| 摘要 |
<p>A vehicle steering wheel (12) has a decorative panel (34) concealing a storage compartment (28) for an inflatable air bag (30). The panel (34) has a covering (38) with a backing plate (36) having a U-shaped cut line (56) framing the storage compartment (28) and defining a cover door (50) having a hinge line (60) connecting the ends of the cut line U (56). An inner layer of foam (40) is interposed between the backing plate (36) and an outer skin layer (38). The skin (38) has a peripheral groove (42, 44, 46, 48) outlining the door (50) and includes a hinge section (42) overlying the hinge line (60) and a weakened tear seam line overlying the cut line. The groove is cut through at the bottom along the tear seam line (44, 46, 48) but not along the hinge section (42). Inflation of the air bag (30) will force the door (50) outwardly, fracturing the foam layer (40) along the tear seam line to swing the door (50) away from the opening about the hinge section (42) to enable deployment of the air bag (30) outwardly of the panel (34).</p> |
