A knee airbag module includes an inflatable knee airbag, an inflator for inflating the knee airbag, a housing for supporting the knee airbag and inflator, a cover for enclosing the knee airbag in the housing, and a deployment flap positioned beneath the cover. The housing includes an opening through which the knee airbag deploys. The deployment flap is connected to the housing and spans across at least a portion of the opening. The knee airbag has a width that extends laterally beyond the lateral extent of the housing when the airbag is deployed. The knee airbag also includes a central portion that spans the width of the housing when the knee airbag is deployed. The deployment flap is configured to initially inhibit deployment of the central portion of the knee airbag while remaining portions of the knee airbag initially deploy. The deployment flap is configured to thereafter rupture and permit deployment of the central portion.

The invention describes an airbag module (10) for attaching to an instrument panel, comprising an inflator (12), a fastening portion (36) which is arranged so that the airbag module (10) can be attached to the instrument panel via the fastening portion (36), a receiving portion (46) for an airbag as well as a holding portion (57) which serves for holding the inflator (12). The airbag module (10) has a support structure (16) including the fastening portion (36) and a housing (14) made from fabric material. The holding portion (57) is partially configured in a holding area (58) of the housing (14) which is opposed to the fastening portion (36) so that the inflator (12) is fastened from outside and extends at least partially into the receiving portion (46). The support structure (16) comprises at least one supporting portion (18) U-shaped in cross-section which at least partially encompasses the housing (14). In addition, the support structure (16) includes a peripheral frame (66). Moreover, a subassembly is described.

An airbag cover includes a base panel portion, a side panel portion formed, and a cover panel portion. The cover panel portion is moveable relative to the base panel portion between a closed position and an open position. A latch is configured to releasably secure the cover panel portion to the side panel portion in the closed position. The latch is releasable upon the inflation of the cushion, such that the latch functions as a tear seam in the airbag cover. The entire airbag cover, including the base panel portion, the side panel portion, and the cover panel portion may be extruded as a single piece of plastic. The latch may provide a snap fit connection between the cover panel portion and the side panel portion.

An airbag unit for a motor vehicle safety device includes an inflatable airbag formed of flexible material and provided in a rolled and/or folded package. The inflatable airbag is held under compression by a cover extending around at least part of the package. The cover is formed of a molded pulp material and is configured to impart a predetermined stable shape to the unit. A method of packaging an airbag in such a manner is also disclosed.

An airbag body includes, in a protection region disposed in the rear portion, a front-collision arresting plane, an oblique-collision arresting plane, and an arresting recess that is recessed forward between the front-collision arresting plane and oblique-collision arresting plane. The airbag body further internally includes a tether that pulls a flat surfaced portion of the passenger protection region and forms the arresting recess out of the flat surfaced portion at airbag deployment. The tether includes a front-rear connecting region that connects a leading end of the arresting recess to the center of a front end portion of the airbag body, and a sideways connecting region that connects the leading end of the arresting recess to a side wall of the airbag body near the oblique-collision arresting plane. The joint of the sideways connecting region to the side wall is disposed farther forward than the leading end of the arresting recess.

Systems, methods and apparatuses are provided of a trim component assembly affixed to a pillar assembly, and a trim bumper element inserted between the trim component assembly and the pillar assembly to support the trim component assembly during an impact, the trim bumper element configured to deflect from a base shape when a load is applied to the trim bumper element to prevent for a period a detaching of the trim component assembly from the pillar assembly by enabling a load of a constant force to be received by the trim component assembly by a transfer of force related to the load in part to the pillar assembly while the base shape of the trim bumper element deforms in response to the load applied.

The invention relates to a housing of a gas generator module for an airbag system of a motor vehicle, wherein the housing is of substantially tubular design and has a tube portion in which a plurality of stamped formations pointing into the interior of the housing are introduced over an external circumference of the housing, wherein the stamped formations in the interior of the tube portion have a stop for an internal component.

A cover member (18) is formed of a pliable fabric material having a plurality of polymer fibers, and is configured to maintain the shape of the airbag by mutual fusion of at least part of the polymer fibers. The cover member (18) is configured to have a high stiffness portion (25) of higher stiffness than other portions of the cover member, as a result of partial overlaying of the pliable fabric material in more folds than at other portions.

A knee airbag module for a motor vehicle. The airbag module has a housing which is preferably composed of plastic and has a housing base (12) and a wall extending from the housing base (12), forming an outlet opening. A receptacle is provided in a first wall section. An airbag is folded into the housing, an air generator (30) which has outflow openings located within the airbag, and a covering element which closes the outlet opening. This covering element has a main section (54) which lies substantially in one plane, at least one first end section (52) accommodated in the at least one receptacle, and a second end section (56) situated opposite the first end section (52), extends out of the plane of the main section (54) and is connected to the housing (10). The covering element (50) is produced from a blank.

Side airbag cushions, side airbag assemblies and related methods for stowing a side airbag cushion in a cover to provide, upon deployment, improved timing of pelvis coverage for an associated vehicle passenger are provided. The side airbag cushion desirably includes a first rolled portion and a second accordion folded portion and, wherein, upon deployment, the accordion folded portion provides improved timing allowing for better pelvis coverage for the associated vehicle passenger.