Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Chi Thi Ha

James J Simpson

Duane D Williams

Paul M Landis

An air bag cover assembly having backlighted redundant control switches includes membrane switch circuits and translucent backing plates mounted to posts molded to an air bag cover. The redundant control switches are utilized to control functions of electrical components within the vehicle. The membrane switching circuits are mounted within the cover and include translucent buttons projecting therefrom through apertures in the cover. The translucent backing plate includes LED's disposed therein for transmitting light through the buttons. The buttons further include symbols corresponding to a function. The translucent backing panel further includes a reflective material applied to the backside thereby causing the transmitted light to be directed to the buttons.

Air bag module cover having backlighted redundant control switches

An air bag module and membrane horn switch assembly includes an air bag cover, a membrane horn switch, a backing plate fixedly mounted on the cover in spaced relation to the cover, and a switch containment portion disposed on the backing plate. The switch containment portion releasably captures the membrane horn switch within the switch containment portion such that the membrane horn switch is normally positioned in spaced relation to the cover and such that the membrane horn switch is activated by downward movement of the cover towards the membrane horn switch. In addition, the switch containment portion also permits release and removal of the membrane horn switch from the switch containment portion while the backing plate remains fixed to the cover. Advantageously, the membrane horn switch can be removed and replaced while the cover and the backing plate remain stationary and undamaged.

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Dayton, OH, United States of America

Chi Thi Ha