AIRBAG MODULE COVER

• US 20110018242A1
• Filed: 07/28/2010
• Published: 01/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition, LLC
• Original Assignee: TK Holdings Incorporated (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: MAERTENS, Paul George
• Granted Patent: US 8,091,919 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/728.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2165 characterised by a tear line for defining a deployment opening

Abstract

A cover for an airbag module includes at least a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. The first layer includes a predefined tear line and the third layer is configured to face into a passenger compartment of a vehicle.

Claims

1. A cover for an airbag module including at least a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer, wherein the first layer includes a predefined tear line and the third layer is configured to face into a passenger compartment of a vehicle.

2. The cover of claim 1, wherein the third layer forms part of a vehicle instrument panel.

3. The cover of claim 1, wherein the third layer is made of a metallic material.

4. The cover of claim 3, wherein the metallic material includes aluminum.

5. The cover of claim 3, wherein the metallic material is embossed.

6. The cover of claim 1, wherein the third layer includes a decal.

13. The cover of claim 1, wherein the second layer is formed of polycarbonate/ABS.

14. The cover of claim 1, wherein only the first layer includes a predefined tear line for deploying an airbag.

15. The cover of claim 1, wherein the first layer is formed of thermoplastic olefin.

16. The cover of claim 1, wherein the second layer is disposed on the first layer.

17. The cover of claim 16, wherein the second layer includes a plurality of bosses configured to be inserted into corresponding apertures in the first layer and deformed to retain the second on the first layer.

18. The cover of claim 17, wherein the bosses are made of plastic and are configured to be deformed by melting.

19. The cover of claim 16, wherein the second layer includes tabs for connecting the second layer to the first layer.

20. The cover of claim 19, wherein the second layer includes a bracket and the tabs project from the bracket.

21. The cover of claim 20, wherein the bracket is disposed within a recess in the second layer.

22. The cover of claim 20, wherein the bracket is molded into the second layer.

7-12. -12. (canceled)

23-31. -31. (canceled)

32. An airbag module configured to be positioned in a vehicle so that a cover of the module forms a portion of the vehicle instrument panel and wherein the cover includes a metal top layer configured to separate into at least two pieces to allow an airbag to deploy therethrough.

33-39. -39. (canceled)