Airbag bracket
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A bracket for connecting an airbag module to a structural member of an automotive vehicle, comprising:
- a first end portion attaching said bracket to said airbag module;
a second end portion attaching said bracket to said structural member; and
a hole tuning the rigidity of said bracket to a desired rigidity, said desired rigidity promoting deformation of said bracket during impacts to said airbag module thereby absorbing impact energy and minimizing damage to said structural member and said desired rigidity inhibiting deformation during deployment of said airbag module thereby conserving deployment energy;
wherein said hole is separate from said first end portion and said second end portion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A bracket is provided for connecting an airbag module to a structural member in an automotive vehicle. The bracket provides three degrees to freedom to allow the fit and finish of the interior panels to be determined without being affected by the rigid connection between the airbag module and the structural member. Holes are also provided in the bracket for tuning energy management.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A bracket for connecting an airbag module to a structural member of an automotive vehicle, comprising:
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a first end portion attaching said bracket to said airbag module;
a second end portion attaching said bracket to said structural member; and
a hole tuning the rigidity of said bracket to a desired rigidity, said desired rigidity promoting deformation of said bracket during impacts to said airbag module thereby absorbing impact energy and minimizing damage to said structural member and said desired rigidity inhibiting deformation during deployment of said airbag module thereby conserving deployment energy;
wherein said hole is separate from said first end portion and said second end portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An assembly for connecting an airbag module to a structural member of an automotive vehicle, comprising:
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an airbag module;
a structural member;
a bracket comprising two end portions and a center portion disposed between said two end portions, said two end portions and said center portion being rigid, one of said end portions attaching said bracket to said airbag module thereby forming one attachment and one of said end portions attaching said bracket to said structural member thereby forming another attachment;
wherein one of said end portions is adjustable in two directions and one of said end portions is adjustable in one direction, said attachments of said bracket to said airbag module and said structural member thereby being adjustable with three degrees of freedom;
whereby a fit between said airbag module and an instrument panel is maintained after said bracket is attached to said airbag module and said structural member and a rigid connection is formed between said airbag module and said structural member. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for installing an airbag module into an automotive vehicle comprising:
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assembling an airbag module to an airbag panel, thereby forming an airbag subassembly;
assembling an instrument panel to a structural member, thereby forming an instrument panel assembly;
installing and precisely positioning said airbag subassembly to said instrument panel assembly, thereby determining a desired fit and finish between said airbag subassembly and said instrument panel assembly; and
connecting said airbag subassembly to said structural member with a rigid bracket and fasteners, thereby rigidly attaching said airbag module to said structural member.
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Specification