Cover panel for a vehicle compartment having a weakened portion for deployment of a lower air bag

Abstract

The invention provides a cover plate (4) for a compartment (2) of a vehicle (1), having a weakened portion (6) for opening an airbag (5) below. The weakened portion (6) comprises a series of non-through cuts (7, 8) separated from each other, arranged along a weakening line (9), obtained from an inner surface (10) of the cover plate (4), and terminated at a non-zero distance from an outer surface (11) of the cover plate (4). In some segments of the weakening line (9), there are first cuts (7) each having a first width (W1), and in other segments of the weakening line, there are second cuts (8) each having a second width (W2) greater than the first width. The weakening line has a plurality of portions (12-17) connected to each other in at least one connection area, in which corresponding portions (12-17) of the weakening line only comprise the second cuts (8), while adjacent to the connection area, corresponding portions (12-17) of the weakening line only comprise the first cuts (7).

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This patent application claims the priority of Italian Patent Application No. 102020000015523 filed on June 26, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The invention relates to a cover plate for a compartment of a vehicle, which has a weakened portion for the deployment of a lower air bag. Background Art

[0004] The interior of the vehicle compartment is covered with a cover panel which has a visible surface on the outside with a fine finish.

[0005] Under at least one cover plate, a corresponding airbag is arranged, which is usually contained in its own housing (when it is not yet inflated, i.e. when it is not activated). At the airbag, the cover plate has a weakened portion defining a cover, which "pops out" (i.e. opens) when the airbag is inflated to allow the airbag to deploy.

[0006] The weakening generally comprises a non-through cut-out (so that it is not visible from the vehicle compartment) which defines the periphery of the cover and which, in plan view, generally has a "Y" (ie "holy grail") or "H" shape.

[0007] Some examples of weakened portions of cover plates are disclosed in patent applications DE19636428A1, EP0771695A1, DE102015111590, WO2015154898A1, DE102006059212A1, WO2006111212A1 and EP1213193A1.

[0008] Patent application US2011211927A1 describes a method for manufacturing a cover panel for a compartment of a vehicle, the cover panel having a weakened portion for the deployment of an airbag below; in particular, the weakening line is formed by milling a series of holes along the weakening line. Summary of the invention

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a cover panel for a passenger compartment of a vehicle, the cover panel having a weakened portion for the deployment of an under-airbag, which cover panel allows optimal deployment of the under-airbag and at the same time does not show any trace of the weakened portion externally.

[0010] According to the invention, there is provided a cover for a compartment of a vehicle, the cover having a weakened portion for the deployment of an airbag below; the weakened portion (6) comprises a series of non-through cuts, which are separated from each other, arranged along a weakening line, obtained from the inner surface of the cover and terminate at a non-zero distance from the outer surface of the cover;

[0011] wherein in some segments of the line of weakness, only first cutouts each having a first width are present, and in other segments of the line of weakness, only second cutouts each having a second width greater than the first width are present; and

[0012] wherein the line of weakness comprises a plurality of portions connected to one another in at least one connecting region;

[0013] The cover plate is characterized in that in each connection area, the corresponding part of the weakening line includes only the second cutout, while adjacent to each connection area, the corresponding part of the weakening line includes only the first cutout.

[0014] The claims describe preferred embodiments of the invention which constitute an integral part of the present description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show examples of non-limiting embodiments of the invention, in which:

[0016] · Figure 1 is a schematic partial view of a vehicle compartment including a cover having a weakened portion for deployment of an air bag below;

[0017] · Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A partial plan view of a cover plate showing a weakened portion;

[0018] · Figures 3 to 6 yes Figure 2 Enlarged views of the details;

[0019] · Figure 7 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a cover plate at a weakened portion.

[0020] · Figure 8 yes Figure 1 A partial plan view of a cover plate showing different embodiments of the weakened portion;

[0021] · Fig. 9 yes Figure 8 A plan view of the cover plate showing the location of the deployment channel of the lower air bag;

[0022] · Fig.10 yes Figure 1 A partial plan view of a cover plate of , showing another embodiment of a weakened portion; and

[0023] · Fig.11 yes Fig.10 A plan view of the cover plate showing the location of the deployment channel of the airbag below.

[0024] Reference numerals list

[0025] 1: car; 2: compartment; 3: instrument panel; 4: cover; 5: airbag; 6: weakened part; 7: cutout; 8: cutout; 9: weakened line; 10: inner surface; 11: outer surface; 12: side part; 13: middle part; 14: deployment channel; 15: base part; 16: middle part; 17: diverging part; A: thickness; B: thickness; C: spacing; W1: width; W2: width; D: distance DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] exist Figure 1 In the drawing, reference numeral 1 generally designates a motor vehicle having a vehicle compartment 2 .

[0027] Some parts of the vehicle interior 2, in particular all parts of the dashboard 3, are covered by corresponding covers 4 which have a visible surface on the outside with a fine finish. For example, the covers 4 can be covered on the outside with foam (the lowest-priced solution), fabric (the middle-priced solution) or leather (the highest-priced solution).

[0028] Under the at least one cover plate 4, a corresponding airbag 5 is arranged, which airbag 5 is usually accommodated in its own housing (when it is not yet inflated, that is, when it is not activated). At the airbag 5, the cover plate 4 has a weakened portion 6 (at Figure 2 ), the cover "pops open" (ie, opens) when the air bag is inflated to allow the air bag to deploy.

[0029] As shown in the drawings, the weakened portion 6 comprises a series of non-through cuts 7 and 8 (in Figure 7 ), these cutouts are separated from one another, are arranged along a weakening line 9, are obtained from an inner surface 10 of the cover plate 4, and terminate at a non-zero distance from an outer surface 11 of the cover plate 4 (at Figure 7 When the cutouts 7 and 8 are formed by laser (eg using femtosecond technology), they typically have a (slightly) conical shape, which is a direct result of the way the laser beam "digs" the material constituting the cover plate 4.

[0030] like Figure 7 As better shown, all the cutouts 7 and 8 have exactly the same depth (measured perpendicularly to the cover plate 4); that is, the cutouts 7 and 8 do not differ from each other in depth. However, according to different embodiments that are not shown, the cutouts 7 and 8 can have different depths; that is, the cutouts can differ from each other in depth.

[0031] Furthermore, in some sections of the weakening line 9 there are cuts 7 each having a width W1 (measured parallel to the cover plate 4), while in other sections of the weakening line 9 there are cuts 8 each having a width W2 (measured parallel to the cover plate 4) greater than the width W1; i.e., the cuts 7 and 8 differ from each other in that the widths W1 and W2 are different.

[0032] According to a preferred but non-limiting embodiment, width W2 is between 1.4 and 1.6 times the width W1; in particular, width W1 is between 0.15 and 0.25 times the total thickness B of cover plate 4, while width W2 is between 0.2 and 0.4 times the total thickness B of cover plate 4.

[0033] The spacing of the cutouts 7 is C1, and the spacing of the cutouts 8 is C2 greater than the spacing C1; that is, the cutouts 7 and 8 differ from each other in that the spacings C1 and C2 are different. According to a preferred but non-limiting embodiment, the spacing C2 is between 1.3 and 1.4 times the spacing C1; in particular, the spacing C2 is between 0.6 and 0.7 times the total thickness B of the cover plate 4, while the spacing C1 is between 0.45 and 0.55 times the total thickness B of the cover plate 4.

[0034] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the weakening line 9 has an “H” shape, having two side portions 12 that are parallel and opposite to each other and a middle portion 13 that connects the two side portions 12 to each other at the center; therefore, the weakening line 9 has two connection areas, in each of which the middle portion 13 is connected to the corresponding side portion 12. The cutout 8 is only provided in the central area of ​​the middle portion 13 (in the middle area). Figure 2 and the two connecting areas between the middle part 13 and the side parts 12 (in Figure 2 In particular, in each connection area, the cutout 8 is present in the middle part 13 and in the side parts 12, so that in each connection area, the cutout 8 forms a "T" shape (in Figure 2 shown in greater thickness).

[0035] According to a preferred but non-limiting embodiment, in the middle portion 13, the weakening line 9 has a straight shape corresponding to the cutout 8 and has a curved wave shape (particularly a sine wave) corresponding to the cutout 7. In addition, each side portion 12 has a straight segment and a curved wave shape (particularly a sine wave) segment. In each side portion 12, there are only two small straight segments arranged at the two ends, and each side portion 12 also has a curved wave shape, particularly a sine wave, at the connection area with the middle portion 13.

[0036] According to a preferred but non-limiting embodiment, at each cutout 7 or 8 , the remaining thickness A of the cover plate 4 is between 0.15 and 0.2 times the total thickness B of the cover plate 4 .

[0037] Figure 8 The embodiment shown is similar to Figure 2 The embodiment shown differs in that there is no bending wave shape in the weakening line 9 having an "H" shape; Figure 8 In the embodiment shown, the weakening line 9 (having an "H" shape) is completely straight everywhere (thus having no curved wave segments).

[0038] like Fig. 9 As shown, the two side portions 12 of the weakened line 9 constructed in an "H" shape are arranged further outward relative to the edge of the deployment channel 14 of the airbag 5; in particular, the two side portions 12 of the weakened line 9 constructed in an "H" shape are arranged at a distance D (greater than 2 mm and preferably equal to 3 mm) from the edge of the deployment channel 14 of the airbag 5. In this way, it is possible to ensure that the airbag 5 is deployed without obstacles, regardless of (by compensating for) all position tolerances of the cover plate 4 relative to the airbag 5. Obviously, in Figure 2 In the embodiment shown in which the weakening line 9 has straight segments with curved wave segments arranged between them, the same "tolerance" is preferably also set (ie the distance D of the side portion 12 of the weakening line 9 from the edge of the deployment channel 14 of the airbag 5 is greater than 2 mm).

[0039] Fig.10 The embodiment shown is similar to Figure 2 and Figure 8 The embodiments shown differ in the different configuration of the weakening line 9: Figure 2 and Figure 8 In the embodiment shown, the weakening line 9 has an "H" shape consisting of two side portions 12 connected to each other by a middle portion 13, while Fig.10In the embodiment shown, the weakening line 9 has a "Y" shape (i.e. a "holy grail" shape) consisting of a base portion 15, a middle portion 16 and two diverging portions 17, the diverging portions 17 originating from the middle portion 16 and diverging relative to each other, thereby forming a 90° angle between each other; therefore, the weakening line 9 has two connection areas where the middle portion 16 is connected to the base portion 15 and the middle portion 16 is connected to the diverging portions 17. In particular, the middle portion 16 is perpendicular to the base portion 15, is connected to the base portion 15 at the midpoint of the base portion 15 and forms a 45° angle with each diverging portion 17. According to a different embodiment, not shown, the angle between the two diverging portions 17 may be different from 90° (therefore, the angle formed between the middle portion 16 and each diverging portion 17 may be different from 45°). According to a different embodiment not shown, the weakening line 9 constructed in a “Y” shape has no base portion 15 , that is, it is only composed of a middle portion 16 and two diverging portions 17 ; in this embodiment, there is only one connecting area between the middle portion 16 and the two diverging portions 17 .

[0040] like Fig.10 As shown, the cutouts 8 are provided only in two connecting regions (at Fig.10 In particular, in each connection region, the cutout 8 is arranged in the middle portion 16 and in the portions 15 and 17, so that in each connection region, the cutout 8 forms a "T" shape or a "Y" shape (in Fig.10 shown in greater thickness).

[0041] exist Fig.10 and Fig.11 In the embodiment shown, the weakening line 9 constructed in a "Y" shape has only straight segments; according to a different embodiment not shown, the weakening line 9 constructed in a "Y" shape may have some straight segments and some curved wave segments (in Figure 2 ), i.e., it may have straight segments with curved wave segments arranged between them (as in Figure 2 in the embodiment shown).

[0042] like Fig.11 As shown, the apex and base portion 15 of the diverging portion 17 of the weakened line 9 configured as a "Y" are arranged further outward relative to the edge of the deployment channel 14 of the airbag 5; in particular, the apex and base portion 15 of the diverging portion 17 of the weakened line 9 configured as a "Y" are arranged at a distance D (greater than 2 mm and preferably equal to 3 mm) from the deployment edge of the channel 14 of the airbag 5. In this way, it is possible to ensure that the airbag 5 is deployed without obstruction, regardless of (by compensating for) all tolerances related to the positioning of the cover plate 4 relative to the airbag 5.

[0043] In summary, in some segments of the weakening line 9, there are only "standard" cuts 7, each having a width W1, while in other segments of the weakening line 9, there are only "enlarged" cuts 8, each having a width W2 greater than W1; in particular, in each connection area, the corresponding portion 12-17 of the weakening line 9 includes only the "enlarged" cut 8, while adjacent to each connection area, the corresponding portion 12-17 of the weakening line 9 includes only the "standard" cut 7. In both configurations of the weakening line 9 (i.e., in the weakening line 9 configured as an "H" shape and the weakening line 9 configured as a "Y" shape), the "enlarged" cut only exists in each connection area and in the central area of ​​the weakening line 9; at this point, it is important to note that in the weakening line 9 configured as a "Y" shape, the central area of ​​the weakening line 9 coincides with the connection area between the base portion 15 and the diverging portion 17.

[0044] The cover plate 4 with the weakening 6 can be made of any type of material, for example hard polyurethane foam.

[0045] The embodiments described herein may be combined with each other without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0046] The cover plate 4 described above has many advantages.

[0047] Firstly, the aforementioned cover 4 allows optimal deployment of the lower airbag 5 while not showing any trace of the weakening 6 (ie the weakening 6 is completely invisible to anyone in the vehicle compartment 2 regardless of their viewing angle or the current lighting).

[0048] Furthermore, while allowing optimal deployment of the lower airbag 5 , the weakening 6 ensures that violent deployment of the airbag 5 does not lead to detachment of components of the cover 4 , which could violently impale an occupant 1 of the vehicle.

[0049] Finally, since the weakened portion 6 can be quickly formed by a laser cutting instrument that is easily available on the market (eg, using femtosecond technology), the aforementioned cover plate 4 is easy to manufacture and has a low cost.

Claims

1. A cover plate (4) for a compartment (2) of a vehicle (1), the cover plate having a weakened portion (6) for opening an airbag (5) below; the weakened portion (6) comprising a series of non-through cutouts (7, 8) separated from one another, arranged along a weakening line (9), obtained from an inner surface (10) of the cover plate (4) and terminating at a non-zero distance from an outer surface (11) of the cover plate (4); in, In some sections of the weakened line (9), there are only first cutouts (7) each having a first width (W1), and in other sections of the weakened line (9), there are only second cutouts (8) each having a second width (W2) greater than the first width (W1); wherein the weakening line (9) comprises a plurality of parts (12-17) connected to each other in at least one connecting area; and wherein, adjacent to each connection area, the corresponding portion (12-17) of the weakening line (9) comprises only a series of first cutouts (7) separated from each other; The cover plate (4) is characterized in that, in each connection area, the corresponding portion (12-17) of the weakening line (9) comprises only a series of second cutouts (8) separated from each other.

2. The cover plate (4) according to claim 1, wherein: The weakened line (9) has an "H" shape, including two side portions (12) parallel to and opposite to each other and a middle portion (13) connecting the two side portions (12) in the middle; and There are two connection areas, in each of which the middle portion (13) is connected to a corresponding side portion (12).

3. The cover plate (4) according to claim 2, wherein: The central region of the intermediate portion (13) also comprises only the second cutout (8), whereas adjacent to the central region the intermediate portion (13) comprises only the first cutout (7).

4. The cover plate (4) according to claim 3, wherein: The second cutout (8) is present only in the central region of the middle portion (13) and in the two connecting regions of the middle portion (13) and the side portions (12).

5. The cover plate (4) according to claim 2, wherein: The two side portions (12) of the weakening line (9) configured in an "H" shape are arranged at a distance (D) greater than 2 mm from the edge of the deployment channel (14) of the airbag (5).

6. The cover plate (4) according to claim 2, wherein: In the middle portion (13), the weakened line (9) has a straight shape corresponding to the second cutout (8), and has a curved waveform corresponding to the first cutout (7).

7. The cover plate (4) according to claim 2, wherein: Each side portion (12) has a straight section and a curved wave section.

8. The cover plate (4) according to claim 2, wherein: Each side portion (12) has a curved wave shape at a connection area with the middle portion (13).

9. The cover plate (4) according to claim 1, wherein: The weakening line (9) has a "Y" shape, comprising a middle portion (16) and two diverging portions (17), the two diverging portions (17) originating from the middle portion (16) and diverging relative to each other; and There is at least one connection region where the middle section (16) is connected to the two diverging sections (17).

10. The cover plate (4) according to claim 9, wherein: The weakening line (9) further comprises a base portion (15); The intermediate portion (16) is perpendicular to the base portion (15) and connected to the base portion (15) at the midpoint of the base portion (15); and There are two connection areas where the middle portion (16) is connected to the two diverging portions (17) and where the middle portion (16) is connected to the base portion (15).

11. The cover plate (4) according to claim 9, wherein: The second cutout (8) is provided only in each connection area.

12. The cover plate (4) according to claim 10, wherein: The apex of the diverging portion (17) and the base portion (15) of the weakening line (9) configured in a "Y" shape are arranged at a distance (D) greater than 2 mm from the edge of the deployment channel (14) of the airbag (5).

13. The cover plate (4) according to claim 1, wherein: The second cutout (8) is provided only in each connecting region and the central region of the weakening line (9).

14. The cover plate (4) according to claim 1, wherein: The weakening line (9) has straight line segments, between which curved wave segments are arranged.

15. The cover plate (4) according to claim 1, wherein: The second width (W2) is between 1.4 and 1.6 times the first width (W1); The first width (W1) is between 0.15 and 0.25 times the total thickness (B) of the cover plate (4); and The second width (W2) is between 0.2 and 0.4 times the total thickness (B) of the cover plate (4).

16. The cover plate (4) according to claim 1, wherein: The first cutouts (7) have a first spacing (C1) and the second cutouts (8) have a second spacing (C2) greater than the first spacing (C1).

17. The cover plate (4) according to claim 16, wherein: The second spacing (C2) is between 1.3 and 1.4 times the first spacing (C1).

18. The cover plate (4) according to claim 1, wherein: The first cutout (7) and the second cutout (8) all have the same depth.

Images