PATTERNED WEAKENING OF AIRBAG COVERINGS

摘要

A panel for use over a vehicle airbag includes a skin layer with a plurality of stress concentrators formed in an inner surface in a uniform two-dimensional pattern. A deployment opening may be formed through the skin layer with no pre-determined tear seam location. Multiple possible tear seam locations may be defined along stress concentrators arranged in such patterns. One method of forming stress concentrators in the desired pattern or arrangement includes a calendering operation that may be the same or similar operation used to form decorative grain patterns on the outer surface of the skin layer.