DE102012214909B3 - Component e.g. steering wheel cover, for vehicle, has weakening formed by lines, which are contacted in places and extend over entire air bag section and surface outside bag section, where surface is provided as large as surface of section - Google Patents

Abstract

The component has a decorative layer arranged above a carrier, and including a rear side facing towards the carrier. A weakening is provided on a remaining wall thickness in the rear side for forming a reference-breaking line (18) for an air bag. The line defines an air bag section (16). The weakening is formed by weakening lines (20), which extend over the entire air bag section and a surface outside the air bag section, where the surface is provided as large as a surface of the air bag section. The lines are contacted in places. The decorative layer is made of leather or artificial leather.

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a component for a vehicle having an airbag, comprising a carrier, a decorative layer arranged above the carrier and an airbag section in which the airbag can be arranged behind the carrier, the decorative layer forming a tear line upon deployment of the airbag weakening having.

Such components are used in vehicles to ensure the reliable opening of an airbag without having to weaken the decorative layer on its visible side.

State of the art

From the DE 10 2009 008 726 A1 An airbag cover for a vehicle is known comprising a leather cover, an intermediate layer and a molded part. To ensure that the airbag cover opens to release the airbag, a weakening is provided only in the molded part and the intermediate layer. There is no weakening or partial reduction of the wall thickness in the visible covering. Instead, it is necessary to ensure by means of high-precision manufacturing processes that the visible covering has a very small wall thickness.

Furthermore, the teaches DE 199 37 373 A1 forming a weakening substantially along an odd line (eg, zigzag or meandering) along the longitudinal direction of a tearing edge for an airbag. An H-shaped weakening comes from the DE 199 30 754 A1 out.

The WO 2006/111212 A1 teaches the introduction of spaced apart, the material completely penetrating perforations in the region of the edge of an airbag flap. A completely penetrating perforation for the weakening of the outer skin also goes out of the DE 44 18 583 A1 out.

These four last-mentioned documents have the disadvantage that it is necessary to align the weakened or perforated material carefully in the region of the edge of the airbag flap or the tear-open edge in order to ensure reliable deployment of the airbag. In order to meet the high safety requirements in the manufacture of these components, much time must be spent for the positioning of the material or, if the material is placed incorrectly, a high Nachbearbeitungsaufwand is required or the component is Committee.

The DE 20 2004 017 029 U1 describes a vehicle interior trim part with an integrated hinged cover for a vehicle occupant restraint module, wherein the trim part comprises a support member having a predetermined predetermined breaking path, which defines the contour of the cover, and a decorative layer applied to the support member with a tear line, wherein the tear line in the decorative element at least partially has a course alternating with the predetermined breaking course in the carrier part. Further, the DE 10 2009 030 151 to provide the cover for an airbag in the region of the steering wheel with different segments, wherein different surface structures may be provided on different segments. These surface structures are introduced on the visible side and can be formed for example by intersecting grooves, but serve only an aesthetic purpose.

Presentation of the invention

The invention has for its object to provide a component which solves the known problems of the prior art and is also adapted to be produced in compliance with high quality requirements with reduced expenditure of time and less waste.

This object is achieved with a component for a vehicle with an airbag according to the subject-matter of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the component according to the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims.

The invention is based on the idea of providing a decorative layer for a component of a vehicle with an airbag on the back over at least a large part, preferably> 50%, of the surface with a weakening, which is formed from a multiplicity of weakening lines which are more or less regular are distributed over the weakened part of the back, preferably over substantially the entire back. The lines of weakness touch here at least in places. Preferably, the points of contact are crossing points. Thereby, the effort and the precision when placing the decorative layer on the carrier can be reduced or it is possibly unnecessary, because an alignment of the weakening in the decorative layer to z. As a weakening in underlying layers is unnecessary.

Accordingly, the component for a vehicle with an airbag comprises a carrier, a decorative layer arranged above the carrier with a rear side facing the carrier and an exposed side facing away from the carrier, and an airbag section in which the airbag can be arranged behind the carrier; wherein the decorative layer in at least their Rear side to form a desired tear line (which the outer edge of the opening through which the airbag unfolds if necessary, and thus the outline of the airbag section) during deployment of the airbag has a weakening. The desired tear line, for example, by a carrier completely penetrating z. B. substantially rectangular opening, the edges of which define the desired tear line or a portion of the desired tear line. It is also conceivable that the wearer has rectilinear or contiguous individual weakenings which form one or more airbag flaps in the wearer, the weakening, individual weakenings or weakening lines specifying the desired tear line or a part of the desired tear line. In the same way, such weakenings, individual weakenings or lines of weakness may be provided in one or more intermediate layers between the carrier and the decorative layer, which co-determine the desired tear line and to which the attenuation of the decorative layer was to be aligned in the prior art. According to the invention, the weakening of the decorative layer is formed by a plurality of weakening lines which are distributed or extend over the entire airbag section and beyond. Several points of contact or points of contact lie within and preferably also on and / or outside the desired tear line. The individual lines of weakness need not be consistent from one end of the tear area to the other end. The lines of weakness may be broken or broken. It is important that there are points of contact between different tear lines. Here, the points of contact or points of contact are preferably formed as crossing points.

Here, the term "component" essentially encompasses any component that can be arranged in a vehicle and that houses an "airbag" or an airbag (in the folded state) "inside". Examples of such components may include an instrument panel, a steering wheel, the center console and / or sections of the A and B pillars, seats, the headliner, etc. provided with an air bag. A likewise weakened haptic layer, which is generally formed of a soft, foam-like material or a knitted fabric, a fleece or the like, may be provided between the support and the decorative layer arranged above the support.

With the component according to the invention it is possible to optimally arrange the decorative layer over the carrier without having to align the weakening of the decorative layer to the desired tear line mitbestimmenden, previously introduced into the carrier or in any intermediate layers openings or weakenings, since the weakening of the Decorative layer is provided in at least the entire airbag section and beyond. In this way, the decorative layer can be used optimally. This is particularly advantageous in the use of natural leather, since the size of leather skins is oriented to the respective animal and therefore the best possible use of these available surfaces is a superficial goal. Furthermore, time can be saved in the arrangement of the decorative layer over the carrier, since an exact positioning and Nachkontrollieren the exact arrangement is no longer necessary. In addition, a defined initiation and a defined course of crack formation are favored by the points of contact or intersection of the lines of weakness.

According to one embodiment, the plurality of lines of weakness in relation to the size of the airbag section spread more than 50% beyond the airbag section. In other words, the lines of weakness are distributed over the entire airbag section as well as an area outside the airbag sections, wherein the area outside is at least half as large as the area of the airbag section. In this way, it is particularly advantageous possible to ensure that the lines of weakness are above the airbag section and thus above the desired tear line, so that a secure tearing of the airbag can be ensured. Here are preferably several points of contact or crossing points outside the desired tear line.

According to a further, particularly preferred embodiment, a plurality of weakening lines are distributed over substantially the entire back surface of the decorative layer. "Essentially" also includes decorative layers that are not provided with the weakening lines in a peripheral region as a result of the production. The edge area is a maximum of 50 mm wide, but preferably less or not at all. In this way, all weakening lines can already be introduced into the decorative layer during the production of the decorative layer, so that a lengthy alignment of the weakening or weakening lines of the decorative layer over the airbag section or the desired tear line is eliminated. It is therefore possible to make optimum use of the entire surface of the decorative layer when applied to the substrate.

The weakening lines may be arranged on the decorative layer such that, if each weakening line has a longitudinal extension direction (straight lines, zigzags, meanders, etc.) regardless of the course of the respective weakening line (the weakening lines are respectively oblong (longer than wide)), the weakening lines on the decorative layer in at least two groups with different longitudinal extension direction are arranged. In this way, it is particularly advantageous possible to specify in conjunction with the desired tear line and the different directions of longitudinal extension approximately a course of the desired tear line along a line of weakness and line of weakness to line of weakness. It is particularly preferred if the two longitudinal extension directions are substantially orthogonal to each other, since so the course of the tear line can be specified independently of the contour of the tear line. Preferably, the weakening lines may each have a straight course.

The weakening lines are arranged in the preferred embodiment in the form of a regular pattern. Alternatively, it is also possible to arrange the weakening lines randomly or irregularly. Here, weakening lines are introduced, for example, by means of a roller provided with projections, by means of a punch, by means of a cutter knife and / or by means of a laser.

It is preferred that the residual wall thickness of the decorative layer in the region of the weakening line is 0.1 mm to 0.7 mm, preferably 0.3 mm. Preferably, the incision depth is at least 0.2 mm. In this way it can be ensured that a good rupture of the decorative layer during deployment of the airbag is ensured and the visible side remains intact even after aging, d. H. the weakening is not visible and will.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the material is leather or synthetic leather. Alternatively, the material may of course also include plastic, TPO2 or TEPEO2. Other materials are conceivable.

Furthermore, according to a further particularly preferred embodiment, it is possible for the lines of weakness to have a different depth in the region of the beginning and / or end of the desired tear line. As a result, a reliable and defined tearing open of the tear line at the beginning of the tear line and a defined end at the end of the tear line can be ensured with the appropriate size and arrangement of the area.

For a regular pattern of lines of weakness, it is preferred that the touching or intersecting lines, curves or other geometries give fields of from 1 square millimeter to 10 square centimeters of the decorative layer. In this case, the weakening lines can be designed such that an adhesive, in particular a hot melt adhesive, does not penetrate into the decorative layer when it is applied to the back of the decorative layer. This is possible, for example, by a substantially sectional and non-wedge-shaped design of the weakening lines. In this way, it is particularly advantageous possible to attach the decorative layer to the support and / or the haptic layer.

Brief description of the drawings

1 shows a back side of a decorative layer of a component according to the invention according to a first embodiment of the invention;

2a . 2 B show possible embodiments of a weakening line;

3a - 3h show possible arrangements of the weakening lines; and

4 shows a component according to the invention.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

In the following, the invention will be described purely by way of example with reference to FIG 1 - 4 described. The component according to the invention 10 for a vehicle with an airbag, for example in the form of a steering wheel cover, a center console or the like, as in 4 shown a carrier 12 above which a decorative layer 14 is arranged. It can be between carriers 12 and decorative layer 14 a haptic layer 24 be provided, which feels soft and thus in conjunction with the decorative layer 14 has a good feel.

The component 10 is also with an airbag section 16 provided in the behind the carrier 12 the airbag can be arranged. In the airbag section 16 is a target tear line 18 along which the decorative layer 14 should tear during deployment of the airbag. To the tearing of the decorative layer 14 upon deployment of the airbag along the desired tear line 18 to favor, has the decorative layer 14 on its back to form the desired tear line 18 a weakening.

This weakening is by several, partially or partially touching and / or crossing lines of weakness 20 formed over the entire airbag gullet 16 and beyond.

Due to the fact that the weakening lines 20 over the airbag section 16 , in particular on the desired tear line 18 extend, it is possible that arranging the decorative layer 14 , which is preferably made of leather, synthetic leather, TPO2 and / or TEPEO2, is not required or can be carried out with much lower precision. This is due to the fact that it is only necessary that the lines of weakness 20 in about the airbag section 16 or above the desired tear line 18 are arranged.

According to one embodiment, the lines of weakness are 20 doing so arranged that the area in which the lines of weakness 20 are arranged at least 50% greater than the area of the airbag section 16 , Alternatively, the lines of weakness are 20 over the entire surface of the decorative layer 14 distributed.

The lines of weakness 20 can be designed so that between the visible side of the decorative layer 14 and the lowest point of a line of weakness 20 each a residual wall thickness R (see 2a ) remains. Alternatively, the weakening lines 20 in the decorative layer 14 be designed so that they are the decorative layer 14 completely penetrate (see 2 B ).

In the 3a - 3g become different arrangement possibilities of the weakening lines 20 shown. Show 1 . 3a . 3c and 3e - 3g a regularly recurring pattern of weakening lines 20 and 3b and 3d show a random or irregularly arranged pattern of the lines of weakness 20 ,

It is conditional in that due to the areal extent of the lines of weakness 20 an exact alignment of the decorative layer 14 on the carrier 12 of the component 10 is not necessary, possible, on the exact and tedious alignment of the decorative layer 14 on the carrier 12 to renounce. Further, the lines of weakness are 20 arranged so that it tears open the tear line during deployment of the airbag along the desired tear line 18 favor. Due to the fact that the weakening lines 20 not only in one direction, but extend in at least two longitudinal directions, any type of course of the desired tear line 18 are shown (for example, straight, curved, meandering, etc.).

The regular patterns of the weakening lines, for example circular, elliptical, square, rectangular, wavy and so on, form periodic geometry fields, preferably having a size of 1 square millimeter to 10 square centimeters. Alternative regular geometries are in the 3h shown.

The lines of weakness 20 For example, by means of a roller in the back of the decorative layer 14 be introduced. Alternatively, it is possible to weaken the lines 20 by means of a punch, a cutter knife and / or a laser in the back of the decorative layer 14 contribute.

The lines of weakness 20 are doing so in the back of the decorative layer 14 introduced that it is possible to apply an adhesive, in particular a hot melt adhesive, on the back of the decorative layer without this adhesive in the lines of weakness 20 entry. This can be obtained, for example, by weakening lines 20 be formed slit-shaped.

Claims (7)

Component ( 10 ) for a vehicle with an airbag, comprising: a carrier ( 12 ) and one above the carrier ( 12 ) arranged decorative layer ( 14 ) with a carrier ( 12 ) facing back, in the formation of a desired tear line ( 18 ) is provided for the airbag, which defines an airbag section, a weakening on residual wall thickness, wherein the weakening by a plurality of weakening lines ( 20 ) extending over the entire airbag section and an area outside the airbag section that is at least half the area of the airbag section, and that contact at least in places. Component according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of weakening lines ( 20 ) over the entire surface of the decorative layer ( 14 ) to distribute. Component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the weakening lines ( 20 ) are arranged in the form of a regular pattern. Component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the weakening lines ( 20 ) by a punch, a cutter knife, a laser or a roller provided with projections in the decorative layer ( 14 ) are introduced. Component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the material of the decorative layer ( 14 ) Leather or synthetic leather is. Component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the weakening lines intersect at least in places. Component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that there are a plurality of points of contact within the tear-open area defined by the desired tear line.

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