Interior trim panel for vehicle

Abstract

The present application discloses an interior trim panel for a vehicle. The interior trim panel comprises a substrate. The substrate comprises a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. A weakening line defining an airbag door is provided on the substrate. The weakening line comprises a first weakening groove, a second weakening groove, and a connecting bridge. The first weakening groove is formed on the first surface and extends toward the second surface, and the second weakening groove is formed on the second surface and extends toward the first surface. The first weakening groove at least partially faces the second weakening groove in a thickness direction of the substrate. The connecting bridge is connected between the bottom of the first weakening groove and the bottom of the second weakening groove. In this way, the first weakening groove and the second weakening groove together reduce the strength of the weakening line, thereby allowing both the first weakening groove and the second weakening groove to be configured with reduced depths. For a substrate formed by injection molding, this configuration reduces the difficulty of demolding during the injection-molding process.

Description

Interior panel for vehicle TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of vehicles, and particularly to an interior panel for a vehicle. BACKGROUND

[0002] A vehicle is usually equipped with an airbag and an interior panel covering the airbag. The interior panel has a base plate, and a weakened line defining an airbag door is provided on the base plate. When the airbag inflates, the airbag impacts the interior panel, causing the base plate (or the interior panel) to tear along the weakened line, the airbag door to open, and the airbag to pop into the vehicle cabin through the airbag door.

[0003] Generally, the weakened line is configured as a weakened groove extending from an inner surface of the base plate (i.e., a surface facing away from the interior of the vehicle cabin) toward an outer surface of the interior panel (i.e., a surface facing toward the interior of the vehicle cabin), and the outer surface of the base plate is free of the weakened groove. This requires the weakened groove to be deep enough to make the weakened line weak. For an injection-molded base plate, a deeper weakened groove results in a more difficult demolding during injection molding. SUMMARY

[0004] To solve the above technical problems, the present application provides an interior panel for a vehicle. The interior panel includes a base plate; the base plate includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; a weakened line is provided on the base plate, the weakened line defines an airbag door, and the weakened line includes: a first weakened groove formed on the first surface and extending toward the second surface; a second weakened groove formed on the second surface and extending toward the first surface; the first weakened groove and the second weakened groove at least partially face each other in a thickness direction of the base plate; and a connecting bridge connected between a groove bottom of the first weakened groove and a groove bottom of the second weakened groove.

[0005] In one embodiment, the weakened line includes a first weakened line, the first weakened line includes a first extension segment and a second extension segment; the first extension segment has a first weakened structure, the second extension segment has a second weakened structure, and the second weakened structure has a strength greater than that of the first weakened structure.

[0006] In one embodiment, the first weakened line forms a closed first shape; and the airbag door is within a range of the first shape.

[0007] In one embodiment, the weakened line further includes a second weakened line, the second weakened line is within the range of the first shape and extends through the airbag door; and the second weakened line has the first weakened structure.

[0008] In one embodiment, the first weakened line includes at least two first extension segments, and the two first extension segments are spaced apart from each other; and two ends of the second weakened line are connected to the two first extension segments, respectively.

[0009] In one embodiment, the weakening line further comprises a third weakening line having a second weakening structure, the third weakening line being connected with the second extending section and forming a closed second shape; the airbag door being within a range of the second shape; the first extending section being within the range of the second shape and being connected with the second extending section and / or the third weakening line.

[0010] In one embodiment, the weakening line further comprises a fourth weakening line having a first weakening structure, the fourth weakening line being within the range of the second shape and being connected with the first weakening line.

[0011] In one embodiment, the first weakening structure comprises: a plurality of spaced-apart first connecting regions, each first connecting region comprising a first slot section being a first weakening slot, a second slot section being a second weakening slot, and a first connecting bridge being a connecting bridge; and a plurality of first through holes, each first through hole being between two adjacent first connecting regions.

[0012] In one embodiment, a length of each first connecting bridge is less than a length of each first through hole.

[0013] In one embodiment, the first slot section and / or the second slot section is a sharp-bottomed slot.

[0014] In one embodiment, the second weakening structure comprises a third slot section being a first weakening slot, a fourth slot section being a second weakening slot, and a second connecting bridge being a connecting bridge.

[0015] In one embodiment, along a thickness direction of the substrate, a thickness of the second connecting bridge is greater than a thickness of the first connecting bridge.

[0016] In one embodiment, a length of the second connecting bridge is greater than a length of the first connecting bridge.

[0017] In one embodiment, the third slot section and / or the fourth slot section is a sharp-bottomed slot.

[0018] In one embodiment, the third slot section and / or the fourth slot section is a flat-bottomed slot.

[0019] In one embodiment, a depth of any one of the first weakening slot and the second weakening slot is between 0.05 mm and 2 mm, and an opening width is between 0.4 mm and 2 mm.

[0020] In one embodiment, along a thickness direction of the substrate, a thickness of the connecting bridge is less than 4 mm.

[0021] In one embodiment, the interior trim panel further comprises a cover layer covering the first surface of the substrate.

[0022] In one embodiment, the cover layer comprises an elastic filler layer and a skin layer covering the filler layer.

[0023] In one embodiment, the filling layer at least partially fills the first weakening groove.

[0024] The application has the following advantages: According to the interior panel for a vehicle of the application, a weakening line defining an airbag door is configured on a substrate of the interior panel. The weakening line comprises a first weakening groove and a second weakening groove respectively arranged on two opposite surfaces of the substrate, and the first weakening groove and the second weakening groove at least partially face each other. In this way, the first weakening groove and the second weakening groove jointly reduce the strength of the weakening line, so that the first weakening groove and the second weakening groove can both be configured to have a smaller depth to reduce the strength of the weakening line to a required degree. For the injection-molded substrate, this reduces the demolding difficulty in the injection molding process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] The application will be further described in the following detailed description with the aid of non-limiting examples of exemplary embodiments of the application, with reference made to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are not drawn to scale.

[0026] Fig. 1 schematically shows a vehicle according to one embodiment of the application.

[0027] Fig. 2 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of an interior panel for a vehicle according to one embodiment of the application.

[0028] Fig. 3 schematically shows an exploded view of the interior panel according to one embodiment, showing a first embodiment of a weakening line.

[0029] Fig. 4a schematically shows the weakening line shown in Fig. 3.

[0030] Fig. 4b schematically shows a second embodiment of the weakening line.

[0031] Fig. 4c schematically shows a third embodiment of the weakening line.

[0032] Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of section I in Fig. 4a.

[0033] Fig. 6 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of A-A in Fig. 4a.

[0034] Fig. 7 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of C-C in Fig. 4a, i.e. a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the second extension section.

[0035] Fig. 8 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the second extension section.

[0036] Fig. 9 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of B-B in Fig. 4a.

[0037] List of reference signs 1 vehicle 2 pillar trim panel 3 instrument panel 30 base panel 301 first surface 302 second surface 303 airbag door 305 first door piece 306 second door piece 307 weakening line 31 first weakening line 32 second weakening line 321 first connecting area 322 first through hole 323 first slot section 324 second slot section 325 first connecting bridge 326 slot bottom of first slot section 327 slot bottom of second slot section 33 first extension section 34 second extension section 343 third slot section 344 fourth slot section 345 second connecting bridge 346 slot bottom of third slot section 347 slot bottom of fourth slot section 35 cover layer 351 filling layer 352 skin layer 36 third weakening line 37 fourth weakening line S trim panel D thickness direction of base panel DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the technical solutions of the present application will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the embodiments of the present application and corresponding drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, but not all the embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all the other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0039] In the present application, unless otherwise specified, the surface of a panel facing the interior of a vehicle is referred to as an outer surface, and the surface facing away from the interior of the vehicle is referred to as an inner surface, i.e. the outer surface is opposite to the inner surface.

[0040] Fig. 1 schematically shows a vehicle 1 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle 1 comprises a plurality of trim panels S, for example, an instrument panel 3 and a pillar trim panel 2. Generally, a safety airbag (not shown in the figure) is provided in the vehicle 1. For example, the safety airbag is provided at a co-driver position in the interior of the vehicle, and is covered by the instrument panel 3. An airbag door 303 (as shown in Fig. 3) is provided on the instrument panel 3, so that in the case of need, the safety airbag can be quickly ejected to the interior of the vehicle by breaking through the airbag door. It should be understood that the safety airbag can also be provided at the pillar, and is covered by the pillar trim panel 2. For simplicity, the technical solutions of the present application will be described below taking the instrument panel 3 as an example.

[0041] Fig. 2 schematically shows the structure of the instrument panel 3. As shown in Fig. 2, the instrument panel 3 comprises a substrate 30 and a cover layer 35 which is disposed on the substrate 30. For example, the substrate 30 comprises a first surface 301 and a second surface 302 opposite to the first surface 301. The first surface 301 forms an outer surface of the substrate 30 which is generally directed towards the interior of the vehicle cabin; correspondingly, the second surface 302 forms an inner surface of the substrate 30. The cover layer 35 is disposed on the first surface 301 of the substrate 30.

[0042] As also shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the cover layer 35 comprises an elastic padding layer 351 and a skin layer 352. The padding layer 351 is disposed on the first surface 301 of the substrate 30; the skin layer 352 is disposed on the padding layer 351 and forms an outer surface of the instrument panel 3. The skin layer 352 is, for example, a real leather or a synthetic leather. The padding layer 351 is, for example, a 3D mesh, a foam, etc. The padding layer 351 has good elasticity to compensate for defects such as depressions on the first surface 301 of the substrate 30, so as to avoid undesirable marks on the outer surface of the instrument panel 3. In one embodiment, the thickness of the padding layer 351 is between 2 mm and 5 mm.

[0043] In one embodiment, the cover layer can also be made of a composite leather, for example, the composite leather comprises elastic foam and polyvinyl chloride which are combined together. It should be understood that the composite leather can also be made of other suitable materials which are not described herein.

[0044] As also shown in Fig. 3, the substrate 30 has a weakened line 307. Specifically, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4a, the weakened line 307 comprises a first weakened line 31 which extends along the edge of the airbag door 303 into a closed first shape (i.e. the airbag door 303 is within the range of the first shape) and a second weakened line 32 which extends through the airbag door 303, and the two ends of the second weakened line 32 are connected with the first weakened line 31 respectively. The strength at the first weakened line 31 and the second weakened line 32 is less than the strength of the rest of the substrate 30. When the airbag inflates, the substrate 30 is impacted by the airbag and is torn along the first weakened line 31 and the second weakened line 32 so that the airbag door 303 is opened, and the instrument panel 3 is also torn, so that the airbag can smoothly pop out to the interior of the vehicle cabin.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4a, the airbag door 303 is generally rectangular in shape. The first weakened line 31 is also generally rectangular in shape and includes two first extension segments 33 and two second extension segments 34. The two first extension segments 33 form two width edges of the airbag door 303, and the two second extension segments 34 are connected to respective ends of the two first extension segments 33 and form two length edges of the airbag door 303. The first extension segments 33 have a first weakened structure, and the second extension segments 34 have a second weakened structure different from the first weakened structure. The second weakened structure has a strength greater than that of the first weakened structure.

[0046] As also shown in FIG. 4a, the second weakened line 32 extends generally parallel to the second extension segments 34 through the airbag door 303 and connects to the two first extension segments 33. For example, the two ends of the second weakened line 32 are connected to midpoints of the two first extension segments 33, respectively. In this way, the airbag door 303 is divided into two parts (i.e., a first door piece 305 and a second door piece 306 as shown in FIG. 4a) by the second weakened line 32. In one embodiment, the second weakened line 32 also has the first weakened structure, which helps to simplify the manufacturing of the substrate 30 (and the instrument panel 3).

[0047] Since the second weakened structure has a strength greater than that of the first weakened structure (i.e., the two second extension segments 34 of the first weakened line 31 each have a strength greater than that of the first extension segments 33 and also greater than that of the second weakened line 32), when the airbag inflates and impacts the instrument panel 3 (or the substrate 30), the second weakened line 32 and the two first extension segments 33 are forced to break, while the two second extension segments 34 are temporarily unbroken. In this way, the first door piece 305 and the second door piece 306 are respectively flipped about the two second extension segments 34 to open the airbag door 303. As the airbag pops out through the airbag door 303 into the passenger compartment, the two second extension segments 34 are eventually also forced to break, and the first door piece 305 and the second door piece 306 are detached from the instrument panel 3. Throughout the process, the two second extension segments 34 break later than the second weakened line 32 and the two first extension segments 33, which makes the tearing process of the substrate 30 (or the instrument panel 3) controllable and helps to avoid the first door piece 305 and / or the second door piece 306 from flying disorderly after being detached from the instrument panel 3 and causing danger.

[0048] Figure 4b schematically illustrates a second embodiment of the line of weakness. As shown in Figure 4b, the line of weakness 307 of the second embodiment is implemented as the first line of weakness 31. The first line of weakness 31 comprises a first extension 33 which is generally U-shaped, and a second extension 34 which is connected between the two ends of the first extension 33. In this way, the first line of weakness 31 forms a closed first shape, and the airbag door 303 is within the range of the first shape. The first extension 33 has the first weakening structure described above, and the second extension 34 has the second weakening structure described above. In this way, when the line of weakness 307 (the first line of weakness 31) is subjected to a force, the first extension 33 breaks first, and then the second extension 34 breaks.

[0049] Figure 4c schematically illustrates a fourth embodiment of the line of weakness. The line of weakness 307 of the fourth embodiment comprises the first line of weakness 31, a third line of weakness 36 which is connected to the first line of weakness 31, and a fourth line of weakness 37 which is connected to the third line of weakness 36.

[0050] As also shown in Figure 4c, the first line of weakness 31 comprises two second extensions 34 and four first extensions 33. The two second extensions 34 are opposite and spaced apart from each other, and the four first extensions 33 are between the two second extensions 34. The third line of weakness 36 is in the number of two, and each third line of weakness 36 is connected between respective ends of the two second extensions 34. In this way, the two second extensions 34 and the two third lines of weakness 36 together form a closed second shape (e.g. generally rectangular). The airbag door 303 is within the range of the second shape. The four first extensions 33 are within the range of the second shape, and are respectively connected to four corners of the rectangular second shape (i.e. each first extension 33 is connected to the second extension 34 and the third line of weakness 36 which are adjacent to each other). The fourth line of weakness 37 is also within the range of the second shape, e.g. generally parallel to the two second extensions 34. Each end of the fourth line of weakness 37 is connected to the two first extensions 33. Overall, from the line of weakness 307, the fourth line of weakness 37 and the four first extensions 33 form a generally double-Y shape.

[0051] In one embodiment, the four first extensions 33 and the fourth line of weakness 37 have the first weakening structure described above, and the two second extensions 34 and the two third lines of weakness 36 have the second weakening structure described above. In this way, when the line of weakness 307 is subjected to a force, the four first extensions 33 and the fourth line of weakness 37 break first, and then the two second extensions 34 and the two third lines of weakness 36 break.

[0052] Viewed from another aspect, the line of weakness 307 shown in Figure 4c comprises one extension which is generally rectangular and has the second weakening structure, and another extension which is within the rectangle and has the first weakening structure.

[0053] It should be understood that the weakening line can also be configured in other forms according to actual conditions, which will not be described here.

[0054] For simplicity, the technical solution of the present application is described below with the weakening line shown in Fig. 4a.

[0055] The first weakening structure is described below taking the second weakening line 32 as an example.

[0056] As shown in Figs. 4a and 5, the first weakening structure includes a plurality of spaced-apart first connecting regions 321 and a plurality of first through holes 322. The first through holes 322 pass through the substrate 30 (as shown in Fig. 9), and each first through hole 322 is between two adjacent first connecting regions 321.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 6, each first connecting region 321 includes a first groove segment 323, a second groove segment 324, and a first connecting bridge 325. The first groove segment 323 is formed on the first surface 301 of the substrate 30 and extends toward the second surface 302 of the substrate 30. The second groove segment 324 is formed on the second surface 302 of the substrate 30 and extends toward the first surface 301 of the substrate 30. The first groove segment 323 and the second groove segment 324 are opposite along the thickness direction D of the substrate 30. The first connecting bridge 325 is connected between the groove bottom 326 of the first groove segment 323 and the groove bottom 327 of the second groove segment 324, i.e., the thickness of the first connecting bridge 325 is less than the thickness of the substrate 30. In addition, as shown in Fig. 5, along the extension direction of the second weakening line 32, the first connecting bridge 325 is not continuous but is divided into multiple segments by the first through holes 322. In this way, the second weakening line 32 has a smaller strength so that the airbag door 303 is easily torn along the second weakening line 32 when the airbag is inflated and opened.

[0058] In addition, in the prior art, only a deeper weakening groove (for example, the depth can be 3 mm) is configured on the inner surface of the substrate to reduce the strength of the weakening line, but the deeper weakening groove causes greater difficulty in demolding during the injection molding of the substrate. Compared with the prior art, in the present application, the first groove segment 323 (or the first weakening groove) and the second groove segment 324 (or the second weakening groove) jointly reduce the strength of the second weakening line 32. In this way, the first groove segment 323 and the second groove segment 324 can each be configured to have a smaller depth (for example, the depth can be between 0.05 mm and 2 mm) to reduce the strength of the second weakening line 32 to the required degree. For the injection-molded substrate 30, the first groove segment 323 and the second groove segment 324 with smaller depths reduce the difficulty in demolding during injection molding.

[0059] In one embodiment, the first groove segment 323 on the first surface 301 of the substrate 30 has a depth of 0.05 mm to 2 mm and an opening width of 0.4 mm to 2 mm. The second groove segment 324 also has a depth and an opening width of 0.05 mm to 2 mm. The substrate 30 with the first groove segment 323 and the second groove segment 324 having such a structure is also easy to demold when injection molded. In addition, the first groove segment 323 has a small opening width and a small depth, so that the outer surface of the instrument panel 3 is less likely to have an undesirable mark. Furthermore, after the filler layer 351 is provided on the first surface 301 of the substrate 30, the filler layer 351 covers or fills at least part of the first groove segment 323, which further prevents the outer surface of the instrument panel 3 from having an undesirable mark. In one embodiment, the first groove segment 323 has a depth of 1 mm and an opening width of 0.8 mm.

[0060] In one embodiment, the first connecting bridge 325 has a thickness of less than 4 mm, for example, between 0.5 mm and 4 mm, along the thickness direction D of the substrate 30. In this way, the second weakened line 32 has an appropriate strength, so that the substrate 30 (or the instrument panel 3) can withstand a certain external force and the airbag door 303 will not open in the case that the airbag is not inflated, thereby avoiding accidental damage to the instrument panel 3. Furthermore, during the injection molding of the substrate 30, the first connecting bridge 325 having such a thickness can avoid short shots at the first groove segment 323 and the second groove segment 324 during the injection molding process, and can also avoid the airbag door 303 from being deformed in a warped manner relative to the rest of the substrate 30.

[0061] As also shown in FIG. 5, the length of each first connecting bridge 325 is less than the length of each first through-hole 322 along the extension direction of the second weakened line 32. In this way, the first connecting bridge 325 has a small thickness and a short length, which further reduces the strength of the second weakened line 32. In a specific embodiment, the length of the first connecting bridge 325 is between 1 mm and 10 mm, and the length of the first through-hole 322 is between 15 mm and 40 mm. The specific values of the first connecting bridge and the first through-hole can be set according to actual conditions, which are not limited here.

[0062] As also shown in FIG. 6, the first groove segment 323 and the second groove segment 324 are both sharp-bottomed grooves. In this way, stress concentration is easily generated at the groove bottom 326 of the first groove segment 323 and / or at the groove bottom 327 of the second groove segment 324 when the airbag is inflated and impacts the substrate 30, which helps the first connecting bridge 325 connected between the groove bottom 326 of the first groove segment 323 and the groove bottom 327 of the second groove segment 324 to quickly break. In one embodiment, the first groove segment 323 and the second groove segment 324 are both V-shaped grooves or wedge-shaped grooves with sharp bottoms. In other embodiments, only one of the first groove segment and the second groove segment can be configured as a sharp-bottomed groove according to actual conditions; for example, only the second groove segment can be configured as a sharp-bottomed groove.

[0063] The second weakening structure is described below by taking one second extension section 34 as an example.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 7, the second weakening structure includes a third groove section 343, a fourth groove section 344, and a second connecting bridge 345. Similar to the first weakening structure, the third groove section 343 is formed on the first surface 301 of the substrate 30 and extends toward the second surface 302 of the substrate 30. The fourth groove section 344 is formed on the second surface 302 of the substrate 30 and extends toward the first surface 301 of the substrate 30. The third groove section 343 and the fourth groove section 344 are opposite along the thickness direction D of the substrate 30. The second connecting bridge 345 is connected between the groove bottom 346 of the third groove section 343 and the groove bottom 347 of the fourth groove section 344. Similar to the first weakening structure, the third groove section 343 and the fourth groove section 344 have a small depth and together reduce the strength of the second extension section 34 to a desired level. For the injection-molded substrate 30, the third groove section 343 and the fourth groove section 344 with a small depth reduce the difficulty of demolding during the injection molding process.

[0065] In one embodiment, the thickness of the second connecting bridge 345 is less than 4 mm, for example, between 0.5 mm and 4 mm, along the thickness direction D of the substrate 30. Similar to the second weakening line 32, the second connecting bridge 345 with such a thickness also makes the first weakening line 31 have a proper strength, and, during the injection molding process of the substrate 30, avoids short shots at the third groove section 343 and the fourth groove section 344, and also avoids the airbag door 303 from being warped relative to the rest of the substrate 30.

[0066] The thickness of the second connecting bridge 345 is greater than the thickness of the first connecting bridge 325 along the thickness direction D of the substrate 30. In this way, the strength of the second connecting bridge 345 is greater than the strength of the first connecting bridge 325, so that the strength of the second weakening structure is greater than the strength of the first weakening structure. In one embodiment, the thickness of the second connecting bridge 345 is 1.5 mm, and the thickness of the first connecting bridge 325 is 0.9 mm. Of course, the thickness of the first connecting bridge and the thickness of the second connecting bridge can also be set to other values according to actual conditions, which are not limited here.

[0067] In addition, the length of the second connecting bridge 345 is greater than the length of the first connecting bridge 325, which also makes the strength of the second weakening structure greater than the strength of the first weakening structure. In one embodiment, the length of the second connecting bridge 345 is equal to or almost equal to the length of the second extension section 34. In other words, no through hole is provided in the second extension section 34. In some other embodiments, a second through hole similar to the first through hole (not shown in the figure) can also be provided in the second extension section to divide the second connecting bridge into multiple sections, as long as the strength of the second weakening structure is greater than the strength of the first weakening structure.

[0068] As shown in Fig. 7, the fourth slot section 344 is a sharp-bottomed slot, and the third slot section 343 is a flat-bottomed slot (e.g., a rectangular slot or a trapezoidal slot). Similar to the first weakened structure, when the airbag inflates and impacts the substrate 30, stress concentration is easily generated at the slot bottom 347 of the fourth slot section 344, which in turn makes the second extension section 34 easily and quickly break. In other embodiments, the fourth slot section 344 and the third slot section 343 can both be configured as sharp-bottomed slots. It should be noted that in the case where either the third slot section 343 or the fourth slot section 344 is a sharp-bottomed slot, the strength of the second weakened structure is still greater than that of the first weakened structure, so that the breakage of the second extension section 34 is later than that of the second weakened line 32 and the two first extension sections 33, thereby better controlling the tearing process of the substrate 30 (or the instrument panel 3).

[0069] In one embodiment, as shown in Fig. 8, the third slot section 343 and the fourth slot section 344 are both flat-bottomed slots. In this way, when the airbag inflates and impacts the substrate 30, stress concentration is not easily generated at the slot bottom 346 of the third slot section 343 and the slot bottom 347 of the fourth slot section 344, which further helps to make the breakage of the second extension section 34 later than that of the second weakened line 32 and the two first extension sections 33, thereby better controlling the tearing process of the substrate 30 (or the instrument panel 3). In one embodiment, the third slot section 343 and the fourth slot section 344 can both be implemented as rectangular slots or trapezoidal slots.

[0070] The depth of the third slot section 343 on the first surface 301 of the substrate 30 is also between 0.05 mm and 2 mm, and the opening width is also between 0.4 mm and 2 mm; the same is true for the fourth slot section 344. Similar to the first weakened structure, the substrate 30 with the third slot section 343 and the fourth slot section 344 of this structure is also easy to demold when injection molded. In addition, the third slot section 343 also does not cause an undesirable mark on the outer surface of the instrument panel 3. In one specific embodiment, the depth of the third slot section 343 is 0.75 mm, and the opening width is 0.8 mm.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 4a, the first weakened line 31 (including two first extension segments 33 and two second extension segments 34) surrounds the airbag door 303. In this way, the first slot segment 323 of the first extension segment 33 and the third slot segment 343 of the second extension segment 34 completely separate the airbag door 303 from the rest of the outer surface (i.e., the first surface 301) of the substrate 30. When the substrate 30 (or the instrument panel 3) is torn, the cracks generated in the first weakened line 31 and the second weakened line 32 only propagate along the first weakened line 31 and / or the second weakened line 32, and do not propagate beyond the first weakened line 31 to the rest of the outer surface of the substrate 30 (e.g., the portion surrounding the airbag door 303). In this way, the portions of the substrate 30 other than the airbag door 303 do not generate residual fragments, so as to avoid the danger caused by the residual fragments.

[0072] In one embodiment, the substrate 30 is formed by an injection molding process, and the first weakened line 31 and the second weakened line 32 are also formed by injection molding with the substrate 30. In this way, the substrate 30 does not need to be further weakened, so as to reduce the manufacturing process of the substrate 30, improve the production efficiency, and reduce the cost. Also, the substrate 30 does not need to be transported between various process sites, so as to reduce the transportation cost and avoid the damage of the substrate 30 during the transportation.

[0073] It is noted that the application (e.g., inventive concept(s), etc.) has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments thereof in the specification and / or illustrated in the drawings; the embodiments of the application are not intended to be limited to the embodiments depicted and / or described in the specification and / or illustrated in the drawings. The elements of the inventive concept(s) embodied in the application described and / or illustrated in the specification and / or illustrated in the drawings are intended to be illustrative only. Although exemplary embodiments of the application have been described in detail in the specification and / or illustrated in the drawings, it should be understood that various modifications, changes, substitutions, equivalents, variations, omissions, and / or additions of the subject matter (e.g., modifications, variations, embodiments, combinations, equivalents, etc.) described in the specification and / or illustrated in the drawings can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the application; all such modifications, changes, substitutions, equivalents, variations, omissions, and / or additions are intended to be included in the scope of the application. It should also be noted that various / other modifications, changes, substitutions, equivalents, variations, omissions, and / or additions in the configuration and / or arrangement of the exemplary embodiments (e.g., in terms of concepts, designs, structures, devices, forms, assemblies, constructions, means, functions, systems, processes / methods, steps, order of process / method steps, operations, operating conditions, performances, materials, compositions, combinations, etc.) can be made without departing from the scope of the application; all such modifications, changes, substitutions, equivalents, variations, omissions, and / or additions are intended to be included in the scope of the application. The scope of the application is not intended to be limited to the subject matter (e.g., details, structures, functions, materials, acts, steps, order, systems, results, etc.) described in the specification and / or illustrated in the drawings. It is contemplated that the claims in the patent file will be appropriately interpreted to cover the full scope of the inventive subject matter (e.g., including any and all such modifications, changes, embodiments, combinations, equivalents, etc.); it is to be understood that the terminology used in the patent file is intended to describe the subject matter of the exemplary embodiments, and is not intended to limit the scope of the application.

[0074] It is further noted that, according to exemplary embodiments, the application can include conventional technology (e.g., technology implemented and / or integrated in exemplary embodiments, modifications, variations, combinations, equivalents, etc.) or can include any other applicable technology (present and / or future), having the ability to perform the functions and processes / operations described in the specification and / or illustrated in the drawings. All such technology (e.g., technology implemented in embodiments, modifications, variations, combinations, equivalents, etc.) is considered to be within the scope of the application of the present patent file.

Claims

1. An interior panel for a vehicle, characterized by, The inner trim panel includes a substrate; the substrate includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; a weakened line is provided on the substrate, the weakened line defines an airbag door, the weakened line includes: a first weakened groove formed on the first surface and extending toward the second surface; a second weakened groove formed on the second surface and extending toward the first surface; the first weakened groove and the second weakened groove at least partially face each other in the thickness direction of the substrate; and a connecting bridge connected between the groove bottom of the first weakened groove and the groove bottom of the second weakened groove.

2. The interior panel of claim 1, wherein The weakened line includes a first weakened line, the first weakened line includes a first extension section and a second extension section; the first extension section has a first weakened structure, the second extension section has a second weakened structure, and the strength of the second weakened structure is greater than that of the first weakened structure.

3. The interior panel of claim 2, wherein, The first weakened line forms a closed first shape; the airbag door is within the range of the first shape.

4. The interior panel of claim 3, wherein, The weakened line further includes a second weakened line, the second weakened line is within the range of the first shape and extends through the airbag door; the second weakened line has the first weakened structure.

5. The interior panel of claim 4, wherein, The first weakened line includes at least two first extension sections, and the two first extension sections are spaced apart from each other; the two ends of the second weakened line are respectively connected with the two first extension sections.

6. The interior trim panel of claim 2, wherein, The weakened line further includes a third weakened line having the second weakened structure, the third weakened line is connected with the second extension section and forms a closed second shape; the airbag door is within the range of the second shape; The first extension section is within the range of the second shape and is connected with the second extension section and / or the third weakened line.

7. The interior panel of claim 6, wherein, The weakened line further includes a fourth weakened line having the first weakened structure, the fourth weakened line is within the range of the second shape and is connected with the first weakened line.

8. The interior trim panel of claim 2, wherein, The first weakened structure includes: a plurality of spaced-apart first connection regions, each first connection region includes a first groove section as the first weakened groove, a second groove section as the second weakened groove, and a first connecting bridge as the connecting bridge; and a plurality of first through holes, each first through hole is between two adjacent first connection regions.

9. The interior panel of claim 8, wherein, The length of each first connecting bridge is less than the length of each first through hole.

10. The interior trim panel of claim 8, wherein, The first groove section and / or the second groove section is a sharp-bottomed groove.

11. The interior trim panel of claim 8, wherein, The second weakened structure includes a third groove section as the first weakened groove, a fourth groove section as the second weakened groove, and a second connecting bridge as the connecting bridge.

12. The interior trim panel of claim 11, wherein, In the thickness direction of the substrate, the thickness of the second connecting bridge is greater than the thickness of the first connecting bridge.

13. The interior panel of claim 11 or 12, wherein, The length of the second connecting bridge is greater than the length of the first connecting bridge.

14. The interior trim panel of claim 11, wherein, The third groove section and / or the fourth groove section is a sharp-bottomed groove.

15. The interior trim panel of claim 11, wherein, The third groove section and / or the fourth groove section is a flat-bottomed groove.

16. The interior trim panel of claim 1, wherein, The depth of any one of the first weakened groove and the second weakened groove is between 0.05 mm and 2 mm, and the opening width is between 0.4 mm and 2 mm.

17. The interior trim panel of claim 1, wherein, A thickness of the connecting bridge is less than 4 mm along a thickness direction of the substrate.

18. The interior trim panel of claim 1, wherein, The interior trim panel further includes a cover layer disposed on a first surface of the substrate.

19. The interior trim panel of claim 18, wherein, The cover layer includes an elastic filler layer and a skin layer covering the filler layer.

20. The interior trim panel of claim 19, wherein, The filler layer at least partially fills the first weakened groove.

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