INSTRUMENT PANEL HAVING INTEGRATED AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT DOOR

摘要

An automotive instrument panel (10) includes a molded plastic retainer (14) formed with an integral airbag deployment door (22) surrounded by a channel (24) defining a tear seam (30) enabling the door (22) to separate and hinge outwardly upon deployment of the airbag (25). A foam-backed cover of flexible plastic material (32) is applied over the outer surface of the panel and is severed along the length of the channel (28) to eliminate any influence that the cover (32) may have on resisting the opening of the door (22). The severed cover portion can either be removed to expose the door (22) or else be left intact and bonded to the door.