Airbag cover assembly

The airbag cover assembly addresses light leakage and disengagement issues by using thermally formed dual engagement mechanisms, ensuring secure attachment and controlled illumination of the emblem.

WO2025202383A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2025-10-02AUTOLIV DEV AB

Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/EP2025/058438
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2024-03-27
Filing Date
2025-03-27
Publication Date
2025-10-02

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing airbag cover assemblies with illuminated emblems suffer from light leakage and disengagement issues, compromising aesthetic appeal and functionality.

Method used

An airbag cover assembly with a thermally formed covering member and emblem structure, featuring dual engagement mechanisms and thermal coupling, ensures secure attachment and prevents light leakage while allowing emblem illumination.

Benefits of technology

The assembly maintains aesthetic appeal by preventing light leakage and ensuring the emblem remains visible only when illuminated, while remaining secure during airbag deployment.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure EP2025058438_02102025_PF_FP_ABST
    Figure EP2025058438_02102025_PF_FP_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

An airbag cover assembly (100) including an airbag cover (102) including a frontal wall defining a cavity (120) and a plurality of apertures (130) arrayed along a periphery of the frontal wall and a plurality of engagement structures (140). The airbag cover assembly includes an emblem structure (160) having an emblem configured to illuminate and arranged inside the cavity and coupled to the airbag cover. The airbag cover assembly includes a covering member arranged abutting the frontal wall of the airbag cover and disposed covering the emblem structure. The covering member includes a plurality of protrusions (180) having thermally formed heads (184) arranged inside the plurality of apertures and a plurality of retention structures mechanically engaged with the plurality of engagement structures. The covering member allows a passage of light from an inside to an outside of the cover assembly upon illumination of the emblem to enable a viewing of the emblem from the outside.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

AIRBAG COVER ASSEMBLYTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates, generally, to an airbag cover assembly, and more particularly relates to a driver airbag cover assembly configured to illuminate.BACKGROUND

[0002] Airbag systems are commonly used on vehicles and especially in steering wheels. These airbags are designed to inflate during an accident to prevent a driver from harmful impact with the steering wheel during a crash. Manufacturers of the vehicles place their logo / emblem on the airbag cover to enhance the styling and aesthetics of the airbag cover. Moreover, some logo / emblem have a metallic chrome portion for improved appearance.SUMMARY

[0003] One aspect of the disclosure is to provide an airbag cover assembly. The airbag cover assembly includes an airbag cover including a frontal wall defining a cavity and a plurality of apertures arrayed along a periphery of the frontal wall. The airbag cover includes a plurality of engagement structures. The airbag cover assembly further includes an emblem structure having an emblem and arranged inside the cavity and coupled to the airbag cover. The emblem is configured to illuminate. The airbag cover assembly further includes a covering member arranged abutting the frontal wall of the cover and disposed covering the emblem structure. The covering member includes a plurality of protrusions having thermally formed heads arranged inside the plurality of apertures. The covering member also includes a plurality of retention structures mechanically engaged with the plurality of engagement structures.

[0004] Due to the dual engagement of the covering member with the airbag cover i.e., frontal wall and due to the thermal coupling of covering member with the airbag cover,sealing contact is formed between a rear surface of the covering member and a front surface of the frontal wall, preventing any leakage of light and illumination of the covering member except the area corresponding to the emblem. Moreover, the mechanical fastening of the covering member with the airbag cover via the engagement structures and the retention structures prevents a disengagement of the covering member from the airbag cover during assembly and prior to the thermal coupling of the airbag cover with the covering member.

[0005] The covering member allows a passage of light from an inside of the cover assembly to an outside of the cover assembly upon illumination of the emblem to enable a viewing of the emblem from the outside. Accordingly, the covering member remains dark when the emblem is not illuminated from inside, giving a phantom effect.

[0006] In some embodiments, the heads are thermally formed by a hot air cold staking process.

[0007] In some embodiments, the covering member includes an outer edge disposed aligned with an outer edge of the frontal wall of the airbag cover. This prevents leakage of light from the sides of the covering member and the airbag cover.

[0008] In some embodiments, the emblem structure includes a light source to illuminate the emblem. The light source is either embedded inside the emblem structure or attached to rear surface of a body of the emblem structure.

[0009] In some embodiments, the light source is switch on automatically upon starting of the vehicle.

[0010] In some embodiments, a first surface of the emblem structure is arranged flush with the first surface of the frontal wall of the airbag cover to prevent any light leakage between the emblem structure and the frontal wall except the area corresponding to the emblem.

[0011] In some embodiments, the covering member is made of a translucent material to allow passing of the light through the covering member upon illumination of the emblem by the light source. This helps in keeping the covering member dark and prevent a viewing of internal features of the airbag cover assembly from an outside of the airbag cover assembly.

[0012] In some embodiments, the airbag cover includes a pair of tear lines disposed spaced apart and opposite to each other, wherein the cavity, the plurality of apertures, and the plurality of engagement structures are disposed inside a space defined between the pair of tear lines. As the airbag cover is torn along the tear lines as the airbag is deployed and inflated, the positioning of the cavity, the apertures and engagements structure between the tear lines ensure that the emblem structure and a portion of the covering member remains engaged with the airbag cover during deployment of the airbag preventing various components of the airbag cover assembly being thrown and flying independently of the airbag cover.

[0013] In some embodiments, the plurality of engagement structures includes a plurality of grooves and the plurality of retention structures includes a plurality of tabs extending inside the plurality of grooves to enable a snap fitting of the covering member with the airbag cover.

[0014] In some embodiments, the airbag cover defines a plurality of slots and the emblem structure includes a plurality of projections arranged inside the plurality of slots with ends of the plurality of projections arranged inside the plurality of slots includes thermally formed heads. In some embodiments, the heads are thermally formed by a hot air cold staking process.

[0015] One aspect of the disclosure is to provide a method for assembling an airbag cover assembly. The method includes providing an airbag cover having a frontal wall with a first surface and a second surface arranged opposite to the first surface. Thefrontal wall defines a cavity and a plurality of apertures arrayed along a periphery of the first surface. The airbag cover includes a plurality of engagement structures. The method further includes providing an emblem structure blank having an emblem configured to illuminate and providing a covering member blank including a plurality of pins and a plurality of retention structures. The method also includes coupling the emblem structure blank with the airbag cover such that the emblem structure blank is disposed inside the cavity. The method further includes engaging the plurality of retention structures of the covering member blank with the plurality of engagement structures of the airbag cover and inserting the plurality of pins inside the plurality of apertures upon coupling the emblem structure blank with the airbag cover. Moreover, the method includes positioning the airbag cover assembly on a jig such that the first surface of the frontal wall of the airbag cover is arranged underneath the second surface of the airbag cover, and thermally forming an end of each of the plurality of pins arranged inside the plurality of apertures into a head to prevent a removal of the covering member from the airbag cover.

[0016] In some embodiments, the thermal forming includes a hot air cold staking process.

[0017] The mechanical fastening of the covering member with the airbag cover via the engagement structures and the retention structures prevents a disengagement of the covering member from the airbag cover during assembly and prior to the thermal coupling of the airbag cover with the covering member.

[0018] In some embodiments, coupling the emblem structure blank with the airbag cover includes inserting a plurality of projection pins of the emblem structure blank inside a plurality of slots of the airbag cover and thermally forming an end of each of the plurality of projection pins arranged inside the plurality of slots of the airbag cover into a head to prevent a removal of the emblem structure blank from the airbag cover.

[0019] In some embodiments, the thermal forming includes a hot air cold staking process.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGSHaving thus described example embodiments of the present disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates steering wheel with an airbag cover assembly depicting an illuminated emblem of the airbag cover assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates a front perspective view of the airbag cover assembly removed from the steering wheel without illumination of the emblem, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates a front perspective view of the airbag cover assembly of FIG. 2 with a covering member removed, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of the airbag cover assembly of FIG. 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0024] FIG. 5 illustrates a rear perspective view of the airbag cover assembly of FIG. 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0025] FIG. 6 illustrates a sectional perspective view of the airbag cover assembly of FIG. 5 depicting a plurality of protrusions of the covering member arranged inside a plurality of apertures of an airbag cover of the airbag cover assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0026] FIG. 7 illustrates a sectional perspective view of the airbag cover assembly of FIG. 5 depicting a plurality of projections of an emblem structure arranged inside a plurality of slots of the airbag cover of the airbag cover assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0027] FIG. 8 illustrates a rear perspective view of the covering member, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 9 illustrates a rear perspective view of an emblem structure blank, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure; and

[0029] FIG. 10 illustrates a rear perspective view of a covering member blank, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present disclosure can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, apparatus and methods are shown in block diagram form only in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure.

[0031] Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The appearance of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Further, the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. Moreover, various features are described which maybe exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not for other embodiments.

[0032] Some embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the disclosure are shown. Indeed, various embodiments of the disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. The use of any term should not be taken to limit the spirit and scope of embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0033] The embodiments are described herein for illustrative purposes and are subject to many variations. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient but are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or the scope of the present disclosure. Further, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. Any heading utilized within this description is for convenience only and has no legal or limiting effect.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 1, an airbag cover assembly 100 mounted to a steering wheel 200 of a vehicle is shown. The steering wheel 200 includes a hub 202 arranged substantially centrally to the steering wheel 200, a rim 204 disposed circularly around the hub 202, and a pair of spokes 206 connecting the hub 202 and the rim 204. As shown, the airbag cover assembly 100 is mounted to the hub 202 of the steering wheel 200 and is arranged covering an airbag (not shown) that is arranged inside the hub 202 in a deflated state. It may be appreciated that the airbag may be arranged inside a housing that is disposed inside the hub 202. In some embodiments, the hub 202 mayact as a housing that retains the airbag. The airbag is adapted to inflate with the help of a suitable mechanism in case of an emergency, such as, crash or accident to protect a driver. When the airbag is inflated, the airbag cover assembly 100 is tom to enable deployment of the airbag to provide a cushion to the driver to protect the driver from any injury.

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the airbag cover assembly 100 includes an airbag cover 102 having a frontal wall 104 adapted to be torn to enable the deployment of the airbag, a lateral sidewall 106 extending rearwardly of edges of the frontal wall 104. The frontal wall 104 includes a first surface 108 that is arranged facing the driver of the vehicle in an assembly of the steering wheel 200 inside the vehicle. As shown, the frontal wall 104 includes a pair of longitudinal edges, for example, a first longitudinal edge 110 and a second longitudinal edge 112, and a pair of lateral edges, for example, a first lateral edge 114 and a second lateral edge 116, extending between the pair of longitudinal edges 110, 112 and connecting the pair of longitudinal edges 110, 112. The pair of longitudinal edges 110,112 and the pair of lateral edges together 114, 116 define an outer edge 118 of the frontal wall 104. Further, the frontal wall 104 defines a cavity 120 that may be arranged substantially centrally to the frontal wall 104, and extends rearwardly of the first surface 108 through a thickness of the frontal wall 104. Further, the airbag cover 102 includes a rear wall 122 arranged rearwardly of the frontal wall 104 and covering the cavity 120 from the rear and includes a front surface 124 (i.e., first surface 124) and a rear surface 126 (i.e., second surface 126) arranged opposite to the front surface 124. Accordingly, the rear wall 122 is arranged at an offset from the frontal wall 104.

[0036] Further, the frontal wall 104 defines a plurality of apertures 130 extending from the first surface 108 of the frontal wall 104 towards a second surface 132 (shown in FIG. 5) and arrayed along periphery of the frontal wall 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the apertures 130 are arranged between cavity 120 and the edges 110,112, 114, 116 of the frontal wall 104. In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, each aperture 130 includes a horizontally oriented T shape having an elongated portion 134 extending from the first surface 108 towards the second surface 132 and a head portion 136 arranged proximate to the second surface 132. It may be appreciated that a diameter of the head portion 136 is greater than a diameter of the elongated portion 134 of the aperture 130.

[0037] Moreover, referring back to FIGS. 3 and 4, the airbag cover 102 includes a plurality of engagement structures 140. In the embodiment, the engagement structures 140 are grooves 142 extending rearwardly from the first surface 108 of the frontal wall 104. Additionally, referring to FIG. 5, the second surface 132 of the frontal wall 104 defines a pair of tear lines 144, 146 along which the airbag cover 102 is torn during the deployment of the airbag. As shown in FIG. 5, the pair of tear lines, for example, a first tear line 144 and a second tear line 146, are arranged spaced apart and facing each other defining a space 150 therebetween. In the illustrated embodiment, the first tear line 144 extends along the first longitudinal edge 110 of the frontal wall 104 and is disposed proximate to the first longitudinal edge 110, while the second tear line 146 extends along the second longitudinal edge 112 of the frontal wall 104 and is disposed proximate to the second longitudinal edge 112. Also, it may be appreciated that the cavity 120, the apertures 130, and the engagement structures 140 are arranged to be disposed inside the space 150 defined between the pair of tear lines 144, 146.

[0038] Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the airbag cover assembly 100 includes an emblem structure 160 arranged inside the cavity 120 and attached to the rear wall 122 i.e., the airbag cover 102. As shown, the emblem structure 160 includes a flat body 162 having a first surface 164 and a second surface 166 arranged opposite to the first surface 164 and abutting the first surface 124 of the rear wall 122. The flat body 162 is sized and arranged inside the cavity 120 so as to prevent a leakage of light from an interface of the body 162 with the frontal wall 104. Moreover, in the assembly of the emblemstructure 160 inside the cavity 120, a first surface 164 of the flat body 162 i.e., emblem structure 160 is arranged flush with the first surface 108 of the frontal wall 104. Further, the emblem structure 160 includes an emblem 170 arranged substantially centrally to the flat body 162 adapted to illuminate under a light from a light source 172 (shown in FIG. 9) embedded inside or attached to the flat body 162.

[0039] To facilitate the attachment of the emblem structure 160 with the rear wall 122, the rear wall 122 defines a plurality of slots 174 extending from the first surface 124 towards the rear surface 126. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, each of the slots 174 includes a horizontally oriented T-shape having an elongated portion 176 extending through a thickness of the flat body 162 from the first surface 124 of the flat body 162 and a head portion 178 arranged proximate to the rear surface 126 and connected to the first surface 124. A diameter of the elongated portion 176 is greater than a diameter of the head portion 178.

[0040] The emblem structure 160 includes a plurality of projections 180 extending rearwardly from a rear surface of the flat body 162 and extending inside the slots 174. As shown, each projection 180 includes an elongated rod 182 extending inside the elongated portion 176 of the slot 174 and a head / retaining member 184 arranged inside the head portion 178 of the associated slot. It may be appreciated the heads 184 are thermally formed heads formed during attachment of the emblem structure 160 with the rear wall 122 i.e., airbag cover 102 by a thermal forming process, for example, a hot air cold staking process (HACS). The thermally formed heads 184 prevent the removal of the projections 180 from the slots 174, thereby preventing the disengagement of the emblem structure 160 from the airbag cover 102. Also, the flat body 162 is made of substantially opaque material, while the emblem 170 is made of translucent material or transparent material. The translucent or transparent material allows the illumination of the emblem 170 when the light source 172 is switched on / activated. It may be appreciated that the light source 172 may be activatedautomatically upon starting of the vehicle or pressing or insertion of start key of the vehicle.

[0041] Further, referring to FIGS. 2, 4, and 8, to cover the frontal wall 104 and the emblem structure 160, the airbag cover assembly 100 includes a covering member 190 attached to the frontal wall 104 i.e., airbag cover 102. As shown, the covering member 190 includes an outer edge 192 aligned with the outer edge 118 of the frontal wall 104 i.e., airbag cover 102, as shown in FIG. 2. As shown, the outer edge 192 includes a pair of longitudinal edges 250, 252 that are arranged aligned with the pair of longitudinal edges 110, 112 of the airbag cover 102, and a pair of lateral edges 254, 256 arranged aligned with the pair of lateral edges 114, 116 of the airbag cover 102. In some embodiments, the lateral edges 254, 256 of the covering member 190 may extend beyond the lateral edges 114, 116 of the airbag cover 102.

[0042] To enable the attachment of the covering member 190 with the frontal wall 104 i.e., airbag cover 102, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 8, the covering member 190 includes a plurality of protrusions 194 having an elongated rod portion 196 and heads / retaining members 198 arranged at the ends of the protrusions 194. In the assembly of the covering member 190 with the frontal wall 104 i.e., airbag cover 102, the elongated rod portions 196 extend inside the elongated portions 134 of the apertures 130, while the heads 198 are arranged inside the head portions 136 of the apertures. It may be appreciated that the heads 198 are thermally formed heads formed during attachment of the covering member 190 with the frontal wall 104 i.e., airbag cover 102 by athermal forming process, for example, a hot air cold staking process (HACS). The thermally formed heads 198 prevent the removal of the protrusions 194 from the apertures 130, thereby preventing the disengagement of the covering member 190 from the airbag cover 102.

[0043] Further, the covering member 190 includes a plurality of retention structures 220, shown in FIG. 8, mechanically engaged with the plurality of engagementstructures 140. In the illustrated embodiment, each retention structure 220 includes a hook shaped tab 222 that engages with the groove 142 of the airbag cover 102. The tabs 222 are snap fitted with the grooves 142 of the airbag cover 102. The dual connection of the covering member 190 with the frontal wall 104 i.e., airbag cover 102 prevents any leakage of the light from the outer edge 192 of the covering member 190 as well as prevent the leakage of light between the first surface 108 of the frontal wall 104 and a rear surface 224 of the covering member 190 as well as between the flat body 162 of the emblem structure 160 and the rear surface 224 of the covering member 190. This is achieved as the rear surface 224 of the covering member 190 is arranged in abutment with the first surface 108 of the frontal wall 104 and the flat body 162 of the emblem structure 160 due to the thermally formed connection and the dual connection of the covering member 190 and the frontal wall 104. Also, the covering member 190 is made of a suitable material that allows a passage of light from an inside of the airbag cover assembly 100 to an outside of the airbag cover assembly 100 upon illumination of the emblem 170 to enable a viewing of the emblem 170 from the outside. However, the covering member 190 prevents a viewing of an inside of the airbag cover assembly 100 due to illumination from a light source 172 arranged outside of the airbag cover assembly 100. Accordingly, the covering member 190 remains dark when the light source 172 is switched off, making the emblem 170 invisible.

[0044] A method for assembling / forming the airbag cover assembly 100 is now explained. The method includes coupling an emblem structure blank 160’ (shown in FIG. 9) with the airbag cover 102. It may be appreciated that the emblem structure blank 160’ is similar to the emblem structure 160 except that emblem structure blank 160’ includes a plurality of projection pins 180’ instead of the plurality of projections 180. It may be appreciated that the plurality of projection pins 180’ is thermally formed into the plurality of projections 180 during the coupling of the emblem structure blank 160’ with the airbag cover 102. For coupling the emblem structure blank 160’ with the airbag cover 102, the emblem structure blank 160’ is arranged inside the cavity 120 ofthe airbag cover 102 such that the first surface 164 of the emblem structure blank 160’ is arranged flush with the first surface 108 of the frontal wall 104 of the airbag cover 102, and the plurality of projection pins 180’ extends inside the plurality of slots 174 with free end portions of the projection pins 180’ disposed inside the head portions 178 of the slots 174. Upon inserting the plurality of projection pins 180’ inside the plurality of slots 174, the free ends of projection pins 180’ are thermally formed into heads 184 by using the hot air cold staking process to achieve a firm coupling of the emblem structure 160 with the airbag cover 102.

[0045] Subsequently, a covering member blank 190’ (shown in FIG. 10) is coupled to the airbag cover 102. It may be appreciated that the covering member blank 190’ is similar to the covering member 190 except that the covering member blank 190’ includes a plurality of pins 194’ instead of the plurality of protrusions 194. It may be appreciated that the plurality of pins 194’ is thermally formed into the plurality of protrusions 194 during the coupling of the covering member blank 190’ with the airbag cover 102. For coupling the covering member blank 190’ with the airbag cover 102, the plurality of retention structures 220 of the covering member blank 190’ is engaged with the plurality of engagement structures 140 of the airbag cover 102 i.e., the tabs 222 are inserted inside the grooves 142 and the coupled with the frontal wall 104. In so doing, the plurality of pins 194’ is also extended / inserted inside the plurality of apertures 130 such that the free end portions of the pins 194’ are arranged inside the head portions 136 of the apertures 130. The mechanical engagement of the tabs 222 with the grooves 142 prevents a disengagement of the covering member blank 190’ from the airbag cover 102, and hence the removal of pins 194’ from the plurality of apertures 130, during transfer of the assembly to jig. Thereafter, the airbag cover assembly 100 is positioned on the jig such that the first surface 108 of the airbag cover 102 is arranged underneath the second surface 132 of the airbag cover 102, and ends of the pins 194’ are thermally formed into heads 198 by using the hot air cold staking process.

[0046] Many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosures set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these disclosures pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosures are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and / or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and / or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and / or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

Claims1. An airbag cover assembly, comprising: an airbag cover including a frontal wall defining a cavity and a plurality of apertures arrayed along a periphery of the frontal wall, the airbag cover includes a plurality of engagement structures; an emblem structure having an emblem and arranged inside the cavity and coupled to the airbag cover, wherein the emblem is configured to illuminate; and a covering member arranged abutting the frontal wall of the airbag cover and disposed covering the emblem structure and including a plurality of protrusions having thermally formed heads arranged inside the plurality of apertures, and a plurality of retention structures mechanically engaged with the plurality of engagement structures, wherein the covering member allows a passage of light from an inside of the airbag cover assembly to an outside of the airbag cover assembly upon illumination of the emblem to enable a viewing of the emblem from the outside.

2. The airbag cover assembly of claim 1, wherein the emblem structure includes a light source to illuminate the emblem.

3. The airbag cover assembly of claim 1, wherein a first surface of the emblem structure is arranged flush with a first surface of the frontal wall of the airbag cover.

4. The airbag cover assembly of claim 1, wherein the covering member is made of a translucent material to allow passing of the light through the covering member upon illumination of the emblem by the light source.

5. The airbag cover assembly of claim 1, wherein the airbag cover includes a pair of tear lines disposed spaced apart and opposite to each other, wherein the cavity, the plurality of apertures, and the plurality of engagement structures are disposed inside a space defined between the pair of tear lines.

6. The airbag cover assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of engagement structures includes a plurality of grooves and the plurality of retention structures includes a plurality of tabs extending inside the plurality of grooves to enable a snap fitting of the covering member with the airbag cover.

7. The airbag cover assembly of claim 1, wherein the airbag cover defines a plurality of slots and the emblem structure includes a plurality of projections arranged inside the plurality of slots with ends of the plurality of projections arranged inside the plurality of slots includes thermally formed heads.

8. A method for assembling an airbag cover assembly, the method comprising: providing an airbag cover having a frontal wall with a first surface and a second surface arranged opposite to the first surface, the frontal wall defines a cavity and a plurality of apertures arrayed along a periphery of the frontal wall, the airbag cover includes a plurality of engagement structures; providing an emblem structure blank having an emblem configured to illuminate; providing a covering member blank including a plurality of pins and a plurality of retention structures;coupling the emblem structure blank with the airbag cover such that the emblem structure blank is disposed inside the cavity; engaging the plurality of retention structures of the covering member with the plurality of engagement structures of the airbag cover and inserting the plurality of pins inside the plurality of apertures upon coupling the emblem structure with the airbag cover; positioning the airbag cover assembly on a jig such that the first surface of frontal wall of the airbag cover is arranged underneath the second surface; and thermally forming an end of each of the plurality of pins arranged inside the plurality of apertures into a head to prevent a removal of the covering member from the airbag cover.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein coupling the emblem structure with the airbag cover includes inserting a plurality of projection pins of the emblem structure blank inside a plurality of slots of the airbag cover, and thermally forming an end of each of the plurality of projection pins arranged inside the plurality of slots of the airbag cover into a head to prevent a removal of the emblem structure blank from the airbag cover.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Method for illuminating colors in a backlit driver airbag emblem

    US20100102538A1

  • Airbag Covering and Method for Producing Same

    US20170001592A1

  • Driver airbag module with lighting device

    US20220080919A1

Cited By

  • Steering device

    US20260152144A1