Fca US LLC

Ford Motor Company Limited

Gregory A Nestico

James Lloyd Webber

Jonathan R Vanderbossche

Lisandro Trevino

Ashir Prafull Thakore

Edgar Valdez

Carl David Spamer

Christopher Francis Berardi

An airbag system includes an airbag module configured to be supported by an instrument panel of a vehicle. The airbag module includes a fabric housing having a top panel and one or more side panels extending from the top panel, and an airbag disposed within the fabric housing, the airbag movable between an undeployed position and a deployed position. In the undeployed position, the one or more side panels include a folded portion configured to extend in an unfolding action as the airbag is inflated and deployed, the unfolding action of the one or more side panels directing an expansion of the airbag in a desired direction.

Low mass passenger airbag

An airbag module including an airbag, comprising an elongated backbone, and an airbag housing having the airbag therein coupled to the backbone. A sleeve is secured about the airbag housing, and coupled to the backbone. The module also includes tubular chute having open ends that receives the elongated backbone, airbag housing, and sleeve therein, wherein the airbag housing restricts expansion of the airbag through the open ends of the tubular chute during deployment of the airbag.

A method of manufacturing an automotive instrument panel that conceals an airbag. The steps of manufacturing the instrument panel include providing a molded substrate having first and second surfaces and an aperture therethough, and a metal door having a generally U-shaped slot secured to the second surface of the substrate with a plurality of attaching posts. The slot has first and second ends being spaced apart a distance greater than the length of the aperture. The slot defines a flap in the door. The flap has a width greater than the width of the aperture. The door and substrate assembly is placed within a mold tool and a pre-molded covering is juxtaposed the substrate. A quantity of foam is injected between the substrate and covering and secures the covering to the substrate.

Instrument panel air bag door and method of making thereof

Growing community of inventors

Canton, MI, United States of America

Gregory A Nestico