Trim panel assembly

{
  "publication_number": "US10875485B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Trim panel assembly",
  "abstract": "A trim panel assembly includes a trim panel configured to be removably connected to a pillar of a vehicle body structure. A connecting member includes a first part connected to the trim panel and a second part configured to be connected to the pillar. The first part is configured to be separable from the second part. A fastening member is connected between the first and second parts of the connecting member to limit a separation distance of the trim panel when the first part separates from the second part.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A trim panel assembly comprising: a trim panel configured to be removably connected to a pillar of a vehicle body structure; a connecting member including a first part connected to the trim panel and a second part configured to be connected to the pillar, the first part being configured to be separable from the second part, a longitudinal center line of the first part of the connecting member being offset with respect to a longitudinal center line of the second part of the connecting member; a fastening member connected between the first and second parts of the connecting member and configured to limit a separation distance of the trim panel when the first part separates from the second part, and a frangible portion connecting the first part of the connecting member to the second part of the connecting member, the first part of the connecting member being configured to separate from the second part upon deployment of an airbag disposed between the pillar and the trim panel in a state when the trim panel is attached to the pillar, the frangible portion facilitating separation of the first part from the second part responsive to deployment of the airbag.",
    "2. The trim panel assembly according to claim 1, wherein a receiving member disposed on a surface of the trim panel receives the first part of the connecting member.",
    "3. The trim panel assembly according to claim 2, wherein a retention arm disposed within the receiving member substantially prevents movement of the first part of the connecting member.",
    "4. The trim panel assembly according to claim 2, wherein the first part of the connecting member is movably received by the receiving member between a first position allowing for insertion and removal of the first part of the connecting member and a second position preventing removal of the first part of the connecting member from the receiving member.",
    "5. The trim panel assembly according to claim 4, wherein the first part of the connecting member is substantially T-shaped.",
    "6. The trim panel assembly according to claim 4, wherein the first part of the connecting member is substantially L-shaped.",
    "7. The trim panel assembly according to claim 1, wherein a first opening is disposed in the first part of the connecting member and a second opening is disposed in the second part of the connecting member, the fastening member being a tether extending between the first and second openings.",
    "8. The trim panel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the fastening member is a folding member having an accordion shape.",
    "9. The trim panel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the frangible portion extends substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal center lines of the first and second parts of the connecting member.",
    "10. A vehicle body structure comprising: a pillar; a trim panel removably connected to the pillar; a connecting member having a first part connected to the trim panel and a second part connected to the pillar, the first part being separable from the second part, a longitudinal center line of the first part of the connecting member being offset with respect to a longitudinal center line of the second part of the connecting member; and an airbag disposed between the pillar and the trim panel, the first part of the connecting member being configured to separate from the second part of the connecting member responsive to deployment of the airbag such that the trim panel disengages the pillar to allow for deployment of the airbag.",
    "11. The vehicle body structure according to claim 10, wherein a fastening member is connected between the first and second parts of the connecting member to limit the separation distance of the trim panel.",
    "12. The vehicle body structure according to claim 11, wherein a first opening is disposed in the first part of the connecting member and a second opening is disposed in the second part of the connecting member, the fastening member being a tether extending between the first and second openings.",
    "13. The vehicle body structure according to claim 10, wherein a receiving member disposed on a surface of the trim panel receives the first part of the connecting member.",
    "14. The vehicle body structure according to claim 13, wherein the receiving member projects outwardly from the surface of the trim panel.",
    "15. The vehicle body structure according to claim 13, wherein the first part of the connecting member is movably received by the receiving member between a first position allowing for insertion and removal of the first part of the connecting member and a second position preventing removal of the first part of the connecting member from the receiving member.",
    "16. The vehicle body structure according to claim 15, wherein the first part of the connecting member is substantially T-shaped.",
    "17. The vehicle body structure according to claim 10, wherein a frangible portion connects the first part of the connecting member to the second part of the connecting member, the frangible portion facilitating separation of the first part from the second part responsive to deployment of the airbag."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "Field of the Invention The present invention generally relates to a trim panel assembly. More specifically, the present invention relates to a trim panel configured to be connected to a pillar of a vehicle body structure by a connecting member that separates upon deployment of an airbag. Background Information An airbag is disposed between a trim panel and a pillar of a vehicle to protect an occupant of the vehicle during an impact event. The trim panel is removably connected to the pillar of a vehicle body structure such that the trim panel at least partially separates from the pillar upon deployment of the airbag to allow for deployment of the airbag. A need exists to control the separation of the trim panel from the pillar upon deployment of the airbag disposed therebetween.\n\nAn object of the disclosure is to provide a trim panel configured to be connected to a pillar of a vehicle body structure by a connecting member that separates upon deployment of an airbag. In view of the state of the known technology, one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a trim panel assembly including a trim panel configured to be removably connected to a pillar of a vehicle body structure. A connecting member includes a first part connected to the trim panel and a second part configured to be connected to the pillar. The first part is configured to be separable from the second part. A fastening member connected between the first and second parts of the connecting member is configured to limit a separation distance of the trim panel when the first part separates from the second part.",
  "cpc": [
    "B60R 21/216",
    "B60R 13/0206",
    "B60R 13/025",
    "B60R 2021/2161",
    "B60R 21/213",
    "F16B 21/086",
    "F16B 31/005",
    "F16B 41/002",
    "F16B 5/0657",
    "F16B 5/12",
    "F16B 5/126",
    "F16B 5/128"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B60R 13/02",
    "B60R 21/213",
    "B60R 21/216",
    "F16B 31/00",
    "F16B 5/12"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "NISSAN NORTH AMERICA INC"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "BELTRAN EMMANUEL MARTINEZ"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2018-11-06",
  "publication_date": "2020-12-29",
  "grant_date": "2020-12-29",
  "priority_date": "2018-11-06",
  "application_number": "US-201816181950-A",
  "family_id": "70458278",
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}