SPACER FABRIC HAVING HINGE FUNCTION

Abstract

The present invention relates to a spacer fabric (1) for a motor vehicle, which is composed of a hinge layer (2) and a top layer (5), and the hinge layer (2), at least in sections, has a higher tensile strength and/or higher extensibility. The hinge layer (2) therefore prevents tearing of the spacer fabric (1), wherein the top layer (5) promotes tearing of the spacer fabric (1). The present invention further relates to an airbag cover comprising such a spacer fabric (1).

Claims

1-20. (canceled)

21. An airbag cover, comprising: a hinge layer configured to include at least one perforation; and a carrier applied to the hinge layer, wherein the carrier includes a predetermined breaking line formed by the at least one perforation, and wherein the predetermined breaking line forms an airbag flap, wherein the hinge layer covers the predetermined breaking line in a first section, and the hinge layer forms a separating section along the predetermined breaking line.

22. The airbag cover according to claim 36, wherein the hinge layer comprises a first tensile strength located at a first location perpendicular to the predetermined breaking line, and wherein the first tensile strength is higher than a second tensile strength located at a second location.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0036] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a layer composition of an airbag cover according to the present disclosure;

[0037] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of a layer composition of an airbag cover according to the present disclosure;

[0038] FIG. 3 shows a three-dimensional representation of an airbag cover according to the present disclosure;

[0039] FIG. 4 shows a three-dimensional representation of a spacer fabric according to the present disclosure; and

[0040] FIGS. 5a to 5d show the schematic sequence of an opening process of an airbag cover in the region of a predetermined breaking line.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a spacer fabric 1 according to the present disclosure, which may be applied to an airbag cover. The spacer fabric 1 may be composed of a top layer 5, an intermediate layer 8, and a hinge layer 2. The hinge layer 2 may be joined to a carrier 3 with the aid of an adhesive, which is not shown. In the present embodiment, a dispersion adhesive may be used as the adhesive. Alternatively, a hot-melt adhesive may also be used, for example. A decorative covering 6 may be arranged on the top layer 5. The decorative covering 6 may face the interior of the vehicle and therefore may form the visible side of the airbag cover. The decorative covering 6 may likewise fastened to the top layer 5 with the aid of an adhesive, which is not shown. The intermediate layer 8 may be composed of a plurality of threads that run substantially perpendicularly to the top layer 5 and to the hinge layer 2. The intermediate layer 8 may impart an additional soft feel to the spacer fabric 1.

[0042] Perforations 14 may be introduced into the carrier 3 and into the hinge layer 2. The perforations 14 may form a predetermined breaking line 4 in the carrier 3 and a weakening 10 in the hinge layer 2. The predetermined breaking line 4 or the weakening 10 may ensure that an airbag, which is located underneath it and is not shown, can penetrate the airbag cover in a defined manner during deployment. The weakenings 10 and the perforations 14 may be created in one process step. This process step may be carried out after the spacer fabric 1 was applied to the carrier 3, so that the weakenings 10 and the predetermined breaking line 4 may be arranged in alignment with each other. The perforations 14 may be introduced using a laser. In the shown section, tearing open of the hinge layer 2 may be pursued so that a separating section 13 of the airbag cover is formed. In a further region, which is not shown, only the carrier 3 may be weakened by the perforations 14. In this region, which is not shown, the hinge layer 2 may have no weakening 10, so that a hinge section 12 may be formed.

[0043] Neither the decorative covering 6 nor the top layer 5 may be weakened in the shown exemplary embodiment. The reason for this is that the top layer 5 may already have lower tensile strength and lower extensibility than the hinge layer 2. Because the decorative covering 6 may be located directly on the top layer 5, tearing of the decorative covering 6 may also be promoted by the easily tearable top layer 5.

[0044] FIG. 2 shows an alternative layer composition of an airbag cover according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Perforations 14 may be introduced so as to additionally promote tear formation in the separating section 13, which may penetrate the carrier 3, the hinge layer 2, the intermediate layer 8, and the top layer 5. Moreover, the decorative covering 6 may be slightly weakened by the perforations 14. This kind of perforation may allow the tear formation to take place in a defined manner when the airbag opens. Depending on the material used, however, it may also be possible that only some of the layers are weakened or severed. It is likewise possible for the perforations 14 to end in the top layer 5, for example, or also in the intermediate layer 8.

[0045] As a result of the perforations 14, a plurality of individual weakenings 9 may be introduced into the top layer 5. While the top layer 5 may be already designed to promote tearing due to the low tensile strength thereof, the tear formation can be further optimized and defined by introducing the individual weakenings 9.

[0046] In a hinge section 12 (not shown) of an airbag cover according to the second embodiment, only the carrier 3 may have a perforation 14 for creating a predetermined breaking line 4. All layers located above it. and the hinge layer 2, may not be weakened in the hinge section 12 (see FIG. 3).

[0047] FIG. 3 shows a three-dimensional view of an airbag cover according to the present disclosure. The side of the carrier 3 situated opposite a visible side faces the observer. A predetermined breaking line 4 can be introduced into the carrier 3. The predetermined breaking line 4 may delimit an airbag flap 11, which can have a rectangular shape. An attachment geometry 15, which allows the airbag, together with the gas generator, to be attached to the carrier 3, may be arranged around the predetermined breaking line 4.

[0048] The spacer fabric and the decorative covering may be arranged on the side of the airbag cover which faces away from the observer. The spacer fabric and the hinge layer may have a weakening on three of the four sides of the airbag flap 11. These three sides may define the separating section 13. The spacer fabric may not be weakened on the fourth side, so that a hinge section 12 can be formed. When the airbag is opened during the course of an accident, the airbag may push against the airbag flap 11. As a result of the weakened hinge layer 2 in the separating section 13, all layers situated above the predetermined breaking line 4, in addition to the carrier 3, may rupture. In the present embodiment, therefore three of the four sides of the airbag flap 11 or of the predetermined breaking line 4 on the airbag flap 11 may tear. While the airbag flap 11 is therefore able to open to allow the airbag to penetrate into the vehicle interior, the airbag flap 11 itself may be retained on the carrier 3 by the spacer fabric 1. It therefore may be ensured that no parts detach from the interior trim part when the airbag flap 11 opens.

[0049] FIG. 4 shows a three-dimensional view of a spacer fabric 1 according to the present disclosure. The spacer fabric 1 may be composed of a woven top layer, which is not shown, and a woven hinge layer 2. Filler threads 7 made of polyester, which may have particularly high tensile strength, may be introduced into the woven fabric of the hinge layer 2. The woven fabric 16 of the hinge layer 2 can be composed of threads having high extensibility. The filler threads 7 can be arranged parallel to and at defined distances from each other.

[0050] The course of the hinge section 12 and of the separating section 13 is schematically shown. The filler threads 7 may run substantially perpendicularly to the hinge section 12. Thus, the tensile strength of the filler threads 7 can be utilized in the hinge section. The filler threads 7 may be severed in the separating section 13. Consequently, rupturing of the spacer fabric 1 may not be adversely affected by the filler threads 7 in the separating section 13.

[0051] FIGS. 5a to 5d show the sequence of motions of the airbag flap 11 and of the layers 1 and 6 located above it during the opening process of the airbag. A section of the carrier 3 in the hinge section 12 is shown here. When the airbag begins to expand, the airbag may push against the airbag flap 11, thereby generating a force 17 that acts on the airbag flap 11. As a result of the acting force 17, the carrier 3 may begin to break along the predetermined breaking line 4, whereby a tear 19 forms. When the airbag flap 11 has completely broken away from the carrier 3, the airbag flap may begin to move into the interior of the vehicle. In the separating section, which is not shown, the tear may propagate at this location into the spacer fabric 1 and into the decorative covering 6. However, because the airbag flap 11 may be held in the hinge section 12 by the hinge layer 2, the airbag flap 11 may rotate about the hinge section 12. The hinge layer 2 therefore may prevent tearing of the spacer fabric 1. The increased extensibility of the hinge layer 2 may ensure that the hinge layer 2 does not rupture under the abrupt influence of force 17. This rotational movement may cause the airbag flap 11 to be moved out of the deployment direction of the airbag, and the airbag may be able to deploy past the airbag flap 11.

[0052] The explanations provided with reference to the figures are purely illustrative and shall not be understood to have any limiting effect.