Preheated safety air bag cover
US5372379A · kind A · utility
25Cited by
10References
8Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 15, 1994 |
| Grant date | Dec 13, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 15, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R2021/21654
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A cover normally concealing a safety air bag is adapted to rupture to form an opening for air bag deployment into the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle. The cover is formed of plastic material that tends to become embrittled and fragment when torn or pierced below a certain ambient temperature. A heater is provided behind the cover that is adapted to heat the rupture area in the event of air bag deployment. A heater control operates the heater to maintain this critical area above the fragmentation temperature when the vehicle is being operated at low ambient temperatures that would cause plastic embrittlement.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.