Patent ID: 7490850
Filing Date: 2009-02-17
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. An airbag apparatus comprising: an airbag; a cover extending over the airbag and having a plurality of frangible portions that are configured to be broken upon airbag deployment so that a door portion of the cover is broken away and released from an adjacent fixed portion of the cover and is pivoted relative thereto; an inner panel secured to the cover thereunder including a support portion connected to the cover fixed portion, a flap portion connected to the cover door portion, and an arcuate hinge portion extending between the support portion and flap portion with the hinge portion being spaced from the cover prior to airbag deployment and subject to tension forces stretching the hinge portion during airbag deployment and pivoting of the cover door portion; a curved peak portion of the hinge portion that is stretched as the cover door portion pivots upon airbag deployment; and a pivot portion of the hinge portion between the curved peak portion and the support portion with the pivot portion configured to be of lower rigidity than the curved peak portion so that the pivoting of the hinge portion is initiated at the pivot portion and the greater rigidity of the curved peak portion allows the curved peak portion to withstand tension forces applied thereto and stretching thereof as the cover door portion is pivoted.