Inflatable airbag flap articulated to an instrument panel by a tether designed to release an additional length of tether when this flap opens
US8602446B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 23, 2011 |
| Grant date | Dec 10, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 23, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R2021/2163
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The invention relates to a vehicle instrument panel inflatable airbag arrangement (11), comprising a flap covering an airbag module, a tether (18) secured to the flap and to fixed means (16) rigidly secured to the instrument panel to constitute an articulation of the flap with respect to the instrument panel.According to the invention, a portion (21) of the flexible tether (18) passes around a limit stop (19) that forms part of the fixed means (16) while being fixed to these fixed means (16) a certain distance away from this limit stop (19) so that when the flap opens, the linear tether (18) is torn out of the fixed means (16) in order to come to press against the limit stop (19) in order to release an additional length of tether making it possible to increase the mobility of the flap.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.