Abstract
An air bag guide for a motor vehicle, includes a molded component defining a guide channel with an exit opening so the air bag can exit from the guide channel. The molded component is a thermoplastic material or a thermoplastic matrix and includes an insert inserted into the molded component. A first section of the insert, connects the insert with the molded component. A second section hingedly connects to the first section that is movable and opens under the action of the air bag upon exiting the guide channel then closes the exit opening. The insert is of the same thermoplastic material as the molded component or includes the same thermoplastic matrix and is self-reinforcing at least in the second section.
Claims
1. An air bag guide for guiding an air bag of a motor vehicle, comprising a molded component defining a guide channel with an exit opening for exiting of the air bag from the guide channel, an insert inserted into the molded component, the insert having a first section materially connecting the first section with the molded component, and at least a second section hingedly connected to the first section and movable relative to the first section, wherein the exit opening is opened by the second section under an action of the air bag upon exiting from the guide channel, and wherein the molded component is from a thermoplastic material or has a thermoplastic matrix, and the insert is composed of the same thermoplastic material as the molded component or comprises the same thermoplastic matrix as the molded component, with at least the second section being of self-reinforcing thermoplastic material or thermoplastic matrix.
2. The air bag guide according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic is polypropylene.
3. The air bag guide according to claim 2, wherein the molded component is fiber reinforced.
4. The air bag guide according to claim 3, wherein the molded component is fiber-reinforced with glass fibers, polypropylene fibers and/or carbon fibers.
5. The air bag guide according to claim 1, wherein the molded component has reinforcing ribs.
6. The air bag guide according to claim 5, wherein the molded component and/or the insert have a number of fastening sections for attaching an air bag module.
7. The air bag guide according to claim 6, wherein the fastening sections comprise screw holes, via which the air bag module is attached to the air bag guide by way of a screw connection.
8. The air bag guide according to claim 7, wherein, the air bag module is attached to the air bag guide by bolts integrated in the air bag guide.
9. The air bag guide according to claim 6, wherein the fastening sections comprise hooking openings, by way of which the air bag module is connected to the air bag guide with a hook connection.
10. An air bag assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising an air bag module having an air bag and a gas generator cooperating with the air bag for inflating the air bag, and an air bag guide according to claim 1, wherein the air bag module is attached to the air bag guide.
11. An interior trim component for a motor vehicle, comprising an air bag guide according to claim 1, an air bag module having an air bag and a gas generator cooperating with the air bag for inflating the air bag, wherein the air bag module is attached on the air bag guide, and a support component which is attached on the air bag guide in the region of the exit opening.
12. An interior trim component according to claim 11, wherein the support component is injection-molded, or is injection-molded and provided with a decorative layer.
13. A method for producing an interior trim component comprising the following steps: injection-molding a molded component made of a thermoplastic material or of a thermoplastic matrix, wherein the molded component defines a guide channel for the air bag with an exit opening, via which the air bag can exit from the guide channel, injection-molding an insert inserted in the molded component and made of the same thermoplastic material or of the same thermoplastic matrix, wherein the insert has a first section with which the insertion part is materially connected with the molded part, and at least a second section, which is hingedly connected to the first section and movable relative to the first section, and the second section closes the exit opening and opens under the effect of the air bag when exiting the guide channel, wherein the thermoplastic material or the thermoplastic matrix is self-reinforcing at least in the second section, and, attaching a support component on the air bag guide, which is formed by the molded component and the insert, in the region of the exit opening.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of attaching to the air bag guide device an air bag module having an air bag and a gas generator cooperating with the air bag for inflating the air bag.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
(1) Other features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent upon reading the following description of currently preferred exemplified embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawing, which show in:
(2) FIG. 1 a schematic diagram of an interior trim component according to the prior art,
(3) FIG. 2 A a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of an interior trim component according to the present invention,
(4) FIG. 2B a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of an interior trim component according to the present invention,
(5) FIG. 3A a first embodiment of a molded component according to the present invention,
(6) FIG. 3B a second embodiment of a molded component according to the present invention, each in a perspective view,
(7) FIG. 4A a first embodiment of an insert according to the present invention,
(8) FIG. 4B a second embodiment of an insert according to the present invention,
(9) FIG. 4C a third embodiment of an insert according to the present invention,
(10) FIG. 4D a fourth embodiment of an insert according to the present invention, each in a perspective view,
(11) FIG. 5 a third embodiment of an interior trim component according to the present invention, and
(12) FIG. 6 a fourth embodiment of an interior trim component according to the present invention, each in a sectional view,
(13) FIG. 7A a first embodiment of the region marked with an “X” in FIG. 5, and
(14) FIG. 7B a second embodiment of the region marked with an “X” in FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
(15) Throughout all the Figures, same or corresponding elements are generally indicated by same reference numerals. These depicted embodiments are to be understood as illustrative of the invention and not as limiting in any way. It should also be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale and that the embodiments are sometimes illustrated by graphic symbols, phantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention or which render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted.
(16) Turning now to the drawing, and in particular to FIG. 1, there is shown a schematic diagram of a prior art interior trim component 10P. The interior trim component 10P includes a structural component 12 having a flat base section 14 and a tubular projection 16 which extends substantially perpendicular to the base section 14 and defines a guide channel 18 with an exit opening 20 for an air bag 22. A foam layer 24, which is provided with a decorative layer 26, is applied on the side of the tubular section 16 opposite of the base section 14. An insert 28, which has a first section 30 and two second sections 32.sub.1, 32.sub.2x, which are movable relative to the first section 30, is arranged in the guide channel 18. The first section 30 has a lifting loop 34. The first section 30 is connected materially with the tubular projection 16, except for the region between the lifting loop 34 and the transition to the two second sections, while the two second sections 32 are materially connected with the base section 14. The interior trim component 10P includes a tear line 36, at which the two second sections 32.sub.1, 32.sub.2 of the insert 28 meet and along which the base section 14, the foam layer 24 and the decorative layer are intentionally weakened, for example by means of a perforation. The air bag 22 is arranged in an air bag module 38, which includes a gas generator 40 cooperating with the air bag 22. The air bag module 38 is attached to the tubular projection 16 in a manner not shown in detail. The air bag 22 is arranged folded in the air bag module 38. In the event of a collision or a rollover of the motor vehicle, the gas generator 40 explosively inflates the air bag 22, causing the air bag 22 to strike the insert 28 due to the increase of its volume, thereby pushing the insert 28 upward with reference to FIG. 1. The lifting loop 34 is hereby tensioned so that the two sections 32.sub.1, 32.sub.2 are pushed out of the guide channel 18. The two second sections 32 with the base section 14, the foam layer 24 and the decorative layer disposed thereon are rotated by approximately 90° on both sides of the tear line 36 close to where the tubular projection 16 transitions into the base section 14. The exit opening 20 is thus released, allowing the air bag 22 to inflate completely.
(17) FIG. 2A also shown as a schematic diagram is the interior trim component 10.sub.1 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The proposed interior trim component 10.sub.1 has no structural component, but has instead an air bag guide 42 for guiding an air bag 44, which as shown to FIG. 1, is arranged folded in an air bag module 46 and in cooperation with a gas generator 48.
(18) The air bag guide 42 includes a molded component 50 and an insert 52 inserted therein, which are composed of the same thermoplastic matrix or are made of the same thermoplastic material. In the illustrated example, the thermoplastic matrix is formed of polypropylene, or the thermoplastic material is polypropylene. The insert 52 includes a first section 54 with which the insert 52 is materially connected with the molded component 50, and two second sections 56.sub.1, 56.sub.2, which are hingedly connected with the first section 54 and are therefore movable relative to the first section 54. The thermoplastic matrix or the thermoplastic material is designed to be self-reinforcing (e.g. SRPP, self-reinforced polypropylene) at least in the two second sections 56.sub.1, 56.sub.2.
(19) The molded component 50 is provided with reinforcing ribs 58 which support a flange-type support surface 60, by way of which the molded component 50 is connected with a support component 62. In addition, the support component 62 is connected with the two second sections 56 of the insert 52. The support component 62 can be sprayed onto the molded component 50 and the two second sections 56.sub.1, 56.sub.2, or can be applied in some other way on the molded components 50 and the two second sections 56.sub.1, 56.sub.2.
(20) The support component 62 is laminated with a decorative layer 64. The decorative layer 64 may be embodied as a film which is adhesively bonded to the carrier component. Furthermore, the molded component 50 is fiber-reinforced. For this purpose, for example carbon fibers or glass fibers are embedded in the thermoplastic matrix (not shown).
(21) The two second sections 56.sub.1, 56.sub.2 abut at a tear line 66 at which the support component 62 and the decorative layer 64 are selectively weakened, for example by means of a perforation.
(22) The air bag guide 42 defines a guide channel 67 with an exit opening 69 for the air bag 44. When triggered, the air bag 44 strikes the two second sections 56.sub.1, 56.sub.2 of the insert 52, which are consequently rotated with respect to the first section 54 on both sides of the tear line 66 together with the support component 62 and the decorative layer 64 by approximately 90°, causing the exit opening 69 to be released and allowing the air bag 44 to enter the interior space of the motor vehicle.
(23) In the exemplary interior trim component 10P according to the prior art shown in FIG. 1, material accumulates where the tubular projection 16 transitions into the base section 14, which can cause sink marks. However, due to the use of the foam layer 24, the sink marks are not visible from the interior space of the motor vehicle.
(24) Compared to the interior trim component 10P illustrated in FIG. 1, the molded component 50 of the interior trim component 10.sub.1 according to the invention does not accumulate material, so that no sink marks can occur which would have to be covered by a correspondingly thick foam layer 24. Consequently, the support component 62 can be designed to be significantly thinner compared to the foam layer 24, so that less mass needs to be moved when the air bag 44 is triggered. The same applies to the insert 52 and in particular to the two second sections 56.sub.1, 56.sub.2. Furthermore, no lifting loop is required because the support component 62, unlike the foamed cover, does not or does only insignificantly block the movement of the two second sections 56.sub.1, 56.sub.2.
(25) The use of a self-reinforcing thermoplastic matrix or of a self-reinforcing plastic material, at least in the region of the two second sections 56.sub.1, 56.sub.2 of the insert 52, prevents parts of the support component 62 from splintering when the air bag 44 is inflated.
(26) The air bag guide 42 and the air bag module 46 attached thereto together form an air bag assembly 74.
(27) FIG. 2B shows a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the interior trim component 10.sub.2 according to the invention. The construction of the interior trim component 10.sub.2 according to the second exemplary embodiment is substantially similar to that of the trim component 10.sub.2 according to the first exemplary embodiment. The significant difference is that a decorative layer 64 is not applied to the support component 62.
(28) FIGS. 3A and 3B each show in a perspective view a first and second exemplary embodiment of the molded component 50 according to the invention. The molded component 50 according to the first exemplary embodiment has a fastening section 72 with screw holes 68, with which the air bag module 46 can be fastened to the air bag guide 42 with a screw connection. For this purpose, the air bag guide 42 may have unillustrated bolts which extend through the bolt holes 68. The bolts can be integrated into the air bag guide 42 and provided with threads. In the molded component 50 according to the second exemplary embodiment the fastening section 72 includes a plurality of hooking openings 70, in which the air bag module 46 can be hooked.
(29) FIGS. 4A to 4D show each in a perspective view different embodiments of the insert 52 according to the invention. These differ in the number of the second sections 56 and in the manner in which the air bag module 46 can be attached to the air bag guide 42.
(30) The insert 52 in FIG. 4A has a number of bolt holes 68 arranged on the fastening section 72 which corresponds to the number of the screw holes 68 of the molded component 50 according to first exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3A. The fastening section 72 is rigidly connected to the first section 54. Consequently, the air bag module 46 can be fastened to the air bag guide 42 by means of a screw connection, wherein the screw connection includes both the molded component 50 and the insert 52. The insert 52 according to the first exemplary embodiment is thus connected with the first exemplary embodiment of the molded component 50 (see FIG. 3A).
(31) Moreover, the insert 52 shown in FIG. 4A has two second sections 56.sub.1, 56.sub.2 which are hingedly attached to the first section 54 and are movable relative to the first section 54. If one follows the movable edges of the two second sections 56.sub.1, 56.sub.2, an H-shape is formed in plan view.
(32) FIG. 4B shows a second exemplary embodiment of the insert 52 according to the invention. It can be seen that the insert 52 according to the second exemplary embodiment has, for example, a number of hooking openings 70, via which the air bag module 46 can be connected to the air bag guide 42. The second exemplary embodiment of the insert 52 is therefore connected to the second exemplary embodiment of the molded component 50 (see FIG. 3B). Moreover, the insert 52 has two second sections 56.sub.1, 56.sub.2, thus producing once more the H-shape of the movable edges described for the first exemplary embodiment.
(33) FIG. 4C shows a third exemplary embodiment of the insert 52 according to the invention. Like the first exemplary embodiment, the insert 52 according to the third exemplary embodiment has also the screw holes 68, so that the air bag module 46 is connected to the first exemplary embodiment of the molded component 50 with a screw connection. However, the insert has only one second section 56, so that in plan view the movable edges the second section 56 form a U-shape.
(34) FIG. 4D shows a fourth exemplary embodiment of the insert 52 according to the invention. Like the second exemplary embodiment, the insert 52 according to the fourth exemplary embodiment has the hooking openings 70, so that the air bag module 46 can be connected to the first exemplary embodiment of the molded component 50 by a hook connection. Like in the third exemplary embodiment, however, the insert member 52 has only one second section 56, so that in plan view the movable edges the second section 56 form a U-shape.
(35) FIG. 5 shows in a basic sectional view a third exemplary embodiment of the interior trim component 10.sub.3 according to the present invention. The insert 52 has two second sections 56.sub.1, 56.sub.2. The air bag guide 42 is connected to the support component 62, wherein the support component 62 extends over the support surfaces reinforced with the reinforcing ribs 58 as well as over the two second sections 56.sub.1, 56.sub.2. The air bag guide 42 has the hooking openings 70, so that the air bag module 46 is fastened to the air bag guide 42 by a hook connection. For this purpose, the air bag module 46 has corresponding hooks 71. It can be seen that the hook connection allows only a relatively coarse positioning of the air bag module 46 in the guide channel 67. The actual attachment of the air bag module 46 is effected by other sections of the trim component 10.sub.3, in particular by the channel 67 and the insert 52.
(36) FIG. 6 shows in a basic sectional view a fourth exemplary embodiment of the interior trim component 10.sub.4 according to the present invention. The insert 52 includes in this case only one second section 56. The support component 62 extends over the support surfaces 60 reinforced with the reinforcing ribs 58 as well as over the second section 56. The air bag module 46 is in this exemplary embodiment fixed in the air bag guide 42 by way of an unillustrated screw connection and uniquely secured in its position.
(37) FIGS. 7A and 7B show two embodiments of the insert 52 in the area marked X in FIG. 5 on an enlarged scale. As described, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the insert 52 is with the first section 54 materially connected to the molded component 50, while the two second sections 56.sub.1, 56.sub.2 are hinged on the first section 54 and thus movably connected to the first section 54. This is also the case in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B; however, the second section 56 forms a lifting loop 76, which is sealed in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7A, whereas the lifting loop 78 in FIG. 7B is open. An essential difference is that the second section 56 within the lifting loop 76 comes into contact with itself in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7A, so that the lifting loop 76 is constructed in layers, whereas the lifting loop 76 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7B has a U-shape or a V-shape and the second section 56 do come into contact with itself.
(38) An essential difference between the exemplary embodiments of the trim component 10.sub.3 and 10.sub.4 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is that the interior trim component 10.sub.3 according to the third exemplary embodiment has two second sections 56.sub.1, 56.sub.2, whereas the interior trim component 10.sub.4 according to the fourth exemplary embodiment has only one second section 56. In the third exemplary embodiment of the interior trim component 10.sub.3, a lifting loop 76 constructed as shown in FIG. 7A may be provided in the region X, and a lifting loop 76 constructed as shown in FIG. 7B may be provided in the region Y. However, a lifting loop 76 may not be provided at least in one of the regions X or Y. Moreover, identically constructed lifting loop 76 may be provided in both regions X, Y.
(39) The exemplary embodiment of the interior trim component 10.sub.4 shown in FIG. 6 has only one second section 56. In analogy of the above discussions of the third embodiment 10.sub.3, no lifting loop or one lifting loop 76 as illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B may be provided in the region of the trim component 10.sub.2 designated as region Y in FIG. 6.
(40) While the invention has been illustrated and described in connection with currently preferred embodiments shown and described in detail, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and practical application to thereby enable a person skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
