Invisible airbag cover having a tear line

• US 20070018435A1
• Filed: 07/11/2006
• Published: 01/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LISA Drã¤Xlmaier GmbH (Fritz Dräxlmaier Holding GmbH)
• Original Assignee: LISA Drã¤Xlmaier GmbH (Fritz Dräxlmaier Holding GmbH)
• Inventors: Muller, Henry, Aichner, Rudolf
• Granted Patent: US 7,810,836 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/728.300
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2165 characterised by a tear line for defining a deployment opening

Abstract

An airbag cover, in particular for use in motor vehicles, is disclosed. In one embodiment, the airbag cover includes a molding and a visible cover of leather or leather-like material covering the molding, where at least one layer of a material that is softer than the material of the molding is disposed between the molding and the visible cover. The visible cover has a partial weakening and the transition from the weakened area to the non-weakened area is designed constant. A method for covering a molding disposed above an airbag with a partially weakened visible cover is also disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes introducing a weakened area into leather or leather-like material forming the visible cover on the side of the visible cover facing away from the visible side. The transition from the weakened area to the non-weakened is designed constant. At least one layer of a material that is softer than the material of the molding is applied on the molding. The visible cover is applied onto the layer of softer material.

Claims

1. An airbag cover for use in motor vehicles, the airbag cover comprising:

a molding;

a visible cover covering the molding, the cover being made of leather or leather-like material, the cover having a weakened area, a transition from the weakened area to a non-weakened area being constant; and

at least one layer of a material that is softer than the molding disposed between the molding and the visible cover.

2. The airbag cover according to claim 1, in combination with a passenger seat dashboard, wherein the molding forms part of the dashboard.

3. The airbag cover according to claim 1, wherein the layer of softer material comprises a spacer fabric.

4. The airbag cover according to claim 1, wherein the layer of softer material comprises a foam.

5. The airbag cover according to claim 1, wherein the layer of softer material comprises one or more gel cushions.

6. The airbag cover according to claim 1, further comprising at least one film layer disposed between the molding and the visible cover.

7. The airbag cover according to claim 6, wherein the at least one film layer is disposed between the softer material and the visible cover.

8. The airbag cover according to claim 1, wherein the weakened area has a maximum residual wall thickness between approximately 0.1 mm and approximately 0.6 mm.

9. The airbag cover according to claim 8, wherein the weakened area has a maximum residual wall thickness between approximately 0.2 mm and approximately 0.5 mm.

10. The airbag cover according to claim 1, wherein the molding and the layer of softer material each have a weakened area disposed above each other.

11. The airbag cover according to claim 10, wherein the weakened area in the molding and the layer of softer material each comprises at least one cut.

12. The airbag cover according to claim 11, wherein the at least one cut comprises a succession of partial cuts aligned with each other.

13. The airbag cover according to claim 1, wherein the weakened area of the visible cover runs at least partly above a weakened area within the molding.

14. The airbag cover according to claim 1, wherein the weakened area of the visible cover is formed in a side of the visible cover facing the molding.

15. The airbag cover according to claim 1, wherein the molding and/or the layer of softer material have a thickness in the location of the weakened area of the visible cover that is thicker than in locations spaced from the location of the weakened area of the visible cover.

16. The airbag cover according to claim 15, wherein the thickness of the molding and/or softer material and the thickness of the visible cover vary such that the combined thickness of the molding and/or softer material and the thickness of the visible cover is relatively constant.

17. The airbag cover according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the weakened area in the visible cover is constant.

18. The airbag cover according to claim 1, wherein the weakened area in the visible cover has an irregular form over the length of the weakened area.

19. The airbag cover according to claim 1, wherein a transition in a surface of the weakened area of the visible cover defines a curve, the curve having a first derivative defined as a sinusoidal course.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the airbag cover according to claim 15, wherein the thickness of the molding and/or softer material and the thickness of the visible cover vary such that the combined thickness of the molding and/or softer material and the thickness of the visible cover is relatively constant.

20. A method for covering a molding disposed above an airbag, the method comprising:

producing a visible cover having a weakened area in leather or leather-like material whereby a transition from the weakened area to a non-weakened area is constant;

applying, to the molding, at least one layer of a material that is softer than the material of the molding; and

applying the visible cover to the layer of softer material such that the weakened area of the cover faces toward the layer of softer material.

21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising inserting at least one film layer between the molding and the visible cover.

22. The method according to claim 21, further comprising forming a weakened area in at least one of the molding, the least one layer of softer material, and the at least one film layer.

23. The method according to claim 20, wherein the softer material comprises one of a spacer fabric, a foam, or at least one gel cushion.

24. The method according to claim 20, wherein the molding and/or the layer of softer material have a thickness in a location of the weakened area of the visible cover that is thicker than in locations spaced from the location of the weakened area of the visible cover.