Vehicle Interior Trim Structure for Seamless Airbag Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle interior trim components do not effectively facilitate the deployment of airbags while maintaining a smooth, imperceptible exit and minimizing break-through energy during deployment.
Innovation Solution
A composite structure comprising a substrate with a projection arrangement and a cover with aligned cavities, where the substrate features projections that integrate with the cover to form an opening for airbag deployment, ensuring a smooth exterior surface and reduced energy break-through.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a weakened area such as a score line is provided in the trim component to direct the airbag during deployment, then the airbag deployment is facilitated, but the visible surface becomes non-smooth and the exit becomes readily perceptible
Solution Approach 1:
The opening formation is divided into multiple segments: a center segment that initiates the opening and lateral segments that complete it. This segmentation allows the airbag to deploy through a controlled multi-stage process while maintaining aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
Projections are pre-formed on the substrate before airbag deployment. These projections are positioned to align with cavities in the cover, creating a predetermined path for opening formation that will be activated only during airbag deployment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple mold apparatus are used to manufacture the trim component, then manufacturing flexibility is maintained, but production efficiency decreases and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate and cover are merged into a single integrated component manufactured in one mold apparatus. The mold includes both a substrate forming section and a cover forming section that work simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing steps and multiple molds.
3Ease of manufacture
If the trim component is formed by compression forming process only, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the ability to provide integrated features and composite structures is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The trim component uses a composite structure where a fiber panel substrate is combined with a thermoplastic cover. The compression-formed fiber panel provides structural integrity while the injection-molded thermoplastic cover provides aesthetic appearance and integrated features like cavities and recesses.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates efficient airbag deployment with a seamless, imperceptible exit and reduced energy consumption, while being manufacturable in a single mold apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
The base layer of the substrate may comprise a fiber panel formed into a compressed fiber panel
Implementation Method 2
The feature of the substrate may comprise a projection arrangement... configured to initiate formation of the opening
Data Source
AI summary
A component for an interior of a vehicle configured to facilitate formation of an opening for deployment of an airbag into the interior of the vehicle is disclosed. The component may comprise a composite structure comprising a substrate and a cover; the substrate may comprise a base layer and a feature configured to facilitate formation of the opening; the base layer may comprise a fiber panel formed into a compressed fiber panel to provide a structural substrate; the feature may comprise a projection arrangement that may comprise a set of projections; the cover may comprise a set of cavities. The projection arrangement may comprise a tear line for formation of the opening. The compressed fiber panel may comprise a generally rigid fiber panel with a set of projections/nubs formed of a resin. The base layer may comprise a recess. The cover may comprise a substantially uniform exterior surface.