Airbag device having lighting unit and manufacturing method therefor

Abstract

The present invention relates to an airbag device having a lighting unit, the airbag device comprising: an airbag cover made of a light-transmitting material; a lighting unit provided inside the airbag cover; a blocking layer formed on the airbag cover and blocking light of the lighting unit from being emitted to the outside; and an emission unit emitting the light of the lighting unit to the outside since the blocking layer is not formed on a portion of the airbag cover.

Description

Airbag device with lighting unit and manufacturing method thereof

[0001] The present invention relates to an airbag device, and more particularly, to an airbag device having a lighting unit provided inside an airbag cover and a method for manufacturing the same.

[0002] Airbag devices are essential for the safety of passengers in a vehicle, and are installed in various locations, such as the front or side, to protect the driver and passengers.

[0003] In a vehicle collision, the airbag cushion expands with gas injected from the inflator, and the airbag cover ruptures due to the airbag cushion's expansion force. The airbag cover has a tear line, and the cover ruptures along the tear line, allowing the airbag to deploy smoothly. When the airbag cover ruptures, the airbag cushion expands toward the vehicle's occupants through the opening in the ruptured airbag cover.

[0004] Recently, airbag devices have been developed to enhance the aesthetics of airbag covers by forming openings with a consistent pattern, such as the vehicle manufacturer's logo, and installing LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) inside the airbag cover so that the light from the LEDs is emitted to the outside in a consistent pattern, thereby improving the aesthetics or allowing passengers to easily recognize the vehicle's status. These airbag devices include LEDs installed inside the airbag cover and a diffuser plate installed between the LEDs and the airbag cover. The light from the LEDs is uniformly distributed through the diffuser plate and emitted to the outside.

[0005] However, the above airbag device has the following problems.

[0006] First, a certain pattern of openings is formed in the airbag cover to release light to the outside, but there is a problem that these openings may be ruptured by the airbag deployment pressure and may not be cut along the designed tear line of the airbag cover when the airbag is deployed.

[0007] Second, there is a problem that burrs may occur during the process of machining an opening in the airbag cover, and productivity is reduced due to the additional process of forming an opening in the airbag cover.

[0008] Third, since the diffuser plate is exposed through the opening of the airbag cover, there is a problem that a difference in texture occurs due to the exposure of different materials on the surface of the airbag cover, making it difficult to implement a sophisticated design.

[0009] Fourth, foreign substances can penetrate the inside of the airbag cover through the opening, which can cause malfunction of the LED device as well as the airbag device.

[0010] Fifth, the diffuser plate, which diffuses the LED light and evenly emits it to the outside of the airbag cover, is manufactured as a separate component and installed between the airbag cover and the LED device. This separate component, called the diffuser plate, not only increases the manufacturing cost but also increases the weight of the airbag device. Furthermore, the need to install the diffuser plate between the airbag cover and the LED device complicates the manufacturing process.

[0011] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an airbag device having a lighting unit and a method for manufacturing the same, which can improve productivity as well as enable the airbag cover to be accurately cut along the tear line when the airbag is deployed by not forming a separate opening in the airbag cover to emit light to the outside, in consideration of the above-mentioned problems.

[0012] Another purpose is to provide an airbag device having a lighting unit that can realize a sophisticated design without a difference in texture because different materials are not exposed on the airbag cover, and a method for manufacturing the same.

[0013] Another purpose is to provide an airbag device having a lighting unit capable of preventing foreign substances from entering the inside of the airbag cover, and a method for manufacturing the same.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide an airbag device having a lighting unit and a manufacturing method thereof, which can reduce the manufacturing cost and simplify the manufacturing process by eliminating the need for a diffuser plate manufactured as a separate member and installed on the airbag cover.

[0015] An airbag device having a lighting unit according to the present invention for achieving the above object comprises: an airbag cover made of a light-transmitting material; a lighting unit provided inside the airbag cover; a blocking layer formed on the airbag cover and blocking light from the lighting unit from being emitted to the outside; and an emission portion in which the blocking layer is not formed on a part of the airbag cover and thus emits light from the lighting unit to the outside.

[0016] The airbag device is provided between the emission unit and the lighting unit, and may further include a light-transmitting layer that diffuses light from the lighting unit and guides it to the emission unit.

[0017] The above light-transmitting layer may be positioned between the outer surface of the airbag cover and the blocking layer.

[0018] In addition, the light-transmitting layer is formed of a plurality of layers having different colors, and at least one layer of the plurality of layers can be removed from at least a portion of the emission portion.

[0019] The above light-transmitting layer can be formed on the inner surface of the airbag cover.

[0020] The above lighting unit may include a printed circuit board having an LED installed thereon; and a lighting housing coupled to the interior of the airbag cover and supporting the printed circuit board.

[0021] The LEDs are installed on one or both sides of the printed circuit board, and the lighting unit may further include a light guide member that guides light from the LEDs to the emission portion.

[0022] Meanwhile, the above object can also be achieved by a method for manufacturing an airbag device having a lighting unit, characterized in that the method comprises the steps of: (a) forming an airbag cover made of a light-transmitting material; (b) forming a blocking layer for blocking light from being emitted to the outside through the airbag cover; and (c) forming an emission portion through which light from the lighting unit is emitted to the outside through the airbag cover.

[0023] The above step (c) may be a step of forming by removing a portion of the blocking layer formed on the airbag cover.

[0024] In addition, the step (c) may be a step of forming the release portion by preventing the blocking layer from being formed on a part of the airbag cover in the step (b).

[0025] The method for manufacturing the airbag device may further include the step of (d) forming a light-transmitting layer between the blocking layer and the airbag cover to guide light from the lighting unit to the emission portion.

[0026] The above step (d) may be performed between the above steps (a) and (b).

[0027] The step (d) may be a step of sequentially forming the first and second layers on the outer surface of the airbag cover so that the release portion has the first and second layers of different colors, and the step (c) may include: (c1) removing the blocking layer so that the first layer is exposed to some part of the release portion; and (c2) removing the blocking layer and the first layer so that the second layer is exposed to another part of the release portion.

[0028] Here, the above steps (c1) and (c2) may be steps of etching the blocking layer and the first layer with a laser, and the above steps (c1) and (c2) may be performed by varying the laser intensity.

[0029] Meanwhile, the step (a) may be a step of forming the airbag cover by injection molding a thermoplastic olefin (TOP) made of a transparent material, the step (d) may be a step of printing a light-transmitting material on the airbag cover or applying paint so that the light-transmitting layer can be positioned at the emission portion, the step (b) may be a step of printing a non-light-transmitting material on the airbag cover and the light-transmitting layer or applying paint, and the step (c) may be a step of removing a portion of the blocking layer corresponding to the emission portion using a laser.

[0030] Meanwhile, a method for manufacturing an airbag device according to another embodiment of the present invention may include a step of (d) forming a light-transmitting layer on the inner surface of the airbag cover that guides light from the lighting unit to the emission portion.

[0031] Here, the above step (d) may be performed after performing steps (a) to (c).

[0032] According to the present invention as described above, a non-transparent blocking layer is formed on a light-transmitting airbag cover, and an emission portion through which light is emitted to the outside can be formed by removing the blocking layer or not forming the blocking layer on a part of the airbag cover, thereby eliminating the need to install an opening in the airbag cover for emitting light to the outside.

[0033] Since no opening is formed in the airbag cover, the airbag cover is precisely torn along the tear line when the airbag is deployed, thereby preventing abnormal deployment of the airbag cover due to the opening.

[0034] In addition, since no opening is formed in the airbag cover, the occurrence of burrs due to the formation of the opening can be prevented, and the process of forming the opening in the airbag cover can be omitted, so that the productivity of the airbag device can be improved, and the phenomenon of foreign substances entering the interior of the airbag cover through the conventional opening can be prevented.

[0035] In addition, the part exposed through the release portion of the airbag cover is in the form of a thin film called a light-transmitting layer, and the blocking layer removed for the release portion is also in the form of a thin film, so compared to the conventional airbag device in which the diffuser plate, which is a separate member, is exposed through the opening of the airbag cover, the difference in texture due to different materials can be significantly reduced, and this enables the implementation of a sophisticated design.

[0036] Meanwhile, by forming a thin film called a light-transmitting layer on the airbag cover without using a separate member called a diffuser plate, the number of parts can be reduced, which lowers the manufacturing cost, reduces the weight of the airbag device, and simplifies the manufacturing process.

[0037] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of an airbag device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the airbag device illustrated in Fig. 1 as viewed from above.

[0039] Figure 3 is a bottom view of the airbag device illustrated in Figure 1.

[0040] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV shown in Figure 2.

[0041] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the airbag device illustrated in Fig. 1, and is a conceptual drawing to facilitate easy understanding of the invention.

[0042] FIG. 6a and FIG. 6b are cross-sectional views of a main part of an airbag device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, which are conceptual drawings for easy understanding of the invention.

[0043] Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of an airbag device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the combined lighting unit illustrated in Fig. 7.

[0045] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX of Fig. 7.

[0046] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the airbag device illustrated in Fig. 7, and is a conceptual drawing to facilitate easy understanding of the invention.

[0047] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided solely to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention.

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, an airbag device according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes an airbag cover (100), a lighting unit (120), a blocking layer (140), an emission portion (160), and a light-transmitting layer (180).

[0049] The above airbag cover (100) is a part in which an airbag cushion is stored in a folded state, and an airbag housing can be coupled to the lower part thereof. A tear line is formed in the airbag cover (100), and the tear line splits when the airbag cushion is deployed to guide the airbag cushion to be deployed properly. If a cut portion other than the tear line is formed in the airbag cover (100), the cut portion may be ruptured by the deployment pressure of the airbag cushion, preventing the airbag cushion from being deployed properly. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the airbag cover (100) itself is formed of a light-transmitting material so that a separate cut portion for transmitting light from the lighting unit (120) to the airbag cover (100) is not formed. In the present embodiment, the airbag cover (100) is formed by injection molding a transparent thermoplastic olefin (TPO). However, unlike the present embodiment, the airbag cover (100) can be made of various materials as long as it has light transmission properties.

[0050] The above lighting unit (120) is installed inside the airbag cover (100) and emits light to the outside of the airbag cover (100), and includes a printed circuit board (122) and a lighting housing (128).

[0051] The printed circuit board (122) is electrically connected to the control unit through a connector (126) and receives power and control signals. A plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) (124) are installed on the printed circuit board (122). The LEDs (124) are driven by power and control signals transmitted to the printed circuit board (122). The LEDs (124) may be installed in a number that can obtain the required brightness at a position corresponding to the emission unit (160). In addition, the LEDs (124) may be arranged to correspond to the shape of the emission unit (160). In addition, the LEDs (124) may be configured as one module with three LEDs that each emit red light, green light, and blue light, and a plurality of modules may be installed on the printed circuit board. In this case, it is possible to produce light of various colors.

[0052] The above lighting housing (128) is installed on the airbag cover (100) with the printed circuit board (122) supported thereon. That is, the lighting housing (128) is coupled to the airbag cover (100) with the printed circuit board (122) positioned between the lighting housing (128) and the airbag cover (100), so that the printed circuit board (122) can be fixed to the airbag cover (100). The lighting housing (128) can be installed on the inside of the airbag cover (100) using various fastening methods such as hook fastening or fastening screws, and can also be installed through heat fusion. In the present embodiment, the printed circuit board (122) is installed on the airbag cover (100) through the lighting housing (128). However, unlike the present embodiment, the printed circuit board (122) may be installed directly on the airbag cover (100) with the lighting housing (128) omitted.

[0053] The above-described blocking layer (140) is formed by applying a non-transparent material to the airbag cover (100). The blocking layer (140) is a thin film, and can be formed by printing non-transparent ink on the airbag cover (100), or by applying non-transparent paint on the airbag cover (100). As a method of applying paint to the airbag cover (100), the paint may be sprayed on the airbag cover (100) using a spray gun or the like, or may be applied to the airbag cover (100) using an application tool. In this embodiment, a method of printing ink or applying paint to form the blocking layer (140) is exemplified, but unlike this embodiment, various methods may be used as long as the blocking layer (140) as a thin film can be formed on the airbag cover (100). Meanwhile, if the blocking layer (140) does not satisfy the light blocking performance with just one coating layer, multiple blocking layers (140) may be formed. Meanwhile, in the present embodiment, the blocking layer (140) is formed only on a portion of the airbag cover (100) that can be seen by the passenger with the naked eye, but unlike the present embodiment, it may be formed on the entire airbag cover (100).

[0054] The above-described emission portion (160) is a portion through which light is emitted to the outside of the airbag device, and is formed by removing a portion of the blocking layer (140). In the present embodiment, the emission portion (160) is expressed as a single linear shape, but unlike the present embodiment, it may be formed in various designs, including the logo of each manufacturer, numbers, emoticons, and letters. The emission portion (160) is formed by using a method of removing a portion of the blocking layer (140) with a laser. However, unlike the present embodiment, the emission portion (160) may also be formed by removing a portion of the blocking layer (140) using various methods, such as various mechanical etching or chemical etching. In addition, the emission portion (160) may also be formed by using a mask or the like to prevent the blocking layer (140) from being formed on a portion of the airbag cover (100) when forming the blocking layer (140).

[0055] Meanwhile, the emission portion (160) may be formed to have a color similar to that of the blocking layer (140) and to transmit light, so that when light is not generated by the lighting unit (120), it is difficult for the passenger to identify the emission portion (160), and when light is generated by the lighting unit (120), it is possible to enable the passenger to easily identify the emission portion (160). In this way, the emission portion (160) is formed by removing a portion of the blocking layer (140), thereby eliminating the need to form an opening in the airbag cover (100). Accordingly, the airbag cover can be precisely torn along the tear line by the airbag deployment pressure, and the process of forming an opening in the airbag cover (100) can be omitted, and the occurrence of burrs, etc. during the process of forming the opening can be prevented in advance. In addition, it is possible to prevent foreign substances from entering the interior of the airbag cover (100) through the opening of the conventional airbag cover.

[0056] The above light-transmitting layer (180) is a portion exposed to the outside through the emission portion (160), and has the function of allowing the light of the lighting unit (120) to diffuse to the emission portion (160), and also has a constant color, so that the color of the light transmitted to the emission portion (160) can be changed.

[0057] The above light transmitting layer (180) is located between the blocking layer (140) and the airbag cover (100), and is formed in a portion corresponding to the emission portion (160). The light transmitting layer (180) is formed by applying ink or paint that is transparent and can diffuse light to the airbag cover (100). Light diffusion ink is already known as a form in which particles for diffusing light are included in the ink, and light diffusion paint is also already known as a paint that includes light diffusion particles. The light transmitting layer (180) may be formed by printing the light transmissive light diffusion ink on the airbag cover (100). Alternatively, the light transmissive layer (180) may be formed by spraying the light transmissive light diffusion paint onto the airbag cover (100) using a spray gun or the like, or by applying the light transmissive light diffusion paint onto the airbag cover (100) using an application tool. In addition, the light transmitting layer (180) may be attached to the airbag cover (100) in the form of a film. In this way, by forming the light transmitting layer (180) in the form of a thin film or a thin layer rather than a separate member, the manufacturing cost and weight can be reduced compared to the conventional airbag device that uses the light diffusion plate as a separate member, and the manufacturing process can be simplified. In addition, since the light transmitting layer (180) is in the form of a thin film or a thin layer, the difference in texture due to exposure of different materials on the surface of the airbag cover can be reduced compared to the conventional airbag device in which a separate diffusion plate is exposed through an opening.

[0058] Meanwhile, in this embodiment, the light transmitting layer (180) is exemplified as being formed on the outer surface of the airbag cover (100), but it may also be formed on the inner surface of the airbag cover (100). When the light transmitting layer (180) is formed on the inner surface of the airbag cover (100), the light transmitting layer (180) is formed between the lighting unit (120) and the inner surface of the airbag cover (100), so that the light of the lighting unit (120) sequentially passes through the light transmitting layer (180) and the airbag cover (100) and is emitted to the emission portion (160). In order to form the emission portion (160), an etching process is required to remove the blocking layer (140) by irradiating a laser, and although the etching degree of the laser etching process may vary depending on the laser intensity, the etching degree may vary depending on the color of the laser etching target. Even if the laser intensity is the same, a dark-colored laser etching target may be etched more than a light-colored laser etching target. Therefore, when a dark-colored light-transmitting layer (180) is formed on the surface of the airbag cover (100), the light-transmitting layer (180) may be etched by the laser and damaged during the laser etching process for forming the emission portion (160). For this reason, when the light-transmitting layer (180) is formed on the inner surface of the airbag cover (100), the light-transmitting layer (180) can be prevented from being damaged during the laser etching process for forming the emission portion (160). In addition, when the light-transmitting layer (180) is formed on the inner surface of the airbag cover (100), even if the precision of the laser etching process is lowered, the light-transmitting layer (180) is not damaged, which facilitates the manufacturing process and lowers the manufacturing cost.

[0059] Meanwhile, in this embodiment, the presence of a light-transmitting layer (180) is exemplified, but since the airbag cover (100) itself has a certain light diffusion function, the light-transmitting layer (180) may be omitted. If the light-transmitting layer (180) is omitted, the portion exposed to the outside through the emission portion (160) may be the surface of the airbag cover (100).

[0060] Fig. 5 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the operation of the lighting unit (120) in which light is emitted. Referring to Fig. 5, light generated from the lighting unit (120) passes through the light-transmitting airbag cover (100) and reaches the light-transmitting layer (180), and the light reaching the light-transmitting layer (180) is filtered by the light-transmitting layer (180) to only have a desired color of light and is diffused and emitted to the emission portion (160). At this time, the LED (124) of the lighting unit (120) is installed at a position corresponding to the emission portion (160).

[0061] An airbag device equipped with a lighting unit as described above is manufactured through the following process.

[0062] First, an airbag cover (100) is formed using a light-transmitting material, such as injection molding. As described above, thermoplastic olefins or the like can be used as the light-transmitting material. When the airbag cover (100) is injection molded, fastening parts to which the lighting housing (128) can be joined can also be formed.

[0063] When the molding of the airbag cover (100) is completed, a light-transmitting layer (180) is formed on the surface of the airbag cover (100) corresponding to the emission portion (160). The light-transmitting layer (180) is formed by a process of forming a light-transmitting light-diffusing ink or paint on the surface of the airbag cover (100), and is formed only on the portion of the surface of the airbag cover (100) corresponding to the emission portion (160) using a mask or the like. However, as described above, unlike the present embodiment, the light-transmitting layer (180) may also be formed on the inner surface of the airbag cover (100) corresponding to the emission portion (160).

[0064] When the above light-transmitting layer (180) is formed, a blocking layer (140) is formed on the upper surface of the light-transmitting layer (180) and the surface of the airbag cover (100) where the light-transmitting layer (180) is not formed. The blocking layer (140) can be formed by printing non-transparent ink on the airbag cover (100) or applying non-transparent paint on the airbag cover (100), as described above.

[0065] When the above-described blocking layer (140) is formed, the emission portion (160) is formed. The emission portion (160) is formed by removing a portion of the blocking layer (140) formed on the airbag cover (100). The removal of a portion of the blocking layer (140) is accomplished by performing an etching operation using laser irradiation. The laser etching operation is very precise, so that not only can the designed shape of the emission portion (160) be accurately implemented, but also damage to the airbag cover (100) or the blocking layer (140) can be minimized. However, as described above, the emission portion (160) can be formed not only through various etching operations that remove the blocking layer (140), but also by preventing the formation of the blocking layer (140) in a portion corresponding to the emission portion (160) by using a mask or the like when forming the blocking layer (140).

[0066] Once the formation of the above-mentioned emission unit (160) is completed, the lighting unit (120) is installed inside the airbag cover (100). Then, the airbag device is manufactured through a typical airbag device manufacturing process.

[0067] Meanwhile, when the light-transmitting layer (180) is formed on the inner surface of the airbag cover (100), the following manufacturing process of the airbag device may be used.

[0068] First, an airbag cover (100) is formed. Then, a blocking layer (140) is formed on the surface of the airbag cover (100). Once the blocking layer (140) is formed, a portion of the blocking layer (140) is removed to form a release portion (150). After the blocking layer (140) and the release portion (150) are formed on the airbag cover (100), a light-transmitting layer (180) is formed on the inner surface of the airbag cover (100). The method of forming the airbag cover (100), the blocking layer (140), the release portion (150), and the light-transmitting layer (180) is the same as the above method, so a detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0069] FIG. 6a and FIG. 6b are conceptual drawings of the main parts of an airbag device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the airbag device according to the second embodiment of the present invention differs from the first embodiment in that the light-transmitting layer (180) is composed of first to third layers (281), (282), and (283). The first to third layers (281), (282), and (283) may have different colors. The plurality of layers (281), (282), and (283) may be formed by printing or applying inks or paints of different colors multiple times. As illustrated in FIG. 6A, the first to third layers (281), (282), and (283) are applied to the airbag cover (100), and then the blocking layer (140) is formed. When the blocking layer (140) is formed, a laser having a first intensity is irradiated onto the blocking layer (140) so that only the blocking layer (140) is removed, thereby exposing the third layer (283) to the outside to form a first emission portion (260a). Then, a laser having a second intensity higher than the first intensity is irradiated onto the blocking layer (140) so that the blocking layer (140) and the third layer (283) are removed, thereby exposing the second layer to the outside to form a second emission portion (260b). When the second emission portion (260b) is formed, a laser having a third intensity higher than the second intensity is irradiated onto the blocking layer (140) so that the blocking layer (140), the third layer (283) and the second layer (282) are removed, thereby exposing the first layer (281) to form a third emission portion (260c). After forming multiple layers (281)(282)(283) of different colors in this way, by adjusting the laser intensity to form the emission portions (260a)(260b)(260c) so that one of the layers is exposed to the outside, light of different colors can be projected onto each emission portion (260a)(260b)(260c).

[0071] Meanwhile, depending on the shape or length of the emitter (160), there are cases where multiple LEDs (124) must be used. In such cases, the use of multiple LEDs (124) not only increases the unit price but also increases power consumption. To solve this problem, a light guide member (323) is employed, thereby reducing the number of LEDs (124). An airbag device using a light guide member (323) is illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 10 as a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0072] Referring to FIGS. 7 to 10, an airbag device according to a third embodiment of the present invention differs from the first and second embodiments in that the lighting unit (120) further includes a light guide member (323). According to the third embodiment of the present invention, the light generated by the LEDs (124) arranged on both sides of the printed circuit board (122) not only changes the direction of the light path toward the emission portion (160) while passing through the light guide member (323), but also uniformly disperses the light. The light guide member (323) utilizes the principle of a light guide plate, and by adopting the light guide member (323), a smaller number of LEDs (124) can be used, which not only lowers the unit price of the airbag device but also has the advantage of reducing power consumption.

[0073] The above light guide member (323) is placed between the printed circuit board (122) and the airbag cover (100), and the light housing (128) is coupled to the airbag cover (100) with the printed circuit board (122) and the light guide member (323) interposed therebetween, so that the light guide member (323) is installed on the airbag cover (100). However, unlike the present embodiment, the light guide member (323) can be installed directly on the airbag cover (100), and the light guide member (323) can also be installed on the airbag cover (100) by installing the printed circuit board (122) on the airbag cover (100) in a state where the light guide member (323) is installed on the printed circuit board (122).

[0074] Referring to Fig. 10, light from LEDs (124) arranged on both sides of a printed circuit board (122) is incident on a light guide member (323) and then dispersed, changing its direction of travel to face the emission portion (160). The light, whose direction of travel has been changed by the light guide member (323), passes through a light-transmitting layer (180) and is more uniformly dispersed and emitted to the emission portion (160). In this embodiment, the LEDs (124) are arranged on both sides of the printed circuit board (122), but the LEDs (124) may be arranged on only one side of the printed circuit board (122).

[0075] Since the remaining structure is the same as the first embodiment of the present invention, a detailed description is omitted.

[0076] While the present invention has been illustrated and described with reference to preferred embodiments intended to illustrate the principles of the invention, it is not intended to be limited to the exact configuration and operation described herein. Rather, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that numerous modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

[0077] The present invention has industrial applicability in that the airbag cover can be accurately cut along the tear line when the airbag is deployed, and thus productivity can be improved, since a separate opening for emitting light to the outside is not formed in the airbag cover.

Claims

1. Airbag cover made of transparent material; A lighting unit provided inside the above airbag cover; A blocking layer formed on the airbag cover and blocking light from the lighting unit from being emitted to the outside; and An airbag device having a lighting unit, characterized in that the blocking layer is not formed on a part of the airbag cover, and includes an emission portion that emits light from the lighting unit to the outside.

2. In paragraph 1, An airbag device having a lighting unit, characterized in that it includes a light-transmitting layer provided between the emission unit and the lighting unit and diffusing light from the lighting unit and guiding it to the emission unit.

3. In paragraph 2, An airbag device having a lighting unit, characterized in that the light-transmitting layer is located between the outer surface of the airbag cover and the blocking layer.

4. In paragraph 3, The above light-transmitting layer is formed of multiple layers having different colors, An airbag device having a lighting unit, characterized in that at least a portion of the emission section has at least one layer of the plurality of layers removed.

5. In paragraph 2, An airbag device having a lighting unit, characterized in that the light-transmitting layer is formed on the inner surface of the airbag cover.

6. In paragraph 1, The above lighting unit, a printed circuit board with an LED installed; and An airbag device having a lighting unit, characterized in that it includes a lighting housing that is coupled to the inside of the airbag cover and supports the printed circuit board.

7. In paragraph 6, The above LEDs are installed on one or both sides of the printed circuit board, The above lighting unit, An airbag device having a lighting unit, characterized in that it further includes a light guide member that guides the light of the LED to the emission unit.

8. A method for manufacturing an airbag device in which a lighting unit is installed inside an airbag cover, (a) a step of forming an airbag cover made of a light-transmitting material; (b) forming a blocking layer to block light from being emitted to the outside of the airbag cover; and (c) A method for manufacturing an airbag device having a lighting unit, characterized in that it includes a step of forming an emission portion through which light of the lighting unit is emitted to the outside through the airbag cover.

9. In paragraph 8, A method for manufacturing an airbag device having a lighting unit, characterized in that the step (c) is a step of forming a blocking layer formed on the airbag cover by removing a portion of the blocking layer formed on the airbag cover.

10. In paragraph 8, A method for manufacturing an airbag device having a lighting unit, characterized in that the step (c) is a step of forming the emission portion by preventing the blocking layer from being formed on a part of the airbag cover in the step (b).

11. In paragraph 8, (d) A method for manufacturing an airbag device having a lighting unit, characterized in that it further comprises a step of forming a light-transmitting layer between the blocking layer and the airbag cover to guide light from the lighting unit to the emission portion.

12. In paragraph 11, A method for manufacturing an airbag device having a lighting unit, characterized in that the above step (d) is performed between the above steps (a) and (b).

13. In paragraph 11, The above step (d) is performed between the above steps (a) and (b), The above step (d) is a step of sequentially forming the first and second layers on the outer surface of the airbag cover so that the emission portion has the first and second layers of different colors, Step (c) above, (c1) removing the blocking layer so that the first layer is exposed to some part of the emission portion; and (c2) A method for manufacturing an airbag device having a lighting unit, characterized in that it comprises a step of removing the blocking layer and the first layer so that the second layer is exposed to another part of the emission portion.

14. In paragraph 13, The above steps (c1) and (c2) are steps of etching the blocking layer and the first layer with a laser, A method for manufacturing an airbag device having a lighting unit, characterized in that the above steps (c1) and (c2) have different laser intensities.

15. In paragraph 11, (d) further comprising a step of forming a light-transmitting layer between the steps (a) and (b), The above step (a) is a step of forming the airbag cover by injection molding a transparent thermoplastic olefin (TOP, Thermoplastic olefin), The above step (d) is a step of printing or applying paint to the airbag cover with a light-transmitting material so that the light-transmitting layer can be positioned at the emission portion. The above step (b) is a step of printing or painting a non-transparent material on the airbag cover and the light-transmitting layer, A method for manufacturing an airbag device having a lighting unit, characterized in that the step (c) above is a step of removing a portion corresponding to the emission portion among the blocking layer using a laser.

16. In paragraph 8, (d) A method for manufacturing an airbag device having a lighting unit, characterized in that it further includes a step of forming a light-transmitting layer on the inner surface of the airbag cover that guides light of the lighting unit to the emission portion.

17. In paragraph 16, A method for manufacturing an airbag device having a lighting unit, characterized in that the step (d) is performed after performing the steps (a) to (c).

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