Emblemed airbag covers and related manufacturing methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10814819-B2
Application number	US-201816111015-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 23, 2018
Priority date	Aug 23, 2018
Publication date	Oct 27, 2020
Grant date	Oct 27, 2020

Abstract

Airbag covers having emblems and related methods. In some implementations, a fastening member comprising an elongated axis may be inserted through an opening formed within an airbag cover. The fastening member may comprise a cross-sectional shape that is substantially smaller in area along at least a portion of the fastening member than a cross-sectional shape of the opening adjacent to the fastening member such that open space is left between the fastening member and a portion of the airbag cover defining the opening. The fastening member may then be reshaped such that the cross-sectional shape of the fastening member within the opening changes to decrease the open space and secure the emblem to the airbag cover.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An airbag module, comprising:
an airbag cover;
an emblem element coupled to the airbag cover; and
a fastening member extending from the emblem element through an opening in the airbag cover extending between an outer surface of the airbag cover and an inner surface of the airbag cover to secure the emblem element to the airbag cover, wherein at least a portion of the fastening member contacting material defining the opening in the airbag cover comprises material reshaped to contact material defining the opening in the airbag cover during a process of coupling the fastening member to the airbag cover.

2. The airbag module of claim 1 , further comprising a barrier extending from the inner surface of the airbag cover about a perimeter of the opening, wherein the barrier is configured to shape the fastening member during a manufacturing process for coupling the emblem element to the airbag cover using the fastening member.

3. The airbag module of claim 2 , wherein the barrier is spaced apart from the opening in the airbag cover along the inner surface of the airbag cover.

4. The airbag module of claim 3 , wherein the fastening member comprises an enlarged knob formed at a distal end of the fastening member, and wherein the enlarged knob contacts and is contained by the barrier.

5. The airbag module of claim 4 , wherein the enlarged knob extends beyond a height of the barrier.

6. The airbag module of claim 1 , wherein the opening comprises a thru-hole, and wherein at least a portion of the thru-hole comprises a conical shape in cross section.

7. The airbag module of claim 1 , wherein the opening comprises an oval shape in cross section.

8. The airbag module of claim 1 , where a majority of the fastening member contacting material defining the opening comprises reshaped material.

9. The airbag module of claim 8 , wherein at least substantially an entire contact interface between the fastening member and the material defining the opening comprises reshaped material.

10. A method for coupling an emblem element to an airbag cover, the method comprising the steps of:
inserting a fastening member through an opening formed within an airbag cover having an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface, wherein the fastening member comprises an elongated axis, and wherein the fastening member comprises a cross-sectional shape that is substantially smaller in area along at least a portion of the fastening member than a cross-sectional shape of the opening adjacent to the fastening member such that open space is left between the fastening member and a portion of the airbag cover defining the opening in between the inner surface and the outer surface of the airbag cover; and
reshaping the fastening member such that the cross-sectional shape of the fastening member within the opening changes to decrease the open space and secure an emblem element to the airbag cover.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the step of reshaping the fastening member comprises thermally reshaping the fastening member.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the step of reshaping the fastening member comprises fully occupying the open space such that the fastening member contacts the portion of the airbag cover defining the opening along the entire opening.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the fastening member comprises a non-circular shape in cross-section.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the fastening member comprises an oval shape in cross section.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the opening comprises a circular shape in cross section.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the fastening member is configured to contact the opening in at least two locations prior to the reshaping step.

17. The method of claim 10 , wherein the fastening member comprises a different shape in cross-section than the opening.

18. The method of claim 10 , wherein the airbag cover comprises a barrier extending from the inner surface of the airbag cover about a perimeter of the opening.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the barrier is spaced apart from the opening in the airbag cover along the inner surface of the airbag cover.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the step of reshaping the fastening member comprises:
forming an enlarged knob at a distal end of the fastening member; and
contacting the enlarged knob with the barrier such that the barrier assists in formation of the enlarged knob.

21. A method for coupling an emblem element to an airbag cover, the method comprising the steps of:
inserting a plurality of fastening members through a respective plurality of holes formed within an airbag cover, wherein each of the plurality of holes comprises a barrier extending about a perimeter of its respective hole, wherein each of the plurality of fastening members comprises an elongated axis, and wherein each of the plurality of fastening members comprises a cross-sectional shape that is substantially smaller in area along at least a portion of each of the plurality of fastening members than a cross-sectional shape of its respective hole adjacent each of the plurality of fastening members such that open space between opposing surfaces of the airbag cover is left between each of the plurality of fastening members and a portion of the airbag cover defining each respective hole of the plurality of holes; and
thermally reshaping each of the plurality of fastening members to occupy the open space of each of the plurality of holes with reshaped material from each of the plurality of fastening members to secure an emblem element to the airbag cover, wherein the step of thermally reshaping each of the plurality of fastening members is performed in a manner such that each of the plurality of fastening members forms an enlarged knob at its distal end.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the step of thermally reshaping each of the plurality of fastening members is performed in a manner such that the enlarged knob of each of the plurality of fastening members contacts the barrier and such that the barrier assists in formation of each of the enlarged knobs.

23. The method of claim 21 , wherein each of the plurality of fastening members comprises a first shape in cross section, wherein each of the plurality of holes comprises a second shape in cross section, and wherein the first shape differs from the second shape.

Assignees

• Autoliv Asp Inc

Inventors

• Hatfield Mark S

Classifications

• B60R21/215 Primary

  characterised by the covers for the inflatable member {(B60R21/2176 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• B60R21/2037

  the module or a major component thereof being yieldably mounted, e.g. for actuating the horn switch or for protecting the driver in a non-deployment situation (horn switches integrated in steering wheel covers with tear lines B60R21/21658) · CPC title

• B60R21/203

  in steering wheels or steering columns · CPC title

• B60R2021/21543

  with emblems · CPC title