Johnson Controls Technology Company

Martin Lambrecht

Paul E Thoma

Nicholas Jackson, Jr

Val A Bellora

Shawn E Roberts

Ryan W Krauss

Andrew Johnston

Lambert J Van Poolen

Kathy J Jackson

A method is disclosed for designing an energy-absorbing impact zone for a vehicle interior, including acquiring test data representative of an occupant, determining a force versus deflection curve for the vehicle impact zone, analyzing the force versus deflection curve, and utilizing the analysis to adjust the stiffness of the energy-absorbing impact zone and to shape the force versus deflection curve so that a constant area under the force versus deflection curve has the minimum deflection possible without exceeding a certain force limit and a certain head impact criterion.

Method for improving the energy absorbing characteristics of automobile components

A fastener for coupling a trim panel to a support member includes a mounting grommet with a funnel-shaped receiver communicating with an aperture for receiving one end of a fastener pin having a plurality of spaced annular ratcheting grooves formed thereon. The opposite or second end of the pin includes a pointed end with a pair of resilient locking arms, which extend divergently outwardly and away from an apex of the second end of the pin at an acute angle and at a spacing of about 180&deg;, for insertion into an aperture of a support structure. Interposed between the first and second ends of the fastening pin is a resilient, generally cup-shaped seal which engages a surface of the support structure opposite the locking arms for providing a seal surrounding the aperture in the support structure to which the fastening pin is inserted. The grommet includes an annular slot defined by a collar on one side and a shoulder of the funnel-shaped receiver on the other. The shoulder includes an outwardly extending, resilient, annular flange cooperating with the support structure secured to the trim panel for centering the grommet. A trim panel includes a support socket including a slotted aperture for receiving the shoulder of the grommet and a pair of resilient locking arms which extend to one edge of the aperture for engaging the edge of the collar of the grommet when inserted into the support socket to lock the grommet in place while allowing a slight lateral adjustment for final alignment.

Panel fastener

Growing community of inventors

Holland, MI, United States of America

Martin Lambrecht