Reverse-weakened passenger air bag door
US11167716B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 5, 2019 |
| Grant date | Nov 9, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 7, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R2021/2163
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An instrument panel for a passenger compartment of an automotive vehicle comprises a molded plastic substrate and a skin covering the substrate. The substrate has inner and outer surfaces, and is adapted to be mounted in the passenger compartment adjacent a windshield. The inner surface is adapted to receive an air bag chute assembly for deploying an air bag. The inner surface is inscribed by a door groove defining a deployment door at least partially tearing open to expel the air bag. The outer surface is inscribed by a hinge groove following a chord path bisecting the outer surface of the deployment door and configured to bend in response to an edge of the deployment door impacting the windshield. The impact force against the windshield is reduced while stiffness of the door against the air bag remains high to facilitate tearing open of the door by the air bag.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.