US20010000418A1 - Airbag cover - Google Patents

Airbag cover Download PDF

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Publication number
US20010000418A1
US20010000418A1 US09/728,660 US72866000A US2001000418A1 US 20010000418 A1 US20010000418 A1 US 20010000418A1 US 72866000 A US72866000 A US 72866000A US 2001000418 A1 US2001000418 A1 US 2001000418A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
layer
cover
airbag
cover according
tear line
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
US09/728,660
Other versions
US6357788B2 (en
Inventor
Holger Kreile
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ZF Automotive Safety Systems Germany GmbH
Original Assignee
TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US09/084,707 external-priority patent/US6170860B1/en
Application filed by TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH filed Critical TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
Priority to US09/728,660 priority Critical patent/US6357788B2/en
Publication of US20010000418A1 publication Critical patent/US20010000418A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US6357788B2 publication Critical patent/US6357788B2/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
    • B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
    • B60R21/20—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
    • B60R21/215—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components characterised by the covers for the inflatable member
    • B60R21/2165—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components characterised by the covers for the inflatable member characterised by a tear line for defining a deployment opening

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an airbag cover which closes an exit opening of an airbag unit in a motor vehicle.
  • cover cap the circumferential edge of which is adapted to the size of the installation opening and the tear area of which, in contrast, is smaller.
  • An airbag cover may constitute an integral component of an instrument panel or of another internal part for motor vehicle bodies, where the adaptation to the installation surrounding generally poses no problems, but wherein the exact positioning of the tear line and the dimensioning of the predetermined breaking lines with respect to their strength can become difficult.
  • the present invention provides an airbag cover which can be produced at a far more favorable price, without posing the need of accepting incalculable resistances on the sudden inflation of the airbag along predetermined lines.
  • an airbag cover which consists of two or more layers, a full-length tear line intended as a predetermined breaking line being provided only in a first one layer of these layers.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 in which:
  • FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention in a plan view.
  • FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the invention and likewise in a plan view.
  • FIG. 1 there is illustrated a cut-out 5 of an installation surrounding of an airbag cover 1 , which for example could be part of an instrument panel.
  • the airbag cover 1 is configured in two layers, a full-length tear line 2 being configured in the first layer and completed by bending lines 4 .
  • the cover 1 tears open at first along the horizontally extending part of the tear line 2 and then along the vertically extending lines adjoining thereto at the right and the left so that the upper and the lower part of the cover 1 can swing open about the bending or hinge lines 4 .
  • the tear line 3 of the second layer is configured only along the horizontal extent of the tear line 2 in the first layer and is extended so as to protrude at its ends beyond the vertical line portions by a specific length.
  • a tear line 3 configured in such a way is absolutely sufficient for ensuring a perfect tearing process. It can easily be understood that it is much simpler during production to configure the tear line 3 in the second layer so as to be coincident with the horizontally extending part only of tear line 2 in the first layer, as if during production additionally also the vertically extending sections had to be adapted to each other with respect to their dimensions.
  • an airbag cap referenced by 6 is a component of an airbag module which is installed in an installation surrounding, for example, in the steering wheel or instrument panel of a motor vehicle.
  • the cover 1 is a part of the airbag cap 6 and has in the first layer a tear line 2 intended as a predetermined breaking line which is arranged like in the embodiment according to FIG. 1.
  • the predetermined breaking line 3 in the second layer is configured so as to correspond only with the horizontal extent of the tear line 2 of the first layer, and is also configured only along part of its length.
  • the upper and lower parts of the cover 1 swing open about bending or hinge lines 4 .
  • Even such a tear line 3 in the second layer can be sufficient, because the dynamic forces on the sudden inflation of the airbag are, as has been proved, sufficient to cause the further tearing of the second layer along any lines as predefined by the tear lines in the first layer.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Air Bags (AREA)

Abstract

An airbag cover for an airbag unit in a motor vehicle is adapted to be torn open along predetermined lines on sudden inflation of the airbag to swing open in one or more parts along hinge lines. The cover is composed of two or more layers. A full-length tear line intended as a predetermined breaking line is provided only in the first layer on the side of the airbag.

Description

  • 1. The present invention relates to an airbag cover which closes an exit opening of an airbag unit in a motor vehicle.
  • 2. Usually, such covers are visually and haptically adapted to their installation surrounding. Insofar as a driver airbag is concerned, the cover has to be matched to the surface structure and colour of the steering wheel sheating. Front passenger airbags are arranged below the instrument panel so that the surface of the cover has to correspond with the surface of the instrument panel as far as possible. The situation is similar for side airbags and all other airbags to be installed in motor vehicles.
  • 3. It can easily be understood that adapting the cover to its installation surrounding often poses great problems, because the latter possibly consists of materials which are not or only partly suitable for manufacturing a cover. Typical covers are therefore configured normally with two or more layers, the internal layer being provided with the required structural strength, whereas the outer layer is taylored so as to adapt to the installation surrounding. In most cases, the cover is a part of a separate airbag module which is designed for the installation on a steering wheel, an instrument panel or other internal parts of a car body. In these cases, the cover is often designated as “cover cap”, the circumferential edge of which is adapted to the size of the installation opening and the tear area of which, in contrast, is smaller.
  • 4. An airbag cover may constitute an integral component of an instrument panel or of another internal part for motor vehicle bodies, where the adaptation to the installation surrounding generally poses no problems, but wherein the exact positioning of the tear line and the dimensioning of the predetermined breaking lines with respect to their strength can become difficult.
  • 5. Hitherto it is assumed that, in the case of airbag covers configured in two or more layers, the tear lines intended as predetermined breaking lines have to be arranged in all layers such that they have the same length and coincide with each other, so that a defined resistance to tearing can be reproducibly realized within narrow limits, because in this respect one cannot accept an incalculable hindrance on the sudden deployment of the airbag. This, however, can be achieved in the case of covers configured in two or more layers only with significant production expenses, because for producing the individual layers separate operating steps are required and, mostly, also separate form tools.
  • 6. The present invention provides an airbag cover which can be produced at a far more favorable price, without posing the need of accepting incalculable resistances on the sudden inflation of the airbag along predetermined lines.
  • 7. According to the invention, an airbag cover is provided which consists of two or more layers, a full-length tear line intended as a predetermined breaking line being provided only in a first one layer of these layers.
  • 8. Tests have surprisingly brought the result that there is no need for a full-length tear line in the second layer and that the second layer in fact tears open independently of the tear line predefined in the first layer when the airbag is inflated. The dynamic forces during the tearing process obviously are of more importance than the static tensile strength so that any resistances to tearing hardly play a role when the first layer is torn open under the influence of the gas pressure wave acting in the airbag. Therefore, it is sufficient to configure a tear line intended as a predetermined breaking line in the second layer, which tear line is shorter than that of the first layer. Furthermore, it has been found that it is sufficient to configure the tear line of the second layer so as to be at least partially coincident with the tear line of the first layer.
  • 9. Further details of the invention are explained more clearly with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the FIGS. 1 and 2, in which:
  • 10.FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention in a plan view.
  • 11.FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the invention and likewise in a plan view.
  • 12. In FIG. 1 there is illustrated a cut-out 5 of an installation surrounding of an airbag cover 1, which for example could be part of an instrument panel. The airbag cover 1 is configured in two layers, a full-length tear line 2 being configured in the first layer and completed by bending lines 4. On inflation of the airbag (not shown), the cover 1 tears open at first along the horizontally extending part of the tear line 2 and then along the vertically extending lines adjoining thereto at the right and the left so that the upper and the lower part of the cover 1 can swing open about the bending or hinge lines 4. The tear line 3 of the second layer is configured only along the horizontal extent of the tear line 2 in the first layer and is extended so as to protrude at its ends beyond the vertical line portions by a specific length. It has been found that a tear line 3 configured in such a way is absolutely sufficient for ensuring a perfect tearing process. It can easily be understood that it is much simpler during production to configure the tear line 3 in the second layer so as to be coincident with the horizontally extending part only of tear line 2 in the first layer, as if during production additionally also the vertically extending sections had to be adapted to each other with respect to their dimensions.
  • 13. In FIG. 2 an airbag cap referenced by 6 is a component of an airbag module which is installed in an installation surrounding, for example, in the steering wheel or instrument panel of a motor vehicle. The cover 1 is a part of the airbag cap 6 and has in the first layer a tear line 2 intended as a predetermined breaking line which is arranged like in the embodiment according to FIG. 1. The predetermined breaking line 3 in the second layer is configured so as to correspond only with the horizontal extent of the tear line 2 of the first layer, and is also configured only along part of its length. Here, too, the upper and lower parts of the cover 1 swing open about bending or hinge lines 4. Even such a tear line 3 in the second layer can be sufficient, because the dynamic forces on the sudden inflation of the airbag are, as has been proved, sufficient to cause the further tearing of the second layer along any lines as predefined by the tear lines in the first layer.
  • 14. It should be noted that the extension of the tear lines 2 and 3 as well as of the bending lines 4 is only schematically depicted in the FIGS. 1 and 2 and that these lines are not visible or perceptible, at least at the surface facing the passenger compartment.

Claims (10)

What is claimed is:
1. A cover for an exit opening of an airbag unit in a motor vehicle, the cover being adapted to be torn open along predetermined lines on sudden inflation of the airbag to swing open along hinge lines, the cover comprising at least two layers, and only a first one of said layers having a full-length tear line intended as a predetermined breaking line.
2. The cover according to
claim 1
, wherein a partial tear line intended as a predetermined breaking line is provided in a second one of said layers.
3. The cover according to
claim 2
, wherein the tear line of the second layer is at least partially coincident with the tear line in the first layer.
4. The cover according to
claim 3
, wherein the tear line of the second layer is at least partially coincident with a portion of the tear line in the first layer which tears open first.
5. The cover according to
claim 4
, wherein the first layer consists of a harder material than the second layer.
6. The cover according to
claim 5
, wherein the first layer is located internally adjoining the airbag.
7. The cover according to
claim 6
, wherein the second layer consists essentially of the same material as an upper layer of an installation surrounding of the cover.
8. The cover according to
claim 1
, wherein a third layer and each of any further layers have no predetermined breaking line.
9. The cover according to
claim 1
, wherein a third layer and each of any further layers have a predetermined breaking line which is not longer than the predetermined breaking line in the second layer.
10. The cover according to
claim 1
, wherein the layers are interconnected by one of the group of methods consisting of bonding, mechanical assembling, pressing and injection molding.
US09/728,660 1997-11-13 2000-12-02 Airbag cover Expired - Lifetime US6357788B2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/728,660 US6357788B2 (en) 1997-11-13 2000-12-02 Airbag cover

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE29720138.7 1997-11-13
DE29720138U DE29720138U1 (en) 1997-11-13 1997-11-13 Device for covering an airbag
DE29720138U 1997-11-13
US09/084,707 US6170860B1 (en) 1997-05-28 1998-05-26 Gas bag for a vehicular occupant restraint system
US09/190,088 US6199897B1 (en) 1997-11-13 1998-11-12 Airbag cover
US09/728,660 US6357788B2 (en) 1997-11-13 2000-12-02 Airbag cover

Related Parent Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/084,707 Division US6170860B1 (en) 1997-05-28 1998-05-26 Gas bag for a vehicular occupant restraint system
US09/190,088 Division US6199897B1 (en) 1997-11-13 1998-11-12 Airbag cover

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20010000418A1 true US20010000418A1 (en) 2001-04-26
US6357788B2 US6357788B2 (en) 2002-03-19

Family

ID=8048572

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/190,088 Expired - Lifetime US6199897B1 (en) 1997-11-13 1998-11-12 Airbag cover
US09/728,660 Expired - Lifetime US6357788B2 (en) 1997-11-13 2000-12-02 Airbag cover

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/190,088 Expired - Lifetime US6199897B1 (en) 1997-11-13 1998-11-12 Airbag cover

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (2) US6199897B1 (en)
EP (1) EP0916555B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH11208401A (en)
KR (1) KR19990045155A (en)
BR (1) BR7802125U (en)
DE (2) DE29720138U1 (en)
ES (1) ES2216231T3 (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6565114B1 (en) 2001-11-06 2003-05-20 General Motors Corporation Plastic air bag module with variable cushion vent area adjustment
US20090278337A1 (en) * 2004-12-14 2009-11-12 Johnson Controls Technology Company Air bag cover
US10272600B2 (en) 2017-02-22 2019-04-30 Lisa Draexlmaier Gmbh Method of manufacturing a composite skin-foam-carrier component for a motor vehicle and composite skin-foam-carrier component for a motor vehicle

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE29720138U1 (en) * 1997-11-13 1998-03-19 TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH, 63743 Aschaffenburg Device for covering an airbag
US6453535B1 (en) * 1998-06-25 2002-09-24 Tip Engineering Group, Inc. Process for manufacturing an automotive trim piece preweakened to form an air bag deployment opening
DE19910141A1 (en) * 1999-03-01 2000-09-14 Petri Ag Tear line in covers of airbag units
US6644684B2 (en) * 1999-11-18 2003-11-11 Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation Air bag cover for vehicles
US6533314B2 (en) * 1999-12-30 2003-03-18 Delphi Technologies, Inc. Instrument panel with integral hidden door cover and method of manufacture thereof
US6918609B1 (en) * 2000-09-29 2005-07-19 Autoliv Asp, Inc. Airbag products with nonlinear tear seams
US6502852B2 (en) 2000-11-20 2003-01-07 Delphi Technologies, Inc. Air bag cover with internal hinge configuration
DE10147547B4 (en) * 2001-09-26 2007-07-19 Peguform Gmbh Component for motor vehicles with an airbag cover
DE10231131C5 (en) * 2002-07-10 2020-01-09 Lisa Dräxlmaier GmbH Dashboard for a vehicle
US6886858B2 (en) * 2002-07-26 2005-05-03 Key Safety Systems, Inc. Air bag assembly with tethers in a woven cushion and method of construction
US7029025B2 (en) * 2002-09-19 2006-04-18 Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. Tear seam for air bag module
US7093850B2 (en) * 2003-11-14 2006-08-22 Delphi Technologies, Inc. Instrument panel with integral hidden door cover and method of manufacture thereof
DE102004014942A1 (en) 2004-03-26 2005-10-20 Draexlmaier Lisa Gmbh airbag cover
US20060068193A1 (en) * 2004-09-29 2006-03-30 Lear Corporation Method and apparatus for making a trim panel with a self-skinning blown elastomer component
US7458604B2 (en) * 2004-10-20 2008-12-02 International Automotive Components Group North America, Inc. Automotive trim assembly having an integrated airbag door
US8221843B2 (en) * 2005-02-15 2012-07-17 Lisa Dräxlmaier GmbH Methods and compositions for coating interior components of motor vehicles and interior components of motor vehicles coated using same
DE102005006770B3 (en) * 2005-02-15 2006-05-18 Lisa Dräxlmaier GmbH Component e.g. for interior lining of interior spaces of motor vehicles, has contact surface for contacting to another construction unit with which contact surface has relative motion
DE102005010025B4 (en) * 2005-03-04 2008-01-24 Lisa Dräxlmaier GmbH Vehicle door trim and method of making the same
DE102005010024B4 (en) * 2005-03-04 2015-06-11 Lisa Dräxlmaier GmbH Vehicle door trim and method of making the same
DE102005013477B4 (en) * 2005-03-23 2008-12-04 Lisa Dräxlmaier GmbH Motor vehicle trim part with weakening points and method for its production
DE102005034354B4 (en) * 2005-07-22 2014-08-28 Lisa Dräxlmaier GmbH airbag cover
DE102008059169A1 (en) * 2008-11-24 2010-06-02 Faurecia Innenraum Systeme Gmbh Airbag cover and method for its manufacture
US7976057B2 (en) * 2009-02-09 2011-07-12 Intertec Systems, Llc Automotive milled PSIR scoring with interlaced interfaces
JP6020277B2 (en) 2012-10-22 2016-11-02 豊田合成株式会社 Interior panel for vehicle and airbag device for vehicle
JP2014218188A (en) * 2013-05-09 2014-11-20 豊田合成株式会社 Air-bag door for vehicle
JP2015093555A (en) * 2013-11-11 2015-05-18 豊田合成株式会社 Vehicular interior panel and vehicular air bag device
JP6127952B2 (en) * 2013-12-10 2017-05-17 豊田合成株式会社 Airbag door and air bag device

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CA2100286A1 (en) * 1992-08-13 1994-02-14 James Carter Hidden door for an air bag restraint system
IT229873Y1 (en) 1993-05-03 1999-02-05 Momo Spa VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL EQUIPPED WITH AIR BAG DEVICE
DE4344523C2 (en) 1993-12-24 1995-11-02 Ymos Ag Ind Produkte Method and device for attaching an inner weakening line to a skin-like cover element for a chamber for receiving an airbag
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US5577767A (en) * 1995-03-08 1996-11-26 Trw Inc. Housing assembly for an air bag and vehicle horn switch
EP0749872B1 (en) 1995-06-21 2003-04-23 Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. Air bag cover and method of manufacturing the same
DE29511172U1 (en) * 1995-07-14 1996-02-01 Peguform-Werke GmbH, 79268 Bötzingen Plastic cladding for vehicles equipped with airbag devices
JPH09156445A (en) * 1995-12-12 1997-06-17 Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd Air bag cover
DE19546585A1 (en) * 1995-12-13 1997-06-19 Trw Repa Gmbh Laminated vehicle airbag cover, for protecting vehicle occupants during collisions
JP3042984B2 (en) 1996-09-24 2000-05-22 株式会社イノアックコーポレーション Instrument panel with integrated airbag door
DE29720138U1 (en) * 1997-11-13 1998-03-19 TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH, 63743 Aschaffenburg Device for covering an airbag

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6565114B1 (en) 2001-11-06 2003-05-20 General Motors Corporation Plastic air bag module with variable cushion vent area adjustment
US20090278337A1 (en) * 2004-12-14 2009-11-12 Johnson Controls Technology Company Air bag cover
US10272600B2 (en) 2017-02-22 2019-04-30 Lisa Draexlmaier Gmbh Method of manufacturing a composite skin-foam-carrier component for a motor vehicle and composite skin-foam-carrier component for a motor vehicle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
KR19990045155A (en) 1999-06-25
US6199897B1 (en) 2001-03-13
DE29720138U1 (en) 1998-03-19
JPH11208401A (en) 1999-08-03
EP0916555B1 (en) 2004-02-11
DE59810743D1 (en) 2004-03-18
ES2216231T3 (en) 2004-10-16
EP0916555A3 (en) 2000-08-30
US6357788B2 (en) 2002-03-19
EP0916555A2 (en) 1999-05-19
BR7802125U (en) 2000-01-25

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