Diffuser for occupant restraint system
AssigneeZf Passive Safety Systems US Inc.
InventorsDavid Varcoe, Douglas Gould
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A diffuser for an airbag module having a housing enclosing an inflator and an airbag for helping to protect the occupant of a vehicle includes a base extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end. The base includes at least one first opening for receiving at least one first fastener for securing the inflator to the housing. Sidewalls extend from opposite sides of the base to define a passage for receiving the inflator. An extension projects longitudinally beyond the passage and includes a second opening for receiving a second fastener for securing the extension to the housing.
Claims18
A diffuser for an airbag module having a housing enclosing an inflator and an airbag for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, comprising:
- a base extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end and including at least one first opening for receiving at least one first fastener for securing the inflator to the housing;
- sidewalls extending from opposite sides of the base to define a passage for receiving the inflator;
- and
- an extension projecting longitudinally beyond the passage and including a second opening for receiving a second fastener for securing the extension to the housing, wherein the diffuser is configured to allow a portion of inflation fluid discharged from the inflator to flow directly from the inflator into the airbag, and to redirect a portion of the inflation fluid discharged from the inflator to flow through the passage into the airbag, and wherein the extension, secured to the housing by the second fastener, is configured to counterbalance unequal net reaction forces placed on the diffuser by the inflation fluid discharged from the inflator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.