INSTRUMENT PANEL WITH PASSENGER AIRBAG

• US 20190315302A1
• Filed: 04/16/2018
• Published: 10/17/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Patnala, Manoj, Mazzocchi, Nicholas Andrew, Perelli, Alan
• Granted Patent: US 10,703,318 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/0256 Dashboard liners
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/21537 characterised by hinges
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/205 in dashboards
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2165 characterised by a tear line for defining a deployment opening
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/237 characterised by the way they are folded

Abstract

An instrument panel includes a substrate having an outer surface and an inner surface, a covering, a foam layer between the outer surface and the covering, and a chute elongated to an end. The end is attached to the inner surface. The end includes a protrusion elongated along a perimeter of the end and extending through the substrate into the foam layer.

Claims

1. An instrument panel comprising:

a substrate having an outer surface and an inner surface;

a covering;

a foam layer between the outer surface and the covering; and

a chute elongated to an end, the end attached to the inner surface, the end including a protrusion elongated along a perimeter of the end and extending through the substrate into the foam layer.

2. The instrument panel of claim 1, further comprising a housing including the chute and a door, the door at least partially covering the end of the chute and being adjacent the substrate.

3. The instrument panel of claim 2, wherein the housing includes a hinge connecting the door to the end of the chute.

4. The instrument panel of claim 3, wherein the protrusion and the hinge in combination are elongated along substantially all the perimeter of the end of the chute.

5. The instrument panel of claim 3, wherein the housing is a single piece.

6. The instrument panel of claim 5, wherein the housing includes a flange extending outward from the chute.

7. The instrument panel of claim 6, wherein the door and the flange are attached to the substrate.

8. The instrument panel of claim 7, wherein the door and the flange are welded to the substrate.

9. The instrument panel of claim 3, wherein the hinge has an S-shaped cross-section.

10. The instrument panel of claim 3, wherein the substrate includes a slot elongated along the perimeter of the end of the chute away from the hinge.

11. The instrument panel of claim 10, wherein the slot is shaped to receive the protrusion.

12. The instrument panel of claim 2, wherein the door is attached to the substrate.

13. The instrument panel of claim 1, wherein the protrusion has a constant cross-section along the perimeter of the end of the chute.

14. The instrument panel of claim 13, wherein the cross-section of the protrusion is wedge-shaped.

15. The instrument panel of claim 14, wherein the wedge-shape of the cross-section of the protrusion has an angle less than 45°

.

16. The instrument panel of claim 1, wherein the chute is welded to the substrate.

17. The instrument panel of claim 1, further comprising an airbag disposed in the chute.