Patent · US Expired

Airbag apparatus for front passenger seat

US6494481B2 · kind B2 · utility

11Cited by
8References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateApr 17, 2001
Grant dateDec 17, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 17, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60R21/2165
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The airbag apparatus includes a fracture-opening section of an instrument panel cover located in opposition to an opening portion of an airbag case and capable of being split apart, and a plurality of reinforcements fixedly attached to the back surface of the fracture-opening section. The fracture-opening section includes a contour portion and a splitting portion, which, in turn, include fragile portions formed through laser processing. The reinforcements are attached to the fracture-opening section in such a manner as to correspond to subsections of the fracture-opening section into which the splitting portion divides the fracture-opening section. The reinforcements each include a hinge portion and a leg portion. An end of the leg portion is engaged with a plurality of hooks fixedly attached to side edges of the opening portion of the airbag case. Upon inflation of the airbag, the fracture-opening section opens apart along the splitting portion.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.