Vehicle Trim Panel Retainer with Deployable Projections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle trim panel retention systems are cumbersome during manufacturing and may not effectively prevent trim panels from moving uncontrollably into the occupant compartment during side impacts, potentially interfering with airbag deployment.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle trim panel retainer system featuring a bracket with an opening and a house with projections that cooperate to secure the trim panel to the door inner, allowing for easy assembly and compliance during impacts without additional fasteners, utilizing tabs that deploy into the bracket's slot to prevent release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the trim panel is received within the door inner using a complex retention assembly, then the trim panel is secured against uncontrolled movement during side impacts, but the assembly difficulty increases and manufacturing becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The retention system is divided into separate functional elements: the bracket attached to the door inner and the house with projections attached to the trim panel. These segments work together through the deployment mechanism, allowing independent optimization of each component while achieving reliable retention when engaged.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention system transitions from a static connection to a dynamic deployment mechanism. The projections are stored in a retracted position during normal operation, allowing easy assembly and disassembly. During a side impact, the projections automatically deploy to engage with the bracket, providing dynamic retention security without permanent complex structures.
2Strength
If additional fasteners are used to secure the trim panel, then the retention strength increases, but the number of parts increases and assembly becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The retention system is self-activating through the deployment mechanism. During a side impact, force applied to the trim panel automatically causes the projections to deploy and engage with the bracket without requiring additional fasteners or manual intervention. The system uses the impact force itself to activate the retention function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the fastening function from traditional permanent fasteners and replaces it with a deployable projection mechanism. The projections are integrated into the house structure, eliminating the need for separate fasteners while providing equivalent or superior retention strength when deployed.
3Reliability
If the trim panel is rigidly fixed to the door inner, then the retention security is maximized, but the compliance that allows airbag deployment is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The retention system provides conditional rigidity: during normal operation, the trim panel maintains compliance for airbag deployment. During a side impact, the projections automatically deploy to create a rigid connection with the bracket, providing retention security. The system dynamically adapts its mechanical properties based on the operational state.
Solution Approach 2:
The deployment mechanism is pre-positioned to counteract the harmful effect of side impact before it can cause uncontrolled movement. The projections are ready to deploy and engage with the bracket, providing preliminary resistance to the lateral forces generated during a side collision, while not interfering with normal airbag deployment sequences.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle trim panel retainer is provided. A vehicle door inner includes a bracket for extending into the interior passage, the bracket including an opening. A trim panel includes a house having an interior passage. The house further includes at least one projection for cooperating with the opening in a deployed position to assist in preventing the trim panel from releasing from the door inner. A second projection may also be provided for engaging the bracket in a deployed position.