Airbag module door assembly

• US 20040188986A1
• Filed: 03/31/2003
• Published: 09/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TK Holdings Incorporated (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: TK Holdings Incorporated (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Card, Gary A., McDonnell, Jonathan, Rogers, Dennis R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,073,817 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/728.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2172 the cover being connected to the surrounding part and to the module, e.g. floating mounts
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2171 specially adapted for elongated cylindrical or bottle-like inflators with a symmetry axis perpendicular to the main direction of bag deployment, e.g. extruded reaction canisters B60R21/2176 takes precedence

Abstract

An airbag module assembly 10 contains a module housing 12 closed by an airbag module door assembly 15. A panel 16 forms an airbag module door for release of an airbag 14 upon activation of module assembly 10. Attachment members 28 and 30 are connected to opposing peripheral edges 20 and 22 of the panel 16. In another aspect, a tear seam 46 may be incorporated on an attachment member 30 adjacent the peripheral edge 22 of the door 16, rather than on the panel 16. By providing upwardly angled slots 48 within the attachment member 30 and adjacent the edge 22, that converge toward the edge 42 and interface with corresponding instrument panel arms 52 protruding from the vehicle structure 18. The combination therefore provides enhanced leverage for a smooth tear along the attachment member 30 and a smooth deployment of the airbag 14. The tear seam 46 need not therefore be conventionally formed within the panel 16.

Claims

1. An airbag module door assembly connected to an airbag module housing, said door assembly comprising:

a panel forming an airbag module door, said panel having a peripheral edge, a bottom, and a top; and

at least one attachment member integral with and extending from the peripheral edge, said at least one attachment member connecting said door to said housing,

wherein said panel does not contain structure attached to the bottom.

2. The airbag module door assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

a hinge member connecting said panel to said first attachment member for pivoting said panel upon activation of said airbag module door; and

a second attachment member opposite to said first attachment member, said second attachment member integral with and extending from the peripheral edge, said second attachment member connecting said door to said housing.

3. The airbag module door assembly of claim 2 further comprising:

a first support member extending from said first attachment member to said second attachment member and integral with both attachment members; and

a second support member opposite said first support member, said second support member extending from said first attachment member to said second attachment member,

wherein neither the first support member nor the second support member is fixed to the panel.

4. An airbag module door assembly connected to an airbag module housing, said door assembly comprising:

a panel forming the airbag module door, said panel having a bottom, a top, and a periphery comprising a front edge and a rear edge;

a first attachment member integral with and extending from the front edge, said first attachment member connecting said door to said housing; and

a second attachment member integral with and extending from the rear edge, said second attachment member connecting said door to said housing,

wherein said panel contains no structure attached to the bottom.

5. An airbag module door connected to an airbag module housing, said door comprising:

a panel forming the airbag module door, said panel having a bottom, a top, and a periphery comprising a front edge and a rear edge;

a hinge member integral with and extending from the front edge, said hinge member providing a pivot for said door upon module activation;

a first attachment member integral with and extending from the hinge member, said first attachment member connecting said door to said housing; and

a second attachment member integral with and extending from the rear edge, said second attachment member connecting said door to said housing,

wherein said panel does not contain any structure attached to the bottom.

6. An airbag module door assembly connected to an airbag module housing, both seated within a predetermined cavity in the vehicle, said door assembly comprising:

a panel forming the airbag module door, said panel having a bottom, a top, and a first periphery comprising a first edge and an opposite second edge;

an attachment member integral with and extending from the second edge, said attachment member connecting said door to said housing;

a tear seam integral to said attachment member and extending adjacent to said second edge;

a plurality of slots extending along the length of said attachment member adjacent said tear seam, said plurality of slots angled upwardly and converging toward said second edge;

a second periphery defining a vehicle cavity for insertion of said airbag module housing, said vehicle cavity having a third edge; and

a plurality of arms extending from said third edge, inwardly within said cavity, each of said arms corresponding to one of said plurality of slots,

wherein upon assembly of the airbag module door assembly, each of the arms of the third edge are lodged within a corresponding slot within the plurality of slots.

7. An airbag module door assembly connected to an airbag module housing, both seated within a predetermined cavity in the vehicle, said door assembly comprising:

a panel forming the airbag module door, said panel having a bottom, a top, and a first periphery comprising a first edge and an opposite second edge;

an attachment member integral with and extending from said panel, said attachment member connecting said door to said housing;

a tear seam integral to said attachment member and extending adjacent to said second edge;

a plurality of slots extending along the length of said attachment member adjacent said tear seam, said plurality of slots angled upwardly and converging toward said second edge;

a second periphery defining a vehicle cavity for insertion of said airbag module housing, said vehicle cavity having a third edge; and

a plurality of arms extending from said third edge, inwardly within said cavity, each of said arms corresponding to one of said plurality of slots,

wherein upon assembly of the airbag module door assembly, each of the arms of the third edge are lodged within a corresponding slot within the plurality of slots.