Airbag tear seam shapes
US8567816B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 19, 2012 |
| Grant date | Oct 29, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 19, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R21/2165
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vehicle interior panel for use over an airbag includes a substrate having an airbag door region and a decorative covering disposed over the airbag door region. A tear seam is formed in the decorative covering along a path having an end portion that is non-orthogonal with respect to a hinge side of the airbag door region. The tear seam path may include a central portion that lies along a side of the airbag door region opposite the hinge side, along with end portions that form obtuse included angles with the central portion. In some cases, the end portions diverge from a perimeter of the airbag door region and may generally extend along high deployment stress regions of the covering. Tear seams formed along such a path may reduce airbag inflation energy losses associated with tearing the covering material(s) during airbag deployment.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.