U.S. patent application number 13/605426 was filed with the patent office on 2013-01-03 for airbag cover hinge with force-absorbing system.
This patent application is currently assigned to K.L. KASCHIER- UND LAMINIER GMBH. Invention is credited to Michael GRIMMELT, Albert RORING.
Application Number | 20130000076 13/605426 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39265366 |
Filed Date | 2013-01-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130000076 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
RORING; Albert ; et
al. |
January 3, 2013 |
AIRBAG COVER HINGE WITH FORCE-ABSORBING SYSTEM
Abstract
An airbag cover hinge has load-absorption capabilities that
provide a controlled release of the airbag cover during airbag
deployment. The hinge has a textile base structure formed of
longitudinal and cross threads. High strength, load-bearing stop
threads are integrated into the textile base structure. When the
airbag deploys, the longitudinal threads eventually tear, while the
stop threads extend in length and function as a hinge that holds
the torn parts of the textile base structure together.
Inventors: |
RORING; Albert; (Gronau-Epe,
DE) ; GRIMMELT; Michael; (Gronau-Epe, DE) |
Assignee: |
K.L. KASCHIER- UND LAMINIER
GMBH
Gronau-Epe
DE
|
Family ID: |
39265366 |
Appl. No.: |
13/605426 |
Filed: |
September 6, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12527703 |
Aug 19, 2009 |
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PCT/EP2008/001312 |
Feb 20, 2008 |
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13605426 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
16/222 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 2021/2163 20130101;
B60R 21/216 20130101; B60R 2021/21537 20130101; Y10T 16/521
20150115; B60R 21/215 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
16/222 |
International
Class: |
B60R 21/2165 20110101
B60R021/2165; E05D 11/00 20060101 E05D011/00; E05D 1/00 20060101
E05D001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 21, 2007 |
DE |
102007009058.9 |
Nov 28, 2007 |
DE |
202007016718.0 |
Claims
1. An airbag cover hinge comprising: a textile base structure
constructed of a plurality of longitudinal threads that extend in a
direction parallel to a direction of force that is exerted on the
textile base structure when the airbag cover opens, and a plurality
of cross threads that extend transverse to the longitudinal
threads; and a control means for controlling a release of an airbag
cover, the control means including a plurality of stop threads
integrated into the textile base structure; wherein the airbag
hinge is attached to one side of the airbag cover; wherein, when
the airbag deploys, the longitudinal threads tear apart and the
stop threads extend in length, such that the stop threads serve to
guide and restrain a travel path of the airbag cover.
2. The air-bag cover hinge of claim 1, the textile base structure
is a knitted fabric.
3. The air-bag cover hinge of claim 1, wherein the stop threads are
aligned generally parallel to the tension of the air-bag cover
hinge.
4. The air-bag cover hinge of claim 1, wherein the stop threads are
distributed uniformly over the textile base structure.
5. The air-bag cover hinge of claim 1, the textile base structure
and the stop threads forming a repeating alternating arrangement of
at least one longitudinal thread and a stop thread.
6. The airbag cover hinge of claim 5, wherein the repeating
alternating arrangement includes two longitudinal threads and a
stop thread.
6. The air-bag cover hinge of claim 1, wherein the textile base
structure is movable relative to the stop threads.
7. The air-bag cover hinge of claim 1, wherein the control means is
a storage area that provides an expansion length to at least the
stop threads.
8. The airbag cover hinge of claim 7, wherein the storage area is
placed in a predetermined section of the textile base structure and
the stop threads extend into the storage area substantially
transversely or longitudinally to the tension exerted on the airbag
cover hinge.
9. The air-bag cover hinge of claim 1 wherein the control means is
distributed along the textile base structure, such that the stop
threads include an expansion length along a length of the textile
base structure, so as to allow the stop threads to expand in length
relative to the textile base structure.
10. The airbag cover hinge of claim 9, wherein the expansion length
is provided as a meandering lay of the stop threads.
11. The airbag cover hinge of claim 9, wherein the expansion length
is provided as a zigzag lay of the stop threads.
12. The airbag cover hinge of claim 9, wherein the expansion length
is provided as an overlapping lay of the stop threads.
13. The air-bag cover hinge of claim 1, wherein the textile base
structure is imbedded in an essentially two-dimensional
construction of a knitted fabric
14. The air-bag cover hinge of claim 1, wherein the control means
provides at least a dual-stage load absorption of the airbag cover,
a first stage allowing the longitudinal threads of the textile base
structure to tear apart and a second stage wherein the stop threads
serve as a hinge about which the airbag cover rotates and restrain
the airbag cover from breaking loose from the hinge.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to an airbag cover hinge having a
textile hinge that can be connected both to the airbag cover and to
a support carrying the airbag cover.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] When an airbag deploys, the airbag cover opens to allow the
airbag to expand into the passenger space. The airbag cover hinge
serves to guide the airbag cover on opening and to prevent the
cover from flying in an uncontrolled manner into the passenger
space.
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 7,165,781 discloses an airbag cover hinge of
knitted or woven fabric. The forces acting on the airbag cover
hinge vary, as a function of the weight of the airbag cover and/or
airbag. For example, the heavier the airbag cover or airbag, the
greater the forces acting on the hinge. The hinge serves a dual
function: first to ensure that the airbag cover opens quickly and
easily when the airbag deploys and second, to ensure that the
airbag cover does not break free from all restraints, so as to fly
into the passenger space and possibly cause injury to someone.
[0004] Prior art hinges for airbag cover that are configured as
woven fabric or knitted fabric can tear, that is, fail, under
unfavorable conditions.
[0005] What is needed, therefore, is a hinge for an airbag cover
that allows easy opening of the airbag cover upon deployment, yet
securely prevents a tearing or loosening of the hinge. What is
further needed is such a hinge that is cost-effective to
produce.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The invention is an airbag cover hinge that provides a
multistage controlled release of the airbag cover. The hinge has a
textile base structure. Load-bearing or "stop" threads are
integrated as load-absorption threads into the textile base
structure, which is a fabric constructed of longitudinal threads
and cross threads. The stop threads extend generally parallel to
the longitudinal threads and have greater resistance to tearing and
a greater length than the longitudinal threads.
[0007] The hinge according to the invention integrates two systems,
i.e., a first system that tears whenever a predetermined tension is
exceeded in order to take up most of the tension, and a second
system which allows a defined opening of the airbag cover (opening
angle) with a secure hold on the cover.
[0008] The textile base structure is advantageously configured as
knitted fabric so as to be cost effective and provide optimal
handling.
[0009] The stop threads are aligned generally parallel to the
direction of force that is exerted on the hinge during deployment,
and ideally uniformly distributed over the textile base structure,
so as to provide an adequate quantity of stop threads, even then,
for example, when the hinges are cut or stamped from a larger piece
of fabric.
[0010] One feasible design is a sequence or repeating array of two
longitudinal threads of the textile base structure and a stop
thread (load absorption thread), this sequence, however, may be
adapted to correspond to the specific configuration of the airbag
cover.
[0011] In an advantageous embodiment, the textile base structure is
configured such that the base structure tears, while the stop
threads do not. The stop threads have a greater length than the
longitudinal threads and may be incorporated into the textile base
structure, for example, in a meandering, zigzag, tubular, arched,
corrugated and/or self-overlapping layout, such that the stop
threads have a "storage area" that allows the stop threads to
expand in length. The portion of the stop threads in the storage
area that may be placed substantially transversely and/or
longitudinally to the direction of pull.
[0012] The hinge according to the invention may be embedded in a
two-dimensional textile fabric, such that when deployment forces
are exerted on the cover hinge, the textile base structure tears or
opens away from the two-dimensional textile fabric, so as to
attenuate the deployment forces on the cover to some degree and, at
the same time, to define the path of travel for the airbag flap
upon opening.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The present invention is described with reference to the
accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers
indicate identical or functionally similar elements.
[0014] FIG. 1a is a schematic illustration of the textile base
structure according to the invention.
[0015] FIG. 1b illustrates the hinge under tension, with the
storage area opening up.
[0016] FIG. 1c shows stop and longitudinal threads in the storage
area.
[0017] FIG. 1d shows the longitudinal threads torn apart and the
stop threads holding two parts of the textile base structure
together.
[0018] FIG. 1e illustrates two thread systems integrated into he
textile base structure.
[0019] FIG. 1f illustrates the initial opening up of the storage
area in the process of airbag deployment.
[0020] FIG. 1g illustrates a continuing opening up of the storage
area.
[0021] FIG. 1h illustrates the final stage of the opening up of the
storage area, showing longitudinal threads severed and stop threads
functioning as a hinge and holding the two parts of the textile
base structure together.
[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates a textile base structure in which the
yy
[0023] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the airbag cover and
hinge.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] FIG. 1a to FIG. 1d illustrate an airbag cover hinge 1
according to the invention, which comprises a textile base
structure 4 constructed of longitudinal threads 3 and cross threads
2. In the embodiment shown, the textile base structure is a knitted
fabric. The hinge 1 serves to secure a cover 7 that is incorporated
into some support system 8 that encloses an air bag assembly 9 as
illustrated schematically in FIG. 3.
[0025] High-strength load-bearing or stop threads 5, such as, for
example, dtex 1100, are integrated into this textile base structure
4. The textile base structure 4 itself, comprising the longitudinal
threads 3 and cross threads 2, may be constructed of polyester
and/or other suitable materials, and particularly, is constructed
to have less strength than the stop threads 5, in other words, at
least the longitudinal threads 3 are designed to tear at loads that
the load-bearing stop threads can withstand.
[0026] The hinge 1 further comprises a control means 6 to control
the release of he airbag cover 7 during deployment of the airbag.
The control means includes stop threads 5 that are incorporated
into the textile base structure 4 and also a storage capacity or
area 6. The stop threads 5 are aligned generally parallel to the
direction of tension acting on the hinge upon deployment, but a
portion of the stop threads 5 has a storage capacity that allows
the threads 5 to expand in length.
[0027] The textile base structure 4 and the control means 6 are
shown in FIGS. 1b-1e as being part of a contiguous structure. The
stop threads 5 in the storage area 6 have an additional length that
may be laid out in a direction generally transverse to the
direction of force exerted by deployment. FIG. 1b illustrates an
initial airbag deployment stage with the storage area 6 beginning
to open up. This stretching of the storage area 6 operates to
enable a load-absorption function of hinge 1. As the storage area 6
opens up, the strong stop threads 6 and control or restrain the
movement of the airbag flap over its possible travel path.
[0028] Following actuation of the airbag, the airbag cover 7 opens
and the textile base structure 4 incorporated in the vicinity of
the airbag cover hinge 1 stretches to such an extent that the
longitudinal threads 3 of the textile base structure tear apart.
The process of applying load to the hinge is shown schematically in
FIGS. 1c and 1d. The textile base structure 4 begins to stretch in
the vicinity of the storage area 6. In the embodiment of FIG. 1c,
for example, the stop threads 5 and the longitudinal threads 3 are
incorporated into the textile base structure as a folded,
meandering, or zigzag inlay of the threads. As the force from
deployment continues to act on the hinge 1, the threads 5 and 3
expand in length. Eventually, the longitudinal threads 3 tear, as
shown in FIG. 1d, leaving the high-strength stop threads 5 to
function as a hinge and hold the two parts 4a and 4b of the textile
base structure 4 together. A complete tear of the airbag cover
hinge 1 is securely prevented by the high-strength formation of the
stop threads 5. The control means or storage area 6 releases the
travel necessary to open the airbag cover, yet. at the same time,
prevents unwanted tearing off and uncontrolled release of the
airbag cover.
[0029] The total strength of the airbag cover hinge 1 is determined
by the number of stop threads 5 and/or their strength properties.
i.e., their resistance to tearing. In a textile embodiment, it is
possible to create a repeating array across the width of the airbag
cover hinge 1 of two longitudinal threads 3 and one stop thread 5,
the stop thread being attached to the longitudinal threads of the
textile base structure 4. It is also possible, as shown in FIG. 1d,
to provide the stop threads 5 as an overlay with the longitudinal
threads 3. FIG. le illustrates a hinge 1, in which the threads 3
and 5 are incorporated into the textile base structure as a
repeating array. It should be understood, however, that the actual
embodiments may be adapted to achieve the desired resistance to
tearing for the specific application.
[0030] The maximal expansion range of the airbag cover hinge 1,
i.e., the distance between the portions 4a and 4b of the base
structure 4, is defined by the length of the stop threads 5 in the
storage area 6. The number and resistance to tearing of the stop
threads 5 is selected, such that the stop threads 5 continue to
absorb residual forces after the expanded textile base structure 4
has torn (multistage process).
[0031] FIGS. 1f and 1g show that both the stop threads 5 and the
longitudinal threads 3 can have different lengths relative to one
another so as to execute dual-stage or multistage load absorption
on opening. It is also possible to incorporate stop threads 5
having different lengths and/or strength properties, so as to
further enhance the multistage load absorption function of the
hinge 1.
[0032] In another embodiment, such as the one shown in FIG. 2, the
stop threads 5 have a meandering or zigzag lay over the length of
the textile base structure 4, in other words, the control means or
storage area 6 is configured over the entire length of the stop
threads 5. The meandering or zigzag stop threads/load absorption
threads extend such that the storage expansion and the strength of
the stop threads 4 define the load absorption by the hinge 1 in the
axis of rotation of the airbag flap, enable the airbag flap to
open, and then prevent the torn-apart portions 4a and 4b of the
textile base structure 4 from fully detaching from the hinge 1.
* * * * *