Abstract: An airbag apparatus or the like in which the form of breaking of a tear line can be made more stable, and the deployment positions of an airbag cover and a bag portion can be made more stable is provided. An airbag apparatus includes a bag portion formed of a base cloth panel in a bag shape and deployed and inflated in front of a driver by being supplied with gas for deployment, an inflator that generates the gas for deployment, a retaining container in which the bag portion not in use is housed and at the top of which an opening is provided, and an airbag cover that substantially covers the opening of the retaining container when not in use and a front portion of which rises to uncover the opening when the bag portion is deployed and inflated. The airbag apparatus is provided in front of a seat of a saddle-ride type vehicle.

Abstract: A thermoplastic foil has an embossed three-dimensionally structured surface (2) in the external cover layer. The cover layer is configured as a foamed layer and has a foam density that varies across the layer thickness thereof and increases toward the surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle instrument panel inflatable airbag arrangement (11), comprising a flap covering an airbag module, a tether (18) secured to the flap and to fixed means (16) rigidly secured to the instrument panel to constitute an articulation of the flap with respect to the instrument panel. According to the invention, a portion (21) of the flexible tether (18) passes around a limit stop (19) that forms part of the fixed means (16) while being fixed to these fixed means (16) a certain distance away from this limit stop (19) so that when the flap opens, the linear tether (18) is torn out of the fixed means (16) in order to come to press against the limit stop (19) in order to release an additional length of tether making it possible to increase the mobility of the flap.

Abstract: An internal deployable vehicle panel assembly includes an inner panel, an outer panel and a deployable energy absorber. The inner panel includes a first mounting structure that movably couples the inner panel to a vehicle component to move between a closed position to cover an access opening to a vehicle storage compartment and an open position to reveal the access opening. The outer panel includes a second mounting structure that is removably coupled to a third mounting structure of the inner panel. The deployable energy absorber is disposed between the inner and outer panels in an undeployed state. The deployable energy absorber is free from fixed attachment to the outer panel and energizable to a deployed state in which the deployable energy absorber separates the outer panel from the inner panel and displaces the outer panel away from the inner panel.

Abstract: A curtain airbag device placement structure has an airbag module that is structured to include a curtain airbag folded-up in an elongated shape and an inflator supplying gas to the curtain airbag at a time of a side collision or the like, and that is assembled in advance to a top surface of a side terminal portion of a roof head lining. The inflator is disposed directly above a center pillar, and a pair of front and rear mounting leg portions of an inflator mounting bracket for fixing the inflator to a vehicle body are extended further toward a vehicle lower side than the side terminal portion of the roof head lining, and further, the inflator mounting bracket is fixed to the center pillar at the mounting leg portions.

Abstract: A door hinge structure for passenger airbags, may include an airbag module installed inside a crash pad at a location spaced apart from the crash pad, and an airbag door having a hinge unit provided on an inner surface of the crash pad at a location facing the airbag module, wherein the airbag door may be provided with a reinforcing bracket, the reinforcing bracket being embedded in the airbag door at an area around the hinge unit, on which a stress may be concentrated when an airbag cushion deploys from the airbag module, thus increasing a strength of the airbag door.

Abstract: An airbag cover includes a housing section which forms an upper part of which is opened and into which a folded airbag cushion is housed; and a guide section which is formed by extending an upper rear end and both ends of the opened housing section to form an additional space for extending a space of the housing section and a front surface of which at a passenger side is opened to guide an initial deployment direction of the airbag cushion toward a passenger side.

Abstract: An airbag cover main body portion is provided including a plate-shaped opening portion, a flat portion provided to at least a region further on an inner peripheral side than the opening portion, and a plurality of welding auxiliary ribs that is provided to protrude from a region further on an outer peripheral side than the opening portion and maintain a flatness of a surface of the opening portion, wherein: a frame-shaped body includes a flap portion that tears and deploys by pressure imparted by an inflation load, ribs to be welded that are provided at least to the flap portion, facing the flat portion, and a plurality of auxiliary ribs to be welded; and the ribs to be welded and the flat portion as well as the auxiliary ribs to be welded and the welding auxiliary ribs are respectively joined by vibration welding while respectively in contact with each other.

Abstract: Some airbag assemblies can include a housing, an airbag, and a cover. The cover can include a tear seam that is configured to break to permit the airbag to exit the housing. The tear seam can include discrete break columns at which the tear seam ruptures.

Abstract: A vehicle interior panel for use over an airbag includes a decorative covering with a grain-coordinated tear seam. The decorative covering includes a visible surface with a grain pattern formed therein, and individual stress risers of the tear seam a located at valleys of the grain pattern. Holes cut through a skin layer of the decorative covering in this manner have reduced visibility, due in part to light reflection characteristics at the grained surface that tend to form shadowed areas in the grain valleys. A method for forming a grain-coordinated tear seam includes determining the location of peaks and/or valleys of the grain pattern and forming a majority of the stress risers at determined valley locations.

Abstract: First support portions 71 and 72 positioned on a predetermined straight line L2 approximately perpendicular to a broken line of a hinge portion is set in a support portion 70 that supports a back plate 27 with respect to a back face side of a door portion 36. Second and third support portions 73 and 74 positioned in line symmetry with respect to the straight line L2, are set in the support portion 70. It is possible to receive the centrifugal force, which is applied to the back plate 27 due to the expansion of the door portion 36, with good balance by the first to third support portions 71, 72, 73, and 74. An emblem 24 can be reliably fixed to the door portion 36 with preventing a fixing pin 31 from being excessively locked into a through hole 33 more than necessary.

Abstract: A panel for use over a vehicle airbag includes a skin layer with a plurality of stress concentrators formed in an inner surface in a uniform two-dimensional pattern. A deployment opening may be formed through the skin layer with no pre-determined tear seam location. Multiple possible tear seam locations may be defined along stress concentrators arranged in such patterns. One method of forming stress concentrators in the desired pattern or arrangement includes a calendering operation that may be the same or similar operation used to form decorative grain patterns on the outer surface of the skin layer.

Abstract: A vehicle interior panel for use over an airbag includes a substrate having an airbag door region and a decorative covering disposed over the airbag door region. A tear seam is formed in the decorative covering along a path having an end portion that is non-orthogonal with respect to a hinge side of the airbag door region. The tear seam path may include a central portion that lies along a side of the airbag door region opposite the hinge side, along with end portions that form obtuse included angles with the central portion. In some cases, the end portions diverge from a perimeter of the airbag door region and may generally extend along high deployment stress regions of the covering. Tear seams formed along such a path may reduce airbag inflation energy losses associated with tearing the covering material(s) during airbag deployment.

Abstract: A covering for use over a vehicle airbag includes a skin layer and an attached foam layer. The foam layer is constructed from a polymer-based material that includes a polymer portion and an additive, and the additive may be selected to affect the energy transmission characteristics of the foam layer material when the covering is subjected to a laser scoring process that uses a laser light beam having a characteristic wavelength. The additive may decrease the amount of light energy transmitted through the material at the characteristic wavelength to limit the amount of energy leakage from one cut location to another during laser scoring. The decrease in light transmission through the material may be accompanied by an increase in the light absorption of the material, an increase in the amount of light reflected by the material, and/or an increase in a laser cutting rate of the material per unit energy.

Abstract: An airbag cover for a vehicle that includes an airbag cover body that has a tear line to allow the airbag cover body to be torn off when an airbag cushion is deployed, and a bezel ring coupled to the airbag cover body. The airbag cover includes a plurality of separating protrusions having first and second separating protrusions that are formed on the bezel ring to be spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction of the bezel ring and to be adjacent to each other. In addition, the separating protrusions have third and fourth separating protrusions adjacent to each other at a position facing the first and second separating protrusions. The separating protrusions include first to fourth separating protrusion insertion apertures that are formed within the airbag cover body to allow the first to fourth separating protrusions to be inserted therein.

Abstract: A knee airbag module (200) has an airbag (201), an inflator (206) and a housing (202). The knee airbag module (200) is a self-contained assembly for mounting to a vehicle frame part (108) under the instrument panel (106). The housing (202) contains the airbag (201) and inflator (206) within a hollow interior of the housing formed by a first housing part (300) and a second housing part (302). The first and second housing parts are joined together. The housing (202) includes a deployable door cover (220) formed in the second part that articulates about a hinge (222) as the airbag (201) is inflated. The airbag (201), when inflated, extends upward relative to the lower portion of the instrument panel (106) between the instrument panel (106) and an occupant's knees (120). The door cover (220) is partially separated from the second housing part (302) by a tear seam (320). The hinge (222) is near a portion of the tear seam (320).

Abstract: An airbag is inflated and deployed in a short time, and a protective panel is moved rapidly. An airbag device (1) is disposed in a base section (2) of a vehicle. The airbag device (1) is provided with a protective panel (10) covering the base section (2), an airbag (20), and an inflator. The inflator inflates and deploys the airbag (20) by generating a gas. The airbag (20) has at least two standing portions (30) and inflates and deploys between the base section (2) and the protective panel (10). The standing portion (30) stands up from the base section (2) through inflation and moves the protective panel (10).

Abstract: A vehicle interior panel for use over an airbag includes a covering disposed over a substrate. The covering includes a decorative layer with an inner surface that faces the substrate and an opposite decorative surface. A non-visible tear seam is formed at the inner surface of the decorative layer. Tear seam tape is attached to the inner surface of the decorative layer along at least a portion of the tear seam to hold the decorative layer together at the tear seam. The tear seam tape can help prevent the tear seam from becoming visible at the decorative surface.

Abstract: A thermoplastic film for airbag covers contains a cover layer and a foam layer. The cover layer is made of at least two layers, having an outer layer and an inner layer, and an elongation at tear of the inner layer of the cover layer and of the foamed layer is considerably less than the elongation at tear of the outer layer of the cover layer.

Abstract: An airbag device for straddle type vehicles is provided with: an airbag module in which a holding box that stores an airbag functions as a case; and an airbag control unit that controls said airbag module. The airbag module is provided with the holding box that is disposed immediately in front of a rider's seat, a lid that closes the opening of the holding box, and a hinge that functions as a rotary fulcrum for the lid when the airbag inflates, and that is positioned on the rear side, with respect to the vehicle, of the lid. A linking mechanism for restricting the opening angle of the lid is provided between the lid and the holding box.

Abstract: A retaining system for an articulating support hook held in snap-in relation to a support surface underlying a vehicle headliner. The support hook assembly includes a hook member which is adapted to pivot between open and closed positions as desired. The hook assembly is stable in both the open and the closed positions and is not reliant upon internal springs for operation. The retaining system for the support hook assembly is not dependent upon screws or other attachment elements.

Abstract: An interior part, such as an instrument panel, for vehicles, for example motor vehicles is disclosed. The interior part includes an injection-molded rigid carrier with a front side and rear side, at least one groove on the rear side of the carrier, along which the carrier can rupture in order to form an airbag flap. The groove base of the groove lies at a distance from the front side of the carrier. The groove is formed in the mold. The front and rear sides of the carrier have the shape of a closed outer skin. The carrier includes a foamed core at least in the region of the groove.

Abstract: A method of making a vehicle interior panel substrate with a reduced thickness portion along a boundary of an airbag door includes molding the substrate using a substrate mold that includes a movable mold member. The movable mold member is part of a mold section and moves with respect to other portions of the mold section during the molding process to form the reduced thickness portion, which may include a hinge or a tear seam. The mold member moves after plastic material is introduced into the mold cavity. The plastic material is allowed to expand when substrate mold sections are moved away from each other. Plastic material expansion may be part of a structural gas injection (SGI) process. A scrim material or other hinge reinforcement may be molded into the substrate.

Abstract: The invention provides an airbag apparatus including an airbag that is folded toward an inflator attaching part and that is accommodated within a pad functioning as a case such that the airbag is provided with first and second folded parts arranged on a cabin side from an inflator. A tear line is formed on the pad at a position deviated from a center of the inflator toward the first folded part and divides the case into a first door and a second door. In the airbag apparatus, the second folded part that is covered by the first door is folded in a bellows shape.

Abstract: An airbag cover with a support component and a top-cover component, wherein the support component and the top-cover component are covered up with a covering material. A predetermined breakage line is formed between the support component and the top-cover component, which defines at least one serration or one undulation at the edge of the top-cover component, and the covering material exhibits a structural weakening, wherein the contour of the structural weakening is congruent with the contour of the breakage line at least in the area of the serration or the undulation. The breakage line between the support component and the top-cover component and the structural weakening of the covering material are formed at least in the area of the serration or the undulation by means of one or a plurality of cuts, which fully penetrate the support component and partially penetrate the covering material.

Abstract: An improved air bag deployment system that protects welds or other bonds that are made between the underside of an instrument panel substrate and the outer flange of an air bag deployment chute. A deflector element is located in the gap between the chute flange and the substrate to prevent the deploying air bag from expanding into the gap and potentially damaging the bond.

Abstract: Disclosed is an airbag cover (10) for an airbag (1), comprising a flap (2) which is opened when the airbag (1) is triggered. The flap (2) is coupled to a trim part (6) of the trim panel (3) of the passenger compartment by means of a connecting element (5). The connecting element (5) comprises at least one hinge (7) having several hinge axes (X, Y) and which is suitable for diverting part of the actuating forces of the airbag (1) acting in the direction of opening (B) towards a force component (FQ) perpendicular to the direction of opening (B).

Abstract: Inflatable airbag cushions can be rolled and/or folded into a housing assembly. The housing assembly aids in coupling an inflator to the airbag and a vehicle structure. The housing also couples the airbag to a vehicle structure. The housing can be mounted behind an knee bolster or steering wheel of a vehicle and has a cover that can be flush with the cabin side of the mounted position. The housing cover can be a cosmetically finished piece or a cosmetically unfinished piece. The housing cover can be an integral part of the housing, and may be used in combination with a one-piece inflator mounting bracket and heat shield.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hinge arrangement for an airbag flap hinged to a dashboard. The motor vehicle dashboard body (1) is provided with an opening closed by a flap (4), both the opening and the flap being defined by an outline (3) that is generally rectangular, the flap being suitable for opening so as to allow an airbag to be deployed. It is further provided with one or more linear ties (11-14) fastened to one face of the dashboard body and to one face of the flap, in such manner that segments (43, 44) of linear ties straddle a portion (6) of the outline that extends transversely relative to the vehicle on which the dashboard is to be mounted, in order to constitute or reinforce a hinge (AX) via which the flap is hinged to the dashboard body. The invention relates to motor vehicle safety.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle instrument panel inflatable airbag arrangement (11), comprising a flap covering an airbag module, a tether (18) secured to the flap and to fixed means (16) rigidly secured to the instrument panel to constitute an articulation of the flap with respect to the instrument panel. According to the invention, a portion (21) of the flexible tether (18) passes around a limit stop (19) that forms part of the fixed means (16) while being fixed to these fixed means (16) a certain distance away from this limit stop (19) so that when the flap opens, the linear tether (18) is torn out of the fixed means (16) in order to come to press against the limit stop (19) in order to release an additional length of tether making it possible to increase the mobility of the flap.

Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag cover having a carrier and a visible-side surface made of leather or an imitation leather arranged on the carrier, wherein the surface has a uniform thickness and the carrier has a carrier thinning introduced along a tear line, and a reinforcing layer having a local weakening is arranged between the carrier and the surface, wherein the surface is attached directly to the reinforcing layer. The local weakening is formed by a minimal thickness of the reinforcing layer in the area of the tear line. The uniform thickness of the surface is less than or equal to 1 mm.

Abstract: The decorative panel provided at the instrument panel includes the protruding portion that is engaged with the engagement hole of the airbag door, in a state in which the distal end portion protrudes from the rear surface of the airbag door, and the door decorative portion that is formed integrally with the protruding portion and attached to the front surface of the airbag door by engaging the protruding portion with the engagement hole. The protective plate that includes the protective portion covering the distal end portion of the protruding portion from the airbag side is provided at the rear surface of the airbag door. When the airbag is inflated and deployed, the airbag is prevented from interfering with the distal end portion of the protruding portion.

Abstract: Airbag covers include a covering portion adapted to at least substantially cover a portion of an airbag housing, and a plurality of tabs positioned to extend at least substantially transverse from the covering portion. The plurality of tabs are adapted to be coupled with a portion of an airbag housing. Each tab comprises an opening therein, and at least one tab of the plurality of tabs comprises at least one tear seam. Airbag modules including such covers further comprise a housing including an inflatable cushion and an inflator disposed at least partially therein. The housing comprises a plurality of cover retention components, each including a portion thereof disposed within an opening of a respective tab of the airbag cover. In forming an airbag cover, a covering portion with a plurality of tabs transversely extending therefrom are formed, and at least one tear seam is formed in at least one tab.

Abstract: An automobile airbag door is formed by a door base member, a door cover member, and a tear line. The door base member and the door cover member form a part of a base member and a part of a cover member of an instrument panel, respectively. When pressed by an airbag being deployed and inflated, the door base member is torn from the tear line. The first zone is defined as the bonded part between the outer surface of the door base member and the door cover member which extends along the tear line and includes a part on which the tear line is projected. The second zones are on both sides of the first zone and extend along the tear line. The automobile airbag door has a mechanism that makes the bond strength in the first zone weaker than the bond strength in each second zone.

Abstract: A display apparatus for a vehicle provided in an interior member of the vehicle that covers an airbag device and has specified movable areas that, when a bag portion is expanded and inflated, swing and open so as to form an area through which the bag portion passes. The display apparatus for a vehicle includes displays that have a flexible sheet-like shape and that are mounted on surfaces of the respective movable areas, display control devices that are disposed at positions away from the movable areas and drive the displays in order to cause the displays to display images, and flexible wiring portions that connect the displays to the display control devices and that has flexibility so as to be able to bend when the movable areas swing.

Abstract: An active bolster for an automotive vehicle has base wall for mounting against a rigid structure of the vehicle. A front wall overlies the base wall and forms an interior trim piece of the vehicle. The base wall has a first surface facing the front wall, and the front wall has a second surface facing the base wall. The base wall and front wall are joined around a closed perimeter to form an inflatable bladder with an initial open space between the first and second surfaces. The base wall includes a wide rib projecting from the first surface continuously along the closed perimeter, the wide rib having a minimum radial width along the closed perimeter equal to a first predetermined radial width. The front wall includes a plurality of narrow ribs projecting concentrically from the second surface continuously along the closed perimeter.

Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided. A seat back of the vehicle seat includes: a cover member having a cleavage part; an airbag provided in the seat back; a bracket; and a reinforced cloth that is fixed to the frame member via the bracket, and that reinforces a part of the cover member different from the cleavage part. The airbag is caused to inflate from the cleavage part to protect an occupant's body in a range from an occupant's chest to waist. The reinforced cloth includes a first regulating part that covers a part of the airbag to be inflated toward the occupant's chest and a second regulating part that covers a part of the airbag to be inflated toward the occupant's waist. An attachment portion of the first regulating part and an attachment portion of the second regulating part are attached to the frame member at separate positions.

Abstract: Interior panels having integrated airbag deployment doors for motor vehicles, and methods for making such interior panels are provided herein. In one example, an interior panel comprises a substrate that comprises a first PP/TPO material. An airbag chute-door assembly comprises a chute portion that has a chute wall. The chute wall at least partially surrounds an interior space that is sized to permit passage of an airbag during deployment. A first door flap portion is disposed adjacent to the interior space. The first door flap portion comprises a first door flap section and at least one first weld feature. The at least one first weld feature comprises a second PP/TPO material and attaches the first door flap section to the substrate. A first hinge pivotally connects the first door flap section to the chute portion. The first hinge comprises a TPE material.

Abstract: Cover apparatuses for use with airbag modules for facilitating routing of a wire harness away from an attachment point of the airbag module include a body member adapted to at least partially surround a portion of an inflator and an inflatable cushion. At least one stud aperture is positioned in an attachment side of the cover apparatus, and adapted to receive one or more mounting studs therethrough. A plurality of wire apertures are disposed in the cover apparatus away from the attachment side. Each wire aperture of the plurality of wire apertures is adapted to receive a wire harness therethrough. Methods of making inflatable airbag modules includes coupling an inflator with an inflatable cushion, disposing a cover apparatus around at least a portion of the inflatable cushion and inflator, and disposing a wire harness through the plurality of wire apertures in the cover apparatus.

Abstract: In the case of an airbag covering which comprises an opening flap (9) connected to an interior trim panel (10) via predetermined breaking points (17), a hinge plate (1) which is connected in a planar manner to the opening flap (9) via a hinge flap (2), and a firing channel (14) which is formed from a frame part (4) and hinge plate (1) and forms a combined component (15) with the hinge plate (1), the opening flap (9) is displaced in the direction of the vehicle interior upon opening of the airbag covering by the formation of an expansion fold (6) arranged parallel to the hinge pin (5).

Abstract: Interior panels having integrated airbag doors for motor vehicles and methods for making such interior panels are provided herein. In one example, an interior panel comprises a substrate having outer and inner surfaces and an opening extending therethrough. An airbag chute-door assembly is mounted to the substrate and comprises a chute wall that at least partially surrounds an interior space. A door flap portion is pivotally connected to the chute wall and at least partially covers the opening. A perimeter flange extends from the chute wall and has a flange section that overlies the outer surface of the substrate. A molded-in lip feature extends from the flange section and contacts the outer surface to form a seal between the flange section and the substrate. A skin covering extends over the substrate and a foam is disposed between the skin covering and the substrate.

Abstract: A side paneling system for a pillar of a motor vehicle is provided. The system includes a side paneling part for covering the pillar and an airbag arranged between the side paneling part and the pillar, at least one connecting element for releasably connecting the side paneling part to the pillar so that with an airbag (10) activating itself the side paneling part can move away from the pillar with the airbag, a catch band that is indirectly or directly connected to the side paneling part, so that the side paneling part is indirectly or directly fastened to the pillar with the catch band even with an activated airbag and the released connecting element. The side paneling part is in two parts with a first part and a second part, so that only the second part can move away from the pillar with the airbag.

Abstract: An airbag cover including a front door located in a front area of the airbag cover so as to be openable forward and an ornament located on a top face of the front door. The front door includes a mounting section for mounting the ornament thereon, and the mounting section partially protrudes rearward from the rear edge of the front door. The front door further includes an auxiliary breakable portion that is located at the front edge of the mounting section so as to be breakable when an obstacle contacts with the ornament, and a pair of second hinges located at left and right ends of the auxiliary breakable portion. The mounting section bends about the second hinges relative to the front door in an opposite direction to an opening direction of the front door at breakage of the auxiliary breakable portion.

Abstract: A vehicle interior assembly that includes airbags and a method of forming thereof.

Abstract: A passenger air bag apparatus may include an air bag door, a chute positioned on both ends of the air bag door, wherein the chute has a first fitting hole in one end thereof and a second fitting hole in the other end thereof, and an air bag housing having a first hook received in the first fitting hole and a second hook received in the second fitting hole, wherein an air bag may be contained in the air bag housing, and wherein the first hook may be in contact with an edge of the first fitting hole, and the second hook may be not in contact with an edge of the second fitting hole.

Abstract: An assembly for attaching an emblem onto the front face of an airbag storage enclosure cover has a plurality of attachment posts that project from the back surface of the emblem and extend through the cover from the front face to terminate in free ends remote from the emblem. An attachment backing sheet is positioned against the rear face of the cover, whereby the attachment posts also extend through the attachment backing sheet with the free end of each positioned on the side of the attachment backing sheet opposite from the cover. A plurality of radially-enlarged attachment nuggets are formed or joined individually in a one-to-one association to the free end of the attachment posts, and each of the attachment nuggets is secured to the backing sheet in proximity to the associated attachment post. The attachment backing sheet thus tethers each of the attachment nuggets to the cover in the event of the mechanical failure of an associated attachment post.

Abstract: An interior panel for the interior of a vehicle and a method for the production thereof. The interior panel has first and second layers and with the first layer having an air bag cover region extending over an air bag opening in the second layer. The interior panel has a connecting part which is formed from: a first fastening section which is fastened to the airbag cover region of the first layer, a second fastening section which is fastened to the lower side of the second layer, and a coupling section situated between the first fastening section and the second fastening section. The coupling section is made of flexible material such that the airbag cover region may be partially separated from the first layer during airbag deployment while being held by the coupling section.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for improving curtain air bag deployment using an actuator attached to a headliner. The present invention can include an automobile having a roof, a headliner, an actuator, a curtain air bag, a door, a sensor, and/or a processor. The roof can also include a roof rail. The roof rail and the headliner enclose the curtain air bag. The actuator is attached to the headliner. The sensor is located within the door and detects collision data. The processor analyzes the collision data to determine when to deploy the curtain airbag. In deploying the curtain airbag, the processor activates the actuator, which reduces the overlap between the headliner and the roof rail. The curtain airbags deploys by either pushing through the reduced overlap between the headliner and the roof rail or by easily forming through a gap between the headliner and the roof rail.

Abstract: The invention relates to an inflatable airbag arrangement (1) comprising an instrument panel body (2) having an aperture (3), a flap (10) closing this aperture (10) while being articulated to a transverse articulation edge of this aperture, a firing canal (4) fixed on the underside face of the instrument panel body (2). At least one tether (18) is fixed to the flap (10) and to the firing canal (4) so as to form a hinge and/or so as to limit the opening of the flap (10), and the firing canal (4) comprises at least one opening (28, 29, 42) establishing communication between an internal face and an external face of an edge (8, 9, 6) of the firing canal (4). The tether (18) passes through this opening (28, 29, 42) to be fixed while being held firmly at an external face of the firing canal (4) when the flap (10) opens.

Abstract: An airbag housing is carried on a formed part extending from a lower section of an instrument panel for a motor vehicle. The formed part forms at least a front section of an upper wall of a footwell assigned to the vehicle occupants. A knee airbag is disposed in the airbag housing.