Air bag module with diffuser
AssigneeTRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
InventorsAngelo J. Adler, Douglas M. Gould
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus (10) helps to protect an occupant of a vehicle. The apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14), an inflation fluid source (26), and a diffuser plate (200). The inflation fluid source (26) provides inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The diffuser plate (200) is disposed between the inflation fluid source (26) and the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The diffuser plate (200) includes a main body portion (210) and a plurality of raised portions (230). The raised portions (230) define slots (232) for allowing inflation fluid to flow from the inflation fluid source (26) to the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14).
Claims20
An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:
- an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device;
- an inflation fluid source extending along an axis and providing inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device;
- and
- a diffuser plate disposed between said inflation fluid source and said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device,
- said diffuser plate including a main body portion and a plurality of raised portions defining slots between the main portion and the raised portions, inflation fluid flowing from said inflation fluid source through said slots and being deflected by said diffuser plate along a plane substantially parallel to said axis of said inflation fluid source and into said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device.
An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:
- a diffuser plate;
- and
- an inflation fluid source extending along an axis and providing a flow of inflation fluid toward said diffuser plate;
- said diffuser plate including a main body portion and a plurality of raised portions, each of said raised portions defining two curved slots for allowing inflation fluid to flow from said inflation fluid source through said diffuser plate and along a plane substantially parallel to said axis of said inflation fluid source and into an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.