Emblem Attachment Posts and Backing Sheet for Airbag Cover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Decorative emblems on airbag storage compartment covers can become hazardous projectiles during deployment due to the rapid forces exerted, posing a risk to vehicle occupants as they may break apart and detach from the cover.
Innovation Solution
A secure attachment system using attachment posts and radially-enlarged nuggets, where the nuggets are integrated or bonded to a backing sheet, ensuring they remain tethered to the cover even if the posts fracture, preventing the emblem and its components from becoming free-flying projectiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If an emblem is assembled onto the cover of an airbag storage compartment, then the visual appeal and branding of the vehicle interior is improved, but the emblem and its components can break apart and become potentially injurious projectiles during airbag deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is divided into multiple independent components: attachment posts, attachment nuggets, and attachment backing sheet. Each component serves a specific function, and the segmentation allows the system to remain attached to the cover even if individual components fail during deployment
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment system is pre-assembled with multiple attachment posts extending through the cover and attachment nuggets secured to the backing sheet before the emblem is installed. This preliminary preparation ensures that the attachment mechanism is ready to withstand deployment forces without requiring modification during the critical deployment event
Solution Approach 3:
The attachment backing sheet acts as a backup security layer that prevents complete detachment even if attachment posts fail. This redundant attachment mechanism provides a safety cushion against the harmful effect of emblem detachment during airbag deployment
2Reliability
If rapid airbag inflation occurs, then passenger protection is improved, but substantial forces are exerted on the cover that can cause assembled components to break apart
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the attachment system have different structural properties optimized for their specific functions: attachment posts provide rigid support for emblem mounting, while attachment nuggets provide flexible securing to the backing sheet. This local differentiation allows the system to withstand deployment forces while maintaining emblem attachment
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment system combines multiple materials with different properties: the backing sheet material, the attachment post material, and the attachment nugget material. This composite construction allows the system to balance rigidity for strength with flexibility for energy absorption during the rapid inflation event
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly for attaching an emblem onto the front face of an airbag storage enclosure cover has a plurality of attachment posts that project from the back surface of the emblem and extend through the cover from the front face to terminate in free ends remote from the emblem. An attachment backing sheet is positioned against the rear face of the cover, whereby the attachment posts also extend through the attachment backing sheet with the free end of each positioned on the side of the attachment backing sheet opposite from the cover. A plurality of radially-enlarged attachment nuggets are formed or joined individually in a one-to-one association to the free end of the attachment posts, and each of the attachment nuggets is secured to the backing sheet in proximity to the associated attachment post. The attachment backing sheet thus tethers each of the attachment nuggets to the cover in the event of the mechanical failure of an associated attachment post. The attachment nuggets may be integrally formed with or bonded to the free ends of the attachment posts. If the attachment backing sheet is made of a porous material, such as a fabric, a mesh, or a screen, the material of the attachment nuggets permeates pores in the material of the attachment backing sheet in proximity to each associated attachment post. If the attachment backing sheet is made of a plastic material, the attachment nuggets are bonded with adhesive to the attachment backing sheet.