Vehicle Airbag Trim Cover With Rotating Flap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trim covers for airbags in vehicle roof rail assemblies do not effectively conceal the airbags after deployment, obstructing visibility and requiring complex assembly, while also not being weatherproof.
Innovation Solution
A trim cover system with a base member and a flap member connected by a living hinge, where the flap member rotates to conceal the airbag after deployment, using a fastenerless clip to secure to the vehicle, and made from weatherproof materials like polypropylene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a trim cover is used to conceal the airbag, then visibility is obstructed after deployment, but the airbag is concealed from view
Solution Approach 1:
The trim cover incorporates a movable flap member that dynamically changes position between a first position (concealing the airbag) and a second position (allowing visibility). The flap member is configured to be movable relative to the base member, transitioning from blocking the view of the deployed airbag to allowing visibility after deployment, thus resolving the contradiction between concealment and visibility.
2Reliability
If traditional fasteners are used to attach the trim cover, then assembly is secure, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The trim cover design extracts and eliminates traditional fasteners (screws, clips, adhesives) from the attachment system. Instead, the base member is configured to be attachable to the roof rail assembly without any fasteners, using an integrated attachment mechanism that reduces assembly complexity while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The base member is designed to attach to the roof rail assembly through self-aligning features and integrated attachment mechanisms that do not require external fasteners. The trim cover essentially attaches itself to the roof rail, eliminating the need for separate fastening components and simplifying the assembly process.
3Ease of manufacture
If the trim cover is made from standard materials, then manufacturing is simpler, but weatherproofing is insufficient for open-air environment
Solution Approach 1:
The trim cover is constructed from composite materials that combine the aesthetic appearance of leather or vinyl with a weather-resistant substrate. This composite construction provides both the desired appearance and the necessary weatherproofing to withstand exposure to open-air environmental conditions including rain, UV radiation, and temperature variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The material selection involves changing the physical and chemical parameters of the trim cover materials to achieve weather resistance. By selecting materials with appropriate UV stability, water resistance, and temperature tolerance, the trim cover can withstand open-air environmental conditions while maintaining its appearance and functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle apparatus comprises an airbag secured to a roof rail of a vehicle and a trim cover. The trim cover has a base member fastened to the roof rail, a flap member, and a living hinge integrally molded between the base and flap members. The flap member rotates on the hinge when the airbag deploys. The flap member also, in a covering position, has a distal edge fastenerlessly clipped to the vehicle.