Vehicle instrument panel and foldable airbag deployment door

Abstract

The invention provides a vehicle dashboard and a foldable airbag deployment door. An airbag deployment door for a motor vehicle has a panel and a hinge formed along one side of the panel. The hinge is configured to be coupled to a panel on the vehicle to allow the panel to pivot, a tear seam extends on opposite sides of the panel, and the tear seam is configured to be opened during deployment of an airbag. And a score line extending through the panel in a generally Y shape to form a first panel member, a second panel member, and a third panel member, wherein the score line allows the first panel member, the second panel member, and the third panel member to fold during deployment of the airbag.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to motor vehicles equipped with air bags, and more particularly to a passenger air bag door that is typically integrated into the instrument panel of a motor vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Motor vehicles are often equipped with deployable passenger airbags. The airbag can be deployed from within a trim panel, such as the instrument panel. Typically, the airbag includes an airbag door that opens during airbag deployment and pivots around the trim panel along its edge during deployment. Different instrument panel styling themes or designs require different airbag door configurations. It is conceivable to provide an airbag door configured to deploy effectively near the windshield. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, an airbag deployment door for a motor vehicle includes: a panel; a hinge formed along one side of the panel to couple to a panel on the vehicle to allow the panel to pivot; and a tear seam extending on an opposite side of the panel, wherein the tear seam is configured to open during deployment of the airbag; and a score line extending through the panel in a generally Y-shape to form a first panel member, a second panel member, and a third panel member, wherein the score line allows the first panel member, the second panel member, and the third panel member to fold during deployment of the airbag.

[0004] Embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or a combination of the following features:

[0005] - the airbag deployment door is configured to be coupled to an instrument panel in the motor vehicle;

[0006] - the score line comprises a thinning portion of the panel;

[0007] - the tear seam comprises a thinning portion of the instrument panel;

[0008] - the first hinge comprises a thinned material of the instrument panel;

[0009] - the airbag deployment door is for a passenger airbag located in front of a passenger seat in the motor vehicle; and

[0010] - the airbag door is located in the instrument panel of the vehicle rearward of a vehicle windshield, and wherein the airbag deployment door is configured to contact the windshield during deployment of the airbag.

[0011] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, an instrument panel for a motor vehicle includes a roof trim panel configured to be assembled to the motor vehicle, and an airbag deployment door comprising: a panel and a hinge formed along one side of the panel, the hinge configured to couple to a panel on the vehicle to allow the panel to pivot; and a tear seam extending on opposite sides of the panel. The tear seam is configured to open during airbag deployment, and a score line extends through the panel in a generally Y-shaped configuration to form first, second, and third panel members, wherein the score line allows the first, second, and third panel members to fold during airbag deployment.

[0012] Embodiments of the second aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or a combination of the following features:

[0013] - the airbag deployment door is integrally formed with the instrument panel in the vehicle;

[0014] - the score line comprises a thinning portion of the panel;

[0015] - the tear seam comprises a thinned portion of the instrument panel;

[0016] - the first hinge comprises a thinned material of the instrument panel;

[0017] - the airbag deployment door is for a passenger airbag located in front of a passenger seat in a motor vehicle; and

[0018] - The instrument panel is located vehicle rearward of a vehicle windshield, and wherein the airbag deployment door is configured to contact the windshield during deployment of the airbag.

[0019] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a vehicle having a windshield, an instrument panel located behind the vehicle and / or below the windshield, and an airbag system. The airbag system includes an airbag and an airbag deployment door, the airbag deployment door comprising a panel, a hinge coupling one side of the panel to the instrument panel and configured to allow the panel to pivot during deployment of the airbag, a tear seam extending on opposite sides of the panel, wherein the tear seam is configured to open during deployment of the airbag, and a score line extending through the panel in a generally Y-shape to form first, second, and third panel members, wherein the score line allows the first, second, and third panel members to fold during deployment of the airbag.

[0020] - the airbag deployment door is integrally formed with the instrument panel;

[0021] - the score line comprises a thinning portion of the panel;

[0022] - the tear seam comprises a thinning of the instrument panel; and

[0023] - The first hinge comprises a thinned material of the instrument panel.

[0024] These and other features, advantages, and objectives of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following description, claims, and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] In the attached figure:

[0026] Figure 1 is a front view of the interior of a vehicle cabin of a motor vehicle equipped with a passenger airbag system having an airbag deployment door according to one embodiment;

[0027] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 an enlarged view of portion II of FIG. 1 showing the airbag deployment door in a deployed, open position after the airbag is deployed;

[0028] Figure 3 is a top view of the instrument panel and the air bag deployment door in the non-deployed position;

[0029] Figure 3A It passes through Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the airbag deployment door taken along line IIIA-IIIA;

[0030] Figure 3B It passes through Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the airbag deployment door taken along line IIIB-IIIB; and

[0031] Figure 4 It passes through Figure 1 1 is a cross-sectional view of the passenger airbag system taken along line IV-IV and showing the airbag deployment door in a folded open position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. In the drawings, the depicted structural elements are not drawn to scale, and some parts are enlarged relative to other parts for the purpose of emphasis and understanding.

[0033] As required, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein; however, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the present disclosure, which may be implemented in various and alternative forms. The drawings are not necessarily detailed designs; some schematic diagrams may be exaggerated or minimized to illustrate functional overviews. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to employ the present disclosure in various ways.

[0034] For the purpose of description herein, the terms "upper", "lower", "right", "left", "rear", "front", "vertical", "horizontal" and their derivatives shall refer to the following: Figure 1 The present invention relates to concepts of orientation in the present invention. However, it should be understood that the concepts described can assume various alternative orientations unless expressly indicated to the contrary. It should also be understood that the specific devices and processes shown in the drawings and described in the following specification are merely exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Therefore, unless the claims expressly state otherwise, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein should not be considered limiting.

[0035] The illustrated embodiments reside primarily in a combination of method steps and apparatus components related to a vehicle instrument panel and an airbag deployment door that deploys from the instrument panel. Accordingly, apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, with only those specific details relevant to an understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure being shown to avoid obscuring the disclosure with details that would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Furthermore, like reference numerals in the specification and drawings represent like elements.

[0036] As used herein, the term "and / or" when applied to a list of two or more items means that any one of the listed items can be employed individually, or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and / or C, the composition can contain: A alone; B alone; C alone; a combination of A and B; a combination of A and C; a combination of B and C; or a combination of A, B, and C.

[0037] In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, etc. are used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action and do not necessarily require or imply any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that includes a list of elements includes not only those elements but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. In the absence of more constraints, an element preceded by "comprises . . . . " does not preclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes the element.

[0038] As used herein, the term "about" means that the amount, size, formula, parameter and other quantities and characteristics are not exact, nor do they need to be exact, but may be approximate and / or larger or smaller as needed to reflect tolerances, conversion factors, rounding, measurement errors, etc. and other factors known to those skilled in the art. When the term "about" is used to describe the endpoints of a value or range, the disclosure should be understood to include the specific value or endpoint mentioned. Regardless of whether the endpoints of a value or range in this specification are described as "about", the endpoints of the value or range are intended to include two embodiments: one modified by "about" and one not modified by "about". It should also be understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint and independently of the other endpoint.

[0039] As used herein, the terms "substantially," "substantially," and variations thereof are intended to indicate that the described feature is equal to or approximately equal to a value or description. For example, a "substantially planar" surface is intended to indicate a planar or approximately planar surface. Additionally, "substantially" is intended to mean that two values ​​are equal or approximately equal. In some embodiments, "substantially" may indicate that values ​​are within about 10% of each other, such as within about 5% of each other, or within about 2% of each other.

[0040] Unless expressly indicated to the contrary, as used herein, the terms "the," "a," or "an" mean "at least one" and should not be limited to "only one." Thus, for example, reference to "a component" includes embodiments having two or more such components unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0041] refer to Figure 1, a motor vehicle 10 (such as a wheeled motor vehicle) is generally shown having a body 12 that generally defines a vehicle interior (also referred to as a passenger compartment 15). The passenger compartment 15 generally includes an arrangement of passenger seats, including a front row of seats with a left driver seat 26 and a right passenger seat 28. The driver seat 26 is generally located behind the steering wheel. A trim panel in the form of an instrument panel (also referred to as an instrument panel 30) generally extends forward of the first row of seats and forward of the passenger seat 28, and may further extend forward of the driver seat 26.

[0042] The motor vehicle 10 is configured with a body 12 having a driver-side door 14 and a passenger-side door 16 that allow entry and exit from the motor vehicle 10. The body 12 also includes a roof 18 and a windshield 20 that generally extends between left and right support pillars 22 and 24 and between an instrument panel 30 below and the roof 18 above. The windshield 20 is generally made of laminated glass and provides a relatively large viewing area across the front end of the passenger compartment 15.

[0043] The motor vehicle 10 is further shown equipped with an airbag system 34, configured as a passenger airbag system in one example, located in the instrument panel 30 on the right passenger side of the vehicle, typically in front of the passenger seat 28. The vehicle 10 typically includes additional airbag systems for the driver and other passengers. The airbag system 34 is typically integrated into the instrument panel 30 on the right passenger side of the vehicle 10. The airbag system 34 typically includes an inflatable airbag that is inflated with gas generated during deployment. The airbag system 34 has an airbag deployment door 36, which is shown extending flush across a portion of the instrument panel 30 prior to deployment. During airbag deployment, the airbag deployment door 36 opens to allow the airbag to inflate and release.

[0044] refer to Figure 2The airbag deployment door 36 is shown in an open, fully deployed or inflated position after deployment of the airbag system 34. As shown, the airbag deployment door 36 is typically formed from a panel, integrally formed as part of a trim panel, particularly the instrument panel 30. The airbag deployment door 36 is scored using thinned portions 48A, 48B, and 48C along a Y-shaped score line 48. The score line 48 defines three distinct panels: the first panel 40, the second panel 42, and the third panel 44. The score line 48 serves as a weakened fold line, extending generally in a Y-shape, with portion 48C forming the base leg and portions 48A and 48B forming arms extending to the side corners. During deployment, the score line 48 allows the first, second, and third panels 40, 42, and 44 to rotate and fold around the airbag during deployment, slowing the movement of the airbag deployment door 36 and reducing contact forces between the airbag deployment door 36 and the windshield 20.

[0045] refer to Figure 3 The airbag deployment door 36 is further shown as having a first hinge 46 formed along the vehicle-front side of the airbag deployment door 36 and connected along an edge to the instrument panel 30. For example, the first hinge 46 may comprise a thin line of thinned material forming a living hinge. The living hinge 46 may include a downwardly angled portion that bends and rotates upward during deployment, allowing the airbag deployment door 36 to swing upward and in the vehicle-forward direction. The vehicle-rearward side of the airbag door 36 has a thinned score line 50 that is sufficiently thin and designed to open from the instrument panel 30 during airbag deployment. Thus, during airbag deployment, the vehicle-rearward portion of the airbag door 36 opens and pivots in the vehicle-forward direction about the first hinge 46 toward the windshield 20. In doing so, the score line 48 allows each of the first panel 40, the second panel 42, and the third panel 44 to flex and fold around the airbag when the airbag is released. It will be appreciated that the airbag deployment door 36 may be integrally formed as part of the instrument panel 30 .

[0046] The air bag deployment door 36 has thinned portions 49A and 49B extending between the first hinge 46 on opposite ends and the thickened portions 51A and 51B of the instrument panel 30. Figure 3A The thinned portions 49A and 49B are arcuate and allow the airbag deployment door 36 to rotate and open along the thinned portions 49A and 49B during airbag deployment. The thickened portions 51A and 51B may have the same thickness as the instrument panel 30 and operate to slow the rotational movement of the airbag deployment door 36 during deployment. The score line may have a thinned portion, such as Figure 3BAccording to one example, the thinned portion may be 50% to 70% of the thickness of the instrument panel 30 .

[0047] Each of the first panel 40, the second panel 42, and the third panel 44 of the airbag deployment door 36 is further shown as having a plurality of perforations 70 formed therein. The perforations 70 may include circular holes that extend at least partially into the airbag deployment door 36 or completely through the airbag deployment door. The perforations 70 allow for weight reduction of the first panel 40, the second panel 42, and the third panel 44, and thus reduce the overall weight of the airbag deployment door 36. It should be understood that any of a plurality of perforations having various sizes and shapes may be formed in each of the first panel 40, the second panel 42, and the third panel 44 to reduce weight.

[0048] refer to Figure 4 , the airbag system is further illustrated with respect to an airbag deployment door 36 that deploys relative to the windshield 20. The airbag system includes an airbag 62 that is shown stowed within an airbag chute 60. During airbag deployment, pressurized gas is generated and released to inflate the airbag and force the airbag upward in the airbag chute 60 into contact with the airbag deployment door 36. The force of the inflating airbag on the airbag deployment door 36 causes the airbag deployment door 36 to open about the vehicle rearward tear seam 50 and pivot upward and forward of the vehicle about the first hinge 46. Figure 4 The position shown as the dotted line contacts the inside of the windshield 20. The score line 48 having the thinned portions 48A, 48B and 48C advantageously allows the air bag deployment door 36 to rotate and fold during deployment and thereby reduce or minimize the forces transferred to the windshield 20.

[0049] Thus, the motor vehicle 10 is equipped with an instrument panel 30 having an air bag deployment door 36 configured with at least three panels 40, 42, and 44 that are interconnected with a Y-shaped score line 48 and coupled to the instrument panel 30 via a first hinge 46. The score line advantageously allows the three panels 40, 42, and 44 to rotate and fold, and thereby reduce the force of the air bag deployment door 36 applied to the windshield 20 during deployment of the air bag.

[0050] It will be understood that changes and modifications can be made in the foregoing constructions without departing from the concepts of the present disclosure, and it will be further understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the appended claims unless the claims, by their language, expressly state otherwise.

[0051] According to the present invention, an airbag deployment door for a motor vehicle is provided, comprising: a panel; a hinge formed along one side of the panel, the hinge being configured to couple to a panel on the vehicle to allow the panel to pivot; a tear seam extending on opposite sides of the panel, wherein the tear seam is configured to open during deployment of the airbag; and a score line extending through the panel in a generally Y-shape to form first, second, and third panel members, wherein the score line allows the first, second, and third panel members to fold during deployment of the airbag.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the airbag deployment door is configured to be coupled to a dashboard in the motor vehicle.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the score line comprises a thinning of the panel.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the tear seam comprises a thinning of the instrument panel.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the first hinge comprises thinned material of said instrument panel.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the airbag deployment door is for a passenger airbag located in front of a passenger seat in the motor vehicle.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the airbag door is located in an instrument panel behind a vehicle windshield, and wherein the airbag deployment door is configured to contact the windshield during deployment of the airbag.

[0058] According to the present invention, an instrument panel for a motor vehicle is provided, which has: a top trim panel, which is assembled to the motor vehicle; an airbag deployment door, which includes: a panel; a hinge, which is formed along one side of the panel, and the hinge is configured to be connected to a panel on the vehicle to allow the panel to pivot; a tear seam, which extends on opposite sides of the panel, wherein the tear seam is configured to open during the deployment of the airbag; and a score line, which extends through the panel in a generally Y-shape to form a first panel member, a second panel member, and a third panel member, wherein the score line allows the first panel member, the second panel member, and the third panel member to fold during the deployment of the airbag.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the airbag deployment door is integrally formed with the instrument panel in the vehicle.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the score line comprises a thinning of the panel.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the tear seam comprises a thinning of the instrument panel.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the first hinge comprises thinned material of said instrument panel.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the airbag deployment door is for a passenger airbag door located in front of a passenger seat in a motor vehicle.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the instrument panel is located vehicle rearward of a vehicle windshield, and wherein the airbag deployment door is configured to contact the windshield during deployment of the airbag.

[0065] According to the present invention, a vehicle is provided, which has: a windshield; an instrument panel located at the rear of the vehicle and / or below the windshield; and an airbag system, the airbag system including: an airbag; and an airbag deployment door, the airbag deployment door including: a panel; a hinge connecting one side of the panel to the instrument panel, the hinge being configured to allow the panel to pivot during deployment of the airbag; a tear seam extending on opposite sides of the panel, wherein the tear seam is configured to open during the deployment of the airbag; and a score line extending through the panel in a generally Y-shape to form a first panel member, a second panel member, and a third panel member, wherein the score line allows the first panel member, the second panel member, and the third panel member to fold during deployment of the airbag.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the airbag deployment door is formed integrally with the instrument panel.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the score line comprises a thinning of the panel.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the tear seam comprises a thinning of the instrument panel.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the first hinge comprises thinned material of said instrument panel.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the airbag deployment door is for a passenger airbag door located in front of a passenger seat in the vehicle.

Claims

1. An airbag deployment door for a motor vehicle, the airbag deployment door comprising: panel; a hinge formed along a side of the panel, the hinge configured to couple to a panel on the vehicle to allow the panel to pivot; a tear seam extending on opposing sides of the panel, wherein the tear seam is configured to open during deployment of the airbag; as well as A score line extends through the panel in a generally Y-shape to form first, second, and third panel members, wherein the score line allows the first, second, and third panel members to fold during deployment of the airbag. 2 . The airbag deployment door of claim 1 , wherein the airbag deployment door is configured to be coupled to an instrument panel in the motor vehicle. 3 . The airbag deployment door of claim 1 , wherein the score line comprises a thinned portion of the panel.

4. The airbag deployment door of claim 1, wherein the tear seam comprises a thinned portion of the instrument panel.

5. The airbag deployment door of claim 4, wherein the first hinge comprises thinned material of the instrument panel.

6. The airbag deployment door of claim 1, wherein the airbag deployment door is for a passenger airbag located in front of a passenger seat in the motor vehicle.

7. The airbag deployment door of claim 1, wherein the airbag deployment door is located in an instrument panel of the vehicle rearward of a vehicle windshield, and wherein the airbag deployment door is configured to contact the windshield during deployment of the airbag.

8. An instrument panel for a motor vehicle, the instrument panel comprising: a roof trim panel, the roof trim panel being assembled to the motor vehicle; An airbag deployment door, the airbag deployment door comprising: panel; a hinge formed along a side of the panel, the hinge configured to couple to a panel on the vehicle to allow the panel to pivot; a tear seam extending on opposing sides of the panel, wherein the tear seam is configured to open during deployment of the airbag; and A score line extends through the panel in a generally Y-shape to form first, second, and third panel members, wherein the score line allows the first, second, and third panel members to fold during deployment of the airbag.

9. The instrument panel of claim 8, wherein the airbag deployment door is integrally formed with the instrument panel in the vehicle.

10. The instrument panel of claim 8, wherein the score line comprises a thinned portion of the panel.

11. The instrument panel of claim 8, wherein the tear seam comprises a thinned portion of the instrument panel.

12. The instrument panel of claim 8, wherein the first hinge comprises thinned material of the instrument panel.

13. The instrument panel of claim 8, wherein the airbag deployment door is for a passenger airbag door located forward of a passenger seat in a motor vehicle.

14. The instrument panel of claim 8, wherein the instrument panel is located behind a vehicle windshield, and wherein the airbag deployment door is configured to contact the windshield during deployment of the airbag.

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