing tab or tongue. The fixing portion 8 extends outside the interior volume of the housing 4, for example on an exterior surface of a side wall of the housing 4. More particularly, the fixing portion 8 extends between a base 10 fixed on or integral with the housing 4 and a fixing end 12 which is not fixed to the housing 4.

[0026] The base 10 is for example sewn to a side wall of the housing 4, more particularly to a lower end of this side wall, opposite the upper wall 6. Alternatively, the base 10 is fixed to a central area of ​​the side wall in the vicinity of the center of this wall halfway between the lower end and the upper wall 6. At least the base 10 has for example a width substantially equal to that of the side wall on which it is fixed so that the fixing part 6 is fixed over the entire width of the side wall, as visible in [Fig.l]. The fixing end 12 extends for example under the housing 4, that is to say on a side of the housing 4 opposite the upper wall 6, at a certain distance from the housing 4 in order to be located in the vicinity of the structural element 2 when the airbag module is mounted in the vehicle, as will be described in more detail later.According to one embodiment, the width of the fixing portion 8 decreases between the base 10 and the fixing end 12. According to one embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the fixing portion 8 further comprises another end of . attachment 14 to a firing channel extending opposite the side wall on one side of the base 10 opposite the attachment end 12. The other end 14 extends for example opposite an upper end of the side wall, without being fixed thereto, in the vicinity of the upper wall 6 and allows the attachment of a fixing device, such as one or more clips 16, itself fixed to a firing channel (not shown). Thus, the same attachment part 8 allows the attachment of the airbag module to the structural element 2 and to a firing channel.

[0027] The fixing end 12 to the structural element is folded back on itself at least once so as to form at least two fixing layers 18 applied against each other, as more particularly visible in [Fig. 2]. In other words, the fixing end 12 has a double thickness of the fixing part 8, each thickness being formed by a fixing layer 18.

[0028] The two fixing layers 18 are fixed together so as to be kept applied against each other and to prevent the fixing end 12 from unfolding. Any suitable fixing means, such as the use of an adhesive, can be envisaged but the fixing layers 18 are advantageously sewn together by at least one seam 20. Such a seam 20 in fact makes it possible to reinforce the fixing end 12, as will be described in more detail later.

[0029] A fixing orifice 22 passes through the fixing layers 18 and opens onto the two opposite faces of the fixing end 12. In other words, the fixing orifice 22 is open at its two ends, one extending on the external face 24 of one of the fixing layers 18 and the other extending on the external face 24 of the other of the fixing layers 18. The fixing orifice 22 extends along an axis substantially perpendicular to these faces.

[0030] It is understood that the fixing end 12 can be folded more than once on itself in order to increase the number of fixing layers 18. In this case, all the fixing layers 18 are fixed together, for example by sewing, the fixing orifice 22 extends through all the fixing layers 18 and opens into the external faces of the two external fixing layers 18 of the fixing end 12.

[0031] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the airbag module 1 comprises two fixing parts 8 as described above. The fixing parts 8 are for example integral with opposite side walls of the housing 4. The fixing parts 8 join and are fixed to each other at their fixing end 12. More particularly, one of the external fixing layers 18 of one of the fixing ends 12 is applied against the external fixing layer 18 opposite the other fixing end 12 and at least these two fixing layers 18 are fixed to each other. Preferably, all the fixing layers 18 are fixed to each other. fixing 18 of the two fixing ends 12 are fixed together by at least one same seam 20. In addition, the fixing orifices 22 of the two fixing ends are aligned in a substantially coaxial manner so that all of the fixing layers 18 are crossed by the same fixing orifice formed by the two fixing orifices 22 of the two fixing ends 12.

[0032] The seam 20 passes through, for example, all the fastening layers 18 of one fastening end 12 when only one fastening part 8 is provided or both fastening ends 12 when two fastening parts 8 are provided, as shown in [Fig. 2]. More particularly, in this case, the seam 20 extends from an external face 24 of the external fastening layer 18 of one of the fastening ends 12 to the external face of the external fastening layer 18 of the other of the fastening ends 12. In the fastening layers 18, the seam 20 extends substantially parallel to the axis of the fastening orifice(s) 22. The seam 20 passes through, for example, the fastening layers 18 several times, always in directions substantially parallel to the axis of the fastening orifice(s) 22, for example on either side thereof.

[0033] On the external faces 24, the seam 20 extends substantially perpendicular to the axis of the fixing orifice(s) 22, as more particularly visible in [Fig. 3]. More particularly, on the external faces 24, the seam 20 extends along a path comprising several branches 26 substantially perpendicular to the axis of the fixing orifice(s) 22. Each branch 26 comprises for example several strands 30 each extending between two stitching points, the seam 20 passing through the fixing layers 18 at each stitching point. Advantageously for an airbag module 1 fixed to a dashboard crossmember as will be described later, each branch 26 extends in a direction corresponding to the height of the external face 24, that is to say the dimension of the external face 24 measured in the direction of the fixing portion 8 going from the fixing end 12 to the base 10.Each branch 26 extends for example over the entire height of the external face 24. Advantageously, the branches 26 are further distributed over the entire width of the external faces 24 on either side of the fixing orifice 22.

[0034] At least one of the branches 26 is for example adjacent to the fixing orifice 22, that is to say it passes along a part of the fixing orifice 22. In this case, the branch 26 adjacent to the fixing orifice 22 extends a curved path 32 on the external face to follow the contour of a part of the fixing orifice, as more particularly visible in [Fig.3].

[0035] A seam 20 as described above makes it possible to reinforce and stiffen the fixing end(s) 12 of the fixing part(s) 8 in order to allow the reception of a fixing element as will be described in more detail later. As indicated previously, a single seam 20, produced by a single sewing thread, can ensure the joining and stiffening of the fixing layers 18. Alternatively, several seams 20, i.e. made with several sewing threads, are provided, for example a seam extending on one side of the fixing orifice 22 and another seam extending on the other side of the fixing orifice 22.

[0036] The fixing end(s) 12 described above make it possible to fix the airbag module 1 to a structural element 2 of the vehicle, as will now be described.

[0037] The structural element 2 of the vehicle is for example formed by a dashboard crossmember, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In a known manner, such a crossmember is for example formed by at least one tubular element extending transversely in a vehicle and serves as a support for the dashboard of the vehicle.

[0038] The attachment between the structural element 2 and the airbag module is done by means of a attachment device 34.

[0039] The fastening device 34 comprises at least one fastening element 36 passing through the fastening orifice 22 of the fastening end(s) 12 of the fastening part(s) 8. Such a fastening element 36 is for example formed by a screw-nut assembly as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The fastening element 36 passes for example through a fastening opening made in a plate 38 of the structural element 2 or of a part integral with this structural element and through the fastening orifice 22 of the fastening end(s) 12 and a nut is used to tighten the fastening end(s) 12 against the plate 38, as shown in [Fig. 2]. In the case of a dashboard crossmember, the plate 38 is for example part of a mounting flange 40 mounted around the dashboard crossmember, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

[0040] Thanks to the fixing layers 18, the fixing orifice passing through the fixing end(s) 12 of the fixing part(s) 8 has sufficient thickness and rigidity to ensure a robust fixing between the airbag module 1 and the structural element 2 even when the fixing part 8 is made of flexible material, such as a textile material. The fixing thus makes it possible to avoid any risk of tearing, in particular during deployment of the airbag. In addition, the seam(s) 20 make it possible to further reinforce the fixing end(s) 12 and make them more robust.In the case of a dashboard crossmember, the fact that the branches 26 of the seam(s) 20 extend along the height of the fixing end(s) 12 allows the fixing end(s) to withstand the tensile forces along the elevation direction which are exerted on the fixing part(s) when the airbag is deployed upwards.

Claims

Claims

1. Vehicle safety airbag module (1) comprising an airbag, deploying by inflation, and a housing (4) receiving the airbag, said housing (4) comprising at least one attachment portion (8) to a structural element (2) of the vehicle, the attachment portion (8) being made of a flexible material and comprising a attachment end (12) folded at least once on itself so as to form two attachment layers (18), said attachment layers (18) being attached to each other by at least one seam (20) passing through the attachment layers (18), a attachment orifice (22) passing through said attachment layers (18) and being arranged to receive an element (36) for attachment to the structural element (2) of the vehicle, characterized in that the seam (20) extends over at least one external face (24) of one of the attachment layers (18) in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the fixing hole (22).

2. An airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the housing (4) comprises two attachment portions (8) extending on either side of said housing (4), the attachment portions (8) being joined to each other at their attachment end (12), the attachment layers (18) of the two attachment portions (12) being attached to each other and the attachment holes (22) of the two attachment portions (8) being substantially aligned with each other and coaxial.

3. An airbag module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the seam (20) comprises at least one leg (26) adjacent the attachment hole (22) and extending in a curved path on the outer face (24) to follow the contour of a portion of the attachment hole (22).

4. An airbag module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the attachment portion (8) is made of a textile material and is sewn to the housing (4).

5. An airbag module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the attachment portion (8) comprises a further attachment end (14), opposite the attachment layers (18), said further attachment end (14) being intended to be attached to a firing channel receiving the airbag module (1).

6. An airbag module according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the housing (4) is made of a textile material.

7. A vehicle airbag assembly comprising an airbag module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and a vehicle structural element (2), said airbag module (1) being fixed to said structural element (2) by at least one fixing element (36) integral with the structural element (2) and extending into the fixing hole (22) of the fixing part (8) of the airbag module (1).

8. An airbag assembly according to claim 7, wherein the vehicle structural member (2) is a dashboard crossmember.

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