Safety Device for Vehicle

• US 20140375029A1
• Filed: 06/24/2014
• Published: 12/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Faurecia Interieur Industrie (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Faurecia Interieur Industrie (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Pauthier, Fabrice, Schupbach, Thierry
• Granted Patent: US 9,045,106 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/728.3
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/14 incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. injection moulding around inserts or for coating articles B29C45/1671 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/1671 with an insert
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/3038 Air bag covers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/21537 characterised by hinges
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/215 characterised by the covers for the inflatable member B60R21/2176 takes precedence

Abstract

A safety device for a vehicle, adapted to be arranged facing an airbag, comprising:

• a chute channel defining a recess to receive the airbag,
• a net comprising a first portion and a second portion, and
• a flap at least partially covering the recess, the flap being overmolded onto the first portion of the net. The device further comprises a strip overmolded onto the second portion of the net, and the chute channel is overmolded onto the strip. A safety system and dashboard comprising such a safety device, as well as a method for manufacturing such a safety device.

Claims

1. The safety device for a vehicle, adapted to be arranged facing an airbag, comprising:

a chute channel defining a recess to receive the airbag,

a net comprising a first portion and a second portion, and

a flap at least partially covering the recess, the flap being overmolded onto the first portion of the net,

wherein the safety device further comprises a strip overmolded onto the second portion of the net, and

wherein the chute channel is overmolded onto the strip.

2. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein, the chute channel comprising a side wall and a transverse wall, the side wall and/or the transverse wall of the chute channel is overmolded onto the strip.

3. The safety device according to claim 2, wherein

the side wall and the transverse wall of the chute channel each comprises an inner surface and an outer surface opposite said inner surface, and

the strip is on the outer surface of the side wall and/or on the inner or outer surface of the transverse wall of the chute channel.

4. The safety device according to claim 2, wherein the net passes through the side wall of the chute channel.

5. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein the chute channel is made of a first material and the strip is made of a second material, the second material being more rigid than the first material.

6. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein the flap is made of a third material, wherein the strip is made of a second material, and wherein the third material is different from the second material.

7. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein the chute channel and the flap are made of a first material, wherein the strip is made of a second material, and wherein the first material is different from the second material.

8. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein strip is separated from the flap.

9. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein the strip is distant from the flap.

10. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein

the net has a thickness,

the chute channel is connected to the flap by an intermediate portion overmolded onto a third portion of the net,

the intermediate portion has an intermediate thickness,

said intermediate thickness is greater than the net thickness, and

the safety device has a line of least resistance that is continuous or discontinuous and faces the intermediate portion, adapted to break when the airbag is dep1oyed from the recess,

and wherein the net forms a connecting loop between the flap and the inner surface of the side wall of the chute channel.

11. The safety device according to claim 10, wherein the loop extends between the flap and the strip.

12. The safety device according to claim 10, wherein the loop is not overmolded.

13. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein the net further comprises a fourth portion, the second portion of the net being between the first portion and the fourth portion, the second portion of the net and the fourth portion of the net are connected to each other by an elbow connection, and the fourth portion of the net is arranged outside the strip and facing said strip.

16. A manufacturing method, in particular for a safety device according to claim 1, comprising the steps of:

providing a net,

manufacturing a strip while overmolding the strip onto a second portion of the net,

manufacturing a chute channel defining a recess adapted to receive an airbag, while overmolding the chute channel onto the strip, and

manufacturing a flap while overmolding the flap onto a first portion of the net.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the steps of manufacturing the chute channel and manufacturing the flap are performed in a single molding step.

14. A safety system comprising:

a safety device for a vehicle, adapted to be arranged facing an airbag, comprising;

a chute channel defining a recess to receive the airbag,

a net comprising a first portion and a second portion, and

a flap at least partially covering the recess, the flap being overmolded onto the first portion of the net,

wherein the safety device further comprises a strip overmolded onto the second portion of the net, and wherein the chute channel is overmolded onto the strip, and

an interior trim element comprising;

a covering having an outer face and an inner face opposite the outer face, and

a rigid support having an outer face and an inner face opposite the outer face, with the outer face of the rigid support facing the inner face of the covering,

and wherein

the strip comprises first and second arms of substantially constant thicknesses, the second arm connecting to the first arm,

the first arm is overmolded onto the second portion of the net, and

the second arm of the strip is sandwiched between the inner face of the covering and the outer face of the transverse wall or of the rigid support.

15. A dashboard for a vehicle, comprising:

a safety device for a vehicle, adapted to be arranged facing an airbag, comprising;

a chute channel defining a recess to receive the airbag,

a net comprising a first portion and a second portion, and

a flap at least partially covering the recess, the flap being overmolded onto the first portion of the net,

wherein the safety device further comprises a strip overmolded onto the second portion of the net, and wherein the chute channel is overmolded onto the strip, and

an interior trim element forming a dashboard body, with the safety device being secured to an inner or outer surface of the dashboard body, and an airbag arranged in the recess of the safety device.