Instrument panel of a motor vehicle

The instrument panel addresses the issue of airbag damage by using flexible cover elements to cover sharp edges and pivot axes, ensuring the airbag's integrity and safety during deployment.

DE102019133499B4Active Publication Date: 2026-06-18DR ING H C F PORSCHE AG
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
DE · DE
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
DR ING H C F PORSCHE AG
Filing Date
2019-12-09
Publication Date
2026-06-18

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing instrument panels in motor vehicles face the risk of damage to the passenger-side front airbag module during deployment due to sharp edges at the predetermined breaking point, impairing the airbag's effectiveness.

Method used

The instrument panel incorporates a cover element attached to the rear wall with a loose section that covers the rearward fracture edge of the breaking point and another cover element attached to the front wall that covers the pivot axis of the airbag flap, both made of flexible materials to prevent damage during deployment.

Benefits of technology

This design significantly reduces the risk of damage to the airbag, enhancing safety by protecting the airbag from sharp edges and pivot axes during deployment.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

Instrument panel (10) of a motor vehicle, with a carrier (11) for a decorative material (12), wherein the carrier (11) extends in the transverse direction of the motor vehicle in the front area of ​​the same below a windscreen (14) between a driver area and a passenger area of ​​the motor vehicle, with a passenger-side front airbag module (15) which includes a gas generator (16) and an airbag (17), with a firing channel (18) for the airbag (17) of the passenger-side front airbag module (15), wherein the firing channel (18) is limited in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle by a transversely extending front wall (20) and a transversely extending rear wall (21), with an airbag flap (22) incorporated into the carrier (11), which opens along a transversely extending predetermined breaking point (23) as a result of a triggering of the passenger-side front airbag module (15) and folds open about at least a transversely extending pivot axis (24), wherein the predetermined breaking point (23) is positioned adjacent to the rear wall (21) of the firing channel (18) behind the same, with a cover element (26) associated with the rear wall (21) of the firing channel (18), which is attached to the rear wall (21) by a first section (26u) and which is not attached to the rear wall (21) by a second section (26o), wherein the second section (26o) of the cover element (26) associated with the rear wall (21) is dimensioned such that, in the event of the deployment of the airbag (17) of the passenger-side front airbag module (15) caused by the triggering of the passenger-side front airbag module (15), it covers a transversely extending, rearward fracture edge (27) of the predetermined breaking point (23) as seen in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, with a further cover element (28) associated with the front wall (20) of the firing channel (18), which is attached to the front wall (20) with a first section (28u) and which is not attached to the front wall (20) with a second section (28o), wherein the second section (28o) of the further cover element (28) is dimensioned such that, in the event of the deployment of the airbag (17) of the passenger-side front airbag module (15) caused by the triggering of the passenger-side front airbag module (15), it covers a pivot axis (24) of the airbag flap (22) running in the area of ​​the front wall (20).
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Description

[0001] The invention presented here relates to an instrument panel of a motor vehicle.

[0002] From JP 2007-283 865 A, an instrument panel for a motor vehicle is known. The instrument panel shown therein has a carrier for a decorative material, the carrier extending transversely in the front area of ​​the vehicle below a windshield between the driver's and passenger's compartments. The instrument panel has a passenger-side front airbag module comprising a gas generator and an airbag. Below the carrier for the decorative material, a deployment channel for the airbag of the passenger-side front airbag module is positioned, this deployment channel being bounded at least by a transversely extending front wall and a transversely extending rear wall.An airbag flap is integrated into the carrier for the decorative material. This flap opens along a transversely extending predetermined breaking point upon deployment of the passenger-side front airbag module. This predetermined breaking point is located between the front and rear walls that define the firing channel. When the airbag flap opens due to deployment of the passenger-side front airbag module, it pivots around two axes: a front portion of the flap pivots around an axis in the area of ​​the front wall, and a rear portion pivots around an axis in the area of ​​the rear wall.According to JP 2007-283 865 A, a first cover element is connected to the front wall and a second cover element to the rear wall, with the cover element connected to the rear wall also being connected to the rear section and the cover element connected to the front wall also being connected to the front section of the airbag flap. When the airbag flap opens and the sections of the airbag flap pivot around the pivot axes, the cover elements cover the pivot axes.

[0003] When the passenger-side front airbag module is deployed, the airbag flap opens around a predetermined breaking point. This breaking point can have sharp edges that can damage the deploying airbag of the passenger-side front airbag module. This then impairs the effectiveness of the passenger-side front airbag.

[0004] US 2009 / 0295135A1 also reveals an instrument panel with a predetermined breaking point for an airbag flap, located between the front and rear walls of a firing channel. The airbag module includes a deployment limiting sheet and shape retaining sheets, all connected to the airbag module.

[0005] DE 103 59 751 B4 discloses an instrument panel of a motor vehicle with a predetermined breaking point of an airbag flap, which is formed adjacent to a rear wall of the firing channel.

[0006] DE 10 2015 114 807 A1, DE 10 2007 028 413 A1 and DE 10 2015 104 760 A1 disclose further state of the art.

[0007] The object of the invention is to create a novel instrument panel for a motor vehicle in which the risk of damage to the airbag of the passenger-side front airbag module during the deployment process is reduced.

[0008] This problem is solved by an instrument panel according to claim 1 and by an instrument panel according to claim 2.

[0009] A cover element is assigned to the rear wall of the firing channel. This cover element is attached to the rear wall by a first section and is not attached to the rear wall by a second, loose section. The second section of the cover element is dimensioned such that, when the passenger-side front airbag module deploys, it covers a rearward fracture edge of the predetermined breaking point (viewed from the longitudinal direction of the vehicle).

[0010] It is proposed that a cover element be assigned to the rear wall of the airbag duct. This cover element has a loose, unattached second section, dimensioned to cover the transversely extending, rearward breaking edge of the predetermined breaking point (viewed from the longitudinal direction of the vehicle) when the passenger-side front airbag module deploys. Even if this breaking edge of the predetermined breaking point is sharp or has pointed protrusions, there is no risk of the passenger-side front airbag module being damaged during deployment. This increases safety.

[0011] The front wall of the airbag duct is equipped with a further cover element, which is attached to the front wall by a first section and not attached to the front wall by a second section. The second section of the further cover element is dimensioned such that, when the airbag of the passenger-side front airbag module is deployed by the triggering of the front airbag module, it covers a pivot axis of the airbag flap running in the area of ​​the front wall. This further development of the invention serves to further increase safety, namely to further reduce the risk of damage to the airbag during its deployment.

[0012] According to claim 1, the predetermined breaking point is positioned adjacent to the rear wall of the firing channel and behind it, wherein the second loose section of the cover element associated with the rear wall of the firing channel covers the rear breaking edge of the predetermined breaking point during the deployment of the airbag of the passenger-side front airbag module.

[0013] According to claim 2, the predetermined breaking point is positioned between the front wall and the rear wall of the firing channel, wherein the second, loose section of the cover element associated with the rear wall then covers a pivot axis of the airbag flap running in the area of ​​the rear wall and the rear breaking edge of the predetermined breaking point during the deployment of the airbag of the passenger-side front airbag module. The second, loose section of the cover element associated with the rear wall of the firing channel is longer in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle than the second section of the further cover element associated with the front wall of the firing channel, such that the second sections of the two cover elements overlap each other in the uninvoked state of the front airbag module.

[0014] The second section of the flat or foil-like, relatively flexible cover element, which is attached to the rear wall of the firing channel along with the first section, serves to cover the rear fracture edge of the predetermined breaking point. This second section of the cover element covers this fracture edge when the airbag of the passenger-side front airbag module deploys. The second section of the cover element associated with the rear wall merges into the first section and is not itself attached to the rear wall, but only via the first section, so that the second section is loose relative to the first section and the rear wall.

[0015] The carrier for the decorative material is made of a plastic and is relatively rigid. The respective cover element is a flat or film-like, relatively flexible cover element. A flat or film-like, relatively flexible cover element is particularly preferred. With such a cover element, the risk of damage to the airbag during its deployment can be reduced simply and cost-effectively.

[0016] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims and the following description. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the drawing, without being limited thereto. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a schematic cross-section through a first instrument panel of a motor vehicle according to the invention; and Fig. 2 a schematic cross-section through a second instrument panel according to the invention of a motor vehicle.

[0017] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-section through an instrument panel 10 of a motor vehicle according to the invention, wherein the section plane extends in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle. An arrow X visualizes the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle in the forward direction of travel.

[0018] The instrument panel 10 has a carrier 11 for a decorative material 12. The decorative material 12 can be, for example, a leather material or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the decorative material 12 is not applied directly to the carrier 11, but via an intermediate layer 13 made of, for example, a foam material or spacer fabric. This intermediate layer 13 serves to provide a desired tactile feel.

[0019] The support 11 extends in the transverse direction of the motor vehicle in the front area below a windshield 14 of the motor vehicle between a driver's area and a passenger's area. The cross-section of the Fig. 1 is placed through the passenger area of ​​the motor vehicle, namely through a section of the support 11 which extends into the passenger area of ​​the motor vehicle.

[0020] The instrument panel 10 has a passenger-side front airbag module 15. The front airbag module 15 has a gas generator 16 and an airbag 17. When the passenger-side front airbag module 15 is triggered, the gas generator 16 ignites and inflates the airbag 17.

[0021] Below the support 11, a discharge channel 18 for the airbag 17 of the passenger-side front airbag module 15 is positioned, this discharge channel 18 being connected to the support 11 via flanges 19. The discharge channel 18 is bounded by a transversely extending front wall 20 and by a transversely extending rear wall 21. The terms front wall and rear wall refer to the Fig. 1 Longitudinal direction X of the motor vehicle shown, the front wall 20 is therefore arranged in front of the rear wall 21 when viewed in longitudinal direction X.

[0022] An airbag flap 22 is incorporated into the carrier 11, which opens along a predetermined breaking point 23 extending in a transverse direction as a result of the triggering of the passenger-side front airbag module 15.

[0023] In the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, this predetermined breaking point 23 is positioned adjacent to the rear wall 21 of the firing channel 18, either in the area of ​​the rear wall 21 or directly behind it. When opened, this airbag flap 22 opens about a single pivot axis 24 extending in the transverse direction, which is arranged adjacent to the front wall 20 of the firing channel 18. An arrow 25 visualizes the pivoting movement of the airbag flap 22 during the opening process.

[0024] In accordance with the present invention, a cover element 26 is associated with the rear wall 21, which borders the firing channel 18 on a side facing the passenger area. This cover element 26 is attached to the rear wall 21 of the firing channel 18 by a first section 26u and is not attached to the rear wall of the firing channel 18 or to the airbag flap 22 by a second section 26o.

[0025] The second section 26o of the cover element 26 assigned to the rear wall 21 transitions into the first section 26u and is not itself attached to the rear wall but only via the first section 26u, so that the second section 26o itself is loose relative to the first section 26u or to the rear wall 21.

[0026] This second section 26o of the cover element 26 is dimensioned such that, when the airbag 17 of the passenger-side front airbag module 15 is deployed by the triggering of the passenger-side front airbag module 15, it covers a rear fracture edge 27 extending in a transverse direction of the predetermined breaking point 23.

[0027] When the airbag 17 unfolds, the upper, loose section 26o nestles along the rear wall 21 of the firing channel 18 towards the passenger area over the rear fracture edge 27 of the predetermined breaking point 23 and covers it.

[0028] In the illustrated embodiment of the Fig. 6 is assigned a further cover element 28 to the front wall 20 of the firing channel 18, wherein this further cover element 28 is attached to the front wall 20 of the firing channel 18 by a first section 28u and is not attached to the front wall 20 of the firing channel 18 by a second section 28o. This second section 28o of the further cover element 28, like the second section 26o of the cover element 26, can also not be attached to the airbag flap 22, but it can alternatively also be attached to the airbag flap 22. This second section 28o of the further cover element 28 is dimensioned such that, when the airbag 17 of the passenger-side front airbag module 15 is deployed by the triggering of the passenger-side front airbag module 15, it covers the pivot axis 24 of the airbag flap 22 running in the area of ​​the front wall 20.

[0029] The support 11 of the instrument panel 10 is preferably an assembly made of a relatively rigid plastic. Preferably, the support 11 is made of a glass fiber reinforced plastic, in particular of a PP-LGF material, i.e., a polypropylene long glass fiber material.

[0030] The respective cover element 26, 28 is a sheet-like or film-like, relatively flexible cover element, in particular a plastic film. The cover element can be made of an HDPE film, i.e., a high-density polyethylene film.

[0031] In the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the predetermined breaking point 23 is positioned adjacent to the rear wall 21 of the firing channel 18 immediately behind it, so that the rear breaking edge 27 of the predetermined breaking point 23, which is not formed on the airbag flap 22 but on the carrier 11, is positioned outside the firing channel 18 and is therefore located behind the rear wall 21.

[0032] As already explained, the upper section 26o of the cover element 26 associated with the rear wall 21 covers this predetermined breaking point 21 during the unfolding process of the air bag 17.

[0033] Fig. Figure 2 shows a variation of the embodiment of the Fig. 1, in which the predetermined breaking point 23 is positioned between the front wall 20 and the rear wall 21 of the firing channel 18, so that the airbag flap 22 forms two flap sections 22a and 22b, which are pivoted about separate pivot axes 24a and 24b in the direction of arrows 25a, 25b during the opening process. The section 22a of the airbag flap 22 facing the windshield 14 pivots forward about the pivot axis 24a in the area of ​​the front wall 20. The flap section 22b of the airbag flap 22 facing away from the windshield 14 pivots rearward about the pivot axis 24b in the area of ​​the rear wall 21 towards the passenger area.

[0034] Also in Fig. 2 The length of the second, loose section 26o of the cover element 26 connected to the rear wall 21 is dimensioned such that this second section 26o covers the rear breaking edge 27 of the predetermined breaking point 26 during the deployment process of the airbag 17. This rear breaking edge 27 is formed on the flap section 22b facing away from the windscreen 14. The section 26o also covers the pivot axis 24b about which the flap section 22b pivots or folds backward in the area of ​​the rear wall 21.

[0035] According to Fig.2b The second section 26o of the cover element 26 connected to the rear wall 21 of the firing channel 18, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, is longer than the second section 28o of the further cover element 28 associated with the front wall 20, such that these two second sections 26o, 28o of the two cover elements 26, 28 overlap. In the non-triggered state, the second section 26o of the cover element 26 associated with the rear wall 21 is arranged between the airbag 17 and the second section 28o of the cover element 28 associated with the front wall 20.

[0036] The invention prevents damage to the airbag 17 of a passenger-side front airbag module 15 at the rear breaking edge 27 of a predetermined breaking point 23 of the airbag flap 22, along which the airbag flap 22 opens during the deployment process of the airbag 17. According to the invention, this breaking edge 27 is covered by the second section 26o of the flat or film-like and relatively flexible cover element 26, which is associated with the rear wall 21 of the deployment channel 18.

Claims

[1] Instrument panel (10) of a motor vehicle, with a carrier (11) for a decorative material (12), wherein the carrier (11) extends in the transverse direction of the motor vehicle in the front area of ​​the same below a windscreen (14) between a driver area and a passenger area of ​​the motor vehicle, with a passenger-side front airbag module (15) which includes a gas generator (16) and an airbag (17), with a firing channel (18) for the airbag (17) of the passenger-side front airbag module (15), wherein the firing channel (18) is limited in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle by a transversely extending front wall (20) and a transversely extending rear wall (21), with an airbag flap (22) incorporated into the carrier (11), which opens along a transversely extending predetermined breaking point (23) as a result of a triggering of the passenger-side front airbag module (15) and folds open about at least a transversely extending pivot axis (24), wherein the predetermined breaking point (23) is positioned adjacent to the rear wall (21) of the firing channel (18) behind the same, with a cover element (26) associated with the rear wall (21) of the firing channel (18), which is attached to the rear wall (21) by a first section (26u) and which is not attached to the rear wall (21) by a second section (26o), wherein the second section (26o) of the cover element (26) associated with the rear wall (21) is dimensioned such that, in the event of the deployment of the airbag (17) of the passenger-side front airbag module (15) caused by the triggering of the passenger-side front airbag module (15), it covers a transversely extending, rearward fracture edge (27) of the predetermined breaking point (23) as seen in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, with a further cover element (28) associated with the front wall (20) of the firing channel (18), which is attached to the front wall (20) with a first section (28u) and which is not attached to the front wall (20) with a second section (28o), wherein the second section (28o) of the further cover element (28) is dimensioned such that, in the event of the deployment of the airbag (17) of the passenger-side front airbag module (15) caused by the triggering of the passenger-side front airbag module (15), it covers a pivot axis (24) of the airbag flap (22) running in the area of ​​the front wall (20). [2] Instrument panel (10) of a motor vehicle, with a carrier (11) for a decorative material (12), wherein the carrier (11) extends in the transverse direction of the motor vehicle in the front area of ​​the same below a windscreen (14) between a driver area and a passenger area of ​​the motor vehicle, with a passenger-side front airbag module (15) which includes a gas generator (16) and an airbag (17), with a firing channel (18) for the airbag (17) of the passenger-side front airbag module (15), wherein the firing channel (18) is limited in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle by a transversely extending front wall (20) and a transversely extending rear wall (21), with an airbag flap (22) incorporated into the carrier (11), which opens along a transversely extending predetermined breaking point (23) as a result of a triggering of the passenger-side front airbag module (15) and unfolds about at least one transversely extending pivot axis (24a, 24b), wherein the predetermined breaking point (23) is positioned between the front wall (20) and the rear wall (21) of the firing channel (18), with a cover element (26) associated with the rear wall (21) of the firing channel (18), which is attached to the rear wall (21) by a first section (26u) and which is not attached to the rear wall (21) by a second section (26o), wherein the second section (26o) of the cover element (26) associated with the rear wall (21) is dimensioned such that, in the event of the deployment of the airbag (17) of the passenger-side front airbag module (15) caused by the triggering of the passenger-side front airbag module (15), it covers a pivot axis (24b) of the airbag flap (22) extending in the area of ​​the rear wall (21) and a transversely extending, rearward breaking edge (27) of the predetermined breaking point (23) viewed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, with a further cover element (28) associated with the front wall (20) of the firing channel (18), which is attached to the front wall (20) with a first section (28u) and which is not attached to the front wall (20) with a second section (28o), wherein the second section (28o) of the further cover element (28) is dimensioned such that, in the event of the deployment of the airbag (17) of the passenger-side front airbag module (15) caused by the triggering of the passenger-side front airbag module (15), it covers a pivot axis (24a) of the airbag flap (22) running in the area of ​​the front wall (20). [3] Instrument panel according to claim 2, characterized by , that the second section (26o) of the cover element (26) associated with the rear wall (21) of the firing channel (18) is longer in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle than the second section (28o) of the further cover element (28) associated with the front wall (20) of the firing channel (18), the second sections (260, 28o) of the two cover elements (26, 28) overlap each other in the unactivated state of the front airbag module (15). [4] Instrument panel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the carrier (11) for the decorative material (12) is made of a plastic. [5] Instrument panel according to claim 4, characterized by that the carrier (11) for the decorative material (12) is made of a glass fiber reinforced plastic, in particular a PP-LGF material. [6] Instrument panel according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that the cover element (26, 28) is a flat or foil-like cover element. [7] Instrument panel according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that the cover element (26, 28) is made of a plastic film. [8] Instrument panel according to claim 7, characterized by , that the cover element (26) is made of an HDPE film.