US5503427A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Energy absorption cover for passenger-side airbag module
Assignee: Autoliv ASP Inc
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Filing: 1995-03-30
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Granted: 1996-04-02
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Expires: 2015-03-30
Abstract
Abstract The cover of a passenger-side airbag module is provided with an energy absorption zone to protect the passenger during head impact. The zone is in the form of corrugations which extend across the mouth of the airbag module. The corrugations crush upon impact, thereby absorbing energy.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Ravenberg
- 👤 Larry D. Rose
- 👤 Russell S. Gans
- 👤 Stewart L. Richards
- 👤 Patrick G. Jarboe
- 👤 Mark Rogers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 06:02
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/20; B60R21/215; B60R21/04; B60R21/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
In a motor vehicle passenger side restraint module of the type including a housing mounted behind the instrument panel of the vehicle having edges defining an open mouth closely adjacent said panel, an airbag stowed within said housing, means for inflating said airbag upon the occurrence of a collision of preselected magnitude, and a door in said instrument panel covering the open mouth of said housing and displaceable by the inflation of said airbag, the improvement comprising: a relatively thin sheet mounted between said door and said housing defining a plurality of elongated corrugations spanning the open mouth of said housing and crushable against the edges of said housing to absorb energy and protect an occupant upon impact with said door.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a motor vehicle passenger side restraint module of the type including a housing mounted behind the instrument panel of the vehicle having edges defining an open mouth closely adjacent said panel, an airbag stowed within said housing, means for inflating said airbag upon the occurrence of a collision of preselected magnitude, and a door in said instrument panel covering the open mouth of said housing and displaceable by the inflation of said airbag, the improvement comprising: a relatively thin sheet mounted between said door and said housing defining a plurality of elongated corrugations spanning the open mouth of said housing and crushable against the edges of said housing to absorb energy and protect an occupant upon impact with said door.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said corrugations are substantially parallel and said sheet is attached to said door along attachment regions intermediate said corrugations.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The improvement of claim 2 wherein said corrugations are substantially triangular in cross section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The improvement of claim 2 wherein said door comprises a sheet metal substrate forming a rear surface facing said housing and a decorative surface forming a portion of said instrument panel and wherein said corrugated sheet is attached to said substrate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The improvement of claim 4 additionally comprising a compressible layer intermediate said rear surface and decorative surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The improvement of claim 4 wherein said corrugated sheet is metal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The improvement of claim 6 wherein said corrugations are substantially triangular in cross section.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein the corrugated sheet is positioned intermediate, and spaced from each of, said door and said housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The improvement of claim 8 wherein said corrugations are substantially parallel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The improvement of claim 9 wherein said corrugations are substantially triangular in cross section.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The improvement of claim 9 additionally comprising means for supporting said corrugated sheet on said housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improvement of claim 9 wherein said corrugated sheet is formed sheet metal having a peripheral stiffening rim.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The improvement of claim 12 wherein said corrugations are substantially triangular in cross section.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The improvement of claim 13 additionally comprising means for supporting said corrugated sheet on said housing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The improvement of claim 14 wherein said supporting means is a bracket.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
104 words
A door mountable in an opening in an automotive instrument panel over the open mouth of an airbag housing comprising: a sheet metal substrate having a rear surface adapted to face said housing and a front surface; a decorative coating on the front surface of said substrate adapted to close said opening and form a continuation of said instrument panel; and a corrugated sheet mounted on the rear surface of said substrate having corrugations positioned to span the open mouth of said airbag housing and crushable against the edges of said housing to absorb energy and protect an occupant upon impact with said door.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
104 words
A door mountable in an opening in an automotive instrument panel over the open mouth of an airbag housing comprising: a sheet metal substrate having a rear surface adapted to face said housing and a front surface; a decorative coating on the front surface of said substrate adapted to close said opening and form a continuation of said instrument panel; and a corrugated sheet mounted on the rear surface of said substrate having corrugations positioned to span the open mouth of said airbag housing and crushable against the edges of said housing to absorb energy and protect an occupant upon impact with said door.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The door of claim 16 wherein said corrugations are substantially parallel and said sheet is mounted to said substrate along attachment regions intermediate said corrugations.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The door of claim 17 wherein said corrugations are substantially triangular in cross section.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
10 words
The door of claim 17 wherein said sheet is metal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The door of claim 19 wherein said corrugations are substantially triangular in cross section.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-04-02 | 1999-10-02 | 2000-04-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-04-02 | 2003-10-02 | 2004-04-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-04-02 | 2007-10-02 | 2008-04-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |