Vehicle Trim Retaining Assembly Frangible Clip Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing retaining assemblies for vehicle trim elements during airbag deployment often result in trim element deformation or projection, which can injure occupants, and are either impractical due to large snap-fitting sites or excessively expensive.

Innovation Solution

A retaining assembly with a clip-holder that includes a proximal portion connected to the trim element and a distal portion with a frangible region, allowing controlled displacement and separation from the bodywork element upon airbag deployment, utilizing a retaining element to maintain the distal portion in the deployment position and preventing trim element projection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a specific clip with two large snap-fitting sites is used to allow airbag deployment, then the trim element can be controlled to displace, but the bulk generated reduces the interspace making airbag deployment impossible and the cost significantly increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrolled displacement of trim elementVSAvoidbulk between trim element and bodywork element

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The clip-holder is divided into two separate portions: a proximal portion connected to the trim element and a distal portion with the snap-fitting site. These portions are connected via a frangible region that breaks during airbag deployment, allowing the distal portion to disengage and be retained separately while the proximal portion remains with the trim element. This segmentation eliminates the need for large snap-fitting sites and reduces bulk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A retaining element is introduced as an intermediary component to retain the distal portion of the clip-holder to the bodywork element after the frangible region breaks. This retaining element enables controlled displacement and prevents trim element projection without requiring large snap-fitting sites, thus reducing the bulk between the trim element and bodywork element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a specific clip with two large snap-fitting sites is used to allow airbag deployment, then the trim element can be controlled to displace, but the cost significantly increases compared to conventional clips

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrolled displacement of trim elementVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The frangible region is designed as a disposable, breakable connection between the proximal and distal portions. Once the airbag deploys and the frangible region breaks, the distal portion is discarded or retained separately, eliminating the need for expensive, reusable specific clips with large snap-fitting sites. This approach significantly reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining the controlled displacement function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Speed

If the distal portion is disengaged from the proximal portion upon airbag deployment, then unimpeded airbag deployment is enabled, but the trim element may be projected at high speeds causing injury

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairbag deployment speedVSAvoidtrim element projection

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A retaining element is introduced as an intermediary component to retain the distal portion of the clip-holder to the bodywork element after the frangible region breaks. This retaining element enables controlled displacement and prevents trim element projection, allowing the airbag to deploy at high speeds without causing injury from projected trim elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the retention parameter dynamically: during normal conditions, the frangible region maintains a strong connection between proximal and distal portions; during airbag deployment, the frangible region breaks to allow rapid disengagement and controlled displacement, while the retaining element subsequently limits the displacement to prevent harmful projection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables unimpeded airbag deployment while preventing trim element projection at high speeds and forces, using standard clips and reducing bulk, thus enhancing safety and cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

a frangible region configured to break up upon deployment of the airbag

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFracture: Fracture Mechanics

Implementation Method 2

a retaining element configured to retain the distal portion to the trim element when the distal portion is in the deployment position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical retention: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentUS11440485B2Retaining assembly for a trim element of a vehicle

Publication Date: 2022.09.13 NOVARES FRANCE

AI summary

It comprises: —a clip holder (4) entirely integral with the trim element (1), comprising: —a proximal portion (5) connected to the trim element (1), and—a distal portion (6) on which is fitted a clip (8) that is shaped so as to secure to a body element (2), the proximal portion (5) and the distal portion (6) being joined by a breakable region (9) that is designed to break in the event of deployment of an airbag (3), and the distal portion (6) being able to move between a rest position in which the breakable region (9) joins the distal portion (6) to the proximal portion (5) and a deployment position in which the distal portion (6) is no longer joined to the proximal portion (5) by virtue of the breakable region (9) breaking, and—a retention element (11) that is designed to retain the distal portion (6) on the trim element (1) when the distal portion (6) is in the deployment position.