Flexible strap attachment method and apparatus for passenger air bag module cover
AssigneeMorton International, Inc.
InventorsMark Rogers, Daniel W. Anderson, Melinda M. Newhouse
Life of this patent
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Abstract
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.
Claims12
A method of attaching a cover to a passenger air bag module comprising the following steps:
- (a) attaching one end of each of a plurality of attachment straps to the air bag module cover;
- (b) attaching the other end of each of said plurality of straps to the air bag module;
- (c) providing a fully seated position for the air bag module behind the opening in a trim panel of an automotive vehicle;
- and
- (d) with each strap of appropriate length, width and tensile properties locating the module cover relative to the opening in the trim panel such that the opening provides a positive stop for the module cover to be pulled up against as .the module is inserted into the opening to its seated position, whereby as the module is inserted into the opening in the trim panel the module cover comes into its fully seated position slightly before the module reaches its fully seated position and the attachment straps are pulled into tension as the module is seated.
An air bag means including a folded air bag and inflating means for inflating said folded air bag with both said folded air bag and said inflating means for inflating said folded air bag being stored behind an interior trim panel within the passenger compartment of an automotive vehicle,
- said folded air bag being inflated to be deployed into said passenger compartment during a collision through a deployment door formed in an opening in said trim panel,
- said trim panel being formed with a ledge means contributing partly at least to the definition of said opening formed in said trim panel,
- said air bag means including a reaction canister in which said folded air bag and said means for inflating said folded air bag are contained and a cover enclosing said folded air bag and said means for inflating said folded air bag, said cover having the shape of and comprising the deployment door formed in said trim panel,
- support means behind said trim panel forming a mounting mechanism for said reaction canister when said air bag means is installed in said trim panel, and
- flexible strap means connecting said cover to said reaction canister with the arrangement being such that said cover is pulled up against said ledge means on said trim panel and comes to a stop before said reaction canister is seated against said support means behind the trim panel forming a mounting position for said reaction canister,
- whereby said cover is allowed to float above the reaction canister and locate off the opening in the trim panel where it is intended to fit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.