Front Pillar Trim Panel with Tether

• US 20080224453A1
• Filed: 03/14/2007
• Published: 09/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America Incorporated (Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Downey, Brian
• Granted Patent: US 7,793,972 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/728.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/216 comprising tether means for limitation of cover motion during deployment
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/231 characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration

Abstract

A vehicular interior trim piece with a tether for use with a side curtain airbag. The tether is attached to an integral first panel portion and a second panel portion which rotates about a hinge out of the path of the airbag. The tether prevents complete detachment of the second panel from the first panel.

Claims

1. A trim panel selectively attached to vehicular structure for use in covering an expandable air bag, the trim panel comprising:

An integral first portion and a second portion each having an inner surface and an outer surface, the first portion is interconnected to the second portion in a selected region through a frangible portion;

at least one tether connected to the first portion and at least a part of the second portion to prevent detachment of the second portion from the first portion into the passenger compartment on expansion of the airbag.

2. The trim panel of claim 1 wherein the tether is integrally molded with the first portion and the second portion.

3. The trim panel of claim 2 wherein the tether is positioned to substantially avoid contact with the outer surface and the inner surface of the first and the second portions.

4. The trim panel of claim 2 wherein the frangible portion includes an elongate notch on the inside surface of the first and the second portions.

5. The trim panel of claim 4 wherein the tether spans across at least a part of the notch.

6. The trim panel of claim 4 wherein the notch forms a hinge for pivotal rotation of the second portion with respect to the first portion away from the airbag providing a passageway for expansion of the airbag.

7. The trim panel of claim 2 wherein the tether comprises a sheet of fabric material having a selected surface area.

8. The trim panel of claim 2 wherein the tether is positioned in substantial contact with the inner surface of the first and the second portions.

9. The trim panel of claim 1 wherein the tether is selectively attached to the interior surface of the first portion and the second portion.

10. The trim panel of claim 9 wherein the frangible portion includes an elongate notch on the inside surface of the first and second portions.

11. The trim panel of claim 10 wherein the tether spans across at least a part of the elongate notch.

12. The trim panel of claim 9 wherein the notch forms a hinge for pivotal rotation of the second portion with respect to the first portion away from the airbag providing a passageway for expansion of the airbag.

13. The trim panel of claim 9 wherein the tether comprises a woven material having a selected surface area.

14. The trim panel of claim 1 wherein the vehicle structure is the A-pillar structure adjacent to windshield and side window.

15. The trim panel of claim 14 wherein the inner surfaces of the first and second portions and the A-pillar structure define a chamber housing an undeployed airbag.

16. The trim panel of claim 1 wherein the at least one tether comprises a plurality of tethers.

17. A trim panel for selected attachment to a vehicle front A-pillar structure for use in covering an expandable airbag, the trim panel comprising:

an integral first portion and a second portion each having an outer surface and an inner surface, the first portion and the second portion are interconnected by an elongate frangible portion having a notch on the inside surface whereby the second portion is permitted to pivotally rotate about a hinge formed by the notch away from the airbag on expansion of the airbag, and

at least one tether integrally molded in selected regions of the first portion and at least a part of the second portion across the frangible portion to prevent detachment of the second portion from the first portion into the passenger compartment on expansion of the airbag.

18. The trim panel of claim 17 wherein the tether is positioned in substantial contact with the inner surface of the first and the second portion.

19. The trim panel of claim 17 wherein the tether is a woven material having an selected surface area.

20. A trim panel for selected attachment to a vehicle A-pillar structure for use in covering an expandable airbag, the trim panel comprising:

an integral first portion and a second portion having an outer surface and an inner surface, the first portion and the second portion are interconnected by a frangible portion defining a hinge whereby the second portion is permitted to pivotally rotate about the hinge away from the airbag on expansion of the airbag, and

at least one tether selectively attached to the inner surface of the first and the second portions spanning at least a part of the frangible portion to prevent detachment of the second portion from the first portion into the passenger compartment on expansion of the airbag.

21. The trim panel of claim 20 wherein the tether is selectively positioned on the inner surface of the first and the second portions adjacent to the vehicle A-pillar structure.