# US 9,085,277 B2 · Actuator assembly for an airbag module in a vehicle safety system, airbag module, vehicle safety system and manufacturing method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,085,277 B2 - Document ID: US9085277B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/261,814 - Filed: 2014-04-25 - Published: 2014-11-20 - Granted: 2015-07-21 - Earliest claimed: 2013-05-15 - Assignees: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH - Applicants: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH - Inventors: Karl Englbrecht; Desiree Koller; Martin Sedlmeier; Ingo Treiber - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9085277B2 ## CPC - B60R 21/201: Packaging straps or envelopes for inflatable members - B60R 21/2165: characterised by a tear line for defining a deployment opening - B60R 21/2338: Tethers - B60R 2021/21506: {comprising tearing tabs, legs or the like for holding the lid before deployment} - B60R 2021/21654: {the tearing being done or assisted by heating or pyrotechnic means} - B60R 2021/23384: {having ends which are movable or detachable during deployment} - B60R 2021/23388: {having ends which are movable or detachable during deployment} - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract The invention relates to an actuator assembly for an airbag module in a vehicle safety system comprising an actuator (10) and a tensioning means (20), wherein the actuator (10) includes a release member (12) which in the idle state of the actuator is connected to a retaining member (11) and is separable from the retaining member (11) by actuating a pyrotechnical ignition unit of the actuator (10) along a predetermined breaking point (13) so as to release a loop (23) of a tensioning means (20). The invention excels by the fact that the loop (23) is formed between two tensioning means portions (21, 22) which are interconnected directly at the predetermined breaking point (13) by a connecting means (30) such that the loop (23) is tensioned around the predetermined breaking point (13) in a self-fixing manner. Furthermore the invention relates to an airbag module, a vehicle safety system and a manufacturing method. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An actuator assembly for an airbag module in a vehicle safety system comprising an actuator (10) and a tensioning means (20), wherein the actuator (10) includes a release member (12) which in the idle state of the actuator (10) is connected to a retaining member (11) and is separable from the retaining member (11) by actuating a pyrotechnical ignition unit of the actuator (10) along a predetermined breaking point (13) so as to release a loop (23) of a tensioning means (20), wherein the loop (23) is formed between two tensioning means portions (21, 22) which are interconnected directly at the predetermined breaking point (13) by a connecting means (30) such that the loop (23) is tensioned around the predetermined breaking point (13) in a self-fixing manner. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The actuator assembly according to claim 1, wherein the loop (23) is prefixed by the connecting means (30), and/or wherein the loop (23) is postfixed by the connecting means (30). ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The actuator assembly according to claim 1, wherein the tensioning means (20) includes an elastic material at least in the area of the loop (23) so that the loop (23) is expandable for mounting on the predetermined breaking point (13). ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The actuator assembly according to claim 1, wherein the connecting means (30) is a shrink hose (31) or an elastic O-ring (32) or a seam or a cable tie or an adhesive tape or a clip (33) or a seal (34). ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The actuator assembly according to claim 1, wherein the loop (23) has a cross-sectional diameter which in a relaxed state is smaller than the cross-sectional diameter of the predetermined breaking point (13). ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The actuator assembly according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of a first distance A1, measured between the longitudinal axis M of the actuator assembly and the connecting means (30), from a second distance A2, measured between the longitudinal axis M and the outer diameter of the loop (23), amounts to a value of up to 1.3. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An airbag module for a vehicle safety system comprising an airbag, a gas generator and an actuator assembly according to claim 1. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The airbag module according to claim 7, wherein the tensioning means (20) is connected to an airbag at an inner wall and/or an outer wall of the airbag. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A vehicle safety system comprising an airbag module and/or an actuator assembly according to claim 1, wherein an electric release unit is provided which is signal-connected to the actuator assembly such that an electric trigger pulse can be transmitted to the ignition unit. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The vehicle safety system according to claim 9, wherein at least one sensor for detecting vehicle movement data is connected to the trigger unit and the trigger unit transmits the electric trigger pulse as a function of the measured vehicle movement data to the ignition unit. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A method for manufacturing an actuator assembly, an airbag module or a vehicle safety system according to claim 1, in which the tensioning means (20) is laid around the predetermined breaking point (13) so as to form the loop (23) and subsequently the tensioning means portions (21, 22) are interconnected in the area of the predetermined breaking point (13) so that the loop (23) tightens around the predetermined breaking point (13) in a self-fixing manner, or in which the tensioning means (20) includes an elastic loop (23) through which the release member (12) is guided such that the loop (23) is positioned at the predetermined breaking point (13) and contracts around the predetermined breaking point (13) in a self-fixing manner.