Airbag cover deployment flaps

• US 20030189319A1
• Filed: 04/03/2002
• Published: 10/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Soderquist, Quin
• Granted Patent: US 6,874,810 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/728.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/161 characterised by additional means for controlling deployment trajectory
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/201 Packaging straps or envelopes for inflatable members
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/217 Inflation fluid source retainers, e.g. reaction canisters; Connection of bags, covers, diffusers or inflation fluid sources therewith or together

Abstract

An apparatus is provided to reinforce an airbag while it is deploying through an airbag cover. An undeployed airbag is wrapped in a cover deployment flap that may be a thin piece of material. The cover deployment flap is located between the airbag and the airbag cover. As the airbag deploys, the cover deployment flap remains between the airbag and the airbag cover until the airbag cover is sufficiently open. The cover deployment flap may have multiple folded configurations to wrap the undeployed airbag. The cover deployment flap may further include an overlap that allows the airbag to release from the cover deployment flap once the airbag cover is open.

Claims

1. An airbag reinforcing member, comprising:

a first cover deployment flap configured to be selectively disposed between an undeployed airbag and an airbag cover, wherein the cover deployment flap is configured to receive a stress induced by the airbag as it is deployed through the airbag cover.

2. The airbag reinforcing member, as recited in claim 1, wherein the first cover deployment flap has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end substantially enwraps a first portion of the airbag and the second end substantially enwraps a second portion of the airbag.

3. The airbag reinforcing member, as recited in claim 2, wherein the first end and the second end have an overlap, wherein the overlap is configured to be substantially situated between the undeployed airbag and the airbag cover.

4. The airbag reinforcing member, as recited in claim 2, wherein the first portion and the second portion are generally equal.

5. The airbag reinforcing member, as recited in claim 1, wherein the cover deployment flap is configured to remain disposed between the airbag and the airbag cover during expansion of the airbag through the airbag cover.

6. The airbag reinforcing member, as recited in claim 1, further comprising a second cover deployment flap.

7. The airbag reinforcing member, as recited in claim 6, wherein the first cover deployment flap and the second cover deployment flap are configured to have an overlap, wherein the overlap is configured to be substantially situated between the undeployed airbag and the airbag cover.

8. The airbag reinforcing member, as recited in claim 7, wherein the first cover deployment flap and the second cover deployment flap are portions of a single member.

9. The airbag reinforcing member, as recited in claim 7, wherein the overlap of the first cover deployment flap and the second cover deployment flap is configured to be maintained until the airbag substantially opens a tear seam in the airbag cover.

10. The airbag reinforcing member, as recited in claim 5, wherein the first cover deployment flap substantially enwraps a first portion of the airbag in an envelope configuration and the second cover deployment flap substantially enwraps a second portion of the airbag in an envelope configuration.

11. The airbag reinforcing member, as recited in claim 5, wherein the first cover deployment flap substantially enwraps a first portion of the airbag in a “

C”

shaped configuration and the second cover deployment flap substantially enwraps a second portion of the airbag in a “

C”

shaped configuration.

12. The airbag reinforcing member, as recited in claim 11, wherein the “

C”

shaped configuration of the first portion and the “

C”

shaped configuration of the second portion have an overlap, wherein the overlap is substantially situated between the undeployed airbag and the airbag cover.

13. The airbag reinforcing member, as recited in claim 1, wherein the cover deployment flap has an opening location that is situated substantially parallel to a fold seam in the airbag.

14. The airbag reinforcing member, as recited in claim 1, wherein the first cover deployment flap is integrally coupled to the airbag.

15. The airbag reinforcing member, as recited in claim 1, wherein the first cover deployment flap is comprised of the same material as the airbag.

16. The airbag reinforcing member, as recited in claim 1, wherein the first cover deployment flap has a plurality of holes configured to engage an airbag mount.

17. The airbag reinforcing member, as recited in claim 1, wherein the first cover deployment flap is generally rectangular.

18. An reinforced airbag comprising:

an airbag having a folded configuration and deployed configuration; and

a cover deployment flap, wherein the cover deployment flap generally enwraps the airbag in the folded configuration and reinforces the airbag as it deploys through an airbag cover.

19. The reinforced airbag, as recited in claim 18, wherein the folded configuration of the airbag has a fold seam.

20. The reinforced airbag, as recited in claim 19, wherein the cover deployment flap has an opening location that is substantially parallel to the fold seam.

21. The reinforced airbag, as recited in claim 18, wherein the cover deployment flap is attached to the airbag by a weaving process.

22. The reinforced airbag, as recited in claim 18, wherein the cover deployment flap is integrally formed to the airbag.

23. An airbag module, comprising:

an airbag cover, having an tear seam;

an airbag positioned to release through the tear seam of the airbag cover; and

a cover deployment flap having a first end and a second end, wherein the cover deployment flap substantially enwraps the airbag in a manner that the first end and the second end overlap between the airbag and the tear seam of the airbag cover.

24. The airbag module, as recited in claim 23 wherein the overlap of the first end and the second end is substantially parallel to a fold seam in the airbag.