Trim Joint Interface for Side Curtain Airbag Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional airbag deployment systems in coupe vehicles face challenges due to manufacturing limitations, particularly at the rear headliner formation, necessitating an alternative mechanism for side curtain airbag deployment along the sidewall adjacent to the rear seat location.
Innovation Solution
A joint interface structure between the rear pillar trim and center pillar trim components, featuring low-retention force projections and complementary apertures, allows for the deployment of a side curtain airbag by creating an openable passage, enabling the airbag to deploy along the sidewall of the passenger compartment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional headliner assembly is used for airbag deployment, then airbag deployment is achieved, but manufacturing limitations prevent rear headliner formation in coupe vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The trim system is divided into multiple segments including a headliner assembly, a rear pillar trim component, and a center pillar trim component. These segments can be manufactured separately and assembled together, allowing the airbag deployment function to be maintained through the rear pillar trim component when the rear headliner cannot be formed conventionally.
Solution Approach 2:
The rear pillar trim component is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides the structural trim element for the rear pillar, creates the deployment passage for the side curtain airbag, and forms part of the joint interface structure. This multi-functionality compensates for the missing rear headliner formation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the interface joint between trim pieces is permanently secured, then structural stability is improved, but airbag deployment passage cannot be opened
Solution Approach 1:
The interface joint between the first and second trim pieces is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The joint includes projections and apertures that allow the pieces to be securely connected during normal conditions but can be separated when airbag deployment is required, enabling the passage to open while maintaining stability during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface joint structure allows for selective disconnection of the trim pieces. When deployment is needed, the connection between the first and second trim pieces can be extracted or disengaged, creating the necessary passage while maintaining the stable connected state during normal operation.
3Ease of operation
If low-retention force projections are used to temporarily secure the interface joint, then deployment capability is improved, but connection strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connection strength parameter of the interface joint is deliberately changed to be temporary rather than permanent. The low-retention force projections are designed with specific geometric parameters that provide sufficient connection strength for normal operation but allow easy separation when deployment force is applied, achieving the right balance between connection strength and deployment capability.
Data Source
AI summary
An interior trim structure covers a stowed side curtain airbag and allows deployment of the side curtain airbag through an interface joint to a position along a sidewall of a passenger compartment adjacent a rear seat location of a two-door coupe style vehicle. A center pillar trim piece and a rear pillar trim piece can be assembled to one another with at least one projection releasably interlocking with a corresponding aperture formed along adjacent edges of the trim pieces. Each projection is located in a complementary position with respect to a corresponding aperture formed along the adjacent edge to temporarily secure an interface joint defined between first and second edges when in an abutting relationship with respect to one another in a closed position. The interface joint defines an openable passage along the first and second abutting edges allowing deployment of a side curtain airbag through the interface joint.