Double-Layer Airbag Door Hinge for High-Elongation Deployment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fabric-based airbag door hinges in vehicles have low elongation and insufficient tensile strength, leading to potential breakage during airbag deployment, posing a safety hazard due to detachment of the airbag door.

Innovation Solution

A double-layer textile structure for the airbag door hinge, comprising a first and second textile layer connected by connecting elements, with specific weft and warp spacings and densities, providing high elongation and tensile strength to prevent detachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a single-layer fabric structure is used for the airbag door hinge, then the device complexity is low and manufacturing is simple, but the tensile strength and elongation are insufficient leading to potential breakage during deployment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetensile strengthVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining two different textile layers (first textile layer and second textile layer) with distinct properties into a single hinge structure. The first layer provides base strength while the second layer enhances elongation and tensile strength, creating a composite structure that prevents breakage during airbag deployment while maintaining reasonable complexity through integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge is segmented into two functional textile layers connected by connecting elements. This segmentation allows each layer to specialize in different mechanical properties (one for strength, one for elongation), resolving the contradiction by distributing functions across layers rather than requiring a single complex material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If a single-layer fabric structure is used for the airbag door hinge, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the elongation properties are insufficient causing the hinge to break under excessive shear stress

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveelongationVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By using composite textile layers, the patent achieves superior elongation properties through the second textile layer while the standardized connection method (connecting elements attached to both layers) keeps manufacturing feasible through established textile and molding processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The textile layers function as flexible structures that can elongate under stress. The knitted or woven textile construction inherently provides flexibility and elongation capacity, allowing the hinge to stretch during deployment without breaking, while remaining manufacturable through conventional textile production methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If the airbag door hinge uses insufficient tensile strength material, then the manufacturing cost is low, but the airbag door may detach from the load bearing component during deployment posing safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidhinge structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The composite textile structure provides enhanced reliability and safety by combining layers with different strength characteristics, ensuring the hinge can withstand deployment forces. The dual-layer design with connecting elements creates a redundant structure that prevents detachment while maintaining manageable complexity through systematic construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting elements (threads, loops, or combinations) act as predetermined reinforcement features that cushion and distribute stress before failure can occur. These elements are built into the structure in advance to prevent detachment under extreme conditions, providing safety margins without requiring overly complex designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP3851337B1Airbag door hinge, trim for automobile interior comprising same
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 SHANGHAI YANFENG JINQIAO AUTOMOTIVE TRIM SYSTEMS CO LTD
  • EP3851337B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3851337B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2D
  • EP3851337B1 patent drawingFigure 2E~2G

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an airbag door hinge used to connect an airbag door and a load bearing component surrounding the airbag door, characterized in that the airbag door hinge is a double-layer structure and has a first textile layer 1 and a second textile layer 2, and the first textile layer 1 and the second textile layer 2 are connected by a plurality of connecting portions 3. The present disclosure also relates to a trim component for vehicle interior, including the airbag door, the load bearing component surrounding the airbag door, and the airbag door hinge. The present disclosure also relates to a method for manufacturing the trim component.