Autoliv Asp, Incorporated

Morton International, Inc.

Timothy J Whited

Randy Wayne Clark

Russell S Gans

James N Sonnenberg

A novel airbag module is described. The airbag module includes an inflatable cushion defining a mouth for receiving inflation fluid. A substantially cylindrical housing is configured to retain the inflatable cushion in a folded state. A disc-shaped inflation fluid source is attached to the housing and is in communication with the inflatable cushion. The inflation fluid source is positioned substantially within the housing and is configured to produce at least about 120 liters of inflation fluid volume. A flared retaining collar is positioned about the inflation fluid source adjacent an inner surface of the inflatable cushion to retain the inflatable cushion in communication with the inflation fluid source.

Cylindrical passenger airbag module

An air bag assembly includes an inflatable device having a deflated condition; an inflator in fluid communication with the inflatable device and actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable device from the deflated condition; a cover for housing the inflatable device and the inflator, the cover including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion being pivotable to a closed condition and an open condition; and a strap for releasably retaining the first portion and the second portion in the closed condition, the strap having a rupturable portion, wherein the force of inflation of the inflatable device causes the rupturable portion to rupture and release the first portion and the second portion from the closed condition, thereby enabling the first portion and the second portion to pivot to the open condition and enabling inflation of the inflation device from the cover.

Side impact air bag clamshell-wrap around strap closure

A tethered cover of an airbag inflator system designed to fit in an opening in the instrument panel of a motor vehicle is described. The cover has one or more metal attachment rods which extend along opposite edges of the panel opening. Parts of the rods are sandwiched between an outer substrate and a metal inner substrate provided in the cover. Other parts of the rods are exposed opposite the edge of the panel opening to permit engagement with fasteners on the panel which secure the cover in a closed position. The cover also has a metal tether attachment rod, a portion of which is sandwiched between the inner and outer substrates while a further outer portion is exposed for attachment to a loop at one end of a flexible tether. The cover is strong and is easy to assemble despite possible variations in the tolerances of cover attachment fasteners.

Tethered cover for a panel opening in an air bag inflator system

A vehicle air bag installation including an inflatable air bag assembly mounted in a rectangular opening in the vehicle instrument panel for deployment of the air bag through the opening. A rectangular net fit cover door engages a recessed abutment around the opening when closed. The abutment includes a plurality of spaced apertures around the opening for receiving fasteners for attaching the cover to the instrument panel. The fasteners comprise elongate thermoplastic resin bodies having a bulbous head, flared wings or shoulders extending from the bulbous head for providing height alignment, an intermediate bulbous portion for centering the fastener in the aperture and a lower end that converges to a flange to facilitate insertion through the apertures. Integral lock-in-tabs are provided in the flange portion to lock the fastener to the abutment. Integral channels molded into the underside of the cover substrate releasably engage the heads of the fasteners. The cover having the fasteners secured to channels in its underside is assembled to the instrument panel by aligning the fasteners with the apertures in the abutment flange. The fasteners are inserted into the apertures and are locked therein by the lock-in tabs to prevent inadvertent premature movement of the cover. Upon deployment of the air bag, the cover is pushed out of the instrument panel surface with the fasteners disengaging from the channels in the underside of the cover.

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Auburn Hills, MI, United States of America

Timothy J Whited