Instrument panel for a motor vehicle

US6318752A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Sommer Allibert-Lignotock GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Frank Warnecke · Karlsruhe, DE
• Gunter Grubler · Kelsterbach, DE
• Thomas Kunkel · Ludwigshafen, DE
• Andreas Flick · Kandel, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 20, 2000
• Grant date: Nov 20, 2001
• Expiry date: Nov 20, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60R21/2165
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The invention relates to an instrument panel for motor vehicles, made of a thermoplastic material and providing an invisible cover for an airbag system which, as seen from the inside of the motor vehicle, is positioned behind the instrument panel (rear side). The instrument panel is characterized in that it has a weakened section on the rear side which defines an opening area in the instrument panel for the airbag and fully surrounds said opening area, and in that it has an ejection channel for the airbag fixed to it. The opening area in the instrument panel designed for the airbag is connected with the ejection channel by means ofa polymer hinge. Both the ejection channel and the polymer hinge are fixed at least to the opening area of the instrument panel designed for the air bag by means of a welded material. The instrument panel, ejection channel and polymer hinge are made ofa thermoplastic material having the same polymer basis but flexibilized in different ways.