GB2246983A

GB2246983A - Improvements in or relating to an air-bag arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2246983A
Application number: GB9018128A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joakim Landen; Ove Gyllensting; Stefan Nordin
Original assignee: Autoliv Development AB
Current assignee: Autoliv Development AB
Priority date: 1990-08-17
Filing date: 1990-08-17
Publication date: 1992-02-19
Anticipated expiration: 2010-08-17
Also published as: GB2246983B; GB2246983A8; GB9018128D0

Abstract

An air-bag arrangement for a motor vehicle comprises an air-bag 3 and means 2 to inflate the air-bag, together with a cover 4. The cover 4 is movable between a closed position and an open position. The cover is retained in the closed position by a catch comprising two co-operating elements 6, 7, one mounted on the cover and one fixed in position. The elements of the catch are such that at least one element of the catch must be moved to a predetermined position before the cover is closed for the catch elements to engage and retain the cover in the closed position. The catch comprises means defining a recess 7 and means defining a tongue 6 to be inserted into the recess 7. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO AN AIRBAG ARRANGEMENT The present invention relates to an airbag arrangement and more particularly to an airbag arrangement adapted for use in a motor vehicle.

It has been proposed to utilize inflatable bags (so-called "airbags) in motor vehicles, such as motor cars, as a safety device. In the event that ar accident arises, the airbag is rapidly inflated to form a cushion to protect the driver of the vehicle or a passenger in the vehicle.

Typically such airbags are inflated 5 means of a gas generator which comprises a pyrotechnic charge adapted to be ignited to generate a substantial quantity of gas very rapidly.

Typically the housing containing an airbag is provided with a cover which is fixed in position, at one side, by means of a hinge, and is provided, at the other side, with a releasable connection so that the cover can open readily when the airbag inflates. The releasable connection may comprise a part of the cover adapted to snap or break when the airbag begins to inflate or a resilient or otherwise releasable locking tongue.

If the cover is provided with a breakable element, a new cover has to be provided every time the airbag inflates. This can be inconvenient and expensive. On the other hand, if the cover is provided with a simple locking tongue or other snap-fastening arrange ment, the cover can be closed after it has been opened, by the motorist. This is undesirable since, before the cover is closed, a new gas generator should be mounted in position, and also the bag should be folded and packed by an expert.

Thus the present invention seeks to provide a cover for a gas generator arrangement which does not include any breakable parts, but which can only be closed by an appropriately qualified person.

According to the present this invention there is provided an airbag arrangement comprising an airbag and means to inflate the airbag to be mounted in position on a motor vehicle and a cover, the cover being movable between a closed position and an open position, the cover being retained in the closed position by means of a catch comprising two cooperating elements, one being mounted on the cover and one being fixed in position, the elements of the catch being such that at least one element of the catch must be moved to a predetermined position before the cover is closed, for the catch element to engage and retain the cover in the closed position.

Preferably a special tool is required to move the said catch element to the predetermined position.

Conveniently the cover forms part of the dashboard of a motor vehicle and access to the said part of the catch which needs to be moved to a predetermined position can only be obtained from the rear of the dashboard.

Advantageously the catch comprises means defining a recess and means defining a tongue to be inserted into the recess.

Conveniently at least part of the recess is defined by resilient means biassed to close the recess, the tongue being insertable into the recess only when said means have been moved against the bias to open the recess.

Preferably the saiH resilient means comprise a resilient strip, which defines one side edge of the recess, the resilient strip being biassed to shut the mouth of the recess.

Advantageously the lid is hinged at one side thereof.

Conveniently the tongue and the recess are substantially aligned with the opening direction of the cover.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a cross-sectional view of an airbag arrangement in accordance with the invention.

Referring to the drawing an airbag arrangement comprises a main housing 1 containing a gas generator 2 in fluid communication with an airbag 3. The housing 1 is mounted within the dashboard of a motor vehicle, and a cover 4 is provided to conceal the arrangement. The cover is provided with a hinge 5 at one edge thereof, so that the cover can hinge to an open position as indicated in dotted lines.

The opposed edge of the cover is provided with a tongue 6. The tongue 6 is not located at the free edge of the cover but is slightly set back or "underhung" and the tongue 6 is adapted to cooperate with a recess 7 which is mounted on the chassis of the vehicle behind the dashboard. The recess 7 has one side thereof formed by a resilient steel strip 8 which is riveted in position by means of rivets 9 on a shaped steel plate 10. The steel spring strip 8 is biassed so that ordinarily the recess has the mouth thereof shut.

In mounting the airbag arrangement in position, the cover is initially opened and the housing 1, containing the gas generator 2 and the airbag 3 are mounted in position by means of appropriate fixing bolts. The cover is then shut. So that the tongue 6 can engage with the recess 7 the spring strip 8 must be moved away from the shaped steel plate 10 in order to open the recess. Thus the strip is moved to a predetermined position, in which the recess is open, before the cover can be shut and the catch engaged to hold the cover shut. To achieve this a special tool must be utilized. The tool may be such that it can only be brought into operation from the rear of the dashboard.

Thus the degree of "overhang" of the tongue relative to the lid may be such that it is not possible to insert a tool to open the mount of the recess from the front of the dashboard and then close the lid.

Thus the lid may only be closed by a person having the appropriate tool and having the knowledge as to how the lid is to be closed.

The tongue 6 lies in a plane which effectively defines the direction of opening of the cover, so that the tongue can be withdrawn from the recess 7 when the cover 4 has to be opened.

While the invention has been described with reference to an embodiment in which the cover has one side thereof hinged, it is to be appreciated that two catches of the type described may be provided, one at each side of the cover.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An airbag arrangement comprising an airbag and means to inflate the airbag to be mounted in position on a motor vehicle and a cover, the cover being movable between a closed position and an open position, the cover being retained in the closed position by means of a catch comprising two cooperating elements, one being mounted on the cover and one being fixed in position, the elements of the catch being such that at least one element of the catch must be moved to a predetermined position before the cover is closed, for the catch elements to engage and retain the cover in the closed position.

2. An arrangement according to Claim 1 wherein a special tool is required to move the said catch element to the pre-determined position.

3. An airbag arrangement according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein the cover forms part of the dashboard of a motor vehicle and access to the said part of the catch which needs to be moved to a pre-determined position can only be obtained from the rear of the dashboard.

An at arrangement according to any one of the pre- ceding Claims wherein the catch comprises means defining a recess and means defining a tongue to be inserted into the recess.

5. An arrangement according to Claim 4 wherein at least part of the recess is defined by resilient means biassed to close the recess, the tongue being insertable into the recess only when said means have been moved against the bias to open the recess.

6. An arrangement according to Claim 5 wherein the said resilient means comprise a resilient strip, which defines one side edge of the recess, the resilient strip being biassed to shut the mouth of the recess.

7. An arrangement according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the lid is hinged at one side thereof.

8. An air-bag arrangement substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

8. An arrangement according to any one of the Claims 4 to 7 wherein the tongue and the recess are substantially aligned with the opening direction of the cover.

9. An airbag arrangement substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanving drawings.

10. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.

AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS

1. An air-bag arrangement comprising an air-bag and means to inflate the air-bag to be mounted in position on a motor vehicle and a cover, the cover being movable between a closed position and an open position, the cover being retained in the closed position by means of a catch comprising two co-operating elements in the form of means defining a recess and means defining a tongue to be inserted into the recess, one being mounted on the cover and one being fixed in position, the elements of the catch being such that at least one part of the catch must be moved to a predetermined position before the cover is closed, for the catch elements to engage and retain the cover in the closed position.

2. An arrangement according to Claim 1 wherein a special tool is required to move the said part of the catch to the predetermined position.

3. An air-bag arrangement according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein the cover forms part of the dash-board of a motor vehicle and access to the said part of the catch which needs to be moved to a predetermined position can only be obtained from the rear of the dash-board.

4. An arrangement according to Claim 4 wherein at least part of the recess is defined by resilient means biassed to close the recess, the tongue being insertable into the recess only when said resilient means have been moved against the bias to open the recess.

5. An arrangement according to Claim 5 wherein the said resilient means comprise a resilient strip, which defines one side edge of the recess, the resilient strip being biassed to shut the mouth of the recess.

6. An arrangement according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the lid is hinged at one side thereof.

7. An arrangement according to any one of the Claims 4 to 7 wherein the tongue and the recess are substantially aligned with the opening direction of the cover.