Diffuser for occupant restraint system

1 . A diffuser for an airbag module having a housing enclosing an inflator and an airbag for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, comprising:

a base extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end and including at least one first opening for receiving at least one first fastener for securing the inflator to the housing;

sidewalls extending from opposite sides of the base to define a passage for receiving the inflator; and

an extension projecting longitudinally beyond the passage and including a second opening for receiving a second fastener for securing the extension to the housing, wherein the diffuser is configured to allow a portion of inflation fluid discharged from the inflator to flow directly from the inflator into the airbag, and to redirect a portion of the inflation fluid discharged from the inflator to flow through the passage into the airbag, and wherein the extension, secured to the housing by the second fastener, is configured to counterbalance unequal net reaction forces placed on the diffuser by the inflation fluid discharged from the inflator.

2 . The diffuser recited in claim 1 , wherein the sidewalls are curved for mirroring an exterior of the inflator.

3 . The diffuser recited in claim 1 , further comprising a narrowing throat connecting the sidewalls to the extension.

4 . The diffuser recited in claim 1 , wherein the second opening is longitudinally offset from the sidewalls.

5 . The diffuser recited in claim 1 , wherein the first and second openings are longitudinally aligned with one another.

6 . The diffuser recited in claim 1 , wherein the first and second openings are positioned on opposite ends of the base.

7 . An airbag module including the diffuser recited in claim 1 .

8 . The airbag module recited in claim 7 , further comprising:

the airbag;

the housing enclosing the airbag; and

the inflator including first and second nozzles for releasing inflation fluid into the airbag, wherein the at least one first fastener is fixed to the inflator, and the second fastener is spaced from the inflator.

9 . The airbag module recited in claim 8 , wherein the nozzles are located between the at least one first opening and the second opening.

10 . The diffuser recited in claim 1 , wherein the sidewalls are configured to define radial gaps between each of the sidewalls and an exterior surface of the inflator, and wherein the diffuser is configured so that at least a portion of inflation fluid is discharged from the inflator directly toward the base, which re-directs the inflation fluid to flow through the radial gaps into the airbag.

11 . The diffuser recited in claim 10 , wherein each sidewall has a terminal edge that extends generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the diffuser, the edges being spaced apart leaving the inflator exposed to an interior of the airbag, the diffuser being configured to discharge inflation fluid directed through the radial gaps and between the spaced apart edges into the airbag.

12 . The diffuser recited in claim 11 , wherein the sidewalls are free from openings configured to discharge inflation fluid into the airbag.

13 . The diffuser recited in claim 11 , wherein the diffuser is configured to receive the inflator comprising diametrically opposed nozzles through which inflation fluid is discharged, wherein the diffuser is configured so that inflation fluid discharged through a first of the nozzles is discharged directly toward the base, which re-directs the inflation fluid to flow through the radial gaps into the airbag, and wherein the diffuser is configured so that inflation fluid discharged through a second of the nozzles flows directly into the airbag through an open space between the sidewalls.

14 . The diffuser recited in claim 13 , wherein the inflation fluid discharged through the second of the nozzles directly into the airbag, and the inflation fluid discharged through the first of the nozzles being redirected by the diffuser creates the net reaction forces placed on the diffuser by inflation fluid discharge of the inflator.

15 . The diffuser recited in claim 13 , wherein the nozzles are located at an axial end of the inflator.

16 . The diffuser recited in claim 1 , wherein the extension is configured to extend from an end of the base over which nozzles are positioned.

17 . The diffuser recited in claim 1 , wherein the diffuser is configured so that the net reaction forces are unequally distributed along a longitudinal axis of the diffuser.

18 . The diffuser recited in claim 1 , wherein the diffuser is configured to receive the inflator having diametrically opposed first and second nozzles, wherein the diffuser is further configured to direct inflation fluid from the first nozzle to flow directly into the airbag, and to redirect inflation fluid from the second nozzle to flow through the passage into the airbag.