US20020140213A1 - Instrument panel having an air bag device - Google Patents
Instrument panel having an air bag device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20020140213A1 US20020140213A1 US09/825,272 US82527201A US2002140213A1 US 20020140213 A1 US20020140213 A1 US 20020140213A1 US 82527201 A US82527201 A US 82527201A US 2002140213 A1 US2002140213 A1 US 2002140213A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- substrate
- door panel
- tape
- air bag
- set forth
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
- B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
- B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
- B60R21/20—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
- B60R21/215—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components characterised by the covers for the inflatable member
- B60R21/2165—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components characterised by the covers for the inflatable member characterised by a tear line for defining a deployment opening
Definitions
- This patent discloses and claims a useful, novel, and unobvious invention for an automobile instrument panel having an air bag device.
- the skin covering of an instrument panel for an automotive passenger compartment includes a foam layer to provide a contoured and padded finish to the instrument panel.
- This foam layer is typically injected as a liquid between the underlying substrate of the instrument panel and the skin covering.
- FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a substrate, a door panel, and adhesive tape;
- FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the instrument panel
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the instrument panel showing the substrate, the door panel, and the adhesive tape affixed to the door panel and the substrate;
- FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the substrate, the door panel, the adhesive tape, and a compression frame;
- FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of the second preferred embodiment.
- an instrument panel for an automobile passenger compartment is shown generally at 10 .
- the instrument panel 10 includes a substrate 12 that forms the underlying structure for the instrument panel 10 .
- the substrate 12 can be made from any suitable rigid material.
- the substrate 12 is formed from plastic.
- the substrate 12 includes an opening 14 which is sized to allow an air bag 16 to deploy through the substrate 12 .
- the air bag 16 is preferably mounted within a canister 18 that houses the air bag 16 and the air bag components.
- the substrate 12 includes a front side 20 facing the interior of the automobile, and a back side 22 facing away from the interior of the automobile.
- the canister 18 is generally box shaped with four side walls, a rear wall, and a front opening defined by the four side walls.
- the canister 18 is coupled within the back side 22 of the substrate 12 such that the front opening of the canister 18 is aligned with the opening 14 of the substrate 12 .
- the air bag 16 When the air bag 16 is deployed, the air bag 16 rapidly expands outward through the front opening in the canister 18 and the opening 14 in the substrate 12 into the interior of the vehicle.
- the instrument panel 10 also includes a door panel 24 to cover the opening 14 of the substrate 12 .
- the door panel 24 is generally the same shape as the opening 14 of the substrate 12 such that the door panel 24 completely covers the opening 14 when in place.
- the door panel 24 is generally rectangular with a top edge 26 , a bottom edge 28 and two side edges 30 .
- the door panel 24 preferably includes a top flap 32 extending from the top edge 26 of the door panel 24 to allow the door panel 24 to be attached to the substrate 12 .
- the top flap 32 preferably includes apertures 34 for receiving fasteners 36 to secure the door panel 24 to the substrate 12 . It is to be understood however, that the door panel 24 could be secured to the substrate 12 by other appropriate methods.
- the top flap 32 is pivotally connected to the door panel 24 to allow the door panel 24 to pivot with relation to the substrate 12 .
- the door panel 24 can pivot between a closed position, where the door panel 24 is resting aligned with the substrate 12 and the opening 14 is covered, and an open position, where the door panel 24 is pivoted outward from the substrate 12 and the opening 14 is uncovered.
- the door panel 24 can be attached to the top flap 32 by any pivotal means.
- the top flap 32 and the door panel 24 are formed from a single piece of stamped metal, preferably aluminum.
- the single stamped piece of aluminum bends at a point between the door panel 24 and the top flap 32 .
- the single piece stamping includes a contour lip 38 between the door panel 24 and the top flap 32 to provide a pre-determined crease line to allow proper pivotal movement of the door panel 24 in relation to the substrate 12 .
- the instrument panel 10 includes an adhesive tape 40 affixed to the door panel 24 and to the substrate 12 to secure the door panel 24 in the closed position.
- the adhesive tape 40 covers the door panel 24 and extends onto portions of the substrate 12 .
- the adhesive tape 40 also serves a second function by providing a sealed engagement between the edges 26 , 28 , 30 of the door panel 24 and the substrate 12 .
- an outer skin covering 42 extends over the substrate 12 to conceal the substrate 12 and provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the interior of the vehicle.
- a foam 44 fills between the skin covering 42 and the substrate 12 to support the skin covering 42 and to provide padding between the skin covering 42 and the substrate 12 .
- the skin covering 42 can be formed from any suitable material such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride), thermoplastic urethane, ABS (acrylonitile-butadiene-styrene), TPO (thermoplastic olefins), ASA (acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylic), or blended elastomeric thermoplastic polymers and polyolefins.
- the foam 44 can be made from any suitable material such as poly-urethane, PVC, poly-ethylene or poly-propylene. The exact material used for the skin covering 42 and the foam 44 will depend on the functional as well as aesthetic requirements of the particular application.
- the skin covering 42 preferably includes a pre-weakened seam formed on the inner surface of the skin covering 42 opposite the interior of the vehicle.
- the seam is formed in a generally U-shape to fall immediately over the door panel 24 such that when the air bag 16 is deployed, and the door panel 24 is forced open, the skin covering 42 will tear along the seam to allow the door panel 24 to pivot outward through the skin covering 42 to the open position.
- the pre-weakened seam can be formed in the skin 42 by laser scoring, mechanical scoring, molded in groove, or any other known method.
- the adhesive tape 40 preferably includes a tearable paper backing 48 opposite the substrate 12 to provide additional strength while allowing tear fracture of the tape 40 when the door panel 24 is forced open by the deployment of the air bag 16 .
- the adhesive tape 40 has sufficient adhesion strength to allow the tape 40 to maintain adhesion to the door panel 24 and to the substrate 12 under all normal operating conditions as well as when the air bag 16 is deployed and the door panel 24 is forced open.
- the adhesion tape 40 is 3M brand High Performance Adhesive Transfer Tape model 9485PC, although it is to be understood that any equivalent adhesive tape 40 could be used.
- the adhesive tape 40 is applied as one sheet, but in alternative embodiments, the adhesive tape 40 may be applied as several pieces of any suitable shape.
- the tape 40 When the door panel 24 is in the closed position, there is a gap 50 between the edges 26 , 28 , 30 of the door panel 24 and the periphery of the opening 14 in the substrate 12 .
- the adhesive will firmly hold the tape 40 to the door panel 24 and to the substrate 12 .
- the portion of the tape 40 that extends across the gap 50 between the door panel 24 and the substrate 12 is suspended therebetween, and is not attached to any surface. It is preferred that the tape 40 has shear adhesion and peel adhesion properties when affixed to steel or plastic significantly exceeding the tensile strength of the tape 40 .
- the gap 50 between the door panel 24 and the substrate 12 preferably corresponds to the pre-weakened seam in the skin covering 42 .
- the skin covering 42 , the underlying foam 44 , and the adhesive tape 40 will all preferably fracture along substantially the same U-shaped line.
- the air bag 16 explodes forward exerting a high force against the door panel 24 which will tend to push the door panel 24 outward.
- the adhesive tape 40 will hold the door panel 24 closed under normal operating conditions.
- the door panel 24 will exert a peeling force on the portion of the tape 40 that is adhered to the substrate 12 .
- the tape 40 is pulled in tension which will exert shear forces to the tape 40 which can cause the tape 40 to slide on the door panel 24 and the substrate 12 .
- the adhesive tape 40 preferably has sufficiently high adhesion strength so that under the force of the air bag 16 , the tape 40 will tear rather than slide under the shear forces or peel away from the substrate 12 or door panel 24 .
- the tearing fracture of the tape 40 will preferably take place over the gap 50 between the door panel 24 and the substrate 12 because the high adhesive strength of the tape 40 will prevent the tape 40 from tearing in the areas that are attached to the door panel 24 and the substrate 12 .
- the adhesive tape 40 preferably withstands the range of temperatures that could be experience by the vehicle while maintaining consistent performance characteristics under those operating conditions.
- the preferred adhesive tape 40 withstands temperatures of up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and still maintains the adhesive characteristics to perform sufficiently. Additionally, the preferred adhesive tape 40 withstands temperatures of up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit for durations of up to a few hours.
- the foam 44 between the substrate 12 and the skin covering 42 is typically injected as a liquid which then dries to a solid foam.
- a seal or gasket disposed between the door panel 24 and the substrate 12 to fill the gap 50 therebetween and prevent the liquid foam 44 from leaking into the air bag canister 18 prior to hardening.
- Use of the adhesive tape 40 as described above will provide a seal between the door panel 24 and the substrate 12 and eliminate the need for a seal or gasket.
- the instrument panel 10 is preferably formed by providing the substrate 12 with the opening 14 .
- the air bag canister 18 containing the air bag device 16 is then preferably coupled with the substrate 12 such that the air bag 16 will expand outward from the canister 18 through the opening 14 in the substrate 12 when deployed.
- the door panel 24 is preferably pivotally mounted onto the substrate 12 to provide a cover for the opening 14 that can pivot between an open and closed position.
- the adhesive tape 40 is preferably applied to the substrate 12 with the door panel 24 in the closed position such that the tape 40 covers the door panel 24 and extends onto portions of the substrate 12 surrounding the opening 14 .
- the skin covering 42 is preferably extended over the substrate 12 and a liquid foam 44 is preferably injected between the skin covering 42 and the substrate 12 to substantially fill the space and to provide support for the skin covering 42 .
- the door panel 24 is formed from a sheet of metal, preferably aluminum or some other suitable material, and the substrate 12 is formed from a suitable plastic.
- the skin covering 42 is formed from a suitable material as discussed above, and a pre-weakened seam is formed within the skin covering 42 to provide a controlled fracture point within the skin covering 42 .
- the pre-weakened seam can be formed in the skin 42 by laser scoring, mechanical scoring, molded in groove or any other known method.
- a second preferred embodiment 52 of the instrument panel 10 also includes a compression frame 54 mounted to the substrate 12 to firmly secure the adhesive tape 40 to the substrate 12 .
- the compression frame 54 is preferably made from steel or a similarly rigid material.
- the compression frame 54 is generally shaped to extend around the opening 14 within the substrate 12 and includes an opening 56 that is substantially the same size as the opening 14 within the substrate 12 .
- the compression frame 54 is preferably attached to the substrate 12 by mechanical fasteners 58 extending around the opening 56 .
- the compression frame 54 also preferably extends over the top flap 32 of the door panel 24 .
- the compression frame 54 is preferably applied to the substrate 12 after the adhesive tape 40 is applied, and before the skin covering 42 is placed onto the substrate 12 .
- the adhesive tape 40 is preferably held between the substrate 12 and the compression frame 54 . This will further insure that the adhesive tape 40 does not release from the substrate 12 and will tear consistently along the gap 50 between the door panel 24 and the substrate 12 when the air bag 16 is deployed.
- the adhesive tape 40 used on the second embodiment 52 can be the same tape 40 used in the preferred embodiment 10 . It is to be understood, however, that with the additional structure of the compression frame 54 to hold the tape 40 against the substrate 12 , an adhesive tape 40 with less stringent characteristics can be used. In the second preferred embodiment 52 , most types of adhesive tape 40 , like masking tape or labeling tape, could be used to cover the door panel 24 and the substrate 12 , so long as the tape 40 exhibits properties that would allow it to tear easily under the deployment force of the door panel 24 .
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Air Bags (AREA)
- Instrument Panels (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This patent discloses and claims a useful, novel, and unobvious invention for an automobile instrument panel having an air bag device. Typically, the skin covering of an instrument panel for an automotive passenger compartment includes a foam layer to provide a contoured and padded finish to the instrument panel. This foam layer is typically injected as a liquid between the underlying substrate of the instrument panel and the skin covering. In instrument panels having an air bag device, there is a need to form a seal to prevent liquid foam from leaking into the air bag device.
- FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a substrate, a door panel, and adhesive tape;
- FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the instrument panel;
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the instrument panel showing the substrate, the door panel, and the adhesive tape affixed to the door panel and the substrate;
- FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the substrate, the door panel, the adhesive tape, and a compression frame; and
- FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of the second preferred embodiment.
- The following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these two embodiments, but rather to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, an instrument panel for an automobile passenger compartment is shown generally at10.
- Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, the
instrument panel 10 includes asubstrate 12 that forms the underlying structure for theinstrument panel 10. Thesubstrate 12 can be made from any suitable rigid material. In the preferred embodiment, thesubstrate 12 is formed from plastic. Thesubstrate 12 includes anopening 14 which is sized to allow anair bag 16 to deploy through thesubstrate 12. Theair bag 16 is preferably mounted within acanister 18 that houses theair bag 16 and the air bag components. Thesubstrate 12 includes afront side 20 facing the interior of the automobile, and aback side 22 facing away from the interior of the automobile. Thecanister 18 is generally box shaped with four side walls, a rear wall, and a front opening defined by the four side walls. Thecanister 18 is coupled within theback side 22 of thesubstrate 12 such that the front opening of thecanister 18 is aligned with theopening 14 of thesubstrate 12. When theair bag 16 is deployed, theair bag 16 rapidly expands outward through the front opening in thecanister 18 and the opening 14 in thesubstrate 12 into the interior of the vehicle. - The
instrument panel 10 also includes adoor panel 24 to cover theopening 14 of thesubstrate 12. Thedoor panel 24 is generally the same shape as the opening 14 of thesubstrate 12 such that thedoor panel 24 completely covers theopening 14 when in place. Preferably, thedoor panel 24 is generally rectangular with atop edge 26, abottom edge 28 and twoside edges 30. Thedoor panel 24 preferably includes atop flap 32 extending from thetop edge 26 of thedoor panel 24 to allow thedoor panel 24 to be attached to thesubstrate 12. Thetop flap 32 preferably includesapertures 34 for receivingfasteners 36 to secure thedoor panel 24 to thesubstrate 12. It is to be understood however, that thedoor panel 24 could be secured to thesubstrate 12 by other appropriate methods. Thetop flap 32 is pivotally connected to thedoor panel 24 to allow thedoor panel 24 to pivot with relation to thesubstrate 12. In this way, thedoor panel 24 can pivot between a closed position, where thedoor panel 24 is resting aligned with thesubstrate 12 and theopening 14 is covered, and an open position, where thedoor panel 24 is pivoted outward from thesubstrate 12 and theopening 14 is uncovered. - The
door panel 24 can be attached to thetop flap 32 by any pivotal means. In the preferred embodiment, thetop flap 32 and thedoor panel 24 are formed from a single piece of stamped metal, preferably aluminum. When thedoor panel 24 pivots from the closed position to the open position, the single stamped piece of aluminum bends at a point between thedoor panel 24 and thetop flap 32. The single piece stamping includes acontour lip 38 between thedoor panel 24 and thetop flap 32 to provide a pre-determined crease line to allow proper pivotal movement of thedoor panel 24 in relation to thesubstrate 12. - The
instrument panel 10 includes anadhesive tape 40 affixed to thedoor panel 24 and to thesubstrate 12 to secure thedoor panel 24 in the closed position. Theadhesive tape 40 covers thedoor panel 24 and extends onto portions of thesubstrate 12. Theadhesive tape 40 also serves a second function by providing a sealed engagement between theedges door panel 24 and thesubstrate 12. - In the preferred embodiment, an outer skin covering42 extends over the
substrate 12 to conceal thesubstrate 12 and provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the interior of the vehicle. Also in the preferred embodiment, afoam 44 fills between the skin covering 42 and thesubstrate 12 to support the skin covering 42 and to provide padding between the skin covering 42 and thesubstrate 12. The skin covering 42 can be formed from any suitable material such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride), thermoplastic urethane, ABS (acrylonitile-butadiene-styrene), TPO (thermoplastic olefins), ASA (acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylic), or blended elastomeric thermoplastic polymers and polyolefins. Thefoam 44 can be made from any suitable material such as poly-urethane, PVC, poly-ethylene or poly-propylene. The exact material used for the skin covering 42 and thefoam 44 will depend on the functional as well as aesthetic requirements of the particular application. - To prevent the skin covering42 from hindering the effective opening of the
door panel 24, the skin covering 42 preferably includes a pre-weakened seam formed on the inner surface of the skin covering 42 opposite the interior of the vehicle. The seam is formed in a generally U-shape to fall immediately over thedoor panel 24 such that when theair bag 16 is deployed, and thedoor panel 24 is forced open, the skin covering 42 will tear along the seam to allow thedoor panel 24 to pivot outward through the skin covering 42 to the open position. By forming a pre-weakened seam within the skin covering 42, the tearing of the skin covering 42 is controlled. The pre-weakened seam can be formed in theskin 42 by laser scoring, mechanical scoring, molded in groove, or any other known method. - The
adhesive tape 40 preferably includes a tearable paper backing 48 opposite thesubstrate 12 to provide additional strength while allowing tear fracture of thetape 40 when thedoor panel 24 is forced open by the deployment of theair bag 16. In the preferred embodiment, theadhesive tape 40 has sufficient adhesion strength to allow thetape 40 to maintain adhesion to thedoor panel 24 and to thesubstrate 12 under all normal operating conditions as well as when theair bag 16 is deployed and thedoor panel 24 is forced open. In the preferred embodiment, theadhesion tape 40 is 3M brand High Performance Adhesive Transfer Tape model 9485PC, although it is to be understood that any equivalentadhesive tape 40 could be used. In the preferred embodiment, theadhesive tape 40 is applied as one sheet, but in alternative embodiments, theadhesive tape 40 may be applied as several pieces of any suitable shape. - Typically, when the
door panel 24 is in the closed position, there is agap 50 between theedges door panel 24 and the periphery of theopening 14 in thesubstrate 12. When thetape 40 is applied, the adhesive will firmly hold thetape 40 to thedoor panel 24 and to thesubstrate 12. The portion of thetape 40 that extends across thegap 50 between thedoor panel 24 and thesubstrate 12 is suspended therebetween, and is not attached to any surface. It is preferred that thetape 40 has shear adhesion and peel adhesion properties when affixed to steel or plastic significantly exceeding the tensile strength of thetape 40. This insures that thetape 40 will tear over thegap 50 between thedoor panel 24 and thesubstrate 12 before thetape 40 will slide or peel from thedoor panel 24 or thesubstrate 12. Thegap 50 between thedoor panel 24 and thesubstrate 12 preferably corresponds to the pre-weakened seam in the skin covering 42. In this way, the skin covering 42, theunderlying foam 44, and theadhesive tape 40 will all preferably fracture along substantially the same U-shaped line. - Specifically, when deployed, the
air bag 16 explodes forward exerting a high force against thedoor panel 24 which will tend to push thedoor panel 24 outward. Theadhesive tape 40 will hold thedoor panel 24 closed under normal operating conditions. However, when thedoor panel 24 is pushed outward by theair bag 16, thedoor panel 24 will exert a peeling force on the portion of thetape 40 that is adhered to thesubstrate 12. Additionally, as thedoor panel 24 pivots away from thesubstrate 12, thetape 40 is pulled in tension which will exert shear forces to thetape 40 which can cause thetape 40 to slide on thedoor panel 24 and thesubstrate 12. Theadhesive tape 40 preferably has sufficiently high adhesion strength so that under the force of theair bag 16, thetape 40 will tear rather than slide under the shear forces or peel away from thesubstrate 12 ordoor panel 24. The tearing fracture of thetape 40 will preferably take place over thegap 50 between thedoor panel 24 and thesubstrate 12 because the high adhesive strength of thetape 40 will prevent thetape 40 from tearing in the areas that are attached to thedoor panel 24 and thesubstrate 12. - The
adhesive tape 40 preferably withstands the range of temperatures that could be experience by the vehicle while maintaining consistent performance characteristics under those operating conditions. The preferredadhesive tape 40 withstands temperatures of up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and still maintains the adhesive characteristics to perform sufficiently. Additionally, the preferredadhesive tape 40 withstands temperatures of up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit for durations of up to a few hours. - When the
instrument panel 10 is formed, thefoam 44 between thesubstrate 12 and the skin covering 42 is typically injected as a liquid which then dries to a solid foam. In prior art instrument panels, it is typical to include a seal or gasket disposed between thedoor panel 24 and thesubstrate 12 to fill thegap 50 therebetween and prevent theliquid foam 44 from leaking into theair bag canister 18 prior to hardening. Use of theadhesive tape 40 as described above will provide a seal between thedoor panel 24 and thesubstrate 12 and eliminate the need for a seal or gasket. - The
instrument panel 10 is preferably formed by providing thesubstrate 12 with theopening 14. Theair bag canister 18 containing theair bag device 16 is then preferably coupled with thesubstrate 12 such that theair bag 16 will expand outward from thecanister 18 through theopening 14 in thesubstrate 12 when deployed. Thedoor panel 24 is preferably pivotally mounted onto thesubstrate 12 to provide a cover for theopening 14 that can pivot between an open and closed position. - The
adhesive tape 40 is preferably applied to thesubstrate 12 with thedoor panel 24 in the closed position such that thetape 40 covers thedoor panel 24 and extends onto portions of thesubstrate 12 surrounding theopening 14. The skin covering 42 is preferably extended over thesubstrate 12 and aliquid foam 44 is preferably injected between the skin covering 42 and thesubstrate 12 to substantially fill the space and to provide support for theskin covering 42. - Prior to assembly, the
door panel 24 is formed from a sheet of metal, preferably aluminum or some other suitable material, and thesubstrate 12 is formed from a suitable plastic. The skin covering 42 is formed from a suitable material as discussed above, and a pre-weakened seam is formed within the skin covering 42 to provide a controlled fracture point within theskin covering 42. The pre-weakened seam can be formed in theskin 42 by laser scoring, mechanical scoring, molded in groove or any other known method. - Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a second
preferred embodiment 52 of theinstrument panel 10 also includes acompression frame 54 mounted to thesubstrate 12 to firmly secure theadhesive tape 40 to thesubstrate 12. Thecompression frame 54 is preferably made from steel or a similarly rigid material. Thecompression frame 54 is generally shaped to extend around theopening 14 within thesubstrate 12 and includes anopening 56 that is substantially the same size as theopening 14 within thesubstrate 12. Thecompression frame 54 is preferably attached to thesubstrate 12 bymechanical fasteners 58 extending around theopening 56. Thecompression frame 54 also preferably extends over thetop flap 32 of thedoor panel 24. - The
compression frame 54 is preferably applied to thesubstrate 12 after theadhesive tape 40 is applied, and before the skin covering 42 is placed onto thesubstrate 12. Theadhesive tape 40 is preferably held between thesubstrate 12 and thecompression frame 54. This will further insure that theadhesive tape 40 does not release from thesubstrate 12 and will tear consistently along thegap 50 between thedoor panel 24 and thesubstrate 12 when theair bag 16 is deployed. - The
adhesive tape 40 used on thesecond embodiment 52 can be thesame tape 40 used in thepreferred embodiment 10. It is to be understood, however, that with the additional structure of thecompression frame 54 to hold thetape 40 against thesubstrate 12, anadhesive tape 40 with less stringent characteristics can be used. In the secondpreferred embodiment 52, most types ofadhesive tape 40, like masking tape or labeling tape, could be used to cover thedoor panel 24 and thesubstrate 12, so long as thetape 40 exhibits properties that would allow it to tear easily under the deployment force of thedoor panel 24. - The foregoing discussion discloses and describes two preferred embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings and claims, that changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the true spirit and fair scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.
Claims (18)
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US09/825,272 US6457739B1 (en) | 2001-04-03 | 2001-04-03 | Instrument panel having an air bag device |
DE10211350A DE10211350B4 (en) | 2001-04-03 | 2002-03-14 | Instrument panel with airbag device |
GB0206126A GB2374054B (en) | 2001-04-03 | 2002-03-15 | Instrument panel having an air bag device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/825,272 US6457739B1 (en) | 2001-04-03 | 2001-04-03 | Instrument panel having an air bag device |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US6457739B1 US6457739B1 (en) | 2002-10-01 |
US20020140213A1 true US20020140213A1 (en) | 2002-10-03 |
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US09/825,272 Expired - Lifetime US6457739B1 (en) | 2001-04-03 | 2001-04-03 | Instrument panel having an air bag device |
Country Status (3)
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US (1) | US6457739B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE10211350B4 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2374054B (en) |
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JP2005126066A (en) * | 2003-10-24 | 2005-05-19 | Visteon Global Technologies Inc | Instrument panel having modular airbag door assembly |
US20090072522A1 (en) * | 2006-03-28 | 2009-03-19 | Takata-Petri Ag | Airbag module |
FR2981317A1 (en) * | 2011-10-17 | 2013-04-19 | Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa | Airbag safety device for use in body of instrument panel of car, has lid including internal openings around falling edge on periphery of lid, where falling edge is penetrated into surface of body of instrument panel |
CN103587493A (en) * | 2012-07-31 | 2014-02-19 | 佛吉亚汽车内部系统公司 | Foam-in-place interior panels having integrated airbag door for motor vehicles and methods for making the same |
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US6565115B2 (en) * | 2001-09-07 | 2003-05-20 | Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. | Invisible airbag door |
US6644685B2 (en) * | 2001-09-07 | 2003-11-11 | Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. | Seamless passenger side airbag door |
DE60304810T2 (en) * | 2002-12-10 | 2007-01-18 | Calsonic Kansei Corp. | Door of an airbag device for vehicle |
US7121578B2 (en) * | 2003-12-22 | 2006-10-17 | Lear Corporation | Trim panel having foam bridge supported hidden tear seam |
US7232001B2 (en) | 2004-08-24 | 2007-06-19 | Sam Hakki | Collision air bag and flotation system |
US7780186B2 (en) * | 2004-09-21 | 2010-08-24 | Tk Holdings Inc. | Airbag module cover |
WO2006057632A1 (en) * | 2004-11-23 | 2006-06-01 | Johnson Controls Technology Company | Separate reaction surface for vehicle trim panel |
US7234726B2 (en) * | 2004-12-16 | 2007-06-26 | Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. | Airbag assembly for improving force distribution |
US7543845B2 (en) * | 2006-01-04 | 2009-06-09 | Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. | Self-closing airbag door assembly |
DE102007046155A1 (en) * | 2007-09-27 | 2009-04-02 | GM Global Technology Operations, Inc., Detroit | Dashboard support part with flap arrangement |
US7815237B2 (en) * | 2008-01-09 | 2010-10-19 | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. | Covers for vehicle instrument panels |
WO2009141863A1 (en) * | 2008-05-19 | 2009-11-26 | 関東自動車工業株式会社 | Automobile airbag door and process for producing the same |
KR20130080978A (en) * | 2012-01-06 | 2013-07-16 | 현대모비스 주식회사 | Crash pad for an automobile |
US8651514B2 (en) * | 2012-04-11 | 2014-02-18 | Faurecia Interior Systems, Inc. | Airbag tear seam tape |
US9061460B2 (en) | 2012-06-20 | 2015-06-23 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Skin-covered articles with reaction injection molded foam layer |
FR3008918B1 (en) * | 2013-07-29 | 2015-12-25 | Visteon Global Tech Inc | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING INTERIOR CLAD PART AND CORRESPONDING PIECE |
US8870219B1 (en) | 2013-08-02 | 2014-10-28 | Faurecia Interior Systems, Inc. | Foam-in-place interior panels having integrated airbag doors including substrates with airbag chute-door assemblies for motor vehicles |
US9039036B1 (en) | 2013-12-19 | 2015-05-26 | Faurecia Interior Systems, Inc. | Foam-in-place interior panels having integrated airbag doors including multi-shot injection molded airbag chute-door assemblies for motor vehicles and methods for making the same |
US11173861B2 (en) * | 2019-12-12 | 2021-11-16 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Assembly including foam pad fixed to airbag |
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US5797619A (en) | 1989-01-30 | 1998-08-25 | Tip Engineering Group, Inc. | Automotive trim piece and method to form an air bag opening |
US5131678A (en) * | 1990-12-03 | 1992-07-21 | Davidson Textron Inc. | Invisible air bag cover door |
US5316335A (en) | 1992-12-14 | 1994-05-31 | Davidson Textron Inc. | Self piercing cover assembly air bag |
US5372379A (en) | 1994-02-15 | 1994-12-13 | Davidson Textron Inc. | Preheated safety air bag cover |
US5460402A (en) | 1995-01-27 | 1995-10-24 | Davidson Textron Inc. | Air bag cover door having a predetermined opening characteristic |
US5560646A (en) | 1995-04-24 | 1996-10-01 | Davidson Textron | Air bag door arrangement |
US5775727A (en) * | 1996-01-17 | 1998-07-07 | Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. | Deployment door assembly |
JP3011888B2 (en) | 1996-07-19 | 2000-02-21 | 株式会社イノアックコーポレーション | Instrument panel airbag door structure |
JP3321531B2 (en) * | 1996-08-26 | 2002-09-03 | 株式会社イノアックコーポレーション | Instrument panel with airbag door |
JPH1143003A (en) * | 1997-05-02 | 1999-02-16 | Kansei Corp | Instrument panel |
US5845931A (en) | 1998-01-09 | 1998-12-08 | Textron Automotive Company Inc. | Instrument panel having integrated airbag deployment door |
DE19831462C2 (en) * | 1998-07-14 | 2002-08-14 | Johnson Contr Interiors Gmbh | Interior trim part |
-
2001
- 2001-04-03 US US09/825,272 patent/US6457739B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2002
- 2002-03-14 DE DE10211350A patent/DE10211350B4/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2002-03-15 GB GB0206126A patent/GB2374054B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2005126066A (en) * | 2003-10-24 | 2005-05-19 | Visteon Global Technologies Inc | Instrument panel having modular airbag door assembly |
US20090072522A1 (en) * | 2006-03-28 | 2009-03-19 | Takata-Petri Ag | Airbag module |
FR2981317A1 (en) * | 2011-10-17 | 2013-04-19 | Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa | Airbag safety device for use in body of instrument panel of car, has lid including internal openings around falling edge on periphery of lid, where falling edge is penetrated into surface of body of instrument panel |
CN103587493A (en) * | 2012-07-31 | 2014-02-19 | 佛吉亚汽车内部系统公司 | Foam-in-place interior panels having integrated airbag door for motor vehicles and methods for making the same |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB0206126D0 (en) | 2002-04-24 |
GB2374054A (en) | 2002-10-09 |
GB2374054B (en) | 2003-09-03 |
DE10211350B4 (en) | 2005-08-04 |
US6457739B1 (en) | 2002-10-01 |
DE10211350A1 (en) | 2002-10-31 |
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