A urethane and graphene interior trim panel is provided. In another aspect, the interior trim panel may be an automotive vehicle instrument panel, airbag cover, door trim panel, center console, knee bolster, seat mechanism cover, pillar cover or the like. A further aspect includes a graphene infused thermoplastic polyurethane compound and more particularly a TPU-graphene composition or mixture which can be ground, molded and then used in vehicle interior applications.

To provide a vehicle seat which makes the load from the airbag more likely to be concentrated on a weakened part of a skin member, a vehicle seat provided with a seat cushion constituting a seating surface and a seat back constituting a backrest including a seat back frame forming a structural member of the seat back; an airbag module supported on a side portion of the seat back frame on a vehicle outer side; a pad member covering the airbag module; and a skin member covering a surface of the pad member, wherein the skin member is provided with a weakened part vertically extending on an edge part of the seat back on a vehicle outer side and a first low-elasticity reinforcement part extending from a vicinity of the weakened part in a direction intersecting with the weakened part.

Various implementations of a horn system include one or more force sensors disposed on a first portion of a driver air bag module and one or more actuators disposed on a second portion of the driver air bag module. For example, the force sensors may be disposed adjacent a perimeter of a base plate of the driver air bag module, and the actuators may extend inwardly toward the force sensors from an inner surface of a cover of the driver air bag module, or vice versa. To actuate the horn, the cover is moved axially toward the base plate, causing the actuators to apply force to the force sensors. Force signals received from the force sensors are used by one or more processors to determine characteristics of the force received and/or select a control message for communicating to the horn system based on the force signal characteristics.

Airbag cushion covers and related methods. Some embodiments may comprise an airbag cover comprising a weakened pattern configured to facilitate separation of the cover during deployment of an airbag cushion. The weakened region may comprise a first tear seam comprising a first shape defined by a first line comprising at least one of regions of curvature and angled regions, and a second tear seam comprising a second shape defined by a second line comprising at least one of regions of curvature and angled regions. In some embodiments, the first shape may overlap and/or intersect with the second shape in a desired pattern to facilitate desired airbag deployment.

Airbag cushion covers and related methods. Some embodiments may comprise an airbag cover comprising a weakened pattern configured to facilitate separation of the cover during deployment of an airbag cushion. The weakened region may comprise a first tear seam comprising a first shape defined by a first line comprising at least one of regions of curvature and angled regions, and a second tear seam comprising a second shape defined by a second line comprising at least one of regions of curvature and angled regions. In some embodiments, the first shape may overlap and/or intersect with the second shape in a desired pattern to facilitate desired airbag deployment.

A component for a vehicle interior configured to provide an opening for airbag deployment through the opening is disclosed. The component may comprise a substrate and a cover comprising a generally uniform outer/exterior surface and an inner surface comprising a line not readily perceptible at the outer surface to provide a tear line for the opening. The line may comprise an opening section comprising a set of cavities and a groove connecting at least two cavities. The line may comprise an intermediate section comprising a set of cavities and a transition section comprising a set of cavities. The cover be molded. A cavity may comprise a depth within the inner surface of the cover and a set of facets. The component may comprise a trim panel, instrument panel or door panel. A method for forming a component comprising cavities and a groove in a mold is also disclosed.

A component for a vehicle interior configured to provide an opening for airbag deployment through the opening is disclosed. The component may comprise a substrate and a cover comprising a generally uniform outer/exterior surface and an inner surface comprising a line not readily perceptible at the outer surface to provide a tear line for the opening. The line may comprise an opening section comprising a set of cavities and a groove connecting at least two cavities. The line may comprise an intermediate section comprising a set of cavities and a transition section comprising a set of cavities. The cover be molded. A cavity may comprise a depth within the inner surface of the cover and a set of facets. The component may comprise a trim panel, instrument panel or door panel. A method for forming a component comprising cavities and a groove in a mold is also disclosed.

An airbag device configured to be disposed in front of an occupant in a vehicle includes: an inflator configured to generate gas; an airbag that is folded and housed, the airbag being configured to be inflated and deployed by the gas generated by the inflator; and a holding member including an attachment portion to which the inflator is attached, and holding the folded airbag capable of being inflated and deployed from an occupant side opposite the attachment portion. The holding member includes an inhibiting portion that covers a part of the folded airbag from the occupant side and that is configured to partially inhibit initial inflation and deployment of the airbag. The inhibiting portion has a first region and a second region where inhibiting forces that inhibit the initial inflation and deployment are different from each other.

An airbag device configured to be disposed in front of an occupant in a vehicle includes: an inflator configured to generate gas; an airbag that is folded and housed, the airbag being configured to be inflated and deployed by the gas generated by the inflator; and a holding member including an attachment portion to which the inflator is attached, and holding the folded airbag capable of being inflated and deployed from an occupant side opposite the attachment portion. The holding member includes an inhibiting portion that covers a part of the folded airbag from the occupant side and that is configured to partially inhibit initial inflation and deployment of the airbag. The inhibiting portion has a first region and a second region where inhibiting forces that inhibit the initial inflation and deployment are different from each other.

A roof airbag module includes an airbag configured to inflate and deploy away from a vehicle roof toward a vehicle seat. The airbag module also includes an airbag housing configured to support the airbag in a stored condition in which the airbag is deflated and at least one of rolled and folded. The airbag module also includes an inflator that is actuatable to direct inflation fluid into the airbag to inflate the airbag. The airbag module further includes a module cover connected to the airbag housing and configured to conceal the airbag in the stored condition. The module cover includes a deployment door having an interior surface facing an interior of the housing and engaging the airbag in the stored condition, and an opposite exterior surface comprising a class A surface configured to be in direct view from the passenger compartment. The interior surface of the deployment door comprises one or more tear seams configured to rupture in response to airbag inflation, which opens the deployment door and releases the airbag to inflate and deploy.