Airbag module cover

• US 8,091,919 B2
• Filed: 07/28/2010
• Issued: 01/10/2012
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): TO, TOAN C
• Application Number:
  US12/845,681
• Publication Number:
  US 20110018242A1
• Time in Patent Office: 531 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.2, 280/728.3, 280/731, 280/732
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• 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, comprising:

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,

wherein the second layer is disposed on the first layer,

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.

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.

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

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

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

10. The cover of claim 1, wherein the bosses are made of plastic and are configured to be deformed by melting.

11. A cover for an airbag module, comprising:

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,

wherein the second layer is disposed on the first layer,

wherein the second layer includes tabs for connecting the second layer to the first layer.

12. The cover of claim 11, wherein the second layer includes a bracket and the tabs project from the bracket.

13. The cover of claim 12, wherein the bracket is disposed within a recess in the second layer.

14. The cover of claim 12, wherein the bracket is molded into the second layer.

15. The cover of claim 11, wherein the third layer forms part of a vehicle instrument panel.

16. The cover of claim 11, wherein the third layer is made of a metallic material.

17. The cover of claim 16, wherein the metallic material includes aluminum.

18. The cover of claim 16, wherein the metallic material is embossed.

19. The cover of claim 11, wherein the third layer includes a decal.

20. The cover of claim 11, wherein the second layer is fanned of polycarbonate/ABS.

21. The cover of claim 11, wherein only the first layer includes a predefined tear line for deploying an airbag.

22. The cover of claim 11, wherein the first layer is formed of thermoplastic olefin.

23. An airbag module, comprising:

a cover 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,

wherein the second layer is disposed on the first layer,

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,

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

24. An airbag module, comprising:

a cover 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,

wherein the second layer is disposed on the first layer,

wherein the second layer includes tabs for connecting the second layer to the first layer,

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