Side Airbag Cover

Replacing a conventional metal can and plastic cover, this is the first time that an insert-molded bracket/cover assembly has been designed to be both the mounting surface for the seat side airbag (SAB) as well as integral to the performance and cosmetic function of the cover. This unique design answered the challenge of meeting styling studio requests for a thin seat appearance, but providing packaging space for increasingly large side airbags, which now typically protect occupants from chest to pelvis.  A cantilevered metal bracket allows for efficient assembly at the airbag supplier, reducing part counts typically required for a Class A side airbag module and saving 300 g of weight.  Extensive filling and tooling development was used to ensure proper bracket encapsulation by the tough TPO resin, which maintains a Class A appearance during normal use but delivers proper airbag deployment in a side impact event.  The design also virtually eliminates craftsmanship fit concerns that can be an issue with conventional "can & cover" SAB designs.

OEM/Vehicle Ford Motor Co. 2013 Ford Fusion midsize sedan System Supplier Autoliv Inc. Material Processor Atlantic Precision Products

Material Supplier Mitsubishi Resin TT914 CNP TPO Tooling/Equipment Supplier Great Lakes Mold & Engineering

For More Information See: http://www.plastics-car.com/sideimpactsafety