Cladding Part and Method for Producing a Cladding Part

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cladding parts for vehicle interiors face limitations in versatility and functionality due to materials and production methods, particularly in integrating airbag functions with knitted surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A cladding part with a carrier covered by knitted material featuring a predetermined breaking point, created by incorporating weaker yarns during production, which can be designed as a visible or invisible tear line, allowing for cost-effective and energy-efficient manufacturing without additional processing steps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If conventional laminating methods with adhesive bonding are used for cladding parts, then visual appearance and haptic properties are improved, but versatility and airbag functionality are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual appearance and haptic propertiesVSAvoidairbag functionality and application versatility

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cladding part is divided into a carrier part and a surface cover that can be separated. The surface cover is designed with a predetermined breaking point that allows it to detach from the carrier part, enabling the carrier part to serve as an airbag while maintaining the aesthetic and haptic properties of the laminated surface cover during normal use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cladding part design enables multiple functions: during normal operation, it provides decorative and haptic functions through the laminated surface cover; in emergency situations, the carrier part can function as an airbag, and the surface cover can detach to allow airbag deployment. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between aesthetic quality and airbag capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If predetermined breaking points are created through separate processing steps like laser-machining or cutting, then airbag functionality is achieved, but production cost and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairbag functionalityVSAvoidproduction cost and energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The predetermined breaking point is created during the initial production of the surface cover, before the surface cover is bonded to the carrier part. By incorporating the breaking point feature during the manufacturing of the surface cover itself, additional post-processing steps like laser-machining or cutting are eliminated, reducing production cost and energy consumption while maintaining airbag functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The production process for creating the predetermined breaking point is merged with the surface cover manufacturing process. The breaking point is formed as an integral part of the surface cover production, combining what would otherwise be separate operations (surface cover fabrication and breaking point creation) into a single integrated process, thereby reducing overall production complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional processing steps are used to create breaking points, then airbag function is integrated, but manufacturing complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairbag function integrationVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency and production time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The predetermined breaking point is formed during the surface cover manufacturing process itself, before assembly with the carrier part. This preliminary creation of the breaking point eliminates the need for separate post-processing steps, thereby maintaining airbag functionality while preserving manufacturing efficiency and reducing production time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of manufacture

If conventional materials and methods are used for cladding parts, then production is straightforward, but environmental impact and carbon emissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction simplicityVSAvoidcarbon dioxide emissions and environmental stress

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The predetermined breaking point is created during surface cover production rather than through separate energy-intensive post-processing steps. This approach maintains production simplicity while reducing the need for additional manufacturing operations that would generate extra carbon emissions and environmental stress.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The design extracts the airbag functionality from the traditional cladding part structure by creating a separable surface cover that can detach during airbag deployment. This extraction allows the carrier part to serve dual purposes as both structural component and airbag, reducing material waste and environmental impact without complicating the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS20230365076A1Cladding Part and Method for Producing a Cladding Part

Publication Date: 2023.11.16 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG

AI summary

A cladding part has a carrier part. A surface of the carrier part is at least in sections covered by a surface cover of knitted material. A predetermined breaking point is configured in the surface cover. A method is provided for producing the cladding part.