DESC:FITMENT EASE OF PASSENGER AIRBAG (PAB) HOUSING IN INSTRUMENT PANEL
FIELD OF INVENTION: 5
[001] The present subject matter described herein, relates to a passenger air bag unit of a vehicle and, in particular, to mounting of the passenger air bag in instrument panel of the vehicle for un-obstructed and fast assembly and de-assembly of the passenger air bag.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART: 10
[002] Airbag is folded inside an airbag module or housing that is mounted/installed in the instrument panel of the vehicle. The housing for the passenger airbag (PAB) is mounted behind the instrument panel of the vehicle.
[003] When the PAB is required to be replaced or repaired whole housing has to be de-assembled from the instrument panel. Once the PAB is replaced or repaired 15 it has to be assembled again in the instrument panel. In the assembly and de-assembly of the existing PAB housings, whole instrument panel has to be open to assemble and de-assemble the PAB housing. In the opening of the instrument panel, the instrument panel may get damages and scratches. Further, the assembly and de-assembly of the complete instrument panel is time consuming and costly. 20
[004] Conventional PAB housing is located at in accessible location from the glove box opening. Figure 1, 2, 3, and 6 describes the existing mounting of the PAB housing in the instrument panel. Fig. 1 illustrates the presence of various components on the instrument panel of the vehicle. At upper location of the instrument panel 103 near the windshield of the vehicle, the PAB housing 101 is 25 located. Further, the PAB housing 101 is placed over the instrument panel 403 at such location in front of the passenger seat from where chances of head collision or impact force are more. Further, glove box 104 is located below the instrument panel in front of the knees of the passenger. Front garnish 102 is immediately in front of the passenger seat which has different shape and configuration for artistic 30 design of the front garnish.
3
[005] Fig. 2 illustrates the mounting of the PAB housing 204 on the instrument panel 103 and member comb 203. Fig. 2 shows the view of the PAB housing 204 from bottom of the glove box opening. The PAB housing 204 is mounted at four points with the screws. The PAB housing 204 is mounted at two places 201 with instrument panel with screws. Further, the PAB housing 204 is mounted on 5 straight bracket, i.e., I shape bracket 203 fixed on the member comb. Further, IP harness 202 is in horizontal location with the member comb. Further, the IP harness 202 is placed horizontally facing the Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning (HVAC) unit (as shown in figure 3).
[006] Fig. 3 illustrates the fitting of the PAB housing with tool 306 from the 10 glove box opening. The placement of the PAB housing 204 is such that when a tool 306 is inserted form the glove box opening to fit the PAB housing, it will foul with the HVAC unit 305 and IP harness 302. There is difficult or inaccessibility to access the mounted screws due to the structure obstructions 304 for the tool 306. The IP harness 302 is placed horizontally with respect to member comb 303 15 facing towards the HVAC unit 305 which reduces space for movement of the tool 306. Further, the angle of the screws 301 in the instrument panel mounting of the PAB housing is straight so that tool 306 fouls with the HVAC unit 305 and IP harness 302. Further, presence of the IP harness 302 towards the HVAC unit 305 blocks the free passage of the tool 306 towards the PAB housing mounted on the 20 instrument panel.
[007] Fig. 6(a) illustrates the top view of the arrangement of the IP harness 602 and the member comb 603 in the vehicle. Conventionally, the IP harness 602 and member comb 603 are arranged in the horizontal direction (if it is viewed from the top side). Further, mounting bracket 604 fixed on the member comb 603 is in ‘I’ 25 shape which receives mounting brackets fixed on the PAB housing to mount the PAB housing. Further, the mounting of PAB housing on the present I shape brackets does not give proper elevation to the PAB housing from where tool can reach the screw mounted on the instrument panel. In the present arrangement, the IP harness 602 cannot be replaced at any location to provide a space for 30
4
movement of tool. Therefore, the present arrangement of the IP harnesses 602 and member comb 603 with I shape bracket blocks the movement of the tool from the glove box opening.
[008] US publication US 5230530A relates to an air bag mount structure for mounting an air bag unit which is disposed behind an instrument panel for 5 absorbing a shock against a passenger seated in a front seat of a vehicle includes a hinge pillar arranged in a front body structure of the vehicle for supporting a door unit through a hinge device. A support device mounts the air bag unit thereon. The support device is mounted on the hinge pillar at one end portion and on either the hinge pillar or a floor panel at the other end. Stability can be improved in 10 supporting the air bag unit so that a reliability of the air bag system can be obtained in operation.
[009] US publication US 7,699,338 B2 relates to a passenger airbag module removably connectable to an automotive interior component. The passenger airbag module may include a front bracket engageable with an automotive interior 15 component and a rear connector having a detent or an aperture. A rear bracket may be removably connectable with the rear connector by an aperture or detent for respectively receiving or insertion into the detent or aperture of the rear connector. The rear bracket may be further configured to engage the automotive interior component. 20
[0010] In the known technologies, the PAB housing is located at inaccessible location from the front end of the instrument panel. Further, the PAB housing is located far inside the glove box opening so it is not possible to assemble or de-assemble the PAB housing from the glove box opening. Furthermore, placement of IP harness and metal brackets on the member comb make fitting angle more 25 difficult from the glove box opening. If a tool is tried from the glove box opening to open the PAB housing it will strike to the HVAC unit and IP harness of the vehicle. Therefore, it is not possible to assemble and de-assemble the PAB housing from the glove box opening. To provide an easy assembly and de-assembly of PAB housing, it is necessary to provide straight and non obstruction 30
5
path for tool from the glove box opening to un-mount or mount PAB housing screws with Instrument panel.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[0011] The principal objective of the present invention is to provide un-obstructed accessibility to Passenger Airbag (PAB) housing from glove box opening under 5 the instrument panel of vehicle.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to change the screw mounting position of the PAB housing with the instrument panel and the member comb.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to change the placement of the IP harness to provide un-obstructed accessibility to the PAB housing. 10
[0014] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide ‘L’ shape mounting bracket on the member comb to mount the PAB housing and provide un-obstructed accessibility to the PAB housing from glove box housing.
[0015] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide angled fitment of the PAB housing with the instrument panel to get direct, straight, and, 15 unobstructed access of the screw mounting of the PAB housing from the with instrument panel from the glove box opening.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0016] The present invention relates a passenger side air bag (PAB) mounting structure for un-obstructed access to screw mounting of PAB housing mounted on 20 instrument panel from glove box opening of vehicle. The passenger side air bag (PAB) mounting structure comprises the PAB housing which has an air bag module and inflator unit. The PAB housing is mounted on the instrument panel and member comb of the vehicle. Further at least two mounting brackets are mounted on the member comb to receive the PAB housing. 25
[0017] In order to further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with
6
reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit scope of the present subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be 5 considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and 10 components. Some embodiments of system or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0019] Fig. 1 illustrates component of vehicle front panel, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter; 15
[0020] Fig. 2 illustrates mounting of Passenger Airbag (PAB) housing on the instrument panel and member comb as known in the art;
[0021] Fig. 3 illustrates cross sectional view of the PAB housing with existing problem in art;
[0022] Fig. 4 illustrates components of vehicle front panel along with the glove 20 box opening, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0023] Fig. 5 illustrates the mounting and structural change of the PAB housing to provide unobstructed access from the glove box opening, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0024] Fig. 6(a) illustrate the top view of the member comb and IP harness as 25 known in the art;
7
[0025] Fig. 6(b) illustrate the top view of placements of the member comb, IP harness, and mounting bracket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter; and
[0026] Fig. 7 illustrates cross section view of the PAB housing with mounting changes in the instrument panel and member comb and un-obstructed access to 5 PAB housing from the glove box opening, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject member.
[0027] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and 10 methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
[0028] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to mounting structure of Passenger side Airbag (PAB) housing on instrument panel and member comb of 15 the vehicle to provide un-obstructed accessibility to the PAB housing from the glove box opening. The member comb has at least two mounting brackets which are mounted on the member comb. The at least two mounting brackets are in ‘L’ shape, and one end, i.e., vertical end of the each bracket is mounted on the member comb. Where the other end, i.e., horizontal base of the mounting bracket 20 which has a hole at middle for screw mounting. The PAB housing has at least two mounting brackets mounted at back side of the PAB housing. One end of each bracket of the at least two mounting brackets is mounted on the back side of the PAB housing. Where other end of each of the bracket of the at least two mounting brackets is placed on the horizontal base of the at least two mounting brackets of 25 member comb to receive screw from the co-axial hole. Further, in the mounting structure of the Passenger side Airbag (PAB) housing, Instrument Panel (IP) harness is placed vertically over the member comb. In the mounting of PAB housing at instrument panel, the angle of the screw in the PAB housing is in range of 20o-30o with respect to fitting of air bag housing with the instrument panel. 30
8
[0029] Conventionally, the PAB housing is located at inaccessible location from the front end of the instrument panel. Further, the PAB housing is located far inside the glove box opening so it is not possible to assemble or de-assemble the PAB housing from the glove box opening. Furthermore, placement of IP harness and metal brackets on the member comb make fitting angle more difficult from 5 the glove box opening. If a tool is tried from the glove box opening to open the PAB housing it will strike to the HVAC unit and IP harness of the vehicle. Therefore, it is not possible to assemble and de-assemble the PAB housing from the glove box opening.
[0030] It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the 10 principles of the present subject matter. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present subject matter. It should also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that by devising various arrangements that, although not 15 explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the present subject matter and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art, and are to be 20 construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present subject matter, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying 25 figures.
[0031] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail with reference to the following figures. It should be noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the present subject matter. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise 30
9
various arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its scope.
[0032] Fig. 4 illustrates components of vehicle front panel along with the glove box opening, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The front panel of the vehicle comprises an instrument panel 403, PAB housing 5 401, front garnish 402, and glove box opening 404. The PAB housing 401 is placed at the upper surface of the instrument panel near front wind shield. Further, the PAB housing 401 is placed over the instrument panel 403 at such location in front of the passenger seat from where chances of head collision or impact force is more. Further, the glove box opening 404 is located below the instrument panel 10 403 in front of the knees of the passenger. The front garnish 402 is immediately in front of the passenger seat which has different shape and configuration for artistic design of the front garnish. The glove box opening 404 is present at the bottom of the instrument panel 403 which allows the accessibility of tool towards the screw mounting of the PAB housing 401. 15
[0033] Fig. 5 illustrates the mounting and structural change in mounting structure of the PAB housing to provide un-obstructed access to screw mountings of the PAB housing from the glove box opening, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The PAB housing 506 comprises an air bag module and air inflator unit 505. The air bag module has the air bag which expands during 20 collision of the vehicle. The PAB housing 506 is screw mounted at one side with the instrument panel 403. Further, screws of the screw mounting are mounted on back side of the PAB housing 506 at an angle in range of 20o - 30o with respect to the fitting direction of the air bag. Further, other end/side of the PAB housing 506 is mounted on member comb 504 with the help of mounting brackets 503. 25
[0034] The member comb 504 has at least two mounting brackets 503 which are mounted on the member comb 504. The at least two mounting brackets 503 may be welded on the member comb 504 from the vertical end on the member comb 504. The at least two mounting brackets 503 are in ‘L’ shape, and one end, i.e., vertical end of the each bracket is mounted on the member comb 504. Further, tip 30
10
of the vertical end of the mounting bracket is welded on the member comb 504. Where the other end, i.e., horizontal base or horizontal surface of the mounting bracket receives flat surface of the mounting bracket 507 of the PAB housing 506. The horizontal base of the mounting bracket 503 of the member comb 504 has a hole at middle for screw mounting. 5
[0035] The PAB housing 506 has at least two mounting brackets 507 which are mounted at back side of the PAB housing 506. One end of each mounting bracket of the at least two mounting brackets 507 is mounted on the back side of the PAB housing 506. Where other end, i.e., flat surface of each bracket of the at least two mounting brackets 507 is placed over the horizontal base of the at least two 10 mounted brackets 503 of the member comb 504 to receive screws from the co-axial hole and provide screw mounting to the PAB housing 506 over the member comb 504. Further, in the mounting structure of the Passenger side Airbag (PAB) housing, Instrument Panel (IP) harness 502 is placed vertically over the member comb 504. Further, the placement of the IP harness 502 over the member comb 15 504 provides enough space for a tool to reach the screw mounting 501 of the PAB housing 506 at instrument panel. In the mounting of the PAB housing 506 at instrument panel 403, the angle of the screw mounting 501 in the PAB housing 506 is in range of 20o-30o with respect to fitting of PAB housing 506 with the instrument panel 403. 20
[0036] Fig. 6(b) illustrates the top view of the arrangement of IP harness 607 and member comb 606 in the vehicle, in accordance with the present subject matter. The IP harness 607 is placed over the member comb 606 in the vertical direction (is view from the top side). Further, ‘L’ shaped mounting brackets 605 are fixed/mounted on the member comb 606 to mount the PAB housing 506 using 25 screws. Further, the placement of the IP harness 607 over the member comb 606 provide a space between the HVAC unit and the member comb 606 for unobstructed accessibility of the screw mountings 501 of the PAB housing 506 on the Instrument panel 403. Further, the mounting brackets of the member comb
11
606 provide an upliftment to the PAB housing 506 for un-obstructed and easy access of tool to the screw mountings 501 of the PAB housing 506.
[0037] Further, the angle of the screw mounting 501 at the instrument panel 403 provides straight accessibility from the space created by placing the IP harness 607 vertically over the member comb 606. Therefore, the tool (as shown in figure 5 7) does not foul with the HVAC unit due to the created space by placing the IP harness 606 over the member comb 607 and the angle of the screw mounting 501 with respect to placement in the PAB housing.
[0038] Fig. 7 illustrates the mounting structure of the PAB housing with tool from the glove box opening in accordance with the present subject matter. The present 10 figure shows the movement of tool 706 from glove box opening to screw mounting 701 of the PAB housing with the instrument panel. The tool 706 can easily and un-obstructed access the screw mounting 701 of the PAB housing. Further, the placement of IP harness 702 over member comb 703 provides enough space for movement of the tool 706 to reach the screw mounting 701 of the PAB 15 housing. Further, the angle of the screw mounting 701 of the PAB housing is in range of 20o-30o with respect to fitting of air bag with the instrument panel. The placement of IP harness over the member comb creates a space between the HVAC unit 705 and the member comb 703 from where the tool 706 can access the screw mounting 701 of the PAB housing in instrument panel easily. Further, 20 the PAB housing is mounted on the member comb 703 with the help of ‘L’ shape mounting brackets which provides the required angle upliftment to the PAB housing to mount on the instrument panel. The mounting structure of the PAB housing on the mounting brackets provides an angle upliftment in range of 20o-30o with reference to instrument panel. The L shape mounting bracket on the 25 member comb 703 allow placement of the IP harness 702 over it and saves the space constraint. In the present mounting structure, the tool 706 can access the screw mounting 701 of the PAB housing mounted on the instrument panel without getting any obstruction from the HVAC unit 705 and the IP harness 702. This
12
structure improves assembly and de-assembly of PAB housing from the glove box opening which saves time and cost.
[0039] Although embodiments for the present subject matter have been described in language specific to structural features, it is to be understood that the present subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, 5 the specific features and methods are disclosed as embodiments for the present subject matter. Numerous modifications and adaptations of the system/device of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and thus it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and adaptations which fall within the scope of the present subject matter.

CLAIMS:We claim:
1. A passenger side air bag (PAB) mounting structure for un-obstructed access to screw mounting (501, 701) of PAB housing (506) mounted on instrument panel (403) from glove box opening (404) of vehicle, the passenger side air 5 bag (PAB) mounting structure comprising:
the PAB housing (506), wherein the PAB housing (506) has an air bag module and inflator unit (505);
wherein the PAB housing (506) is mounted on the instrument panel (403) and member comb (504, 606, 703) of the vehicle; and 10
at least two mounting brackets (503, 605) are mounted on the member comb (504, 606, 703) to receive the PAB housing (506).
2. The passenger side air bag mounting structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein structure of the at least two mounting brackets (503, 605) which are 15 mounted on the member comb (504, 606, 703) is in ‘L’ shape structure.
3. The passenger side air bag mounting structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the PAB housing (506) has at least two mounting brackets (507) which are mounted at back side of the PAB housing (506). 20
4. The passenger side air bag mounting structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein one end of the at least two mounting brackets (503, 605) are mounted on the member comb (504, 606, 703) and other horizontal base end of the at least two mounting brackets (503, 605) receives flat surface of the 25 at least two mounting brackets (507) mounted on the PAB housing (506).
5. The passenger side air bag mounting structure as claimed in claim 4, the wherein the horizontal base of the at least two mounting brackets (503, 605) mounted on the member comb (504, 606, 703) and the flat surface of the at 30 least two mounting brackets (507) mounted on the PAB housing (506) has axial holes to receive a screw.
14
6. The passenger side air bag mounting structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein IP harness (502, 607, 702) is placed over the member comb (504, 606, 703) in vertical upward direction to provide enough space for movement of a tool (706) to mount and un-mount the screw mounting (501, 5 701) of the PAB housing (506) mounted on the instrument panel (403).
7. The passenger side air bag mounting structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein IP harness (502, 607, 702) is placed at the back side of the at least two mounting brackets (503, 605) mounted on the member comb (504, 606, 10 703).
8. The passenger side air bag mounting structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the PAB housing (506) is mounted on the instrument panel (403) at upper side with screw mounting (501, 701). 15
9. The passenger side air bag mounting structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the PAB housing (506) is mounted at an angle in range 20o-30o with respect to fitting of air bag housing with the instrument panel (403).