Airbag Cover Retainer

This invention relates to the field of automotive airbag assemblies.

A conventional automotive airbag module includes a reaction canister which holds a folded airbag in such a manner that it may be inflated by gases produced by an inflator. The reaction canister is normally mounted behind a portion of the interior trim of the motor vehicle which may, for example, comprise the central portion of a steering wheel or a portion of the instrument panel forward of a passenger's location. This interior trim is normally a sheet-like member such as textured vinyl which is designed with a breakaway portion which forms a door under the influence of the expanding airbag.

It is important to restrain the door from flying into the vehicle interior during airbag expansion. This objective has been achieved in the prior art by designing the breakaway portion in such a fashion as to form a hinge for retaining the door in place. Alternatively, or in addition, a tether may be provided which connects the door to the airbag module to restrict door movement. The need for designing a hinge into the vehicle's interior trim introduces a complexity which it would be desirable to avoid. The need to break away the door from the integral trim requires an undesirable impact force to the instrument panel in a passenger-side installation. It has also been a problem in a passenger-side installation to achieve the desired fit and finish of the airbag cover to the instrument panel because of the need for attachment of the airbag cover to the airbag module.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an automotive airbag installation which eliminates the connection of the airbag door to a fixed attachment point within the vehicle. Another object is to simplify the manufacture and assembly of automotive airbag installations. Other objects, features, and advantages will become apparent from the following description and appended claims.

The folded airbag in a vehicle airbag assembly is directly attached to a door positioned within the vehicle's interior trim. Prior to inflation, it holds the door in its closed position. During inflation, it restrains the door from flying into the passenger compartment.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a passenger-side airbag module in accordance with the invention with an endplate of the reaction canister removed to reveal its interior;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration in reduced scale illustrating the placement of the material interconnecting the airbag and door; and

FIG. 3 illustrates the operation of the invention during airbag expansion.

FIG. 1 illustrates an airbag module positioned behind the instrument panel 10 of a vehicle. The module comprises a reaction canister 12 which is in the form of a trough having sidewalls 14, 16 joined by a semi-cylindrical floor 18. Housed within the reaction canister 12 and adjacent the floor 18 is a cylindrical inflator 20. A folded airbag 22 is housed within the canister 12 in such a fashion that its open mouth is positioned to receive gases generated by the inflator 20. The two ends of the reaction canister are normally closed by endplates. In FIG. 1 the near endplate is removed to illustrate the construction. The features of the module thus far described are conventional and need not be described in further detail.

The instrument panel 10 defines a cutout 24. Within this cutout is mounted a door 26. Normally, in prior art installations, the door 26 would be a breakaway portion of the instrument panel 10. After breaking away, a hinge would remain, securing the door to the instrument panel. Alternatively, or in addition, a tether would be provided connecting the door to the module assembly. Din accordance with the present invention, however, these features are optional and may be completely omitted.

In accordance with the present invention, the door 26 is retained within the cutout 24 and is restrained during airbag deployment by pressure-sensitive attachment to the airbag 22 itself. As used herein, the term "pressure-sensitive" refers to an interconnection between the airbag 22 and the door 26 which becomes firmer upon force being applied therebetween but which can be readily separated or torn apart when desired. The specific material disclosed herein is a hook and loop tear-apart fastener sold under the trademark VELCRO.RTM. by Velcro USA Inc., Manchester, N.H. In the disclosed embodiment, a strip 28 of either the hook or loop portion of the fastener is secured to the door 26 and the mating strip 30 of the hook and loop fastener is secured to the surface of the airbag 22. It will be understood that many patterns of application of the pressure-sensitive material may be employed. FIG. 2 schematically illustrates one possible pattern. In this arrangement, two sets of interlocked strips 28, 30 are mounted so as to be positioned within the open mouth 32 of the reaction canister 12 and against the inner surface of the door 26.

FIG. 3 illustrates the action of this invention upon airbag expansion. As the airbag 22 expands under the influence of gas from inflator 20, the surface of the airbag and its mounted strips 30 press firmly against the mating strips 28 mounted upon the door 26. As a result, the door 26 is retained upon the surface of the inflated airbag, preventing it from being propelled into the passenger compartment.

As it is not necessary to break the door 26 away from the instrument panel 10, the impact force to the instrument panel is substantially reduced. Furthermore, as there is no fixed attachment of the door 26 to the airbag module, the fit and finish of the door 26 relative to the instrument panel 10 prior to inflation is enhanced.

The foregoing description has been primarily directed to use of the invention in a passenger-side airbag assembly. However, it will be understood that the principles involved make it equally applicable to use within a drivers' side airbag assembly which might be housed, for example, within a steering wheel.

It is believed that the many advantages of this invention will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. It will also be apparent that a number of variations and modifications may be made therein without departing from its spirit and scope. Accordingly, the foregoing description is to be construed as illustrative only, rather than limiting. This invention is limited only by the scope of the following claims.