Air bag module with cover and reaction structure for withstanding lateral force of bag inflation
US6547272B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 15, 2000 |
| Grant date | Apr 15, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 15, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R21/2035
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus (10) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12), an inflator (14), a cover (16), and a reaction plate (18). The inflator (14) provides inflation fluid to inflate the inflatable device (12). The cover (16) at least partially encloses the inflatable device (12) and the inflator (14). The cover (16) has a front panel (20), which faces a vehicle occupant, and side panels (22), which laterally surround the inflatable device (12). The reaction plate (18) has a base plate portion (56) to which the inflatable device (12), the inflator (14), and the cover (16) are attached. The reaction plate (18) has at least one projection (77, 88) extending from the base plate portion (56). The at least one projection (77, 88) overlies at least a portion of at least one of the side panels (22) of the cover (16) to resist deformation of the at least one side panel laterally away from the inflator (14) as the inflatable device (12) inflates.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.