Pillar trim component

• US 20060220357A1
• Filed: 04/01/2005
• Published: 10/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Lizak, Daniel G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,404,576 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/730.200
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/025 Pillars; Roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2013/0287 integrating other functions or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23386 External tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2338 Tethers

Abstract

A pillar trim component is provided that has a pillar trim member with at least one surface and an attachment member projecting from the surface of the pillar trim member. The pillar trim component includes an attachment member adapted to connect to a portion of the vehicle. The pillar trim component further has a region defined by at least a portion of the surface of the pillar trim member and at least a portion of a surface of the attachment member. A raised portion is positioned in the region that extends between the portion of the surface of the pillar trim member and the portion of the surface of the attachment member. The raised portion is adapted to facilitate a deployment of a tether of an airbag.

Claims

1. A pillar trim component, comprising:

a pillar trim member having at least one surface;

an attachment member projecting from the surface of the pillar trim member, wherein the attachment member is adapted to connect to a portion of a vehicle;

a region including at least a portion of the surface of the pillar trim member and at least a portion of a surface of the attachment member; and

a raised portion positioned in the region that extends between the portion of the surface of the pillar trim member and the portion of the surface of the attachment member;

wherein the raised portion is adapted to facilitate a deployment of a tether of an airbag.

2. The pillar trim component according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the pillar trim member further comprises:

a base surface having a first angular orientation; and

a wall surface having a second angular orientation that is different from the first angular orientation;

wherein the attachment member projects from the base surface.

3. The pillar trim component according to claim 2, wherein the raised portion extends between the wall surface and the portion of the surface of the attachment member.

4. The pillar trim component according to claim 3, wherein the wall surface substantially faces the portion of the surface of the attachment member.

5. The pillar trim component according to claim 3, further comprising:

a support rib connecting the portion of the surface of the attachment member to the wall surface;

wherein the raised portion is connected to and supported by the support rib.

6. The pillar trim component according to claim 5, wherein the raised portion substantially conforms to a contour of an outer edge of the support rib.

7. The pillar trim component according to claim 6, wherein the raised portion further comprises:

a first portion extending substantially perpendicular to a direction of protrusion of the attachment member, wherein the first portion is positioned on a side of the attachment member proximate the wall surface; and

a second portion substantially following a shape of the wall portion;

wherein the first portion is adjacent to the attachment member and is adapted to support the tether of an airbag when the airbag is in an non-deployed state;

wherein the second portion is adjacent to the wall portion and has a shape adapted to facilitate a deployment of the tether of the airbag when the airbag is deployed.

8. The pillar trim component according to claim 5, wherein:

the support rib has a support rib thickness; and

the raised portion has a raised portion thickness;

wherein the raised portion thickness is greater than the support rib thickness.

9. The pillar trim component according to claim 1, wherein:

the pillar trim member is an A-pillar for a vehicle; and

the a pillar has a roof end adapted to be positioned proximate a roof portion of the vehicle and a dash end adapted to be positioned proximate a dashboard of the vehicle.

10. The pillar trim component according to claim 9, further comprising:

a plurality of attachment members and a plurality of corresponding regions;

wherein one of the plurality of attachment members and a respective one of the plurality of regions are positioned proximate the roof end with respect to a remainder of the plurality of attachment members and plurality of regions; and

wherein the raised portion is positioned in only the one of the plurality of regions proximate the roof end.

11. A vehicle, comprising:

a pillar having a roof end proximate a roof and a dash end proximate a dash;

a pillar trim member having at least one surface substantially facing the pillar; and

an airbag having a tether connected to a portion of the pillar;

wherein the pillar trim member further comprises;

an attachment member projecting from the surface of the pillar trim member that is connected to a portion of the pillar;

a region including at least a portion of the surface of the pillar trim member and at least a portion of a surface of the attachment member; and

a raised portion positioned in the region that extends between the portion of the surface of the pillar trim member and the portion of the surface of the attachment member;

wherein the tether is connected to the pillar at a distal location from the roof end of the pillar with respect to a location of the connection portion; and

wherein at least a portion of the tether is positioned in the recessed portion.

12. The vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the surface of the pillar trim member further comprises:

a base surface having a first angular orientation; and

a wall surface having a second angular orientation that is different from the first angular orientation;

wherein the attachment member projects from the base surface.

13. The vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the raised portion connects between the wall surface and the portion of the surface of the attachment member.

14. The vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the wall surface substantially faces the portion of the surface of the attachment member.

15. The vehicle according to claim 13, further comprising:

a support rib connecting the portion of the surface of the attachment member to the wall surface;

wherein the raised portion is connected to and supported by the support rib.

16. The vehicle according to claim 15, wherein the raised portion substantially conforms to a contour of an outer edge of the support rib.

17. The vehicle according to claim 16, wherein the raised portion further comprises:

a first portion extending substantially perpendicular to a direction of protrusion of the attachment member on a side of the attachment member proximate the wall surface; and

a second portion substantially following a shape of the wall portion;

wherein the first portion is adjacent to the attachment member and is adapted to support the tether when an airbag is in a non-deployed state; and

wherein the second portion is adjacent to the wall portion and has a shape adapted to facilitate a deployment of the tether when the airbag is deployed.

18. The vehicle according to claim 15, wherein:

the support rib has a support rib thickness; and

the raised portion has a raised portion thickness;

wherein the raised portion thickness is greater than the support rib thickness.

19. The vehicle according to claim 11, wherein:

the pillar trim member is an A-pillar for a vehicle; and

the a pillar trim member has a roof end adapted to be positioned proximate a roof portion of the vehicle and a dash end adapted to be positioned proximate a dashboard of the vehicle.

20. The vehicle according to claim 19, wherein the pillar trim member further comprises:

a plurality of attachment members and a plurality of corresponding regions;

wherein one of the plurality of attachment members and a respective one of the plurality of regions are positioned proximate the roof end with respect to a remainder of the plurality of attachment members and plurality of regions; and

wherein the raised portion is positioned in only the one of the plurality of regions proximate the roof end.

21. A pillar trim component, comprising:

a pillar trim member;

an attachment member projecting from the pillar trim member, wherein the attachment member is adapted to connect to a portion of a vehicle;

a means for positioning a tether of an airbag between the pillar trim member and a pillar of a vehicle; and

a means for facilitating a deployment of the tether when the airbag is deployed.