US 7,100,941 B2 · Pre-weakening of fabric covered airbag doors

Abstract

A variety of embodiments are disclosed, in both apparatus and method form, that relate to the use of fabric material in the manufacture of an air bag deployment system. In addition, fabric weakening is disclosed according to a technique that does not result in physical alteration of the fabric. This invention therefore includes an air bag cover for an air bag safety system for a vehicle comprising a fabric outer layer having a frontside and a backside and a substrate containing an opening wherein the opening has a periphery. The substrate is preferably formed by low pressure molding, wherein the fabric outer layer overlies the opening in the substrate, and wherein the fabric outer layer is weakened at a location that is adjacent or overlies the substrate opening periphery.

Claims9

Dependent claims

An air bag cover for an air bag safety system for a vehicle comprising:

a fabric outer layer having a front side and a backside, and comprising a weakened portion and a non-weakened portion;
a low pressure molded substrate containing an opening closed by an airbag door, said door having a periphery at least a portion of which comprises a door/substrate tear seam, the low pressure molded substrate formed behind said fabric outer layer being molded at a clamp pressure of less than or equal to about 1000 psi;
wherein the fabric outer layer overlies the opening closed by said door in the substrate, and wherein said non-weakened portion of said fabric layer overlies a portion of said door periphery and said weakened portion is located outboard of said door/substrate tear seam, wherein said weakened portion of said fabric layer is weakened by providing said fabric layer comprising lower strength fibers at the weakened portion.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Pre-weakening of fabric covered airbag doors

Life of this patent

Pre-weakening of fabric covered airbag doors

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims9