WO2003051682A1

WO2003051682A1 - Passenger side inflatable restrant bracket

Info

Publication number: WO2003051682A1
Application number: PCT/US2001/047479
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daniel Woodman; L. Andrew Dargavelli
Original assignee: General Electric Company
Priority date: 2001-12-13
Filing date: 2001-12-13
Publication date: 2003-06-26
Also published as: AU2002236596A1

Abstract

A PSIR module bracket (64) for an instrument panel system (10) is provided. The instrument panel system includes an instrument panel (12), a beam structure (54), and a PSIR module (52). The PSIR module bracket includes a first portion (66) that is configured to attach to the beam structure, a second portion (78) adjacent the first portion, and a third portion (82) adjacent the second portion. The second portion includes a deformable section (79), and the third portion is configured to attach to the PSIR module.

Description

PASSENGER SIDE INFLATABLE RESTRAINT BRACKET

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to vehicle airbags, and more particularly, to a passenger side inflatable restraint bracket.

[0002] Known instrument panel assemblies include a beam structure and at least one decorative instrument panel attached to the beam structure. Some of the decorative panels act as knee bolsters to protect vehicle occupants in the event of an impact. An instrument panel assembly is mounted inside the passenger compartment of an automobile with the beam structure attached to the automobile body, typically to the A-pillar. Known instrument panel beam structures are fabricated from steel, aluminum, magnesium, or plastic.

[0003] A number of vehicle systems are housed within the instrument panel assembly, for example, the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, and the airbag system(s). The airbag positioned on the passenger side of the instrument panel is sometimes referred to as the passenger side inflatable restraint (PSIR). To permit deployment of the PSIR, the instrument panel includes a PSIR opening covered by a PSIR door. The PSIR module is typically attached directly to the instrument panel beam structure and positioned so that there is a gap between the instrument panel and the PSIR to provide compliance with head impact requirements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, a PSIR module bracket for an instrument panel system is provided. The instrument panel system includes an instrument panel, ^• a beam structure, and a PSIR module. The PSIR module bracket includes a first portion that is configured to attach to the beam structure, a second portion adjacent the first portion, and a third portion adjacent the second portion. The second portion includes a deformable section, and the third portion is configured to attach to the PSIR module.

In another aspect, an instrument panel system is provided. The instrument panel system includes an instrument panel beam structure an instrument panel coupled to the beam structure, a PSIR module positioned adjacent the instrument panel, and a PSIR module bracket attached to the PSIR module and the beam structure. The PSIR module bracket includes a first portion that is configured to attach to the beam structure, a second portion adjacent the first portion, and a third portion adjacent the second portion. The second portion includes a deformable section, and the third portion is configured to attach to the PSIR module.

In another aspect, an airbag system is provided that includes an instrument panel beam structure and an airbag module coupled to the beam structure by a bracket. The bracket includes a first portion that is configured to attach to the beam structure, a second portion adjacent the first portion, and a third portion adjacent the second portion. The second portion includes a deformable section, and the third portion is configured to attach to the airbag module.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of an instruiήent panel assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0005] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the PSIR bracket shown in Figure 1.

[0006] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the PSIR module and PSIR bracket shown in Figure 1.

[0007] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the PSIR bracket and PSIR module shown in Figure 3 coupled to an instrument panel beam structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A PSIR bracket for an instrument panel system is described below in more detail. The PSIR bracket attaches a PSIR module to an instrument panel beam structure. The features of the PSIR bracket permit the PSIR module to also be directly attached to the instrument panel. Typically, a PSIR module is positioned so that there is a gap between the instrument panel and the PSIR to provide compliance with head impact requirements. The PSIR bracket absorbs sufficient energy during an impact event to provide compliance with head impact requirements when the PSIR module is attached directly to the instrument panel. Further, the PSIR bracket provides sufficient stiffness to satisfy noise, vibration and harshness standards of automobile manufacturers.

[0009] Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of an instrument panel system 10 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Instrument panel system 10 includes an instrument panel 12 having duct outlet openings 14, 16, 18, and 20. Vent grills 22, 24, 26, and 28 are sized to mate with openings 14, 16, 18, and 20 respectively. An instrument cluster 30 and a cluster trim plate 32 are coupled to instrument panel 12. Cluster trim plate 32 includes vent grills 34 and 36. A driver side knee bolster 38 and a glove box surround 40 are coupled to instrument panel 12. A glove box 42 attaches to a glove box hinge portion 44 of glove box surround 40. The combination of glove box surround 40 and glove box 42 act as a passenger knee bolster. A center bezel 46 is coupled to driver side knee bolster 38 and glove box surround 40. A fuse access door 48 covers a fuse access opening 50 in glove box surround 40. A PSIR module 52 is mounted adjacent instrument panel 12, and aligned with PSIR door 53 in instrument panel 12.

[0010] Instrument panel 12 attaches to an instrument panel beam structure 54. Beam structure 54 is fabricated from any suitable material, for example steel, aluminum, magnesium, extruded aluminum, extruded thermoplastic, pultruded thermoplastic, and molded thermoplastic. End brackets 56 and 58 are attached to opposing ends 60 and 62 of beam structure 54 and are configured to couple beam structure 54 to the vehicle body (not shown). End brackets 56 and 58 are attached to beam structure 54 by any suitable means, for example, fasteners, adhesives, snap-fit methods and combinations thereof. End brackets 56 and 58 are fabricated from any suitable material, for example, steel, aluminum, magnesium, and thermoplastic materials. A PSIR bracket 64 attaches PSIR module 52 to beam structure 54.

[0011] Figure 2 is a perspective view of PSIR bracket 64 and Figure 3 is a perspective view of PSIR bracket 64 attached to PSIR module 52. Referring to Figures 2 and 3, PSIR bracket 64 includes a first or beam attachment portion 66 having a main section 68 and leg sections 70 and 72 extending from main section 68. Attachment openings 74 and 76 extend through leg sections 70 and 72 respectively. Bracket first portion 66 is sized and shaped to attach to beam structure 54.

[0012] A second or energy absorbing portion 78 of PSIR bracket 64 is located adjacent first portion 66. Bracket second portion 78 includes a deformable section 79 that collapses when a predetermined force is applied. Deformable section 79 includes a plurality of substantially parallel longitudinal bends 80. In the exemplary embodiment, longitudinal bends 80 have an accordion shape configuration which permits bracket 64 to compress during an impact event to absorb energy and satisfy head impact requirements. In alternate embodiments, longitudinal bends 80 can have any suitable configuration that permits bracket 64 to absorb energy during an impact event. Further, deformable section 79 can have any suitable configuration that permits deformable section 79 to collapse when a predetermined force is applied. For example, deformable section 79 can include openings or voids sized and shaped to permit deformable section 79 to collapse to absorb energy.

[0013] A third or airbag attachment portion 82 of PSIR bracket 64 is located adjacent second portion 78. Bracket third portion 82 includes a plurality of attachment openings 84 and is sized and shaped to attach to PSIR module 52. Particularly, and as shown in Figure 3, third portion 82 of PSIR bracket 64 is attached to a side portion 86 of PSIR module 52. PSIR bracket 64 can be fabricated from any suitable material, for example steel, aluminum, magnesium, thermoplastic materials, and the like. In the exemplary embodiment, PSIR bracket 64 has a substantially question mark shaped cross sectional profile. However, in alternate embodiments, PSIR bracket can have any suitably shaped cross sectional profile.

[0014] Figure 4 is a perspective view of PSIR module 52 attached to an instrument panel beam structure 54. As explained above, third portion 82 of PSIR bracket 64 is attached to a side portion 86 of PSIR module 52. Referring to Figure 4, first portion 66 of bracket 64 is attached to a side portion 88 of beam structure 54. The attachment of PSIR module 53 to beam structure 54 with energy absorbing PSIR bracket 64 permits PSIR module to also be attached to instrument panel 12 (shown in Figure 1). PSIR bracket 64 is attached to PSIR module 52 and beam structure 54 by any suitable means, for example, fasteners, studs, adhesive bonding, and combinations thereof. PSIR module 52 further includes attachment flanges 90 and 92 that are sized and shaped to attach directly to instrument panel 12. Attachment flanges 90 and 92 include attachment openings 94 extending therethrough.

[0015] The above described PSIR bracket 64 permits attachment of a PSIR module directly to an instrument panel. PSIR bracket 64 absorbs sufficient energy during an impact event to provide compliance with head impact requirements when the PSIR module is attached directly to the instrument panel. Further, PSIR bracket 64 provides sufficient stiffness to satisfy noise, vibration and harshness standards of automobile manufacturers.

[0016] While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A PSIR module bracket (64) for an instrument panel system (10) comprising an instrument panel (10), a beam structure (54), and a PSIR module (52), said PSIR module bracket comprising:

a first portion (66) configured to attach to the beam structure;

a second portion (78) adjacent said first portion, said second portion comprising a deformable section (79); and

a third portion (82) adjacent said second portion, said third portion configured to attach to the PSIR module.

2. A PSIR module bracket (64) in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said first portion (66) comprises at least one leg section (70, 72) extending from a main section (68) of said first portion, each said leg section comprising an attachment opening (74, 76).

3. A PSIR module bracket (64) in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said third portion (82) comprises at least one attachment opening (84).

4. A PSIR module bracket (64) in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said deformable section (79) of said second portion (78) compresses when a predetermined amount of force is applied.

5. A PSIR module bracket (64) in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said deformable section (79) of said second portion (78) comprises a plurality of substantially parallel longitudinal bends (80).

6. A PSIR module bracket (64) in accordance with Claim 5 wherein said second portion longitudinal bends (80) comprise an accordion shaped configuration.

7. A PSIR module bracket (64) in accordance with Claim 5 wherein said plurality of accordion shaped longitudinal bends (80) are sized to compress upon impact to absorb energy.

8. A PSIR module bracket (64) in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said bracket comprises a substantially question mark shaped cross sectional profile.

9. An instrument panel system (10) comprising:

an instrument panel beam structure (54);

an instrument panel (12) coupled to said beam structure;

a PSIR module (52) positioned adjacent said instrument panel; and

a PSIR module bracket (64) attached to said PSIR module and said beam structure, said PSIR module bracket comprising:

a first portion (66) configured to attach to the beam structure;

a second portion adjacent (78) said first portion, said second portion comprising a deformable section (79); and

a third portion adjacent (82) said second portion, said third portion configured to attach to the PSIR module.

10. An instrument panel system (10) in accordance with Claim 9 wherein said PSIR bracket first portion (66) comprises at least one leg section (70, 72) extending from a main section (68) of said first portion, each said leg section comprising an attachment opening (74, 76).

11. An instrument panel system (10) in accordance with Claim 9 wherein said PSIR bracket third portion (82) comprises at least one attachment opening (84.

12. An instrument panel system (10) in accordance with Claim 9 wherein said deformable section (79) of said second portion (78) comprises a plurality of substantially parallel longitudinal bends (80).

13. An instrument panel system (10) in accordance with Claim 12 wherein said PSIR bracket second portion longitudinal bends (80) comprise an accordion shaped configuration.

14. An instrument panel system (10) in accordance with Claim 13 wherein said PSIR bracket plurality of accordion shaped longitudinal bends (80) are sized to compress upon impact to absorb energy.

15. An instrument panel system (10) in accordance with Claim 9 wherein said PSIR module (52) is attached to said instrument panel (12).

16. An instrument panel system (10) in accordance with Claim 9 wherein said PSIR bracket (64) comprises a substantially question mark shaped cross sectional profile.

17. An airbag system comprising:

an instrument panel beam structure (54);

an airbag module (52) coupled to said beam structure by a bracket (64), said bracket comprising:

' a first portion (66) configured to attach to the beam structure;

a third portion (82) adjacent said second portion, said third portion configured to attach to the airbag module.

18. An airbag system in accordance with Claim 17 wherein said bracket first portion (66) comprises at least one leg section (70, 72) extending from a main section (68) of said first portion, each said leg section comprising an attachment opening (74, 76).

19. An airbag system in accordance with Claim 17 wherein said bracket third portion (82) comprises at least one attachment opening (84).

20. An airbag system in accordance with Claim 17 wherein said deformable section (79) of said second portion (78) comprises a plurality of substantially parallel longitudinal bends (80).

21. An airbag system in accordance with Claim 20 wherein said bracket second portion longitudinal bends (80) comprise an accordion shaped configuration.

22. An airbag system in accordance with Claim 21 wherein said bracket plurality of accordion shaped longitudinal bends (80) are sized to compress upon impact to absorb energy.

23. An airbag system in accordance with Claim 17 further comprising an instrument panel (12), said airbag module (52) attached to said instrument panel.

24. An airbag system in accordance with Claim 17 wherein said bracket (64) comprises a substantially question mark shaped cross sectional profile.