Passenger airbag installation verification tool and methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9434058-B2
Application number	US-201313957788-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 2, 2013
Priority date	Aug 2, 2013
Publication date	Sep 6, 2016
Grant date	Sep 6, 2016

Abstract

A number of variations may include a product including an installation device having a plurality of pillars which are constructed and arranged to accept a passenger airbag housing; wherein at least one sensor or switch is attached to the installation device which may physically engage at least one tab during the installation process and which may provide electronic feedback of the installation results. A number of variations may include a method including placing a passenger airbag assembly having at least one lock feature onto an instrument panel chute having at least one tab feature; placing the installation device having at least one sensor or switch attached to it onto the passenger airbag assembly; pressing down on the installation device to engage the at least one lock feature with the at least one tab feature; and wherein the at least one sensor or switch provides electronic feedback of the installation results.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A product comprising:
an installation device having a top plate;
an airbag housing;
an instrument panel chute;
at least one switch attached to the installation device;
wherein the top plate includes a top surface and a bottom surface;
wherein a plurality of pillars extend downward from the bottom surface of the top plate;
wherein the plurality of pillars are constructed and arranged to accept the airbag housing and the instrument panel chute;
wherein the installation device is constructed and arranged to engage a lock feature on the airbag housing and a tab feature on the instrument panel chute
wherein the at least one switch is constructed and arranged to engage the tab feature on the instrument panel chute;

wherein the at least one switch is electrically connected to a first light source;
wherein the at least one switch and the first light source are electrically connected to an electrical panel; and
wherein the electrical panel is attached to a second light source.

2. The product of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of pillars includes an alignment feature.

3. The product of claim 1 further comprising a forward plate and a rearward plate attached to the bottom surface of the top plate and wherein at least one top plate cover is attached to the top surface of the top plate.

4. The product of claim 1 further comprising a first handle and a second handle attached to the top surface of the top plate.

5. A product comprising:
an installation device having a top plate;
an airbag housing;
an instrument panel chute;
at least one sensor attached to the installation device;
wherein the top plate includes a top surface and a bottom surface;
wherein a plurality of pillars extend downward from the bottom surface of the top plate;
wherein the plurality of pillars are constructed and arranged to accept the airbag housing and the instrument panel chute;
wherein the installation device is constructed and arranged to engage a lock feature on the airbag housing and a tab feature on the instrument panel chute;
wherein the at least one sensor is constructed and arranged to contact the tab feature on the instrument panel chute; wherein the at least one sensor is electrically connected to a first light source; wherein the at least one sensor and the first light source are electrically connected to an electrical panel; and
wherein the electrical panel is attached to a second light source.

Assignees

• Gm Global Tech Operations Llc

Inventors

• Kaphengst Michael R
• Scheuerman Robert J
• Rodriguez Craig A

Classifications

• Y10T29/53091

  for work-holder for assembly or disassembly · CPC title

• Y10T29/4978

  Assisting assembly or disassembly · CPC title

• Y10T29/53913

  Aligner or center · CPC title

• Y10T29/53909

  Means comprising hand manipulatable tool · CPC title

• B23P11/00

  Connecting or disconnecting metal parts or objects by metal-working techniques not otherwise provided for  (connecting sheet metal or metal tubes, rods or profiles B21D39/00; riveting B21J; soldering, unsoldering, welding B23K; hand tools for connecting wire or strip B25B25/00; connecting metal parts by adhesives F16B11/00) · CPC title