Non-visible tear seams for airbag coverings
US9358697B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 21, 2012 |
| Grant date | Jun 7, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 26, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49622
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vehicle interior panel includes a decorative covering with a non-visible tear seam that forms a deployment opening through the covering during airbag deployment. The tear seam is formed by mechanical piercing of a skin layer of the covering from the decorative side. The skin layer is formed from a self-healing material, allowing a piercing tool to form microholes that are smaller than the effective piercing diameter of the tool without the need for subsequent processes intended to otherwise hide the formed tear seam. Tear seams formed in this manner can offer larger processing windows, lower manufacturing and equipment cost, and/or shorter cycle times when compared to other methods such as laser scoring. Tear seam function may also be improved and/or more predictable.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.