Morton International, Inc.

Robert Boschgmbh

Mark Rogers

Larry D Rose

Daniel W Anderson

Joseph L Ralston

Timothy J Leonard

Donald J Bolieau

Melinda M Newhouse

Axel W Kaiser

Donald R Lauritzen

Patrick G Jarboe

Michael J Ravenberg

Russell S Gans

Bradley L Orme

Stewart L Richards

An integral deployment door in a panel of an airbag assembly which covers and conceals an airbag module. The molded panel having a front surface layer, a foam core, and a rear surface substrate has notches therein in alignment with the proposed tear region or sides of the deployment door. Tabs are provided which extend upwardly into the foam core along the sides of said deployment door and in alignment with the notches. The notches and tab construction weaken the tear region and concentrates the stresses along the sides of the deployment door to reduce the force required to open the deployment door and to reduce the fragmentation of the foam core due to the separation of the door from the rest of the panel.

Apparatus for aiding in the opening of an integral deployment door in a

An essentially unitary airbag cover assembly is provided for concealing an airbag module. The cover has a vehicle panel with a front surface, a foam core and panel substrate with a dropped lip or shelf on a distal end thereof. A deployment door incorporated in the panel is hinged to the panel along one side thereof with at least one of the remaining sides of the door resting in the panel on the dropped lip or shelf of the panel substrate. The deployment door and panel are substantially the same thickness, and the shelf is dropped such that when the deployment door is positioned on the dropped shelf in the panel substrate, the door and panel are on the same level and there is no need for a connection between the panel and deployment door aside from the hinged side of the door.

Passenger airbag module using an essentially unitary cover

The cover of a passenger-side airbag module is provided with an energy absorption zone to protect the passenger during head impact. The zone is in the form of corrugations which extend across the mouth of the airbag module. The corrugations crush upon impact, thereby absorbing energy.

Energy absorption cover for passenger-side airbag module

An inflatable airbag (10) for restraining an occupant in a vehicle which is first laid out flat and turned inside out before being rolled into the form of a bag roll. The entire bag is consumed in the roll and the rolling step is continued until the bag roll passes into and through the mouth (14) of the bag thus inverting the entire bag pack so that the roll now stands in front of the bag mouth (14) and on front of the pack. As deployment of the air bag inflator pushes the roll away from the canister, the cushion unrolls in a downward motion toward the lap of the occupant. Because the roll is slightly trapped within itself, the cushion is free to inflate to the sides but must overcome resistance to extend away from the canister. Ultimately, the deployment action of the inverted roll cushion is more lateral and less extended than other known folds.

Airbag and inverted folding method

The deployable door of a passenger-side vehicle airbag restraint system is simultaneously fastened into an instrument panel opening and into engagement with the airbag module reaction canister. A spring clip on the canister receives a probe which is secured to the door through a pivoted breakaway connection. The probe is easily inserted into the clip but can be withdrawn only with difficulty. Airbag inflation thereafter separates the breakaway connection preferentially to the spring clip connection.

Adjustable snap away fastener

A fastening method and apparatus for attaching an automotive vehicle instrument panel air bag deployment door, an air bag module cover, to a passenger air bag module reaction canister. The apparatus provides a reliable cover release mechanism during an air bag deployment while allowing relative flexibility between the cover and reaction canister. The flexibility feature eliminates tolerance stack up problems by allowing the cover to locate off the instrument panel where it is intended to fit.

Flexible strap attachment method and apparatus for passenger air bag

A system for installing the keyed stud of a cylindrical inflator into a keyed opening in the endwall of a passenger side airbag reaction module canister includes a special alignment tool. The tool has a profile which matches that of the stud and opening. It is inserted into the opening and engages and aligns the stud which is then moved into the opening.

Airbag assembly system and tool

A tether retention system for an airbag module cover includes a channel formed in the side of the reaction canister. One end of the tether includes a loop which is inserted into the channel through a slot. A solid rod is inserted into the channel and through the loop to anchor it in place.

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Roy, UT, United States of America

Mark Rogers