DESC:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to occupant safety inside a vehicle and more specifically to a collapsible arm rest of the door trim in the event of a side collision.
DEFINITIONS
As used in the present disclosure, the following terms are generally intended to have the meaning as set forth below, except to the extent that the context in which they are used indicate otherwise.
Dog house - an engineering feature used in plastic trim design used as a mounting feature. For example snaps, clips etc.
Crumple zones – crumple zones are structural safety members which are used in vehicles/automobiles, to absorb the energy by controlled deformation thereby increasing the time delay over which a change in velocity (and consequently, momentum) occurs and which in turn results in reducing the forces experienced by mannequin.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
Homologation is the process of certifying that a particular car is roadworthy and matches certain specified criteria laid out by the government for all vehicles made or imported into that country. Passive safety which aims at reducing the occupant fatality rate and severity of injury was the first step initiated by authorities in the homologation process. Vehicle impacting a pole from the side of the vehicle may cause fatal injuries to the passengers sitting near the doors. In case of side pole impact, the passengers mainly suffer thoracic and abdominal injuries. Additionally, sparsity of occupant survival space in case of a side impact, further increases the severity of the injuries. Door trims lying on the inside of the doors have been designed and developed to absorb vehicle impacts. Manufacturing of the door trims include application of foam-based parts which help in absorbing the impact. This results in complicated design of door trims, as well as the cost of the vehicle increases. Moreover, such foam-based parts do not facilitate storage of articles.
There is, therefore, felt a need for a door trim of a vehicle to overcome the aforementioned problems.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a door trim of a vehicle for occupant safety.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a door trim of a vehicle for occupant safety that is simple in construction.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a door trim of a vehicle for occupant safety that absorbs energy of side impact.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a door trim of a vehicle for occupant safety that offers storage space for articles.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure discloses a door trim attached to an inner panel of a vehicle door. The door trim comprises an arm rest configured to be attached from an inner side of the door trim, a plurality of stiffeners configured on the arm rest, a plurality of dog houses configured to be attached from an outer side of the door trim. The plurality of stiffeners and the plurality of dog houses are configured to absorb energy of impact of the vehicle with an obstruction such as a pole.
In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of crumple zones is configured on each of the plurality of stiffeners.
In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of ribs is configured on each of the plurality of dog houses.
In a preferred embodiment, each of the plurality of stiffeners is configured in a transverse direction to the vehicle.
In a preferred embodiment, each of the plurality of dog houses is configured in a transverse direction to the vehicle.
In a preferred embodiment, the arm rest is configured to be integral with the door trim.
In another embodiment, the dimension of the plurality of the stiffeners is adjustable.
In yet another embodiment, the dimensions of the plurality of the doghouses is adjustable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
A door trim of a vehicle of the present disclosure, will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 shows a side view of a door trim from the inner side of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 shows a detail of the Figure 1;
Figure 3 shows another side view of the door trim from the outer side of the vehicle;
Figure 4 shows a detail of the Figure 3; and
Figure 5 shows top view of the vehicle and pole on its side.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
100 – door trim
10 – arm rest
20 – stiffener(s)
22 – crumple zone(s)
30 – slot(s)
40 – dog houses
42 –ribs
P – obstruction pole/obstacle
T – transverse direction
L – longitudinal direction
V – vehicle
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, specific processes specific apparatus structures, and unique techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “including” and “having” are open-ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The particular order of steps disclosed in the method and process of the present disclosure is not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance as described or illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
When an element is referred to as being “mounted on”, “engaged to”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.
Terms such as “inner”, “outer”, “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures.
The present disclosure envisages a door trim of a vehicle. The door trim (hereinafter referred to as door trim 100) is described herein below with reference to Figure 1 through Figure 5.
The door trim 100 is configured to be attached to an inner panel of a vehicle V. An arm rest 10 is configured to be attached to an inner side of the door trim 100. The arm rest 10 is configured to protrude on the inner side of the door trim 100. The arm rest 10 is configured with a plurality of stiffeners 20. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of stiffeners 20 is in the form of a strip. The stiffeners 20 are strategically positioned on the arm rest 10 to increase the structural strength of the arm rest 10. A plurality of slots 30 are defined in between the plurality of stiffeners 20, and are positioned between the adjacent stiffeners 20. The stiffeners 20 facilitate increased stiffness of the arm rest 10 against incident external loads. The incident external loads arise due to the vehicle V contacting an obstruction such as a pole P (as shown in figure 5) present on the roadside. In an embodiment, the dimensions of each of the plurality of slots 30 are distinct. Each of the plurality of stiffeners 20 are configured with a plurality of crumple zones 22 to absorb the impact energy of the incident external loads. In addition to absorption of impact energy, the crumple zones 22 are constructed to collapse or break intentionally, after absorption of the impact energy. This facilitates in ensuring that the occupants inside the vehicle V experience less impact energy, thereby increasing safety of the occupants. As shown in figure 2, an outer side of the door trim 100 is configured with a plurality of dog houses 40. Each of the dog houses 40 is constructed to increase stiffness of the door trim 100. Each of the dog houses 40 is configured to receive fasteners or push pins. The dog houses 40 facilitate absorbing of the impact energy in the event of a side crash. Each of the dog houses 40 is provided with a plurality of ribs 42 to further enhance the impact energy absorption of external loads. This particular construction of the arm rest 10 helps lower chances of physical injuries to the occupants inside the vehicle V in the event of a side impact. Injuries to the thorax and the abdomen of the occupant are mainly caused due to space crunch in case of a side pole P impact. The arm rest 10 of the present disclosure protects the occupant during side impacts. The arm rest 10 acts as a pusher to push the occupant away from the door trim 100, thereby providing protection to the occupant.
In another embodiment, the dimension of the stiffeners 20 is adjustable.
In yet another embodiment, the dimension of the dog houses (20) is adjustable.
In an embodiment, each of the dog houses 40 is chamfered to reduce force levels during side impact.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a door trim of a vehicle for occupant safety that:
• is simple in construction;
• is efficient in impact energy absorption; and
• offers storage space for articles.
The foregoing disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.

ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE
One of the object of the Patent Law is to provide protection to new technologies in all fields and domain of technologies. The new technologies shall or may contribute in the country economy growth by way of involvement of new efficient and quality method or product manufacturing in India.
To provide the protection of new technologies by patenting the product or process will contribute significant for innovation development in the country. Further by granting patent the patentee can contribute in manufacturing the new product or new process of manufacturing by himself or by technology collaboration or through the licensing.
The applicant submits that the present disclosure will contribute in country economy, which is one of the purposes to enact the Patents Act, 1970. The product in accordance with present invention will be in great demand in country and worldwide due to novel technical features of a present invention is a technical advancement in undertaking occupant safety measures of the door trims used in vehicles. The technology in accordance with present disclosure will provide a safer product capable of reducing injuries to occupants.
The product will contribute new concept of constructing the door trims with safety features that help in reducing injuries to occupants in the event of a side crash, wherein patented product will be used. The product is developed in the national interest and will contribute to country economy.
The economic significance details requirement may be called during the examination. Only after filing of this Patent application, the applicant can work publically related to present disclosure product/process/method. The applicant will disclose all the details related to the economic significance contribution after the protection of invention.
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A door trim (100) of a vehicle (V) provided on an inner panel of a vehicle door, said door trim (100) comprising:
• an arm rest (10) configured to be attached on the inner side of the door trim (100);
• a plurality of stiffeners (20) configured on the arm rest (10);
• a plurality of dog houses (40) configured to be attached from an outer side of the door trim (100), said dog houses (40) configured to receive fasteners or push pins;
wherein the plurality of stiffeners (20) and the plurality of dog houses (40) are configured to absorb energy of a side impact of the vehicle (V) with an obstruction.
2. The door trim (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of crumple zones (22) are configured on each of the plurality of stiffeners (20).
3. The door trim (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of ribs (42) is configured on each of the plurality of dog houses (40).
4. The door trim (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the dog houses (40) is chamfered to reduce force levels during side impacts.
5. The door trim (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of slots (30) are configured between the plurality of stiffeners (20).
6. The door trim (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of stiffeners (20) is configured in a transverse direction (T) to the vehicle (V).
7. The door trim (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of dog houses (40) are configured in a transverse direction (T) to the vehicle (V).
8. The door trim (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the arm rest (10) is configured to be integral with the door trim (100).
9. The door trim (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dimensions of the plurality of the stiffeners (20) are adjustable.
10. The door trim (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dimensions of the plurality of the dog houses (20) are adjustable.