Airbag inflator mounting apparatus, methods, and systems

A vehicle airbag assembly, comprising:

• an airbag module housing comprising an opening, wherein the airbag module housing comprises an interior surface and an exterior surface opposite from the interior surface;
• an airbag cushion positioned within the interior surface of the airbag module housing;
• an inflator comprising a collar configured to be received in the opening, wherein the collar is configured to extend at least partially through the opening such that at least a portion of the collar extends out of the opening and is positioned adjacent to the exterior surface of the airbag module housing;
• and
• a retainer clip configured to engage the at least a portion of the collar extending out of the opening to prevent the collar from being withdrawn from the opening after the collar has been positioned such that at least a portion of the collar extends out of the opening, and such that the retainer clip engages the exterior surface of the airbag module housing.

A vehicle airbag assembly, comprising:

• a housing comprising an opening at least partially defined by a collar sleeve, wherein the housing comprises an interior surface and an exterior surface opposite from the interior surface;
• an airbag cushion coupled with the housing and positioned adjacent to the interior surface of the housing;
• and
• an inflator comprising an inflator collar configured to be received in the opening and to extend into the collar sleeve, wherein the inflator collar comprises at least one crimping feature configured to facilitate fixed engagement between the inflator collar and the collar sleeve, and wherein the collar sleeve is directly coupled to the inflator collar at the at least one crimping feature without the airbag cushion being positioned between the collar sleeve and the inflator collar.