Textron Automotive Company Inc.

Davidson Textron Inc.

Collins & Aikman Products & Co.

Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.

Jimmy C Rogers

John D Gray

Michael J Gallagher

Bruce A Batchelder

Richard D Rhodes, Jr

Craig B Labrie

Vernon A Daniels

Edwin V Stawicki

Nelson J Morren

John J Kennedy

Michael J Larson

Jack J Kennedy

Raymond S Evans

Brian Collins & Aikman Automotive Co Inc Pour

Doug Collins & Aikman Automotive Co Inc Parker

Phil Collins & Aikman Automotive Co Inc Carroll

An apparatus for deploying an air bag through an automotive dash panel () includes an air bag door () integrally formed in the panel and defined by a door perimeter including a frangible edge () of reduced cross section. A dispenser () supports the air bag () behind the door. A metal reaction plate () is positioned between the air bag () and the door (). When the air bag inflates, it forces the reaction plate () to bend around a horizontal hinge line (). As the reaction, plate pivots it concentrates inflation force along a lower portion of the frangible door edge. This helps to predictably separate the door from the dash panel by tearing along the lower door edge and allowing the tear to propagate up two side edges. In one embodiment, the tear also propagates across an upper edge to completely separate the door from the panel. At least one, and preferably two or three tethers () limit how far the door can travel during air bag inflation. A stop member may be included to limit reaction plate bending. After deployment, the reaction plate remains in a position that prevents the door from returning to its original position. A retaining structure may be included to preclude at least a portion of the air bag door from tearing free of the vehicle panel. A hinge () may be embedded in the panel in a position spanning a portion of the door perimeter. A hollow channel may be formed into the panel along the frangible marginal edge to create a substantial strength differential with the door perimeter to promote bending along the hinge and/or to help confine tearing to the frangible marginal edge during air bag deployment.

Apparatus for deploying an air bag through a hard panel

An apparatus for deploying an air bag through an automotive dash panel includes an air bag door integrally formed in the panel and defined by a door perimeter including a frangible edge of reduced cross section. A dispenser supports the air bag behind the door. A metal reaction plate is positioned between the air bag and the door. When the air bag inflates, it forces the reaction plate to bend around a horizontal hinge line. As the reaction plate pivots it concentrates inflation force along a lower portion of the frangible door edge. This helps to predictably separate the door from the dash panel by tearing along the lower door edge and allowing the tear to propagate up two side edges. In one embodiment, the tear also propagates across an upper edge to completely separate the door from the panel. At least one, and preferably two or three tethers limit how far the door can travel during air bag inflation. A stop member may be included to limit reaction plate bending. After deployment, the reaction plate remains in a position that prevents the door from returning to its original position. A retaining structure may be included to preclude at least a portion of the air bag door from tearing free of the vehicle panel. A hinge may be embedded in the panel in a position spanning a portion of the door perimeter. A hollow channel may be formed into the panel along the frangible marginal edge to create a substantial strength differential with the door perimeter to promote bending along the hinge and/or to help confine tearing to the frangible marginal edge during air bag deployment.

Apparatus for deploying an airbag through a hard panel

An apparatus for deploying an air bag through an automotive dash panel includes an air bag door integrally formed in the panel and defined by a frangible edge of reduced cross section. A dispenser supports the air bag behind the door. A metal reaction plate is positioned between the air bag and the door. When the air bag inflates it forces the reaction plate to bend around a horizontal hinge line. As the reaction plate rotates it concentrates inflation force along a lower portion of the frangible door edge. This helps predictably separate the door from the dash panel by tearing along the lower door edge and allowing the tear to propagate up two side edges. In one embodiment, the tear also propagates across an upper edge to completely separate the door from the panel. At least one, and preferably two or three tethers limit how far the door can travel during air bag inflation. A stop member may be included to limit reaction plate bending. After deployment, the reaction plate remains in a position that prevents the door from returning to its original position.

An interior trim panel for a motor vehicle has an opening for deployment of an air bag and a discrete air bag door that is attached to the interior trim panel for closing the opening and for being opened by an air bag when it is deployed. The door includes a retainer that hinges the door to the trim panel and a covering that includes a frangible flap at an end of the retainer that holds down an end of the door and breaks away when the air bag is deployed. An alternate interior trim panel has another discrete air bag door that includes a bracket attached to the retainer for establishing the location of the hinge line. Another alternate interior trim panel arrangement has an integrated or invisible air bag door that includes a bracket attached to the retainer for establishing the location of the hinge line in an invisible door arrangement. Another alternate interior trim panel also includes a bracket having a V-shaped channel that establishes the location of the door hinge line. In addition, side plates integrally extend from opposite sides of the channel to connect to an air bag canister.

Trim panel having air bag door

A reaction canister of a PSIR airbag system includes a U-shaped body closed at its ends by a pair of end plates. Mounting slots are formed in the end plates and cooperate with a pair of associated latching devices for mounting the canister on a cross-car beam of a vehicle.

Mounting system for airbag reaction canister

Growing community of inventors

Berwick, ME, United States of America

Jimmy C Rogers