A method for manufacturing an airbag cover may include a molding step for forming a molded airbag-cover body that includes an integrated combination of a top panel and a container, and a tearing-line formation step for post-processing the molded airbag-cover body obtained in the molding step to form a tearing line having a depth less than a panel thickness of the top panel. An ultrasonic machining device may be used in the tearing-line formation step to form the tearing line.
1. An airbag module, comprising:
a vehicle airbag; and
an airbag cover comprising:
a plate-like top panel for covering the vehicle airbag from a vehicle-cabin side;
a container that is disposed on a reverse face of the top panel and that houses the vehicle airbag, wherein the top panel and the container are molded; and
a linear groove on the reverse face of the top panel having a depth less than a panel thickness of the top panel such that material of the top panel is continuously present along the length of the linear groove at an area between the bottom of the groove and a side of the top panel opposite to the reverse face with the linear groove,
wherein the airbag cover is configured to separate along the linear groove when the vehicle airbag inflates.
2. The airbag module of claim 1 , wherein the linear groove is formed by ultrasonic machining using an ultrasonic machining device.
3. The airbag module of claim 2 , wherein the ultrasonic machining device uses an ultrasonic machining blade to form the linear groove.
4. The airbag module of claim 2 , wherein the ultrasonic machining device uses a rod-like structure to form the linear groove.
5. The airbag module of claim 2 , wherein the ultrasonic machining device uses a plate-like structure to form the linear groove.
6. The airbag module of claim 1 , wherein the container comprises a plurality of walls protruding outward from the reverse face of the top panel, and
wherein holes are formed in two walls of the container for attaching a retainer to the container.
7. The airbag module of claim 6 , further comprising a retainer with hook members inserted into the holes of the container.
8. The airbag module of claim 7 , further comprises an inflator attached to the container via the retainer.
9. The airbag module of claim 1 , wherein the linear groove is formed in a substantially H-shape.
10. The airbag module of claim 1 , wherein the linear groove is formed in a substantially U-shape.
11. The airbag module of claim 1 , wherein the airbag cover comprises a molded airbag cover body that includes an integrally-molded combination of the top panel and the container.
12. The airbag module of claim 11 , further comprises a coating disposed on the molded airbag cover body.
13. The airbag module of claim 1 , wherein the airbag cover is formed by:
a molding step for forming a molded airbag cover body, wherein the airbag cover body includes an integrated combination of the top panel and the container; and
a groove-forming step for forming the linear groove, wherein the groove-forming step is a post-processing step to the molding step.