Air bag module with an off-center mounted tubular inflator

摘要

An air bag module uses a tubular inflator that is mounted off center in the module with the diffuser lying in the plane of the bottom of the module housing. The housing and inflator retaining bracket combine to make a pocket which changes the direction of some of the gas produced by the inflator and allows all of the gas to flow up into the inflatable cushion. A different housing, retaining ring, cushion and inflator retaining bracket are used in the assemblage of the module than are employed in air bag modules of current production. The appearance and function of the module, however, is not changed to a purchaser of the automotive vehicle in which the module is installed, only the internal components of the module are changed.