Structure of reinforcement plate member used in automobile airbag apparatus

摘要

An automobile airbag apparatus disposed within an instrument panel covered with an interior cover. A fracture-opening section is defined in the interior cover to be located in opposition to the opening portion of the airbag case. The fracture-opening section is defined by at least a fragile groove formed from the back surface of the interior cover to surround the fracture-opening section. A reinforcement plate member is attached to the back surface of the fracture-opening section through deformation of a portion of the fracture-opening section through application of heat thereto. The reinforcement plate member has a main-body portion attached to the back surface of the fracture-opening section and an attachment portion extending from the main-body portion via a hinge portion. A plurality of slits are formed at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the reinforcement plate member such that the slits extend in parallel in the transverse direction of the reinforcement plate member.