May 13, 2025

US12296781 - Holding device and airbag module

The invention describes a holding device ( 12 ) for holding and releasing a tensioning means ( 14 ) of a vehicle safety system. The holding device ( 12 ) includes a pyrotechnical actuator assembly ( 24 ) for holding and, in terms of signals, specifically releasing the tensioning means ( 14 ), wherein the actuator assembly ( 24 ) comprises a plastic base ( 26 ) in which a pyrotechnical unit ( 28 ) including a propelling charge and an igniter ( 30 ) is accommodated and held, wherein the pyrotechnical unit ( 28 ) has a rear side ( 36 ) and an opposite front side ( 38 ), and a tensioning means holder ( 40 ) which is adjacent to the front side ( 38 ) of the pyrotechnical unit ( 28 ) and covers the same and which is detachably supported on the plastic base ( 26 ). The holding device ( 12 ) additionally includes a reinforcing element ( 58 ) which is supported to be axially movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the reinforcing element ( 58 ) in a second position is disengaged from the tensioning means holder ( 40 ) and in a first position is at least partially accommodated in the tensioning means holder ( 40 ) and mechanically reinforces the same. Furthermore, an airbag module ( 10 ) is described.

Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBH
Inventors: Werner Freisler
Filing date: 2022-05-02

The patent describes a holding device for a vehicle airbag system that utilizes a pyrotechnical actuator assembly to hold and release a tether. This assembly includes a plastic base, a pyrotechnical unit with a propelling charge and igniter, and a movable reinforcing element to enhance the tether holder’s strength.

Claim 1

A holding device for holding and releasing a tether of an airbag of a vehicle safety system, comprising: a pyrotechnical actuator assembly for holding the tether, the actuator assembly being actuatable to release the tether, wherein the actuator assembly comprises a plastic base in which a pyrotechnical unit including a propelling charge and an igniter is accommodated and held, wherein the pyrotechnical unit has a rear side and an opposite front side, a tether holder which is adjacent to the front side of the pyrotechnical unit and covers the same and which is detachably supported on the plastic base, the tether holder being configured to retain the tether in an unactuated state of the actuator assembly, and a reinforcing element which is supported to be axially movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the reinforcing element in the second position is disengaged from the tether holder and in the first position is at least partially received in the tether holder and mechanically reinforces the tether holder. a pyrotechnical actuator assembly for holding the tether, the actuator assembly being actuatable to release the tether, wherein the actuator assembly comprises a plastic base in which a pyrotechnical unit including a propelling charge and an igniter is accommodated and held, wherein the pyrotechnical unit has a rear side and an opposite front side, a tether holder which is adjacent to the front side of the pyrotechnical unit and covers the same and which is detachably supported on the plastic base, the tether holder being configured to retain the tether in an unactuated state of the actuator assembly, and a reinforcing element which is supported to be axially movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the reinforcing element in the second position is disengaged from the tether holder and in the first position is at least partially received in the tether holder and mechanically reinforces the tether holder.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12296781

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12296781