Airbag module with heat shield

1. An apparatus including a heat shield ( 80 ) configured to be placed between a lower surface ( 42 ) of a plastic support member ( 40 , 40 a ) of an airbag ( 20 ) and an upper surface ( 71 ) of an inflator flange ( 70 ), the heat shield composed of a material sufficient to prevent the transfer of heat from the inflator flange in an amount sufficient to cause the lower surface of the support member to begin to melt; wherein the inflator flange ( 70 ) is curved in a direction facing the support member ( 40 , 40 a ).

2. An airbag module ( 20 ) comprising a cover ( 22 ), a support member ( 40 , 40 a ) matably configured with the cover ( 22 ), a pyrotechnic inflator ( 60 ), and airbag ( 30 ) fitted within the space between a housing ( 40 ) and the cover ( 22 ), the airbag inflating with gas provided by the inflator ( 60 ), wherein the heat shield ( 80 ) is positioned between a lower surface ( 42 ) of housing ( 40 ) and an upper surface ( 71 ) of cooperating inflator flange ( 70 ), the heat shield protectively shielding surface ( 42 ) from the heat transfer from inflator flange ( 70 ) to prevent surface ( 42 ) from melting.

3. The airbag module ( 20 ) according to claim 2 wherein the cooperating inflator flange is a mounting flange ( 70 ) of the inflator ( 60 ) having the upper surface ( 71 ).

4. The driver airbag module ( 20 ) according to claim 3 wherein the inflator flange ( 70 ) is curved in a direction facing the housing ( 40 ).

5. The airbag module ( 20 ) according to claim 2 wherein the lower surface ( 42 ) includes an extending column ( 90 ) in the shape of a circular cylinder.

6. The airbag module ( 20 ) according to claim 5 wherein heat shield ( 80 ) further includes an additional opening ( 84 a ) configured to fit about the extending column ( 90 ).

7. The airbag module ( 20 ) according to claim 6 wherein the combination of the extending column ( 90 ) and the additional opening ( 84 a ) adds mistake proofing which will permit the heat shield ( 82 ) to be fit to the fasteners ( 50 ) in only one orientation.

8. An airbag module according to claim 2 wherein the heat shield ( 80 ) includes a central opening ( 82 ) that has a size equal to an opening ( 44 ) of a housing.

9. The airbag module ( 20 ) according to claim 8 wherein the heat shield ( 80 ) is mounted to the housing ( 40 ) by mounting fasteners extending through respective openings ( 84 ) in the heat shield ( 80 ).

10. The airbag module ( 20 ) according to claim 9 wherein the housing ( 40 ) is shaped as a plate ( 40 a ).

11. The airbag module ( 20 ) according to claim 10 wherein the plate ( 40 a ) is flat.

12. The airbag module ( 20 ) according to claim 11 wherein the plate ( 40 a ) mates with sides ( 22 a ) of the cover ( 22 ).

13. The airbag module ( 20 ) according to claim 12 wherein the housing ( 40 ) or the plate ( 40 a ) is made of plastic or a resin.

14. An airbag module ( 20 ) comprising a cover ( 22 ), a support member ( 40 , 40 a ) matably configured with the cover ( 22 ), a pyrotechnic inflator ( 60 ), and airbag ( 30 ) fitted within the space between a housing ( 40 ) and the cover ( 22 ), the airbag inflating with gas provided by the inflator ( 60 ), wherein the heat shield ( 80 ) is positioned between a lower surface ( 42 ) of housing ( 40 ) and an upper surface ( 71 ) of cooperating inflator flange ( 70 ), the heat shield protectively shielding surface ( 42 ) from the heat transfer from inflator flange ( 70 ) to prevent surface ( 42 ) from melting;

wherein the material of the heat shield ( 80 ) is made of 840 denier woven nylon or polyester material coated on both sides with silicon.