Faurecia Interior Systems, Inc.

Zf Passive Safety Systems US Inc.

Trw Automotive Safety Systems Gmbh

Zf Automotive Safety Germany Gmbh

James Steele

Raymond Edward Kalisz

Wes Roy

Scott Beam

Adrien Bender

AnnMarie McMillan

Jeffrey M Ruprecht

Dominik Schuetz

A coupling device () for mounting an airbag module () to be oscillating on a steering wheel structure () of a vehicle steering wheel () includes a mounting member () which includes, relative to a steering wheel axis, an axial bottom side () which in the assembled state of the vehicle steering wheel () faces the steering wheel structure () as well as an opposite axial top side () which in the assembled state of the vehicle steering wheel () faces the airbag module (), a contact face () for a damping element () provided on the axial bottom side () for oscillating coupling of the mounting member () to the steering wheel structure (), and comprising a locking element () disposed on the top side () of the mounting member () for locking with the prefabricated airbag module (), wherein the locking element () is configured so that the airbag module () can be coupled to the mounting member () by a locking connection substantially in an axially fixed manner or in an axially restrictedly movable manner.

Coupling device for mounting an airbag module to be oscillating on a vehicle steering wheel

Interior panels having integrated airbag doors for motor vehicles are provided. In one example, an interior panel comprises a substrate having outer and inner surfaces and an opening extending therethrough. An airbag chute-door assembly is mounted to the substrate and comprises a chute wall that at least partially surrounds an interior space. The chute wall is configured for stowing an airbag module. The chute wall defines an expansion feature that facilitates moving sections of the chute wall for assembling the airbag module to the chute wall. A door flap portion is pivotally connected to the chute wall and at least partially covers the opening. A perimeter flange extends from the chute wall and has a flange section that overlies the outer surface of the substrate. A skin covering extends over the substrate and a foam is disposed between the skin covering and the substrate.

Foam-in-place interior panels having integrated airbag doors including substrates with airbag chute-door assemblies for motor vehicles

Interior panels having integrated airbag doors for motor vehicles are provided. In one example, an interior panel comprises a substrate having an opening. A skin covering and foam cover the substrate. An airbag chute-door assembly is mounted to the substrate. The airbag chute-door assembly comprises a chute wall that at least partially surrounds an interior space. The chute wall is configured to direct passage of an airbag through the interior space towards the opening. A door flap portion is pivotally connected to the chute wall via a hinge section and at least partially covers the opening. A gusset hinge feature extends from the hinge section between and operatively coupled to the door flap portion and the chute wall. A perimeter flange extends from the chute wall away from the interior space and has a flange section that overlies the outer surface of the substrate.

Interior panels having integrated airbag doors for motor vehicles are provided. In one example, an interior panel comprises a substrate having an opening. A skin covering and foam cover the substrate. An airbag chute-door assembly is mounted to the substrate and has a front side that faces towards the skin covering and the foam. The airbag chute-door assembly comprises a chute wall that extends from a side opposite the front side. A door flap portion is pivotally connected to the chute wall via a hinge section and at least partially covers the opening. A perimeter flange extends from the chute wall and overlies the substrate. The airbag chute-door assembly has a groove formed in the front side between the door flap portion and the perimeter flange defining a frangible tear seam.

Growing community of inventors

Macomb, MI, United States of America

James Steele