Airbag module cover attachment and method of attaching a module cover to an airbag module
US5741024A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 31, 1996 |
| Grant date | Apr 21, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 31, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R21/2171
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An airbag module incorporating a staked module cover attachment. The airbag module has a module housing defining four sets of openings, the four sets generally forming a rectangle, and a folded, inflatable airbag cushion and an airbag inflator secured to the module housing between the four sets of openings. A thermoplastic module cover defining at least one tear seam includes a lid positioned over the airbag cushion. Four attachment legs extend unitary from the lid and terminate at bottom edges butting against the module housing corresponding with the four sets of openings defined by the module housing. A plurality of spaced-apart stakes are unitary with and extend from the bottom edges of the attachment legs, and each of the stakes extends through one of the openings of the sets of openings to distal ends secured such that the stakes cannot be withdrawn from the openings, securing the module cover to the module housing. The distal ends are secured by being formed into heads by ultrasonic or induction welding. Alternatively, the distal ends can be secured by being joined to form bridges between pairs of stakes, or fused to channel sections.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.