TRIM ASSEMBLY AND COMPONENT WITH RETENTION FEATURE

• US 20150145233A1
• Filed: 11/25/2013
• Published: 05/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Incorporated (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Steinbrecher, Robert C.
• Granted Patent: US 9,061,647 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/728.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/02 Internal Trim mouldings ; Internal Ledges; Wall liners for passenger compartments; Roof liners B60R13/01 takes precedence ; padded linings for the vehicle interior B60R21/04; arrangements or adaptations of floor mats or carpets in vehicles B60N3/04; internal lining for trains B61D17/18
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2013/0287 integrating other functions or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/215 characterised by the covers for the inflatable member B60R21/2176 takes precedence

Abstract

A trim assembly covering an airbag in a vehicle. The trim assembly includes a trim panel having an A-side surface and a C-side surface opposite of the A-side surface. Portions of the trim panel define an aperture through which a trim component is mounted, including a bezel and a backplate, with the bezel engaging the A-side surface of the trim panel, generally about the aperture. A backplate of the trim component includes a central portion and a flange extending from the central portion in surface-to-surface engagement with the C-side surface of the trim panel. The flange includes a plurality of projections formed on its surface so as to penetrate into the trim panel through the C-side surface. During activation of the airbag, the trim panel is displaced to permit deployment of the airbag, and the projections operate to retain the trim component in engagement with the trim panel.

Claims

1. A trim assembly for covering an airbag in a vehicle, the trim assembly comprising:

a trim panel having an A-side surface oriented toward an occupant compartment of the vehicle and having a C-side surface opposite of the A-side surface, portions of the trim panel defining an aperture through the trim panel from the A-side surface to the C-side surface, the trim panel being mounted to the vehicle and covering the airbag;

a trim component mounted to the trim panel and extending through an aperture, the trim component including a bezel and a backplate, the bezel engaging the A-side surface of the trim panel generally about the aperture, the backplate including a central portion and also including a flange extending from the central portion in surface-to-surface engagement with the C-side surface of the trim panel, the flange having a plurality of projections formed on a surface thereof and penetrating into the trim panel through the C-side surface; and

whereby during activation of the airbag, the trim panel is configured to be displaced permitting deployment of the airbag past the trim panel with the trim component being retained in engagement with the trim panel.

2. The trim assembly according to claim 1, wherein the flange extends around the central portion.

3. The trim assembly according to claim 1, wherein the flange extends fully around the central portion and is in engagement with the C-side surface around the aperture.

4. The trim assembly according to claim 1, wherein the projections are provided circumferentially on the flange.

5. The trim assembly according to claim 1, wherein the projections generally encircle the central portion.

6. The trim assembly according to claim 1, wherein the projections are in the shape of a cone.

7. The trim assembly according to claim 1, wherein the projections are conical.

8. The trim assembly according to claim 1, wherein the projections terminate in a point.

9. The trim assembly according to claim 1, wherein the C-side surface of the trim panel is formed of a scrim material.

10. The trim assembly according to claim 9, wherein the scrim material includes glass fibers.

11. The trim assembly according to claim 1, wherein the trim panel includes a layer formed of a scrim material.

12. The trim assembly according to claim 11, wherein the projections penetrate the scrim material.

13. A trim assembly for an automotive vehicle, the trim assembly comprising:

a trim panel having an A-side surface and a C-side surface opposite of the A-side surface, portions of the trim panel defining an aperture extending through the trim panel from the A-side surface to the C-side surface;

a trim component mounted to the trim panel and covering the aperture, the trim component including a backplate engaging the C-side surface of the trim panel, the backplate having a central portion and a peripheral flange extending from the central portion in surface-to-surface engagement with the C-side surface of the trim panel, a plurality of projections formed on a surface of the flange and penetrating into the trim panel through the C-side surface; and

whereby the projections retain the trim component in engagement with the trim panel and covering the aperture during application of a force to the trim component that urges the trim component through the aperture.

14. The trim assembly of claim 13, wherein the flange extends around at least a portion of the central portion.

15. The trim assembly of claim 13, wherein the flange fully encircles the aperture.

16. The trim assembly of claim 13, wherein the trim panel includes a layer of scrim material and the projections penetrate into the scrim layer.

17. The trim assembly of claim 16, wherein the scrim material includes glass fibers and the projections penetrate between the glass fibers.

18. The trim assembly of claim 13, wherein the projections fully encircle the aperture.

19. The trim assembly of claim 13, wherein the projections are conical in shape.

20. The trim assembly of claim 13, wherein the trim component is a light subassembly.