Airbag cover

Abstract

An airbag cover (104) for an airbag assembly (100) adapted to be mounted on a steering wheel (200)of a vehicle is disclosed. The airbag cover (104) includes at least one tear line (132) defining a gate (133) arranged to be opened upon actuation of the airbag assembly and at least one hinge section (135) arranged between two ends of the at least one tear line (132) and disposed offset from a center (182) of the gate (133). The gate (133) rotates and opens about the at least one hinge section (135) upon actuation of the airbag assembly. The airbag cover (104) further includes at least one reinforcement wall (180) arranged between the center of the gate (182) and the at least one hinge section (135).

Description

AIRBAG COVERTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates, generally, to an airbag cover for an airbag assembly, and more particularly relates to an airbag cover having a suitable reinforcement structure to prevent a detachment of at least one gate from the airbag cover during deployment of an airbag.BACKGROUND

[0002] Airbag systems are commonly used on vehicles and especially in steering wheels. These airbags are housed inside an airbag cover and designed to inflate during a crash. To facilitate deployment of the airbag, the airbag cover is designed to be torn along at least one predefined tear line. However, it has been observed that during deployment of the airbag, an uncontrolled tearing of the airbag cover may occur, leading to tearing of the airbag beyond the predefined tear line and detachment of a portion of the airbag cover, which is undesirable.SUMMARY

[0003] One aspect of the disclosure is to provide an airbag cover for an airbag assembly adapted to be mounted to a steering wheel of a vehicle. The airbag cover includes at least one tear line defining a gate arranged to be opened upon actuation of the airbag assembly and at least one hinge section arranged between two ends of the at least one tear line and disposed offset from a center of the gate. The gate rotates and opens about the at least one hinge section upon actuation of the airbag assembly. The airbag cover further includes at least one reinforcement wall arranged between the center of the gate and the at least one hinge section. The at least one reinforcement wall restricts / prevents the tearing of the airbag cover beyond the at least one tear line and along the hinge section and therefore prevents the separation of the gate from the airbag cover during deployment of the airbag.

[0004] In some embodiments, the at least one reinforcement wall extends along the at least one hinge section.

[0005] In some embodiments, the at least one reinforcement wall is connected to the tear line and extending towards the at least one hinge section from the at least one tear line.

[0006] In some embodiments, the at least one reinforcement wall at least partially overlaps the at least one hinge section.

[0007] In some embodiments, the airbag cover includes a frontal wall adapted to be arranged facing a driver and configured to receive an emblem and an inclined wall arranged at an inclination relative to the frontal wall. The at least one hinge section is defined by the inclined wall and the at least one reinforcement wall is arranged at a junction of the inclined wall and the frontal wall. The arrangement of the reinforcement wall at the junction provides additional strength against tearing. Moreover, due to change in the angle in moving from the frontal wall to the inclined wall, a tearing direction is changed, reducing a transmission of tearing force from one plane to another plane.

[0008] In some embodiments, the at least one hinge section and the at least one reinforcement wall extend parallel to each other, increasing resistance against tearing along the at least one hinge section.

[0009] In some embodiments, the at least one reinforcement wall includes a pair of reinforcement walls arranged symmetrically about a central axis that lies in a plane of the frontal wall.

[0010] In some embodiments, the airbag cover includes a pair of stopper structures arranged at the two ends of the at least one tear line to prevent a tearing of the airbag cover beyond the ends of the tear lines.

[0011] In some embodiments, at least one of the pair of stopper structures includes a substantially inverted hook, and at least one of the ends of the at least one tear line is arranged inside the hook. The arrangement of the ends inside the hook prevents the advancement of tearing during actuation of the airbag assembly. Also, the hook shapestructure prevents the occurrence of tearing in different directions from the ends of the tear line.

[0012] In some embodiments, the airbag cover further includes at least one reinforcement rib arranged between the hook and the first hinge section to prevent the tearing of the airbag cover beyond the associated tear lines.

[0013] In some embodiments, the at least one tear line includes a pair of tear lines arranged spaced apart and proximate to a pair of longitudinal edges of the airbag cover, the least one hinge section includes a pair of hinge sections disposed proximate to a pair of lateral edges of the airbag cover and arranged between the pair of tear lines, and the at least one reinforcement wall is disposed between a first hinge section of the pair of hinge sections and the center of the gate. By having two tear lines the airbag can be deployed relatively quickly.

[0014] In some embodiments, the airbag cover includes a separation line arranged proximate to a second hinge section of the pair of hinge sections and extending between the pair of tear lines, connecting the pair of tear lines, wherein the separation line divides the gate into a pair of gate portions with a first gate portion arranged to rotate about the first hinge section and the second gate portion arranged to rotate about the second hinge section. As the gate is divided into two gate portions, weight of each gate portion is lesser relative to a single gate, reducing the force of tearing of the airbag cover at the ends of the tear line, thereby preventing the separation of the gate portions from the airbag cover during actuation of the airbag assembly.

[0015] In some embodiments, the airbag cover includes a plurality of vertically extending ribs arrayed in a lateral direction and disposed between the first hinge section and the separation line. The vertical ribs provide additional strength against tearing along the at least one hinge section.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:

[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a steering wheel with an airbag assembly depicting an illuminated emblem, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a front perspective view of an airbag cover assembly of the airbag assembly removed from the steering wheel without illumination of the emblem, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the airbag cover assembly of FIG. 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure,

[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates a rear perspective view of the airbag cover assembly of FIG.2 depicting an airbag cover having a pair of tear lines, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates a rear perspective view of the airbag cover assembly of FIG. 2 depicting an airbag cover without a sidewall and illustrating at least reinforcement wall and stopper structures, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure; and

[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates a sectional perspective view of the airbag cover assembly of FIG. 4 depicting a frontal wall and an inclined wall arranged at a suitable angle to the frontal wall, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] 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, apparatusand methods are shown in block diagram form only in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure.

[0023] 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 may be 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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 descriptionand should not be regarded as limiting. Any heading utilized within this description is for convenience only and has no legal or limiting effect.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, an airbag 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 assembly 100 is mounted to the hub 202 of the steering wheel 200 and includes an airbag (not shown). It may be appreciated that the airbag may be arranged, in a deflated state, inside a housing that is disposed inside the hub 202. In some embodiments, the hub 202 may act 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, an airbag cover assembly 102 of the airbag assembly 100 is torn to enable deployment of the airbag to provide a cushion to the driver to protect the driver from any injury.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the airbag cover assembly 102 includes an airbag cover 104, an emblem structure 105 having an emblem 106 arranged inside a cavity 108 of the airbag cover 104, and a covering member 110 coupled to the airbag cover 104 and arranged covering the airbag cover 104 and the emblem structure 105. In the illustrated embodiment, the emblem 106 is illuminated by a light source. Although the airbag cover assembly 102 having separate airbag cover 104, the emblem structure 105, and the covering member 110 is shown and contemplated, it may be appreciated that one or more of the airbag cover 104, the emblem structure 105 and the covering member 110 are integrally formed. In some embodiments, the emblem 106 may be etched or formed on the covering member 110, and the covering member 110 is integrally formed with the airbag cover 104.

[0028] Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the airbag cover 104 includes a wall 120 adapted to be torn during the deployment of the airbag, a sidewall 121 extending rearwardly of the wall 120 and coupled to the housing of the airbag assembly 100. The wall 120 mayinclude a frontal wall 122 and an inclined wall 124 arranged at an inclination / angle relative the frontal wall 122. The wall 120 includes a first surface 126 that is arranged facing the driver of the vehicle in an assembly of the steering wheel 200 inside the vehicle and a second surface 128 arranged opposite to the first surface 126. As shown, the wall 120 includes an outer edge 130 and the airbag cover 104 includes at least one tear line 132 arranged proximate to the outer edge 130 of the airbag cover 104. The at least one tear line 132 defines a gate 133 that is opened upon actuation of the airbag assembly 100 about at least one hinge section 135 of the airbag cover 104 to enable the deployment of the airbag.

[0029] In the illustrated embodiment, the outer edge 130 includes a pair of longitudinal edges, for example, a first longitudinal edge 134 and a second longitudinal edge 136, and a pair of lateral edges, for example, a first lateral edge 138 and a second lateral edge 140, extending between the pair of longitudinal edges 134, 136 and connecting the pair of longitudinal edges 134, 136. Also, the at least one tear line 132 includes a first tear line 132a and a second tear line 132b disposed spaced apart and the opposite to the first tear line 132a. As shown, the first tear line 132a is arranged proximate to the first longitudinal edge 134 of the wall 120 and extends in a longitudinal direction along the first longitudinal edge 134. Similarly, the second tear line 132b is arranged proximate to the second longitudinal edge 136 of the wall 120 and extends in the longitudinal direction along the second longitudinal edge 136. The wall 120 and hence airbag cover 104 is adapted to tom along the tear lines 132a, 132b during the deployment of the airbag.

[0030] As shown, the first tear line 132a extends in an arcuate shape along the first longitudinal edge 134 with a first end 142 of the first tear line 132a arranged on the inclined wall 124. Similarly, the second tear line 132b extends along in an arcuate shape along the second longitudinal edge 136 of the wall 120 with a first end 144 of the second tear line 132b disposed on the inclined wall 124. As shown, the first ends 142, 144 of the tear lines 132a, 132b are arranged opposite to and facing each other. Further,the wall 120 i.e., airbag cover 104 defines a separation line 148 extending in a lateral direction and connecting the first tear line 132a and the second tear line 132b. As shown, the separation line 148 is arranged proximate to the second lateral edge 140 relative to the first lateral edge 138. It may be appreciated that the airbag cover 104 is torn along the tear lines and the separation line 148 and tear lines 132a, 132b upon the actuation of the airbag assembly 100. Accordingly, the separation line 148 separates / divides the gate 133 into a first gate portion 150 and a second gate portion 152 separated from each other by the separation line 148 and adapted to be opened upon actuation of the airbag assembly 100. As shown, the at least one hinge section 135 includes a first hinge section 135a and a second hinge section 135b along which the first gate portion 150 and the second gate portion 152 are, respectively, rotated / pi voted and hence opened upon actuation of the airbag assembly 100 due to the tearing of the tear lines 132a, 132b and the separation line 148 to allow deployment of the airbag.

[0031] As shown in FIG., the hinge sections 135a, 135b extend in the lateral direction with the first hinge section 135a being arranged on the inclined wall 124 and the second hinge section 135b being arranged spaced apart and opposite to the first hinge section 135a such that the separation line 148 is arranged between the two hinge sections 135a, 135b. In the illustrated embodiment, the second hinge section 135b is disposed proximate to the second lateral edge 140 of the wall 120. Accordingly, the hinge sections 135a, 135b are disposed at an offset from a center of associated gate portions 150, 152. Also, the first hinge section 135a is arranged between the first ends 142, 144 of the tear lines 132a, 132b and extends in the lateral direction between the first ends 142, 144. Similarly, the second hinge section 135b is arranged proximate to second ends 156, 158 of the tear lines 132a, 132b and extends in the lateral direction between the second ends 156, 158.

[0032] To prevent the separation of the gate portions 150, 152 from the airbag cover 104 i.e., the wall 120, and tearing of the gate portions 150, 152 along the respectivehinge sections 135a, 135b beyond the ends 142, 144, 156, 158 of the tear lines 132a, 132b, the airbag cover 104 includes a plurality of stopper structures includes a pair of first stopper structures 162, 164 and a pair of second stopper structures 168, 170. As shown, the pair of first stopper structures 162, 164 are arranged proximate to the first ends 142, 144 of the tear lines 132a, 132b and the pair of second stoppers 168, 170 are disposed proximate to the second ends 156, 158 of the tear lines 132a, 132b. As shown, one first stopper structure 162 is arranged between the first end 142 of the first tear line 132a and the first hinge section 135a in the lateral direction, while other first stopper structure 164 is arranged between the first end 144 of the second tear line 132b and the first hinge section 135a in the lateral direction. Similar to the first stopper structures 162, 164, one second stopper structure 168 is arranged between the second end 156 of first tear line 132a and the second hinge section 135b in the lateral direction, while other second stopper structure 170 is arranged between the second end 158 of the second tear line 132b and the second hinge section 135b in the lateral direction.

[0033] The stopper structures 162, 164, 168, 170 are attached to the rear surface 128 of the wall 120 and protrude outwardly of the wall 120. In the illustrated embodiments, the stopper structures 162, 164, 168, 170 include substantially arcuate structures with the ends 142, 144, 156, 158 of the tear lines 132a, 132b arranged inside the arcuate structures. Accordingly, the stopper structures 162, 164, 168, 170 are arranged at least partially surrounding the ends 142, 144, 156, 158 of the tear lines 132a, 132b. As shown, each of first stopper structures 162, 164 includes a substantially inverted hook having a curved hook portion 174 and a straight portion 176 with the first ends 142, 144 of the tear lines 132a, 132b arranged inside the hook portion 174 of the corresponding first stopper structure 162. The straight portion 176 may also include a slight curve and extends from the corresponding hook portion 174 towards the second lateral edge 140. Moreover, the second stopper structures 168, 170 include substantially half-moon shape or half rings with the second ends 156, 158 of the tear lines 132a, 132b arranged inside the half-moon shape.

[0034] Moreover, to prevent the tearing of section of the wall 120 extending, in the lateral direction, between the first ends 142, 144 of the tear lines 132a, 132b i.e., along the first hinge section 135a and the separation of the first gate portion 150 from the airbag cover 104 during deployment of the airbag, the airbag cover 104 includes at least reinforcement wall 180 extending in the lateral direction and arranged between the first hinge section 135a and a center 182 of the gate 133 in the longitudinal direction. As shown, the at least one reinforcement wall 180 includes a first reinforcement wall 180a and a second reinforcement wall 180b arranged symmetrically about a central axis 184 of the gate 133 or the wall 120. The central axis 184 passes through the center 182 and lies in a plane of the rear surface 128 of the wall 120.

[0035] As shown, the reinforcement walls 180a, 180b are arranged at an interface / junction of the frontal wall 122 and the inclined wall 124 and protrudes rearwardly and outwardly of the rear surface 128 of the wall 120. The first reinforcement wall 180a extends from a location proximate to the first end 142 of the first tear line 132a towards the central axis 184 in the lateral direction. Similarly, the second reinforcement wall 180b extends from a location proximate to the first end 144 of the second tear line 132b towards the central axis 184 in the lateral direction. As shown, the first reinforcement wall 180a is arranged between the first end 142 of the first tear line 132a and the center 182 in the longitudinal direction, while the second reinforcement wall 180b is arranged between the first end 144 of the second tear line 132b and the center 182 in the longitudinal direction. As shown, the two reinforcement walls 180a, 180b are arranged aligned with each other in the lateral direction and are disposed spaced apart from each other. Accordingly, a gap 186 may be defined between the proximal ends of the reinforcement walls 180a, 180b. As shown, at least a portion of the reinforcement walls 180a, 180b overlap the first hinge section 135a in the lateral direction.

[0036] To provide additional strength against tearing of the portion of the wall 120 between the first ends 142, 144 of the tear lines 132a, 132b, the airbag cover 104includes at least one reinforcement rib 190 protruding from the inclined wall 124 and arranged between the first ends 142, 144 of the tear lines 132a, 132b i.e., first stopper structures 162, 164 and the first hinge section 135a. Moreover, the airbag cover 104 includes a plurality of vertically extending ribs 192 arranged between the first hinge section 135a and the separation line 148 and arrayed in the lateral direction. Further, a tearing resistance of each of the tear lines 132a, 132b increases from the separation line 140 towards the ends 142, 144, 156, 158 of the tear lines 132a, 132b to provide increased strength against tearing from the separation line 148 to the ends 142, 144, 156, 158 to prevent tearing of the airbag cover 104 beyond the ends 142, 144, 156, 158 of the tear lines 132a, 132b.

[0037] 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

We Claim:

1. An airbag cover for an airbag assembly adapted to be mounted to a steering wheel of a vehicle, the airbag cover comprising: at least one tear line defining a gate arranged to be opened upon actuation of the airbag assembly; at least one hinge section arranged between two ends of the at least one tear line and disposed offset from a center of the gate, wherein the gate rotates and opens about the at least one hinge section upon actuation of the airbag assembly; and at least one reinforcement wall arranged between the center of the gate and the at least one hinge section.

2. The airbag cover of claim 1 , wherein the at least one reinforcement wall extends along the at least one hinge section.

3. The airbag cover of claim 1 comprises a frontal wall adapted to be arranged facing a driver and configured to receive an emblem, and an inclined wall arranged at an inclination relative to the frontal wall, wherein the at least one hinge section is defined by the inclined wall and the at least one reinforcement wall is arranged at a junction of the inclined wall and the frontal wall.

4. The airbag cover of claim 1, wherein the at least one hinge section and the at least one reinforcement wall extend parallel to each other.

5. The airbag cover of claim 1, wherein the at least one reinforcement wall includes a pair of reinforcement walls arranged symmetrically about a central axis that lies in a plane of the frontal wall.

6. The air bag cover of claim 1 comprises a pair of stopper structures arranged at the two ends of the at least one tear line to prevent a tearing of the airbag cover beyond the ends of the tear lines.

7. The airbag cover of claim 6, wherein at least one of the pair of stopper structures includes an inverted hook, and at least one of the ends of the at least one tear line is arranged inside the hook.

8. The airbag cover of claim 6 including at least one reinforcement rib arranged between the hook and the first hinge section to prevent the tearing of the airbag cover beyond the associated tear lines.

9. The airbag cover of claim 1, wherein the at least one tear line includes a pair of tear lines arranged spaced apart and proximate to a pair of longitudinal edges of the airbag cover, the least one hinge section includes a pair of hinge sections disposed proximate to a pair of lateral edges of the airbag cover and arranged between the pair of tear lines, and the at least one reinforcement wall is disposed between a first hinge section of the pair of hinge sections and the center of the gate.

10. The airbag cover of claim 9 comprises a separation line arranged proximate to a second hinge section of the pair of hinge sections and extending between the pair of tear lines, connecting the pair of tear lines, wherein the separation line divides the gate into a pair of gate portions with a first gate portion arranged torotate about the first hinge section and the second gate portion arranged to rotate about the second hinge section.

11. The airbag cover of claim 1 comprises a plurality of vertically extending ribs arrayed in a lateral direction and disposed between the first hinge section and the separation line.

Images