LAMINATED BACKING FOR CONTAINING FRAGMENTS OF A FRACTURED TRIM COVER DURING DEPLOYMENT OF A PASSENGER RESTRAINT

• US 20040173999A1
• Filed: 03/06/2003
• Published: 09/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: LI, CHI, HEALY, JUSTIN LEE, THOMAS, ANDREW PATRICK
• Granted Patent: US 7,478,827 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/728.3
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 15/046 of foam
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/54 Yield strength; Tensile strength
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/5825 Tear resistant
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2605/00 Vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/065 of foam
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/18 characterised by features of a layer of foamed material
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/245 another layer next to it being a foam layer
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/215 characterised by the covers for the inflatable member B60R21/2176 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2165 characterised by a tear line for defining a deployment opening

Abstract

A trim cover (14) fabricated of synthetic material that has a temperature-sensitive fragmentation characteristic fractures as a passenger restraint is deployed through a wall of the trim cover. A laminated backing (16) disposed on a back face of the trim cover wall contains fragments of the wall resulting from its fracturing by the deploying restraint. The laminated backing has a stretchable foam layer (18) having a front face adhered to the back of the wall and a non-tearable layer (20) that has a front face adhered in covering relation to a back face of the stretchable foam layer and that does not tear as a result of the fracturing of the wall by the deploying restraint.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising:

a deployable passenger restraint system comprising a passenger restraint that is deployed through the wall of a trim part fabricated of synthetic material that has a fragmentation characteristic, wherein deployment of the restraint creates an opening in the trim part wall by fracturing the trim part wall; and

a laminated backing disposed on a back face of the trim part wall for containment of fragments of the wall resulting from its fracturing by the deploying restraint;

wherein the laminated backing comprises a stretchable foam layer having a front face adhered to the back of the wall and a non-tearable layer that has a front face adhered in covering relation to a back face of the stretchable foam layer and that does not tear as a result of the fracturing of the wall by the deploying restraint.

2. A vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the trim part comprises a line of weakness that defines, in the trim part, a door that is swung open about a hinge line by the deploying restraint to create an opening through which the restraint deploys.

3. A vehicle as set forth in claim 2 wherein backing comprises a first backing part that is adhered in covering relation to the door, the hinge line, and an adjoining portion of the trim part, and a second backing part that runs from a location at one end of the hinge line, around the margin of the opening, to an opposite end of the hinge line.

4. A vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the trim cover comprises a line of weakness that defines a line of fracture in the trim part, and the backing is disposed proximate the line of weakness but not overlapping the line of weakness.

5. A vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the non-tearable layer comprises a woven fabric.

6. A vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the non-tearable layer comprises aluminum foil.

7. A vehicle as set forth in claim 6 wherein the stretchable foam layer comprises double-sided adhesive foam tape adhered to the aluminum foil.

8. A vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the non-tearable layer comprises a woven fabric.

9. A vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the temperature-sensitive fragmentation characteristic comprises cold-temperature embrittlement.

10. A vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the foam layer has a minimum thickness of approximately 1.0 mm.

11. A vehicle as set forth in claim 10 wherein the foam layer also has a tensile strength of 110 psi (kPa), minimum 150% elongation, and a minimum tear resistance of 350 N/M.

12. A vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the trim part comprises an instrument panel cover.

13. A vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the trim part comprises a seat back side cover.

14. A vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the trim part comprises a door trim panel.

15. A vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the trim part comprises an “

A-pillar”

cover.

16. A vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the trim part comprises a “

B-pillar”

cover.

17. A vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the trim part comprises a roof rail cover.

18. A method of making a trim part assembly for use in a vehicle that has a deployable passenger restraint system wherein a passenger restraint is deployed through the wall of a trim part fabricated of synthetic material that has a temperature-sensitive fragmentation characteristic and deployment of the restraint creates an opening in the trim part wall by fracturing the trim part wall, the method comprising:

disposing a laminated backing on a back face of the trim part wall;

wherein the laminated backing comprises a stretchable foam layer having a front face adhered to the back of the wall and a non-tearable layer that has a front face adhered in covering relation to a back face of the stretchable foam layer and that does not tear as a result of the fracturing of the wall by the deploying restraint.

19. A trim part assembly made by the method of claim 18.