AU2017100149B4

AU2017100149B4 - Method of airbag adaptation in vehicle conversion

Info

Publication number: AU2017100149B4
Application number: AU2017100149A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Blair Cooke; Warwick Drenth; Ralph GARTON; Abouzar KHEIRI; Arthur NEILL; Geoffrey Wells
Original assignee: Vehicle Development Corp Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Vehicle Development Corp Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2016-03-15
Filing date: 2017-02-08
Publication date: 2017-10-05
Anticipated expiration: 2025-02-08
Also published as: AU2017100149A4; AU2017233549A1; AU2022204699A1; WO2017156567A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of automotive engineering, more particularly airbag systems for vehicles. In one form, the invention relates to a method for converting vehicles from left-hand drive to right-hand drive and vice versa, especially adapting the fitting of one or more airbags in such conversions. In particular, the present invention relates to the repositioning of airbags, such as OEM airbags in converting a vehicle from left hand drive to right hand drive.

Description

2017100149 08 Feb 2017

PI/00/002 Regulation 3.2B

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Application No. Lodged: Innovation Title: METHOD OF AIRBAG ADAPTATION IN VEHICLE CONVERSION

The following statement is a full description of this innovation, including the best method of performing it known to the Applicant: 2 2017100149 08 Feb 2017

METHOD OF AIRBAG ADAPTATION IN VEHICLE CONVERSION FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of automotive engineering, more particularly airbag systems for vehicles.

[0002] In one form, the invention relates to a method for converting vehicles from left-hand drive to right-hand drive and vice versa, especially adapting the fitting of one or more airbags in such conversions.

[0003] It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in relation to fitting of an airbags in the conversion of left-hand to right-hand drive vehicles however, it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to that use only and can also be used for more than air bag during conversion.

BACKGROUND ART

[0004] Vehicles are manufactured in either left-hand drive or right-hand configurations, the terms ‘left’ and ‘right’ referring to the placement of the driving seat and controls within the vehicle. Most countries have legislation that dictates whether cars in the relevant jurisdiction are left-hand or right-hand drive and it is common for imported cars to have drive conversion to comply with local law. Typically, countries in which cars drive on the left side of the road use right-hand drive vehicles, and countries in which cars drive on the right side of the road countries use left-hand drive vehicles.

[0005] The overall exterior appearance of most vehicles, particularly the chassis, is relatively symmetrical about the longitudinal axis. However, this is not true of most of the interior mechanical fittings due to the placement of driving controls on the left or the right hand side of the vehicle. The lack of symmetry is particularly inconvenient when a vehicle is changed from left-hand to right-hand drive or vice versa because it is not necessarily possible to simply turn components around and re-fit them. Often they must be extensively re-engineered and re-positioned. 3 2017100149 08 Feb 2017 [0006] For example, large numbers of left-hand drive utility trucks are manufactured in the United States of America. The market for right-hand versions of these utility trucks is too small to justify manufacturing any as right-hand drive vehicles. Accordingly, when the left-hand drive utility trucks are exported to countries such as Australia and New Zealand, they must be converted to right-hand drive to comply with local law. During the drive conversion, left-hand parts have to be replaced with right-hand parts made from scratch or adapted to fit right-hand drive interior configurations because they are not available from the original vehicle manufacturer. The need to manufacture parts tends to make the drive conversion very expensive.

[0007] Airbags, also known as ‘supplementary inflatable restraints’ (SIR) are mandatory vehicle safety features in most countries. In the event of a vehicle accident, a carefully controlled and timed detonation will fire the airbag out from where it resides in interior vehicle panels to help reduce damage to occupants. The airbag inflates as soon as the vehicle’s crash sensors detect a relevant event and an associated controller unit determines that the crash meets the criteria for deployment. The deployed airbag deflates as the occupant’s body presses against it.

[0008] Airbags can be located in various positions within a vehicle, but invariably one is located in the steering wheel for the benefit of the driver and in the dashboard, above the glove box, for the benefit of a front seat passenger. The airbag exit flaps in the dashboard panel and steering wheel boss may be integral and not visible to the passengers. They are usually formed by including carefully crafted lines of weakness which will rupture upon deployment of the airbag and not hinder its expansion. In an alternative construction the airbag flap is secured along a hinge line and at lest one rupture line, wherein the rupture line tears and the flip pivots at the hinge when the airbag is deployed.

[0009] The conversion from left-hand to right-hand drive raises particular problems with respect to airbag systems. At least one airbag is usually placed as a part of one or more interior panels of a vehicle, that is, the airbag is often integral with the panel. It has been found that at least one airbag panel for a left-hand drive vehicle cannot be re-fitted when the vehicle is converted to right-hand drive or vice versa. Typically a new airbag 4 2017100149 08 Feb 2017 panel must be manufactured at significant expense. Utilising a new airbag incurs further significant expense.

[0010] Accordingly there is a need to address the problem of vehicle drive side change over, particularly with respect to the airbag systems or interior panels incorporating one or more airbag. For example, there is a need to relocate the passenger airbag from a right hand side of the dashboard in a left hand drive vehicle to the left side of the dashboard in a right hand drive vehicle. Further problems need to be overcome, such as taking into account the need to change from left-hand to right hand drive without affecting airbag deployment function or other aspects such as deployment angle and position of airbag after deployment.

[0011] It is to be appreciated that any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the present invention. Further, the discussion throughout this specification comes about due to the realisation of the inventor and/or the identification of certain related art problems by the inventor. Moreover, any discussion of material such as documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention in terms of the inventor’s knowledge and experience and, accordingly, any such discussion should not be taken as an admission that any of the material forms part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art in Australia, or elsewhere, on or before the priority date of the disclosure and claims herein.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0012] It is an object of the embodiments described herein to overcome or alleviate at least one of the above noted drawbacks of related art systems or to at least provide a useful alternative to related art systems.

[0013] In a first aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided a method of converting configuration of a vehicle from left hand drive to right hand drive, the method including the steps of: 5 2017100149 08 Feb 2017 removing an airbag from the passenger side of a dashboard of the vehicle in the left hand drive configuration, providing a recess in the passenger side of the dashboard of the vehicle in the right hand drive configuration, locating the airbag within the dashboard and adjacent the recess, and applying an airbag flap adjacent the airbag.

[0014] In a second aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided a method of reusing an airbag during conversion of a vehicle from left hand drive to right hand drive, the method including the steps of: removing an airbag from the passenger side of a dashboard of the vehicle in the left hand drive configuration, providing a recess in the passenger side of the dashboard of the vehicle in the right hand drive configuration, locating the airbag within the dashboard and adjacent the recess, and applying an airbag flap adjacent the airbag.

[0015] A further step of the method of the invention includes installation of a support for retaining the airbag within the dashboard, such as suitably configured brackets. The positioning of the brackets ensures that the airbag is at the appropriate height, orientation and distance from the edge of the recess.

[0016] The airbag flap typically comprises two parts. The first part comprises a flexible material such as vinyl, which acts as a skin over the airbag. The second part comprises a rigid panel, typically of the same polymeric material as the rest of the dashboard, and manufactured with lines of weakness that will rupture or tear upon deployment of the airbag. 6 2017100149 08 Feb 2017 [0017] The airbag flap may be attached to the dashboard by any convenient means. For example the airbag flap may be secured by welding, gluing or riveting. In another embodiment the airbag flap is secured along a hinge line and at least one line of weakness wherein the weakened line rips and the flap pivots along the hinge when the airbag is deployed. In an alternative embodiment, the airbag flap has two or more parts that pivot about each other or tear apart.

[0018] The recess in the passenger side of the dashboard of the vehicle may be formed by any convenient means such as laser cutting.

[0019] In another aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided a dashboard modified according to the method of the present invention.

[0020] Other aspects and preferred forms are disclosed in the specification and/or defined in the appended claims, forming a part of the description of the invention.

[0021] In essence, embodiments of the present invention stem from the realization that airbags can be reused by judicious repositioning.

[0022] Advantages provided by the present invention include the following: • re-using the original airbag and its componentry avoids the need for recertification of the system by vehicle safety authorities; • simplification of the drive-side change over process; and • cost savings by avoiding the need to purchase a new airbag and componentry.

[0023] Further scope of applicability of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various 7 2017100149 08 Feb 2017 changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the disclosure herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Further disclosure, objects, advantages and aspects of preferred and other embodiments of the present application may be better understood by those skilled in the relevant art by reference to the following description of embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the disclosure herein, and in which: FIG. 1 illustrates in cross-section part of a dashboard of a vehicle modified according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 illustrates in perspective view a panel of a dashboard of a vehicle modified to receive and airbag flap according to the method of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “interior,” “exterior,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawing, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. Additionally, unless otherwise specified, it is to be understood that discussion of a particular feature of component extending in or along a given direction or the like does not mean that the feature or component follows a straight line or axis in such a direction or that it only extends in such direction or on such a plane without other directional components or deviations, unless otherwise specified. 8 2017100149 08 Feb 2017 [0026] FIG. 1 shows part of a dashboard modified according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this view can be seen an airbag exit opening (2) through which an unfolding airbag (10) can be deployed in the firing direction indicated by the arrow into the passenger compartment of a vehicle. Componentry associated with the airbag is not shown in this view but is typically fastened near the airbag, adjacent the dashboard (1) or on part of the vehicle structure such as the crossbeam.

[0027] The airbag exit opening (2) is closed by a flap comprising layer of flexible material (3) overlayed by a rigid panel (4) of the same polymeric material as the rest of the dashboard (1), and incorporating lines of weakness (5) that will rupture or tear upon deployment of the airbag (10). The flexible material (3) and rigid panel (4) slightly overlap the airbag exit opening.

[0028] In an alternative construction the rigid panel (4) can be adjacent the airbag (10) overlayed with a layer of flexible material (3).

[0029] The flap can be fastened to the dashboard by any convenient means including welding, gluing or riveting. In another embodiment the flap has a hinged attachment to the dashboard such as described in US 8,408,587 (Rick et al).

[0030] Two brackets (8,9) provide support for the airbag (10) and location of the flexible material (3) and rigid panel (4).

[0031] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dashboard panel (1) modified to include a recess (indicated by the dotted line) to act as the airbag exit opening (2) and to which the airbag flap will be applied according to the method of the present invention.

[0032] While this invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification(s). This application is intended to cover any variations uses or adaptations of the invention following in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth. 2017100149 08 Feb 2017 9 [0033] As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of the essential characteristics of the invention, it should be understood that the above described embodiments are not to limit the present invention unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative only and not restrictive.

[0034] Various modifications and equivalent arrangements are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the invention and appended claims. Therefore, the specific embodiments are to be understood to be illustrative of the many ways in which the principles of the present invention may be practiced. In the following claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover structures as performing the defined function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures.

[0035] “Comprises/comprising” and “includes/including” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. Thus, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words ‘comprise’, ‘comprising’, ‘includes’, ‘including’ and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.

Claims

1. A method of reusing an airbag during conversion of a vehicle from left hand drive to right hand drive, the method including the steps of: removing an airbag from the passenger side of a dashboard of the vehicle in the left hand drive configuration, providing a recess in the passenger side of the dashboard of the vehicle in the right hand drive configuration, locating the airbag within the dashboard and adjacent the recess, and applying an airbag flap adjacent the airbag.

2. A dashboard modified according to the method of claim 1.