Airbag module cover cap

• US 5,913,534 A
• Filed: 07/01/1997
• Issued: 06/22/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Takata (Europe) Vehicle Safety Technology GmbH
• Original Assignee: Takata (Europe) Vehicle Safety Technology GmbH
• Inventors: Klingauf, Gerhard
• Primary Examiner(s): Rice, Kenneth R.
• Application Number:
  US08/886,208
• Time in Patent Office: 721 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.3, 280/731, 280/732
• US Class Current: 280/728.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/21656 Steering wheel covers or similar cup-shaped covers

Abstract

An airbag module cover cap has two flaps (12, 13) provided in a cover wall (11) which are delimited from the remainder of the cover wall (11) and from the other flap (13, 12) respectively by means of perforations (14) arranged in a line. On triggering of the generator (17) of the airbag module (16), and the tearing of the perforations (14) which is caused thereby, the flaps (12, 13) pivot outwardly about the hinges (15) and thus release the gas bag (18). In accordance with the invention the perforations (14) are provided at the base of continuous grooves (20) provided in the outer surface of the cover wall (11).

Claims

1. Airbag module cover cap having sidewalls and a cover wall in which at least one flap is provided, which is delimited by line-shaped perforations from the remainder of the cover wall or from another flap, and which, on triggering of a generator of the airbag module and the tearing of the perforations which is caused thereby, pivots outwardly about a hinge which is formed by thinning of a material to allow a gas bag of the airbag module to pass through outwardly, with the cover wall and also the sidewalls being provided with a plastic covering serving decorative purposes and having a softer material than the sidewalls and the cover wall, wherein the perforations are located at the base of continuous grooves, which are provided at the outer side of the cover wall and which extend parallel to and in alignment with the perforations and are at least substantially filled out by the material of the plastic covering.

2. Airbag module cover cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein the grooves taper towards the perforations.

3. Airbag module cover cap in accordance with claim 2, wherein an angle of tapering is 5 to 15°

.

4. Airbag module cover cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein a depth of the grooves is greater than a depth of the perforations.

5. Airbag module cover cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein a depth of the perforations is 0.4 to 0.8 mm.

6. Airbag module cover cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein a depth of the grooves is 1 to 3 mm.

7. Airbag module cover cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein a depth of the grooves is 2 to 10 times a depth of the perforations.

8. Airbag module cover cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein a width of the grooves is 1 to 2 mm at a top of the grooves.

9. Airbag module cover cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein a hinge is provided at each of two oppositely disposed marginal regions of the cover wall and wherein the two flaps which are formed in this manner are separated by perforations extending between them.

10. Airbag module cover cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein the edges of the grooves are rounded at a transition to an outer surface of the cover wall.

11. Airbag module cover cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein the perforations converge to a point at their ends, lying in or opposite to a direction of tearing.

12. Airbag module cover cap in accordance with claim 11, wherein the perforations are trapezoidal or triangular in shape as seen in plan-view.

13. Airbag module cover cap in accordance with claim 11, wherein a longer boundary side of the perforations lies at a side remote from the flap.

14. Airbag module cover cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein a tear barrier is located between the hinge (15) and the adjoining perforation (14).

15. Airbag module cover cap in accordance with claim 14, wherein the tear barrier includes an accumulation of material provided between the hinge and the neighboring perforation.

16. Airbag module cover cap in accordance with claim 14, wherein the tear barrier includes a spacing between the ends of the hinge and the tear line which extends along the perforation and includes a substantial angle with the hinge.

17. Airbag module cover cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein the material of the plastic coating extends at least fully into the grooves and into the perforation.

18. Method of manufacturing an airbag module cover cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein the grooves and the perforations are formed by an outer tool which acts on an outer surface of the cover wall and carries the perforation projections and by an inner tool which is held from an inside.

19. Method in accordance with claim 18, wherein the plastic coating is applied to the so prepared cover wall and the sidewalls and in the perforations.

20. Airbag module cover cap in accordance with claim 12, wherein the longer boundary side of the perforations lies at the side remote from the flap, i.e. outwardly in relation to the flap.

21. Airbag module in accordance with claim 2, wherein the taper continues into the perforations.

22. Airbag module cover cap in accordance with claim 3, wherein the angle of tapering is approximately 10°

.

23. Airbag module cover cap in accordance with claim 5, wherein the depth of the perforations is approximately 0.6 mm.

24. Airbag module cover cap in accordance with claim 6, wherein the depth of the grooves is approximately 2 mm.

25. Airbag module cover cap in accordance with claim 7, wherein the depth of the grooves is approximately 5 times the depth of the perforations.

26. Air module cover cap in accordance with claim 8, wherein the width of the grooves is approximately 1.5 mm at the top.

27. Air module cover cap in accordance with claim 9, wherein the hinge is at a top of the cover wall.

28. Airbag module cover cap in accordance with claim 9, wherein the hinge is at a bottom of the cover wall.